Arthi Kozhumam , Shazmah Suleman , Vihar Kotecha , Doug Lorenz , Charles Uttoh , Rebecca Yalimo , Colleen Fant
{"title":"Demographics of paediatric trauma at a zonal referral hospital for northwestern Tanzania: A cross-sectional study","authors":"Arthi Kozhumam , Shazmah Suleman , Vihar Kotecha , Doug Lorenz , Charles Uttoh , Rebecca Yalimo , Colleen Fant","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100902","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100902","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Despite a high burden of paediatric injury (25 % of all presenting injuries) in Tanzanian studies, literature remains limited, especially in recent years, regarding detail of care provided for the injured child across different healthcare settings in the country. This study aims to understand and map the pediatric trauma burden and factors descriptively associated with pediatric injury at the zonal referral hospital, Bugando Medical Center (BMC), for northwestern Tanzania.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study was a subgroup cross-sectional analysis of paediatric (ages 0 through 17) data collected from trauma patients who received care at BMC from March - August 2023, focused on paediatric-specific injury occurrence, injury characteristics, and location. Descriptive analyses of paediatric patient demographics, past medical history, prehospital characteristics, and injury characteristics across body system were conducted to understand the burden of serious injury in this setting. Geospatial analyses across region were conducted to understand patient density, triage level, prehospital care, and Euclidean distance from injury region to BMC.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>146 children were included in analysis. Almost all children were injured at home (42.5 %) or in a traffic crash (33.6 %), with more than half (56.8 %) in the highest (red) triage category. Nearly 70 % had received prehospital care from a healthcare professional. Head and maxillo-facial injuries were most the most common. Distance from Bugando Medical Center was associated with higher triage level but not with prehospital care.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Paediatric injury in this referral hospital in northwestern Tanzania has distinct variations in referral patterns, injury locations and injury types. Efforts are particularly needed for head and maxillo-facial emergency support due to the predominance of injuries to these body systems. Regional variations in paediatric trauma incidence may represent a future target for outreach from this referral institution.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Article 100902"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145096468","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shama Patel , Liezl Smit , Grant Felix , Baljit Cheema , Andrew Redfern
{"title":"Service utilisation and outcomes of transfers by a specialised paediatric and neonatal retrieval service in the Western Cape, South Africa","authors":"Shama Patel , Liezl Smit , Grant Felix , Baljit Cheema , Andrew Redfern","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100925","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100925","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Development of emergency care systems and provision of quality pre-hospital care have been identified as a priority to reduce childhood morbidity and mortality in low-resource settings. A dedicated paediatric and neonatal retrieval transfer team (SPRINTT) service was established in the Western Cape, South Africa, in 2016. This study describes the utilisation of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for children and neonates identified as requiring SPRINTT. Additionally, the indications, clinical profile, and outcomes for a sub-group of children transferred to a tertiary paediatric emergency department (PED) are described.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This retrospective study reviewed cases requiring SPRINTT from November 2019 to November 2020. Data were obtained from EMS Electronic Patient Care Records (ePCR) and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) databases. A sub-group of cases transferred to a tertiary PED were reviewed using hospital records.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 2361 inter-facility transfers logged as SPRINTT incident-types occurred during the study period, with 54% being neonates <29 days. The majority (87%) were from urban facilities. Most cases (82%) were high acuity, being triaged as an emergency or very urgent. Of the sub-group of 203 cases transferred to the PED, acute respiratory illnesses (42%) and gastroenteritis (24%) were the most frequent presenting complaints. Eight children (4%) died, and 16% of children were unstable on arrival. Cardiovascular instability and escalation of respiratory support within 60 min of PED arrival were associated with PICU admission and death (<em>p</em> < 0.001).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study is the first description of the utilisation of the SPRINTT service that includes a description of patient outcomes. The large number of SPRINT-type transfers reflects the considerable burden of acutely ill paediatric and neonatal cases and highlights the need for specialised pre-hospital care services. For the PED sub-group, 84% were stable on arrival suggesting that the retrieval service performs an important role in pre-hospital care and transfer in this setting.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Article 100925"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145579053","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ahmed KhalafAllah Mohamed , Amany Atef ElKareem Abouzeid , Mohamed Galal Morsi , Amira Ismail Alamelden , Aisha Safwat Saif Eldeen , Marwa Mohammed Fouad
