scholarly journals Towards a safer and more efficient neonatal transfer system in South Africa: A qualitative inquiry with advanced life support paramedics

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pradeep Ashokcoomar ◽  
Raisuyah Bhagwan
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Transfer Process ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Advanced Life Support ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

Introduction The inter-healthcare transfer of the critically ill neonate is a critical aspect of larger neonatal intensive care, as it influences the safe transport of neonates from the receiving to the referring hospital. It is crucial then that the transfer process be safe and efficient so as not to compromise the already fragile condition of the neonate. The aim of the study was to understand the challenges advanced life support (ALS) paramedics face during neonatal transfers and to understand how the process could be made safer and more efficient. The objectives related to understanding the transfer process, the challenges linked to the critically ill neonate and the difficulties associated with the ambulance vehicle and equipment. Methods Using a qualitative research approach we sought the views of ALS paramedics at the forefront of transfers nationally. In-depth interviews were held with eight paramedics in KwaZulu-Natal and four focus group discussions with ALS paramedics in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Free State and the Western Cape in South Africa. A total of 35 ALS paramedics were involved in these group discussions. Results The study uncovered several challenges that paramedics face related to poor organisational preparation for transfer of the critically ill neonate, and other crucial issues that compromise the transfer such as inadequate or defective equipment. Conclusion There is a need for greater scrutiny of the transfer process and a commitment from stakeholders to begin addressing the challenges confronting the safe transfer of critically ill neonates.

scholarly journals Preparedness of Western Cape advanced life support providers to provide clinical stabilisation and intensive care for neonatal interfacility transfers

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erefaan Ismail ◽  
Raveen Naidoo ◽  
Dorcas Rosaley Prakaschandra
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Advanced Life Support ◽  
Practical Training ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Critically Ill Neonates

Introduction The Western Cape is a province in South Africa – known for the port city of Cape Town – surrounded by the Indian and Atlantic oceans. The transport of high-risk neonates between neonatal intensive care units in the Western Cape of South Africa is performed by advanced life support (ALS) providers.The implications of this practice have not been documented. This study will evaluate the preparedness of ALS providers to undertake intensive care of critically ill neonates during interfacility transfers.MethodsData collection was performed using a questionnaire with a response rate of 81% (n=145). The data analysis encompassed descriptive statistics using tables and figures. Inferential statistics was done using the chi-square test with a significance reported for p<0.05. Reliability was determined using Cronbach’s alpha.ResultsThe respondents highlighted that their initial ALS training was not adequate to prepare them for managing critically ill neonates. This view was expressed by the greater majority (n=63, 43.4%) when asked about their combined neonatal theory and practical training notional hours of their curriculum which focussed on managing critically ill neonates. ConclusionThere is an urgent need to improve the training programs of ALS providers with regards to neonatology. Numerous factors affecting the preparedness of ALS providers to manage critically ill neonates have been highlighted.

scholarly journals The neonatal transfer process through the lens of neonatologists at public hospitals in South Africa

2022 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pradeep Ashokcoomar ◽  
Raisuyah Bhagwan
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Transfer Process ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Advanced Life Support ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Tertiary Hospitals

Background: Neonatal care is provided by various levels of healthcare facilities in South Africa. Intensive care for neonates is only provided at the higher levels, hence the need for transfers from lower-level to higher-level facilities (e.g. primary hospitals to tertiary hospitals) or across levels of facilities, particularly when life-threatening situations arise (e.g. cardiac deterioration, respiratory deterioration and desaturation).Aim: The aim of the study was to explore neonatologists’ views regarding the neonatal transfer process and to describe the preparedness of advanced life support (ALS) paramedics to undertake such transfers.Setting: The setting consisted of neonatologists from three provinces i.e. KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Western cape.Method: A qualitative descriptive design was utilised in this study. Semistructured interviews were conducted on the public health hospitals in three provinces (N = 9; n = 3) with neonatologists (N = 7; n = 7) who were involved in the transfers of critically ill neonates. The process of thematic analysis was used.Results: The themes that emerged in this study were: an awareness of local contextual realities related to neonatal transfers, challenges evident within the context of neonatal transfers, decision-making around the transfer of ill neonates, ALS paramedic preparedness for transfers and good clinical governanceConclusion: The study found that there was a need to be aware of local contextual realities confronting neonatal transfers, a need for greater preparedness for paramedics to undertake these transfers, a need for a sound referral processes and a need for coordinated transfer effort between paramedics, hospital staff and transport team members for the successful transfer of critically ill neonates.Contribution: The findings highlight the challenges confronting the neonatal transfer process in South Africa through the lens of neonatologist at public hospitals. Hence, the study reinforces the preparedness and coordination of the transfer process, along with more efficient communication between paramedics, hospital staff and the transfer team.

