Emergency surgical services in a sub-Saharan African country: can we meet the needs
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Date
2010
Authors
mofikoya, B.O
Enweluzo, G
Tijani, K.H
Ogunleye, E
kanu, O.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
EuroJournals Publishing incorp
Abstract
Objectives:
To determine the broad demographics and morbidity of patients utilizing the emergency surgical services at a public tertiary hospital in Lagos, identify major bottle necks to prompt service delivery, and determine patient outcomes.
Methods:
Authors and trained assistants collected data with aid of a simple proforma was designed to collect basic demographic data, patient socioeconomic group, injury–presentation interval in trauma cases, diagnoses of the patients seen, the presentation-intervention interval, emergency room mortality, outcomes and percentage of patients who experienced service failures.
Results:
3426 patients were seen at the accident and emergency, surgery section between July 2003 and August 2006. Of the 3307 studied 1422 (43%) patients presented on account of injuries. Male: female ratio was 4: 1. Peak age group was 31-40 years. Injury–presentation time was more than 24 hours in 82% of cases seen. 96%(n= 3175) of patients had surgical intervention times of greater than 6 hours. Slow response times at the Laboratories and X ray centers delayed the intervention in most the cases. Service failure occurred in 40%(n= 1332) of cases. 214 (6.4%) cases of emergency room deaths occurred during the study period. 43% of the patients seen had surgical intervention 29% were admitted, the rest were treated and discharged.
Conclusion:
Tertiary referral facilities who receive surgical emergencies should ensure provision of smooth patient flow pathways to minimize morbidity and mortality.
Description
Staff publications
Keywords
Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE , Subharan Africa , Emergency Surgery , low resource country
Citation
Mofikoya BO, Enweluzo GO, Tijani KH, Ogunleye E , Kanu, O. Emergency surgical services in a sub-Saharan African country: can we meet the needs. European J of Scientific Res. 2010;43(2):265-2711