{"title":"Exhaled carbon monoxide concentration in correlation to clinical parameters to detect carbon monoxide poisoning among fire victims in an Egyptian Emergency Department","authors":"Ahmed KhalafAllah Mohamed , Amany Atef ElKareem Abouzeid , Mohamed Galal Morsi , Amira Ismail Alamelden , Aisha Safwat Saif Eldeen , Marwa Mohammed Fouad","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100899","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100899","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Fire victims are at risk of inhaling potentially toxic gases contained within smoke. Carbon monoxide gas (CO) is the most significant and may contribute to morbidity and mortality of patients. Early detection of CO poisoning by measuring exhaled CO in correlation to the clinical parameters suggestive of CO poisoning in mild to moderate burn injuries among fire victims was our aim.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Case-control study involving 40 fire victims presenting with flame burn injuries within 24 h who were assessed for CO poisoning. Control group involved 40 healthy nonsmoker individuals. Exhaled CO level was measured using a CO Check Pro Device, which was correlated to clinical parameters suggestive of CO poisoning in addition to elevated lactate level.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The median exhaled CO level was significantly higher in cases compared to controls (4.5 ppm vs. 1.5 ppm, <em>p</em> < 0.001). Among fire victims, 37.5 % had mild CO poisoning. Significant positive correlations were found between exhaled CO levels and lactate levels (<em>r</em> = 0.54, <em>p</em> < 0.001), duration of flame exposure (<em>r</em> = 0.59, <em>p</em> < 0.001), and crowding index (<em>r</em> = 0.49, <em>p</em> = 0.009).</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Exhaled carbon monoxide levels is a valuable diagnostic tool for the early detection of CO poisoning among fire victims with mild to moderate burn injuries. The correlation between elevated exhaled CO levels and clinical symptoms, alongside serum lactate level, supports their use as reliable indicator of CO exposure in fire victims, thereby optimizing emergency response strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Article 100899"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144917927","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Prehospital emergency response and management of pregnancy-associated haemorrhage in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study","authors":"S Govender , OP Khaliq , T Abel , J Moodley","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100912","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100912","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Pregnancy-associated haemorrhage (PAH) is a leading contributor to maternal mortality in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and the fourth most common cause in South Africa. Delays in treating PAH increase maternal mortality; prompt prehospital response is therefore critical to improve outcomes. The aim of this study was to analyse response times and clinical management of PAH by public sector Emergency Care Providers in KZN, looking specifically at postpartum haemorrhage (PPH).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 involved analysis of emergency call centre records (n = 4779) assessing response time patterns. Phase 2 analysed randomly selected PPH cases (n = 61) to assess clinical management practices. Descriptive statistics summarised demographics, response patterns, and clinical practice, Pearson correlation examined the relationships between time variables, and chi-square tests assessed associations between clinical variables (p < 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>More than half (51.5 %) of PAH cases had ambulance response times >60 min. Median pre-response time was 30 min; overall response time was 63.5 min but both were positively skewed by extreme delays, with higher trimmed means(50.9 min and 85.7 min respectively). Most cases (81.6 %, n = 3899) were transported from primary healthcare facilities to hospitals, with Intermediate Life Support Providers managing 75.7 % of the cases. In the sampled PPH patients, compliance with vital signs monitoring was initially high (91.8 %) but declined in transit (42.6 %). Providers were largely non-compliant in documenting blood loss and patient history. Despite almost all patients showing clinical signs of shock 44.3 % of PPH cases received no intravenous fluids.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Significant time delays in EMS response and inconsistencies in PAH clinical management by EMS providers were identified. Improved resource allocation, focused training and adherence to clinical and departmental guidelines are vital to strengthening maternal emergency care in KZN.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Article 100912"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145465211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Eric Arnold , Patricial Bulakali , Elizabeth Burner , Taylor Burkholder , Carlan Wendler
