Increased Surgical Delays Seen During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Regional Referral Hospital in Soroti, Uganda: Perspective from a Low-Resource Setting.

INTRODUCTION: The impact of COVID-19 on low-resource surgical systems is concerning but there are limited studies examining the effect in low- and middle-income countries. This study assesses changes in surgical capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, a tertiary healthcare facility in Soroti, Uganda. METHODS: Patients from a prospective general surgery registry at SRRH were divided into cohorts admitted prior to the pandemic (January 2017 to February 2020) and during the pandemic (March 2020 to May 2021). Demographics, pre-hospital characteristics, in-hospital characteristics, provider-reported delays in care, and adverse events were compared between cohorts. RESULTS: Of the 1547 general surgery patients, 1159 were admitted prior to the pandemic and 388 were admitted during the pandemic. There was no difference in the median number of elective (24.5 vs. 20.0, p value = 0.16) or emergent (6.0 vs. 6.0, p value = 0.36) surgeries per month. Patients were more likely to have a delay in surgical care during the pandemic (22.6% vs. 46.6%, p < 0.01), particularly from lack of operating space (16.9% vs. 46.3%, p < 0.01) and lack of a surgeon (1.6% vs. 4.4%, p < 0.01). Increased proportion of delays in care appear correlated with waves of COVID-19 cases at SRRH. There were no changes in rates of adverse events (5.7% vs. 7.7%, p = 0.18). DISCUSSION: The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant increases in surgical care delays and emergency surgery at SRRH. Strengthening surgical systems when not in crisis and including provisions for safe, timely surgical delivery during epidemic resource allocation is needed to strengthen the overall healthcare system.

In-Hospital Obstetric Delays in Rural Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of a Hospital Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth are extremely high in low-resource countries such as Uganda. Maternal mortality in low- and middle-income countries is related to delays in seeking, reaching, and receiving adequate health care. This study aimed to investigate the in-hospital delays to surgical care for women in labor arriving to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital (SRRH). METHODS: From January 2017 to August 2020, we collected data on obstetric surgical patients in labor using a locally developed, context-specific obstetrics surgical registry. Data regarding patient demographics, clinical and operative characteristics, as well as delays in care and outcomes were documented. Descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses were conducted. RESULTS: A total of 3189 patients were treated during our study period. Median age was 23 years, most gestations were at term (97%) at the time of operation, and nearly all patients underwent Cesarean Section (98.8%). Notably, 61.7% of patients experienced at least one delay in their surgical care at SRRH. Lack of surgical space was the greatest contributor to delay (59.9%), followed by lack of supplies or personnel. The significant independent predictors of delayed care were having a prenatal acquired infection (AOR 1.73, 95% CI 1.43-2.09) and length of symptoms less than 12 h (AOR 0.32, 95% CI 0.26-0.39) or greater than 24 h (AOR 2.61, 95% CI 2.18-3.12). CONCLUSION: In rural Uganda, there is a significant need for financial investment and commitment of resources to expand surgical infrastructure and improve care for mothers and neonates.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of surgical care delivery in Eastern Uganda-a societal perspective.

BACKGROUND: The mismatch between the global burden of surgical disease and global health funding for surgical illness exacerbates disparities in surgical care access worldwide. Amidst competing priorities, governments need to rationally allocate scarce resources to address local needs. To build an investment case for surgery, economic data on surgical care delivery is needed. This study focuses on femur fractures. METHODS: This prospective cohort study at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital (SRRH), captured demographic, clinical, and cost data from all surgical inpatients and their caregivers at SRRH from February 2018 through July 2019. We performed descriptive and inferential analyses. We estimated the cost effectiveness of intramedullary nailing relative to traction for femur fractures by using primary data and making extrapolations using regional data. RESULTS: Among the 546 patients, 111 (20.3%) had femur fractures and their median [IQR] length of hospitalization was 27 days [14, 36 days]. The total societal cost and Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) gained was USD 61,748.10 and 78.81 for femur traction and USD 23,809 and 85.47 for intramedullary nailing. Intramedullary nailing was dominant over traction of femur fractures with an Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio of USD 5,681.75 per QALY gained. CONCLUSION: Femur fractures are the most prevalent and most expensive surgical condition at SRRH. Relative to intramedullary nailing, the use of femur traction at SRRH is not cost effective. There is a need to explore and adopt more cost-effective approaches like internal fixation.

