Journal article
EM Doc On Call: A Pilot Study to Improve Interhospital Transfers in Rwanda
PREHOSPITAL AND DISASTER MEDICINE, v 38(4), p456
Aug 2023
PMID: 37340758
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Introduction:Treatment of seriously ill patients is often complicated by prolonged or complex transfers between hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa. Difficulties or inefficiency in these transfers can lead to poor outcomes for patients. On-call triage systems have been utilized to facilitate communication between facilities and to avoid poor outcomes associated with patient transfer. This study attempts to examine the effects of a pilot study to implement such a system in Rwanda. Methods:Data collection occurred prospectively in two stages, pre-intervention and intervention, in the emergency department (ED) at Kigali University Teaching Hospital (CHUK). All patients transferred during the pre-determined timeframe were enrolled. Data were collected by ED research staff via a standardized form. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA version 15.0. Differences in characteristics were assessed using & chi;(2) or Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables and independent sample t-tests for normally distributed continuous variables. Results:During the on call physician intervention, the indication for transfer was significantly more likely to be for critical care (P <.001), transfer times were faster (P <.001), patients were more likely to be displaying emergency signs (P <.001), and vital signs were more likely to be collected prior to transport (P <.001) when compared to the pre-interventional phase. Conclusion:The [Emergency Medicine] EM Doc On Call intervention was associated with improved timely interhospital transfer and clinical documentation in Rwanda. While these data are not definitive due to multiple limitations, it is extremely promising and worthy of further study.
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Details
- Title
- EM Doc On Call: A Pilot Study to Improve Interhospital Transfers in Rwanda
- Publication Details
- PREHOSPITAL AND DISASTER MEDICINE, v 38(4), p456
- Publisher
- CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS; NEW YORK
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Drexel University
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001011740600001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85163605796
- Other Identifier
- 991021861302404721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Emergency Medicine