{"title":"Effects of a pilot simulation training on interdisciplinary closed-loop communication and time to critical actions at an emergency centre in Burundi","authors":"Eric Arnold , Patricial Bulakali , Elizabeth Burner , Taylor Burkholder , Carlan Wendler","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100893","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100893","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Emergency medicine simulation is an effective training modality in both high and low resource settings. We describe the authors’ experiences conducting a four-week interdisciplinary, <em>in situ</em>, simulation training series at an emergency centre in Burundi.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Training emphasized effective closed loop communication, early airway, breathing, and circulation assessment, as well as time to vital signs, IV placement, and oxygen administration when appropriate. Six doctor-nursing teams participated in four training sessions as well as pre- and post-test simulation cases which were graded by an independent evaluator.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The training resulted in a statistically significant improvement in closed loop communication as well as notable narrowing in standard deviation of times to critical actions after the training intervention. Although the small sample size and large variation of data limited their statistical significance, these results may indicate a short-term benefit towards early assessment, management and team communication when simulating management of critical patients. Additionally, we found that interdisciplinary, <em>in situ</em> simulation was a safe and likely beneficial option for training and team building in a resource-limited emergency centre.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>While this pilot study establishes feasibility of low-cost, interdisciplinary emergency simulation training in resource-limited settings, further research is needed to establish educational effectiveness on quality-of-care measures and its generalizability to other contexts prior to implementing similar trainings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Article 100893"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144908579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evaluating the availability, effectiveness, and impact of primary trauma care training in Sub-Saharan Africa: A comprehensive review","authors":"Cherinet Osebo , Tarek Razek , Victoria Munthali , Respicious Boniface","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.03.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.03.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Trauma is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), contributing to over 90 % of global injury-related deaths. Limited healthcare infrastructure, insufficient access to skilled healthcare professionals, and resource constraints exacerbate the trauma burden. While Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) has demonstrated effectiveness in high-income settings, its high cost and limited adaptability make it less feasible in SSA. The Primary Trauma Care (PTC) course offers a cost-effective and context-appropriate alternative to ATLS. However, its implementation and impact in SSA remain underexplored. This review evaluates the availability, effectiveness, impact, and affordability of PTC courses in SSA.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A comprehensive literature review was conducted across Medline, PubMed, Embase, and African Journals Online to identify studies on PTC training in SSA. Studies examining PTC's impact on injury management, knowledge, skills, patient outcomes, and cost-effectiveness were included. Inclusion criteria focused on studies conducted between 2000 and 2024 in SSA, with a focus on PTC implementation.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Four published PTC training studies were identified in both urban and rural settings across SSA, highlighting significant underutilization due to limited funding, infrastructure challenges, and insufficient institutional support. Among 2758 trainees, the majority were nurses (1625, 58.9 %) and clinical officers (1624, 58.8 %), followed by physicians (979, 35.5 %) and medical students (155, 5.6 %). Three studies demonstrated significant improvements in participants' knowledge, confidence, and skills. One study reported a reduction in trauma-related mortality rates. However, only one study directly assessed patient outcomes, indicating a gap in evaluating long-term impacts.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review of PTC training in SSA, offering novel insights into its effectiveness and addressing critical gaps in trauma care research for resource-limited settings. The findings demonstrate that PTC significantly enhances trauma care knowledge, confidence, and departmental capacity, making it a cost-effective and scalable training program for resource-constrained settings. However, the limited scope and frequency of PTC courses call for policymakers to prioritize expanding access to these programs and integrating them into national trauma care strategies. Collaborative efforts are needed to secure funding, increase institutional support, and conduct more institution-based studies to evaluate the long-term impact of PTC on patient outcomes, morbidity, and quality of life in SSA.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Article 100872"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145736583","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bongumusa N. Mbatha , Simpiwe Sobuwa , Ntuthuko G. Chule