scholarly journals An exploratory study of the experiences and challenges faced by advanced life support paramedics in the milieu of neonatal transfers

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raisuyah Bhagwan ◽  
Pradeep Ashokcoomar
Keyword(s):  
Critically Ill ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Advanced Life Support ◽  
Healthcare Facility ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
District Hospitals ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Critically Ill Neonates

Background: The safe transfer of critically ill neonates is important for their survival. This calls for greater preparedness on the part of paramedics to effect these transfers safely.Aim: To understand the experiences and the challenges faced by advanced life support (ALS) paramedics during neonatal transfers.Setting: The study setting consisted of advanced life support paramedics from urban and rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal. It comprised of a network of district hospitals as well air and ground transfer facilities, both public and private.Method: Using a qualitative research approach, the study sought the views of ALS paramedics who were involved in neonatal transfers in KwaZulu-Natal. A purposive sample of n = 8 ALS paramedics was selected. Data were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews. The data were analysed through the process of thematic analysis.Results: The study found that paramedics faced multiple complex challenges related to neonatal transfers. Poor pre-transfer preparation of the neonate, equipment related challenges, lack of clinical support available during transfers and pressure to effect inappropriate transfers were some of the challenges they faced. These challenges coupled with insufficient education and the lack of sub-speciality programmes to capacitate, rendered them unprepared to deal with neonatal transfers effectively.Conclusion: Emergency medicine needs to provide greater attention towards preparing all stakeholders for successful neonatal transfers.Contribution: The findings provide recommendations for a programme that will limit risks involved with, and support the inter-healthcare facility transfer of critically ill neonates in South Africa.

Use of Predictive Modeling to Plan for Special Event Medical Care During Mass Gathering Events

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 874-879
Author(s):  
Rachel L. Allgaier ◽  
Nina Shaafi-Kabiri ◽  
Carla A. Romney ◽  
Lee A. Wallis ◽  
John Joseph Burke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Resource Allocation ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Advanced Life Support ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Mass Gathering ◽  
World Cup ◽  
Mass Gathering Medicine ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Patient Presentation

ABSTRACTObjectives:In 2010, South Africa (SA) hosted the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup (soccer). Emergency Medical Services (EMS) used the SA mass gathering medicine (MGM) resource model to predict resource allocation. This study analyzed data from the World Cup and compared them with the resource allocation predicted by the SA mass gathering model.Methods:Prospectively, data were collected from patient contacts at 9 venues across the Western Cape province of South Africa. Required resources were based on the number of patients seeking basic life support (BLS), intermediate life support (ILS), and advanced life support (ALS). Overall patient presentation rates (PPRs) and transport to hospital rates (TTHRs) were also calculated.Results:BLS services were required for 78.4% (n = 1279) of patients and were consistently overestimated using the SA mass gathering model. ILS services were required for 14.0% (n = 228), and ALS services were required for 3.1% (n = 51) of patients. Both ILS and ALS services, and TTHR were underestimated at smaller venues.Conclusions:The MGM predictive model overestimated BLS requirements and inconsistently predicted ILS and ALS requirements. MGM resource models, which are heavily based on predicted attendance levels, have inherent limitations, which may be improved by using research-based outcomes.

scholarly journals Perspectives on Stock Theft Prevention in the Selected Provinces of South Africa: Failures and Successes

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1029-1038
Author(s):  
Witness Maluleke ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
South African Police Service ◽  
Preventative Measures ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
South African Police ◽  
Data Collections ◽  
The Relationship

Residents of Limpopo (LIM) and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province are witnessing higher rates of stock theft, with the inhabitants of the selected communities living in fear for the prevention of this scourge. This study explores the extent of this crime in the selected areas of LIM and KZN, considering contributory factors, determining the relationship between the South African Police Service Stock Theft Units (SAPS STUs) and other relevant stakeholders, as well as looking at existing strategies (And their failures and successes) in responding to this crime effectively. A qualitative research approach coupled with Non-probability: Purposive sampling was used in this study. The targeted population consisted of 113 participants. For data collections, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and Observation Schedules were adopted. lack of appropriate preventative measures has led to rise of stock theft, it was, therefore, discovered that both the affected livestock farmers and members of the community lost confidence toward the police, Besides, the perspectives on stock theft prevention in LIM and KZN reflect a greater challenge, with inadequate solutions present, since the current preventative measures are ineffective. Thus, understanding stock theft phenomenon is critical to its prevention as the sector of livestock in South Africa is the contributory key to the value of the agricultural economy.

