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 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 Governance of Rapid Response Teams in Australia and New Zealand

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 304-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. S. Sethi ◽  
R. Chalwin
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Advanced Life Support ◽  
Rapid Response Team ◽  
Rapid Response ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
National Standard ◽  
Local Network ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Benchmark Assessment

Rapid response systems (RRS) in hospitals in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) have been present for more than 20 years but governance of the efferent limb—the rapid response team (RRT)—has not been previously reported in detail. The objectives of this study were to describe current governance arrangements for RRTs within ANZ and contrast those against expected implementation, using the Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care National Standard 9 (S9) as a benchmark. Assessment focused on S9 subclauses 9.1.1 (governance and oversight), 9.1.2 (RRT implementation), 9.2.3 (data collection and dissemination), 9.2.4 (quality improvement), 9.5.2 (call reviews), 9.6.1 and 9.6.2 (basic and advanced life support [ALS] skill set). We identified public and private hospitals across ANZ from government-maintained registers. Those reasonably expected to have an RRT were contacted and invited to participate. Responses were obtained via an online anonymised questionnaire. Three hundred and forty-two hospitals were contacted, of whom 284 (83.0%) responded. Two hundred and thirty-two hospitals submitted data, and the other 52 declined to participate or did not have an RRT. In hospitals with an intensive care unit (ICU), intensivist attendance at RRT calls occurred less often outside office hours (odds ratio, OR, 0.49, 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.32 to 0.75]). Where intensivists were not on the RRT, consultation with them about calls also occurred less often outside office hours (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.66). Consultation with patients’ admitting specialists occurred more often during office hours versus out of hours RRT calls and in private versus public hospitals. The presence of ICU staff on the RRT decreased the likelihood of admitting specialists being consulted about RRT calls (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.93). Most hospitals maintained databases of RRT calls and regularly audited RRT activity (92% and 90% respectively). However, most (63.7%) did not make that information available beyond their hospital or local network. We concluded that the majority of hospitals in the ANZ region had governance mechanisms for their RRT. However, there was a notable lack of consistency, especially around specialist involvement and audit processes. Although some findings from this study are reassuring, there is still potential for improvement. Further development of guidelines and the establishment of a regional RRS database may assist with achieving this.

Evaluation of a Semi-Quantitative CO2 Monitor with Pulse Oximetry for Prehospital Endotracheal Tube Placement and Management

2002 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawn George ◽  
Andrew J. Macnab
Keyword(s):  
Endotracheal Tube ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Advanced Life Support ◽  
Tube Placement ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Endotracheal Tube Placement ◽  
Alarm Features ◽  
The One ◽  
End Tidal

AbstractObjective:To evaluate three prototype versions of semi-quantitative end-tidal CO2 monitors with different alarm features during prehospital or inter-facility use.Methods:Subjects were 43 adult, non-pregnant patients requiring intubation, or who already were intubated and required transport. Teams at one AirEvac and seven Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedic stations were trained in the use of the monitors. Team members at each station evaluated each model for eight days. Participants completed questionnaires following each use.Results:The monitors performed properly in all cases, but in one case, vomit in the airway adapter tube prevented obtaining a readout. The monitors aided management in 40 of 43 cases (93%); in one, the monitor reading was reported as variable (between 20 and 30 mmHg) although the teams knew the monitors were semi-quantitative; in another, the monitor was not required, but performed properly; and the third was the one in which vomit in the tube prevented a reading. In 26 of 43 cases (60.4%), the monitor was used to confirm endotracheal tube placement (there were no instances of incorrect placement). In all cases, the devices were used to monitor respiration and oxygen saturation. Alarms were audible in the environment, but only preferred in the AirEvac situation. The “breath beep” feature was useful, particularly in patients in whom chest movements during respiration were difficult to observe.Conclusions:“Breath beeps” were clearly audible and were a useful feature in all prehospital and transport environments, while audible alarms were desired only in the AirEvac situation. Semi-quantitative CO2 detection is valuable in the ALS/AirEvac environment, even for teams with high intubation success rates.

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.

PP17 Verbalisation of plans during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest resuscitation

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. e7.2-e7
Author(s):  
Ernisa Marzuki ◽  
Anna Crawford ◽  
Chris Cummins ◽  
Hannah Rohde ◽  
Holly Branigan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Mental Models ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Advanced Life Support ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Life Planning ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
Task Goals ◽  
Hospital Cardiac Arrest

BackgroundPlanning and communication are pivotal in achieving team goals. Studies have shown that teams with effective planning and sharing of mental models display better performance in resuscitation. The Advanced Life Support (ALS) algorithm serves as an overall script regarding specific stages during resuscitation, but it does not explicitly specify how tasks should be delegated or synchronised. Team members therefore need to rely on ongoing, context-specific shared plans for effective team coordination.MethodsIn our research, we explore paramedic resuscitation teams’ verbal communication from a discourse-analytic perspective. We analysed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) resuscitation videos, recorded using body cameras in the field, for plan verbalisation patterns and possible association with successful or unsuccessful outcomes. For the current study, the first five minutes of 10 OHCA resuscitations were transcribed and annotated using a bespoke coding scheme. We focused on how paramedics use language to coordinate their goals and manage the transitions between stages of the OHCA treatment process, and whether this is associated with the deployment of the mechanical compression device, AutoPulse.ResultsAll 10 videos showed similar patterns of plan verbalisation in the first five minutes. The amount of verbalised plans took up nearly half the spoken utterances of all teams, suggesting that paramedics actively shared plans with their team members. Early in the resuscitation, paramedics tended to concentrate on immediate, single-task goals (e.g. moving patient to ideal position) rather than long-term, multi-task goals (e.g. accessing airway). We found little communication of the team leader’s overall mental model or script. Instead, plans were shared moment by moment. Based on the 10 videos, the timing of AutoPulse deployment seemed unaffected by the way plans were shared.ConclusionThis study enriches our understanding of real-life planning and sharing of mental models during resuscitation. Through these, we can contribute to the betterment of professional interaction in this critical domain.

scholarly journals The pending loss of advanced life support paramedics in South Africa

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Govender ◽  
Linda Grainger ◽  
Raveen Naidoo ◽  
Russell MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Advanced Life Support
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