%0 Journal Article
%T What resources are used in emergency departments in rural sub-Saharan Africa? A retrospective analysis of patient care in a district-level hospital in Uganda
%A Bradley Dreifuss
%A Brian Rice
%A Cindy Carol Bitter
%A Heather Hammerstedt
%A Mark Bisanzo
%A Samuel Maling
%A Sara W Nelson
%A Stacey Chamberlain
%A Usha Periyanayagam
%J -
%D 2018
%R 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019024
%X Objectives To determine the most commonly used resources (provider procedural skills, medications, laboratory studies and imaging) needed to care for patients.

Setting A single emergency department (ED) of a district-level hospital in rural Uganda.

Participants 26£¿710 patient visits.

Results Procedures were performed for 65.6% of patients, predominantly intravenous cannulation, wound care, bladder catheterisation and orthopaedic procedures. Medications were administered to 87.6% of patients, most often pain medications, antibiotics, intravenous fluids, antimalarials, nutritional supplements and vaccinations. Laboratory testing was used for 85% of patients, predominantly malaria smears, rapid glucose testing, HIV assays, blood counts, urinalyses and blood type. Radiology testing was performed for 17.3% of patients, including X-rays, point-of-care ultrasound and formal ultrasound.

Conclusion This study describes the skills and resources needed to care for a large prospective cohort of patients seen in a district hospital ED in rural sub-Saharan Africa. It demonstrates that the vast majority of patients were treated with a small formulary of critical medications and limited access to laboratories and imaging, but providers require a broad set of decision-making and procedural skills
%U https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/2/e019024