{"title":"Evaluating call prioritisation discrepancies and Emergency Medical Services resource allocation in the North West province of South Africa","authors":"Bongumusa N. Mbatha , Simpiwe Sobuwa , Ntuthuko G. Chule","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100913","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100913","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The overwhelming flow of non-emergent cases burdens Emergency Medical Services (EMS), reducing their capacity to respond to life-threatening emergencies and compromising care for patients with emergent clinical needs. This study evaluated the appropriateness of the EMS deployment in a district of the North West Province in South Africa.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A retrospective quantitative descriptive analysis was conducted on cases completed by the district EMS service between 1 and 12 January 2022. Patient report forms and control room assessment forms, containing demographic and clinical data, were analysed to assess the EMS deployment accuracy. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the continuous and categorical variables, while Pearson’s chi-square test and ANOVA tests examined associations between call prioritisation decisions, on-scene resource allocation, and the qualifications of call takers and dispatchers.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of the 535 records meeting the inclusion criteria, 71.1% revealed mismatches between call prioritisation and on-scene triage. The over-prioritisation rate was 90.9%, while the under-prioritisation rate was 17.1%. Additionally, 35.0% of patients were transported to a medical facility without receiving any medical interventions.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Significant disparities exist between call prioritisation and actual patient clinical needs, exacerbating the strain on an already resource-constrained EMS system. Standardised call prioritisation protocols and improved training for call takers and dispatchers are necessary to enhance EMS efficiency.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Article 100913"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145416034","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Global Health research abstracts: December ‘25","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100920","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100920","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Article 100920"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145579051","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Berihu Assefa Berhe , Benyam Bahta Gebrehiwot , Frehiwot Worku Senbeta , Dirijit Mamo Alemu , Menbeu Sultan Mohammed , Mohammed Kalifa Nuguse , Yemane Gebremedhin Tesfay
{"title":"Clinical profile and outcome of patients with acute kidney injury in the Emergency Department of a teaching hospital in Ethiopia","authors":"Berihu Assefa Berhe , Benyam Bahta Gebrehiwot , Frehiwot Worku Senbeta , Dirijit Mamo Alemu , Menbeu Sultan Mohammed , Mohammed Kalifa Nuguse , Yemane Gebremedhin Tesfay","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100926","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100926","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) affects 13.3 million people annually, with 85% in low resource settings. This study aimed to identify AKI profiles and outcomes in Ethiopia's largest teaching hospital's emergency department, focusing on targeted therapy and preventative measures.</div></div><div><h3>Method and Materials</h3><div>A cross-sectional study was conducted at an Ethiopian teaching hospital's Emergency Department from June 1, 2021, to June 1, 2022. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were analyzed. A paired samples T-test was used to compare patient findings.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among the 222 AKI patients included in the study, 110 (49.5 %) were males, and 112 (50.5 %) were females. The mean age of presentation was 48±18 years old. Most patients were from Addis Ababa (41.4 %) and the Oromia region (40.5 %). The most common causes of AKI were infections (26.2 %), acute glomerulonephritis (20.4 %), volume depletion (18.5 %), and obstructive uropathy (16.6 %). Uremic encephalopathy, infection, malignancy, and a low initial Glasgow Coma Scale significantly contributed to unfavorable outcomes. The presence of nephrotoxic antibiotics, infection, and hyponatremia significantly contributed to the admission rate to the wards and intensive care unit.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In conclusion, infection is the dominant cause and mortality predictor of AKI. The majority of patients with infections were sepsis (78.1 %), pyelonephritis (11.4 %), and pneumonia (10.3 %). Early initiation of antibiotics in the Emergency Department contributes to improved outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Article 100926"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145579052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}