Development of an emergency medical system model for resource‐constrained settings

Emergency medical services (EMS) infrastructure development and operations in low- and middle-income countries: Formal, professional-driven (Tier-2) systems

Governance and legal considerations supporting prehospital emergency care in low and middle-income countries—For the Special Series on Prehospital Care in LMICs

Integrating Children Into Our Emergency Care System: Achieving the Vision

Rapid economic growth in Indonesia and Malaysia has widened the gap in emergency care supply and demand, intensifying challenges. Our study, from August to November 2022, assesses current diverse challenges in both countries' emergency care systems from frontline staff perspectives. The online survey involved emergency department (ED) personnel from 11 hospitals in Indonesia and Malaysia, drawing from an existing network. The survey collected data on respondents’ characteristics, factors affecting prehospital and ED care quality, missing clinical information, and factors influencing patients’ ED stay duration. With 83 respondents from Indonesia and 109 from Malaysia, the study identified common challenges. In both countries, inadequate clinical information from ambulances posed a primary challenge in prehospital care quality, while crowdedness during night shifts affected ED care quality. Frequent gaps in essential clinical information, such as family and medication history, were observed. Prolonged ED stays were associated with diagnostic studies and their turnaround time. This study offers insights into shared challenges in Indonesia and Malaysia's emergency care systems. Our findings stress recognizing common and country-specific challenges for enhanced emergency care quality in Southeast Asia, supporting tailored interventions.

Second edition of the recommendations from the Colombian consensus committee for the management of traumatic brain injury in the prehospital setting, emergency department, surgery, and intensive care (Beyond one option for treatment of traumatic brain injury: A stratified protocol [BOOTStraP]).

ObjectivesStrengthening of emergency care systems, including prehospital systems, can reduce death and disability. We aimed to identify perspectives on barriers and facilitators relating to the development and implementation of a...

Spinal immobilisaton in pre-hospital and emergency care: A systematic review of the literature.

Despite high injury mortality rates, Cameroon currently lacks a formal prehospital care system. In other sub-Saharan African low and middle-income countries, Lay First Responder (LFR) programs have trained non-medical professionals with high work-related exposure to injury in principles of basic trauma care. To develop a context-appropriate LFR program in Cameroon, we used trauma registry data to understand current layperson bystander involvement in prehospital care and explore associations between current non-formally trained bystander-provided prehospital care and clinical outcomes. The Cameroon Trauma Registry (CTR) is a longitudinal, prospective, multisite trauma registry cohort capturing data on injured patients presenting to four hospitals in Cameroon. We assessed prevalence and patterns of prehospital scene care among all patients enrolled the CTR in 2020. Associations between scene care, clinical status at presentation, and outcomes were tested using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Injury severity was measured using the abbreviated injury score. Data were analyzed using Stata17. Of 2212 injured patients, 455 (21%) received prehospital care (PC) and 1699 (77%) did not receive care (NPC). Over 90% (424) of prehospital care was provided by persons without formal medical training. PC patients were more severely injured (p<0.001), had markers of increased socioeconomic status (p = 0.01), and longer transport distances (p<0.001) compared to NPC patients. Despite increased severity of injury, patients who received PC were more likely to present with a palpable pulse (OR = 6.2, p = 0.02). Multivariate logistic regression adjusted for injury severity, socioeconomic status and travel distance found PC to be associated with reduced emergency department mortality (OR = 0.14, p<0.0001). Although prehospital injury care in Cameroon is rarely performed and is provided almost entirely by persons without formal medical training, prehospital intervention is associated with increased early survival after injury. Implementation of LFR training to strengthen the frequency and quality of prehospital care has considerable potential to improve trauma survival.

