Availability of resources for emergency care at a second-level hospital in Ghana: A mixed methods assessment
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AFJEM
Abstract
Introduction: Emergency care is an essential component of health systems, particularly in low- and
middle-income countries. We sought to assess the availability of resources to provide emergency
care at a second-level hospital in Ghana. By doing so, deficits that could guide development of
targeted intervention strategies to improve emergency care could be identified.
Methods: A qualitative and quantitative assessment of capacity for care of emergency patients
was performed at the Emergency Centre of the Police Hospital, a second-level hospital in Accra, Ghana.
Direct inspection and job-specific survey of clinical, orderly, administrative and ambulance staff was performed.
Responses to quantitative questions were described. Qualitative responses were examined by content analysis.
Results: Assessment revealed marked deficiencies in many essential items and services. However, several successes
were identified, such as laboratory capacity. Among the unavailable essential items, some were of low-cost,
such as basic airway supplies, chest tubes and several emergency medications. Themes from staff responses when
asked how to improve emergency care included: provide periodic training, increase bed numbers in the emergency unit,
ensure availability of essential items and make personal protective equipment available for all staff caring for patients.
Conclusion: This study identified opportunities to improve the care of patients with emergency conditions at the
Police Hospital in Ghana. Low-cost improvements in training, organization and planning could improve item and
service availability, such as: developing a continuing education curriculum for staff in all areas of the emer gency centre;
holding in-service training on existing protocols for triage and emergency care; adding checklists to guide appropriate
triage and safe transfer of patients; and perform a root cause analysis of item non-availability to develop targeted interventions.
Description
This article is published by (AFJEM) African Journal of Emergency Medicine and is also available at www.sciencedirect.com
Keywords
Citation
African Journal of Emergency Medicine (2016) 6, 30–37