Strengthening district healthcare in rural Africa: a cross-sectional survey assessing difficulties in pulse oximetry use and handoff practices
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Date
2019-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Medip Academy
Abstract
Background: Rural hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa suffer from numerous disparities in resources and practices, and subsequently patient care is affected.Methods: In order to assess current practices and opportunities for improvement in pulse oximetry use and patient-care handoffs, a cross-sectional survey was administered to clinicians at a referral level hospital serving a large rural area in Shinyanga, Tanzania.Results: Respondents (n=46) included nurses (50%), medical doctors (48%), and clinical officers (2%). A response rate of 92% was achieved, and 81% of clinicians acknowledged routine difficulties in the use of current devices when obtaining pulse oximetry. Although 83% of respondents reported using a written handoff at shift change, information reporting was inconsistent and rarely included specific management guidance.Conclusions: Further research is needed to elucidate handoff practices in developing settings, but there is a large opportunity for novel point-of-care devices and tools to improve both pulse oximetry use and patient care handoffs in rural Africa.
Description
Keywords
Childhood pneumonia, Hospitals, Rural, Patient handoff, Patient safety, Pulse oximetry, Routines, Surveys and questionnaires, Transitions of care
Citation
Masigati Herbert G.,Potter Grant W.,Morikawa Masahiro J.,Mfaume Rashid S. . Strengthening district healthcare in rural Africa: a cross-sectional survey assessing difficulties in pulse oximetry use and handoff practices . International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health. 2019 Jan; 6(1): 57-60