scholarly journals Spiritual care practices in hospices in the Western cape, South Africa: the challenge of diversity

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronita Mahilall ◽  
Leslie Swartz
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Spiritual Care ◽  
Resource Constraints ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Care Services ◽  
African Context ◽  
Care Practices

Abstract Background South Africa is a very diverse middle-income country, still deeply divided by the legacy of its colonial and apartheid past. As part of a larger study, this article explored the experiences and views of representatives of hospices in the Western Cape province of South Africa on the provision of appropriate spiritual care, given local issues and constraints. Methods Two sets of focus group discussions, with 23 hospice participants, were conducted with 11 of the 12 Hospice Palliative Care Association registered hospices in the Western Cape, South Africa, to understand what spiritual care practices existed in their hospices against the backdrop of multifaceted diversities. The discussions were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Two prominent themes emerged: the challenges of providing relevant spiritual care services in a religiously, culturally, linguistically and racially diverse setting, and the organisational context impacting such a spiritual care service. Participants agreed that spiritual care is an important service and that it plays a significant role within the inter-disciplinary team. Participants recognised the need for spiritual care training and skills development, alongside the financial costs of employing dedicated spiritual care workers. In spite of the diversities and resource constraints, the approach of individual hospices to providing spiritual care remained robust. Discussion Given the diversities that are largely unique to South Africa, shaped essentially by past injustices, the hospices have to navigate considerable hurdles such as cultural differences, religious diversity, and language barriers to provide spiritual care services, within significant resource constraints. Conclusions While each of the hospices have established spiritual care services to varying degrees, there was an expressed need for training in spiritual care to develop a baseline guide that was bespoke to the complexities of the South African context. Part of this training needs to focus on the complexity of providing culturally appropriate services.

scholarly journals THE USE OF MARKETING AS A TOOL FOR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE AMONG POTENTIAL AND PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL CLUBS IN KZN, SOUTH AFRICA

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 319-335
Author(s):  
Joseph Kolawole Abon ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Professional Football ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Football Clubs ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Marketing Activities ◽  
Marketing Actions

Football, as the most popular sport amongst other sports, is a household name in the world and South Africa particularly. This study examines the use of marketing in improving competitive advantage among potential and professional football clubs in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Several sponsorship opportunities that could serve as an impetus to disseminate various club projects are noted to be undermined. Arguably, some of the clubs’ activities are seasonal, and the applicability of marketing by football clubs in the KZN province could not be tactically emphasized. Therefore, the amount of marketing activities in clubs’ seasonal operations is unidentified which poses a challenge in achieving club objectives. This paper argues that it is of importance for the club marketing managers to consider features of each specific season and corporate marketing activities for the development of appropriate marketing actions that could serve as competitive advantages. This study adopts a mixed-method research approach, and a convenient sampling technique with responses from 80 questionnaires were retrieved. Five (5) coaches, 5 club owners, 5 managers, 5 supporters, and 5 players from five football clubs each located in KwaZulu-Natal province were interviewed to extract their understanding of the use of marketing to gain competitive advantage. Findings from the study state that using marketing correctly could improve the chances of potential professional football clubs’ popularity and increase financial gains. Most respondents emphasized that when clubs use a proper marketing strategy with appropriate use of marketing mix, it could position the clubs in the hearts of their supporters and public.

Strategies for Digitizing Records in Academic Higher Education in South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 65-78
Author(s):  
Lungile Precious Luthuli ◽  
Thobekile K. Buthelezi
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Information Value ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Portable Devices ◽  
Academic Institutions ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
The World ◽  
Analytical Review

Digitizing records ensures that the continuation of information value remains accessible and usable in all academic institutions. The study aimed to establish strategies being used for digitization of records in higher education institutions in South Africa. A case study design was found appropriate to investigate the strategies of digitizing records in KwaZulu-Natal. The study employed the qualitative research approach and collected data from the literature. Content analysis was used for data analysis. Furthermore, the study used an analytical review of empirical findings conversant of digitization of records in academic institutions as the strategy. Literature was reviewed across the world and narrowed down to KwaZulu-Natal intending to trace strategies being used by universities in KwaZulu-Natal. The findings revealed that most records are stored on the digital platforms or network servers that the university manages. Users across the world get access to these records and it gives the platform to download all records. The findings further revealed that records are stored and digitized individually from the portable devices. The study recommended that institutions should offer more training to the staff.

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