Relevancethe issues of patient care and quality management have acquired particular relevance in modern healthcare. Improvement in the clinical performance of medical technologies has led to a significant reduction in deaths and complications associated with the disease and side effects of interventions. As a result, the share of additional harm related to the process of providing medical services has become more noticeable. Accurate data regarding the type, frequency and severity of active threats and incidents they cause are needed to reduce the likelihood and severity of additional harm. In this respect, emergency medical care is the subject of special attention and is characterized by the greatest difficulty in terms of obtaining valid and relevant information about deviations associated with health worker performance, equipment operation and patient behavior.The aim of the studywas to explore the main epidemiological characteristics of medical errors and incidents associated with the provision of emergency medical care.Material and methodsWe present a literature review followed by an analytical study of the epidemiology of incidents and active threats (including medical errors) that precede those incidents in various areas of emergency medical care. By an incident, the authors understood an event with a patient that was more related to the process of providing medical care than to the course of the disease or comorbid conditions which led or could lead to causing additional harm. Active threats included events that subsequently became the direct cause of the incident (medical errors and malpractice, mistakes and deviations in patient behavior, emergency situations in the physical environment). By the “mortality from adverse events”, the authors understood the proportion of deaths from adverse events among all hospitalized patients. By the concept of “lethality associated with adverse events”, the authors denoted the proportion of deaths from adverse events among all the patients affected by adverse events. The search for information was carried out for the period of 1995–2021 using the following medical databases: medline; cochrane collaboration; embase; scopus; isi web of science. For analysis, we used prospective and retrospective observational studies of high methodological quality, meta-analyses and systematic reviews. For the statistical evaluation of frequency characteristics, indicators of incidence, prevalence, and incidence density were used. The calculation of generalized frequency indicators for large samples was carried out with a 95% confidence interval.Results The epidemiology of medical errors and incidents depends on the area in which emergency care is provided. For prehospital emergency medical care, there are 12.45 medical errors and 4.50 incidents with consequences for every 100 visits. In emergency departments, one in fourteen patients suffers additional harm which in 10.14% of cases has severe consequences, and in 3.18% of cases leads to unexpected death. In intensive care units, incidents related to the provision of medical care are recorded in every third patient in the amount of 1.55 per 1 patient. Of these, 58.67% of incidents are accompanied by harm, but the fatality associated with the incidents is only 0.77%. The prevalence of patients affected by incidents during the provision of anesthesia for children is almost 2 times higher than for adults (4.79% vs. 2.03%). At the same time, mortality due to anesthesia-related incidents in children is 11 times lower than in adults (0.27% versus 3.09%). The author draws attention to a number of factors contributing to the development of incidents during the provision of emergency medical care. These include environmental complexity, suboptimal configuration of the workspace, technological interface complexity, the effects of acute stress on performers, and organizational vulnerabilities. A special role was assigned to environmental complexity which was studied in detail both in terms of the complexity of the tasks being solved, and in connection with obstacles to solving problems. It was shown that the intensity of the influence of various components of environmental complexity is not the same in different departments providing emergency care. Particular attention was paid to the fact that organizational vulnerabilities reduce the effectiveness of protective mechanisms during the interaction of the human factor with a complex environment.ConclusionThe study showed that the provision of emergency medical care is associated with moderately high risks of incidents, including severe and critical consequences for patients. The main factor contributing to the development of incidents is environmental complexity which becomes much harder to counter under the influence of organizational vulnerabilities. Identification and registration of errors and incidents in units providing medical care is difficult due to the short time of contact with patients, the high speed of situation update, and the constant impact of chronic and acute stressors on staff. In this connection, the optimization and improvement of the efficiency of the system for recording errors and incidents in departments providing emergency medical care remains an area for improvement.

Introduction: Trauma-related deaths are rising in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Nepal, where pre-hospital care systems are limited. Community health responders (CHRs) could reduce the time to post-injury care in rural settings. This pilot study evaluates the feasibility and impact of a CHR-based trauma program in rural Nepal. Methods: A quasi-experimental study first adapted a trauma curriculum for CHRs in Achham, Nepal, using global guidelines from the World Health Organization and the American College of Surgeons, using a modified Delphi process. The final program included three components: a two-day skills training, a pictorial guidebook for reference, and a one day refresher after three months. Two municipalities in Achham were assigned to intervention or control, with only the intervention group’ CHRs receiving the training. Outcomes measured included CHRs’ knowledge and confidence assessed over six months, and patient-based pre-hospital care process indicators. Care process indicators were assessed at the hospital emergency department. Changes in knowledge over time were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Bivariate analysis was performed to assess differences in pre-hospital trauma care indicators by study group. Results: The intervention group showed a significant increase in knowledge and confidence immediately post-course and sustained over six months. There was no significant difference in mean patient age (26.5 years versus 22.1) and trauma mechanism (p = 0.14) across the two groups. The most common mechanism was falls (n=165, 77.5%). Intervention municipalities had higher rates of pre-hospital care provision, including fracture immobilization (51.4% versus 17.1%, p &lt; .001) and cervical collar use, compared to controls. Conclusion: This study adapted and implemented a contextual trauma training program for CHRs in rural Nepal. Results show early feasibility and appropriateness in this context. The program leverages existing community networks and offers a potential approach in LMICs to bridge the existing critical gaps in rural pre-hospital trauma care that require further investigation.

