A cross sectional study of the availability of paediatric emergency equipment in South African emergency units
Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
Background: Despite children representing a significant proportion of Emergency Unit (EU)
attendances globally, it is concerning that many healthcare facilities are inadequately equipped
to deliver paediatric resuscita- tion. The rapid availability of a full range of paediatric emergency equipment is critical for delivery of effective, best-practice resuscitation. This study aimed to describe the availability of essential, functional paediatric emergency resuscitation equipment on or close to the resuscitation trolley, in 24-hour EUs in Cape Town,
South Africa.
Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted over a six-month period in government funded hospital EUs, providing 24-hour emergency paediatric care within the Cape Town Metropole. A standardised data collection sheet of essential resuscitation equipment expected to be available in the resuscitation area, was used. Items were considered to be available if at least one piece of equipment was present. Functionality of available equipment was defined as: equipment that hadn't expired, whose original packaging was not outwardly damaged or compromised and all components were present and intact.
Results: Overall, a mean of 43% (30/69) of equipment was available on the resuscitation trolley across all hospitals. The overall mean availability of equipment in
the resuscitation area was 49% (34/69) across all hospitals. Mean availability of functional equipment was 42% (29/69) overall, 41% (28/69) at district-level hospitals, and 45% (31/69) at regional/tertiary hospitals.
Conclusion: Essential resuscitation equipment for children is insufficiently available at district-level and higher hospitals in the Cape Town Metropole. This is a modifiable barrier to the provision of high-quality paediatric emergency care.
Description
CITATION: King, L. L., Cheema, B. & Van Hoving, D. J. 2020. A cross sectional study of the availability of paediatric emergency equipment in South African emergency units. African Journal of Emergency Medicine, 10(4):197-202, doi:10.1016/j.afjem.2020.06.008.
The original publication is available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/african-journal-of-emergency-medicine
The original publication is available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/african-journal-of-emergency-medicine
Keywords
Pediatric emergencies -- South Africa, Pediatrics -- South Africa, Medical emergencies -- South Africa
Citation
King, L. L., Cheema, B. & Van Hoving, D. J. 2020. A cross sectional study of the availability of paediatric emergency equipment in South African emergency units. African Journal of Emergency Medicine, 10(4):197-202, doi:10.1016/j.afjem.2020.06.008