Chronic Disease Comorbidities Among Injured Patients in Cameroon: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic diseases are increasing but underdiagnosed in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), where injury mortality is already disproportionately high. We estimated prevalence of known chronic disease comorbidities and their association with outcomes among injured patients in Cameroon. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Injured patients aged ≥15 y presenting to four Cameroonian hospitals between October 2017 and January 2020 were included. Our explanatory variable was known chronic disease; prevalence was age-standardized. Outcomes were overall in-hospital mortality and admission or transfer from the emergency department (ED). Associations between known chronic disease and outcomes were evaluated using logistic regression adjusted for age, gender, estimated injury severity score (eISS), hospital, and household socioeconomic status. Unadjusted eISS-stratified and age-stratified outcomes were also compared via chi-squared tests. RESULTS: Of 7509 injured patients, 370 (4.9%) reported at least one known chronic disease; age-standardized prevalence was 8.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.5%-9.2%). Patients with known chronic disease had higher mortality (4.6% versus 1.5%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.61 [95% CI: 1.25-5.47], P = 0.011) and were more likely to be admitted or transferred from the ED (38.7% versus 19.8%, aOR: 1.40 [95% CI: 1.02-1.92], P = 0.038) compared to those without known comorbidities. Crude differences in mortality (11.3% versus 3.3%, P = 0.002) and hospital admission or transfer (63.8% versus 46.6%, P = 0.011) were most notable for patients with eISS 16-24. CONCLUSIONS: Despite underdiagnosis among Cameroonians, we demonstrated worse injury outcomes among those with known chronic diseases. Integrating chronic disease screening with injury care may help address underdiagnosis in Cameroon. Future work should assess whether chronic disease prevention in LMICs could improve injury outcomes.

The Third Delay in General Surgical Care in a Regional Referral Hospital in Soroti, Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Building capacity for surgical care in low-and-middle-income countries is essential for the improvement of global health and economic growth. This study assesses in-hospital delays of surgical services at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital (SRRH), a tertiary healthcare facility in Soroti, Uganda. METHODS: A prospective general surgical database at SRRH was analyzed. Data on patient demographics, surgical characteristics, delays of care, and adverse clinical outcomes of patients seen between January 2017 and February 2020 were extracted and analyzed. Patient characteristics and surgical outcomes, for those who experienced delays in care, were compared to those who did not. RESULTS: Of the 1160 general surgery patients, 263 (22.3%) experienced at least one delay of care. Deficits in infrastructure, particularly lacking operating theater space, were the greatest contributor to delays (n = 192, 73.0%), followed by shortage of equipment (n = 52, 19.8%) and personnel (n = 37, 14.1%). Male sex was associated with less delays of care (OR 0.63) while undergoing emergency surgeries (OR 1.65) and abdominal surgeries (OR 1.44) were associated with more frequent delays. Delays were associated with more adverse events (10.3% vs. 5.0%), including death (4.2% vs. 1.6%). Emergency surgery, unclean wounds, and comorbidities were independent risk factors of adverse events. DISCUSSION: Patients at SRRH face significant delays in surgical care from deficits in infrastructure and lack of capacity for emergency surgery. Delays are associated with increased mortality and other adverse events. Investing in solutions to prevent delays is essential to improving surgical care at SRRH.

The societal cost and economic impact of surgical care on patients' households in rural Uganda; a mixed method study.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology and cost of surgical care delivery in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) is poorly understood. This study characterizes the cost of surgical care, rate of catastrophic medical expenditure and medical impoverishment, and impact of surgical hospitalization on patients' households at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital (SRRH), Uganda. METHODS: We prospectively collected demographic, clinical, and cost data from all surgical inpatients and caregivers at SRRH between February 2018 and January 2019. We conducted and thematically analyzed qualitative interviews to discern the impact of hospitalization on patients' households. We employed the chi-square, t-test, ANOVA, and Bonferroni tests and built regression models to identify predictors of societal cost of surgical care. Out of pocket spending (OOPS) and catastrophic expenses were determined. RESULTS: We encountered 546 patients, mostly male (62%) peasant farmers (42%), at a median age of 22 years; and 615 caregivers, typically married (87%), female (69%), at a median age of 35 years. Femur fractures (20.4%), soft tissue infections (12.3%), and non-femur fractures (11.9%) were commonest. The total societal cost of surgical care was USD 147,378 with femur fractures (USD 47,879), intestinal obstruction (USD 18,737) and non-femur fractures (USD 10,212) as the leading contributors. Procedures (40%) and supplies (12%) were the largest components of societal cost. About 29% of patients suffered catastrophic expenses and 31% were medically impoverished. CONCLUSION: Despite free care, surgical conditions cause catastrophic expenses and impoverishment in Uganda. Femur fracture is the most expensive surgical condition due to prolonged hospitalization associated with traction immobilization and lack of treatment modalities with shorter hospitalization.