Background:Emergency medical services (EMS) are a critical but often overlooked component of essential public health care delivery in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Few countries in Africa have established EMS and there is scant literature to provide guidance for EMS growth.Objective:This study aimed to characterize EMS utilization in Harare, Zimbabwe in order to guide system strengthening efforts.Methods:We performed a retrospective chart review of patient care reports (PCR) generated by the City of Harare ambulance system for patients transported and/or treated in the prehospital setting over a 14-month period (February 2018 – March 2019).Findings:A total of 875 PCRs were reviewed representing approximately 8% of the calls to EMS. The majority of patients were age 15 to 49 (76%) and 61% were female patients. In general, trauma and pregnancy were the most common chief complaints, comprising 56% of all transports. More than half (51%) of transports were for inter-facility transfers (IFTs) and 52% of these IFTs were maternity-related. Transports for trauma were mostly for male patients (63%), and 75% of the trauma patients were age 15–49. EMTs assessed and documented pulse and blood pressure for 72% of patients.Conclusion:In this study, EMS cared primarily for obstetric and trauma emergencies, which mirrors the leading causes of premature death in LMICs. The predominance of requests for maternity-related IFTs emphasizes the role for EMS as an integral player in peripartum maternal health care. Targeted public health efforts and chief complaint-specific training for EMTs in these priority areas could improve quality of care and patient outcomes. Moreover, a focus on strengthening prehospital data collection and research is critical to advancing EMS development in Zimbabwe and the region through quality improvement and epidemiologic surveillance.

Utilization of Emergency Medical Transports and Hospital Admissions Among Persons With Behavioral Health Conditions

Background: Tooth avulsion, the complete displacement of a tooth from its socket, is a serious dental emergency, predominantly affecting the maxillary anterior teeth in children and adolescents. Its management is time-critical, as the viability of the periodontal ligament (PDL) cells on the root surface and the long-term prognosis are heavily dependent on immediate and appropriate prehospital and emergency care. Aim: This article reviews the etiology, pathophysiology, and, most importantly, the evidence-based emergency and prehospital management protocols for avulsed permanent teeth, with the goal of optimizing outcomes through timely intervention. Methods: A comprehensive narrative review synthesizes current guidelines from dental traumatology, focusing on the critical steps from the moment of injury to definitive dental care. It examines the importance of storage media, handling techniques, replantation procedures, and adjunctive therapies. Results: Immediate replantation at the site of injury is ideal. When not possible, storing the tooth in a physiologically compatible medium like milk or saline is essential to preserve PDL cell viability. The extraoral dry time is the single most critical prognostic factor; dry storage beyond 60 minutes drastically increases the risk of root resorption and ankylosis. Management involves gentle cleansing, possible anti-resorptive pre-treatment, careful replantation, semi-rigid splinting for approximately two weeks, and systemic antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline). Long-term success requires diligent follow-up, including pulp vitality testing and timely endodontic treatment for mature teeth. Conclusion: Successful management of an avulsed tooth hinges on a coordinated, rapid response. Public and professional education on proper first-aid (crown handling, use of milk) is vital to improve outcomes. Adherence to established protocols for replantation, splinting, and follow-up care maximizes the potential for long-term tooth retention, preserving function and alveolar bone.

IntroductionThe urgent and emergency care (UEC) system is struggling with increased demand, some of which is clinically unnecessary. Patients suffering suspected seizures commonly present to EDs, but most seizures are...

In 2023, the 76th World Health Assembly declared coordinated emergency, critical, and operative care services fundamental for comprehensive universal health coverage in low- and middle-income countries. With increasing mortality from noncommunicable diseases, an organized emergency care system has the capacity to treat a variety of conditions with a common set of resources, optimizing per-unit cost efficiency by applying economies of scope and increasing cost-effectiveness. However, the financing and cost-effectiveness of emergency medical services remain poorly understood despite affordability and financial barriers comprising some of the most significant obstacles to development. Cost-effectiveness analyses generate incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for comparison against per-capita gross domestic product thresholds to determine cost-effectiveness, promoted by the World Health Organization’s Choosing Interventions that are Cost-Effective program. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios may be used as context-specific indicators of value alongside budget impact and feasibility considerations. Currently, there are few high-quality cost-effectiveness studies of emergency care in low- and middle-income countries, demonstrating significant methodologic heterogeneity, little geographic diversity, neglecting descriptions of assumptions used in cost-effectiveness calculations and comparators used, and lacking incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for comparison. The assessment of emergency care cost-effectiveness is challenging, given the significant breadth of conditions encountered and difficulty in projecting subsequent impact. Without improved epidemiologic surveillance and data-collection infrastructure, data inputs for cost-effectiveness calculations will remain limited. Future efforts should practice standard cost-effectiveness methodologies to permit comparison of incremental cost-effectiveness ratios across interventions and settings while incorporating trauma registry data to longitudinally track patient outcomes over sufficient time horizons to determine impact. New indices that expand the scope of analysis to capture broader secondary impacts of emergency care for future cost-effectiveness studies are needed. In this article, we summarize the key steps for economic evaluations for prehospital care systems and recommend considerations for future prehospital emergency care cost-effectiveness analyses, determining the optimal structure for financing mechanisms well-suited to resource-limited settings are critical for future investigation.