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Quality Improvement Initiatives in Pediatric Emergency Care in Low-Resource Settings: Addressing Patient Safety and Outcomes
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Quality Improvement Initiatives in Pediatric Emergency Care in Low-Resource Settings: Addressing Patient Safety and Outcomes

Chibuike Daniel Onyejesi, Abenezer Kebede, Eslam Abady, Muhammad Azan Shahid, Chukwunonye Onyeka Ogbuji, Rayan Raed Salahaldin, Zainab Ibrahim Mohamed, Olalekan John Okesanya, Yenifer Milagros Aponte and Mohamed Alsabri
International journal of pediatrics, v 2026(1), 6683096
01 Jan 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/ijpe/6683096
PMID: 42368900
url
https://doi.org/10.1155/ijpe/6683096View
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open

Abstract

Life Sciences & Biomedicine Science & Technology Pediatrics
BackgroundPediatric emergency care (PEC) in low-resource settings faces systemic challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, workforce shortages, and supply chain inefficiencies, which contribute to preventable morbidity and mortality. Quality improvement (QI) initiatives offer a structured framework to address these challenges, enhance patient safety, and improve clinical outcomes.MethodsA narrative review was conducted using literature identified from PubMed and Google Scholar, supplemented by reports and guidance documents from the World Health Organization and nongovernmental organizations. Search terms included combinations of "pediatric emergency care," "quality improvement," "patient safety," "low-resource settings," "LMICs," "triage," "task shifting," "telemedicine," "digital health," and "community health workers." Eligible sources included primary studies, reviews, implementation reports, and policy documents addressing QI interventions, implementation barriers, facilitators, or outcomes relevant to PEC in low-resource settings.ResultsIncluded studies reported improvements in triage reliability, time to treatment, guideline adherence, patient-flow organization, workforce capacity, and data availability. Several triage- and ETAT-based interventions reported reductions in pediatric mortality or improved time-sensitive care processes, whereas digital health interventions improved triage completion, referral monitoring, and real-time decision support. Key enablers included local adaptation, staff training, audit and feedback, interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and sustainable governance structures.ConclusionStrengthening QI initiatives is essential to achieving global health goals and ensuring equitable healthcare access for children in resource-limited settings. Sustainable, evidence-based interventions are critical for building resilient PEC systems and optimizing workflows.

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