Epidemiology of traumatic brain injury based on clinical symptoms amongst inhabitants of the Southwest Region of Cameroon: a community-based study.

BACKGROUND: The majority of studies investigating the epidemiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in sub-Saharan Africa are primarily hospital-based, missing fatal, mild, and other cases of TBI that do not present to formal care settings. This study aims to bridge this gap in data by describing the epidemiology of TBI in the Southwest Region of Cameroon. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional community-based study. Using a three-stage cluster sampling, local research assistants surveyed households with a pre-tested questionnaire to identify individuals with symptoms of TBI in nine health districts in the Southwest Region of Cameroon from 2016 to 2017. RESULTS: Data gathered on 8,065 individuals revealed 78 cases of suspected TBI. Road traffic injury (RTI) comprised 55% of subjects' mechanism of injury. Formal medical care was sought by 82.1% of subjects; three subjects died at the time of injury. Following injury, 59% of subjects reported difficulty affording basic necessities and 87.2% of subjects were unable to perform activities of their primary occupation. CONCLUSIONS: This study postulates an incidence of TBI in Southwest Cameroon of 975.57 per 100,000 individuals, significantly greater than prior findings. A large proportion of TBI is secondary to RTI.

Cost-Effectiveness of Exploratory Laparotomy in a Regional Referral Hospital in Eastern Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Surgical disease increasingly contributes to global mortality and morbidity. The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery found that global cost-effectiveness data are lacking for a wide range of essential surgical procedures. This study helps to address this gap by defining the cost-effectiveness of exploratory laparotomies in a regional referral hospital in Uganda. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A time-and-motion analysis was utilized to calculate operating theater personnel costs per case. Ward personnel, administrative, medication, and supply costs were recorded and calculated using a microcosting approach. The cost in 2018 US Dollars (USD, $) per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted was calculated based on age-specific life expectancies for otherwise fatal cases. RESULTS: Data for 103 surgical patients requiring exploratory laparotomy at the Soroti Regional Referral Hospital were collected over 8 mo. The most common cause for laparotomy was small bowel obstruction (32% of total cases). The average cost per patient was $75.50. The postoperative mortality was 11.7%, and 7.8% of patients had complications. The average number of DALYs averted per patient was 18.51. The cost in USD per DALY averted was $4.08. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation provides evidence that exploratory laparotomy is cost-effective compared with other public health interventions. Relative cost-effectiveness includes a comparison with bed nets for malaria prevention ($6.48-22.04/DALY averted), tuberculosis, tetanus, measles, and polio vaccines ($12.96-25.93/DALY averted), and HIV treatment with multidrug antiretroviral therapy ($453.74-648.20/DALY averted). Given that the total burden of surgically treatable conditions in DALYs is more than that of malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV combined, our findings strengthen the argument for greater investment in primary surgical capacity in low- and middle-income countries.

Feasibility of a Cellular Telephone Follow-Up Program After Injury in Sub-Saharan Africa.

BACKGROUND: Injury disproportionately affects persons in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Most LMIC lack capacity for routine follow-up care, likely resulting in complications and disability. Cellular telephones may provide a new tool to improve health outcomes. The objective of this study was to establish the feasibility of a mobile health follow-up program after injury in Cameroon. METHODS: Between February and October 2017, all injured patients admitted to a regional hospital in Cameroon were asked for mobile phone numbers as part of an existing trauma registry. Patients were contacted 2 weeks after leaving the hospital discharge to participate in a short triage survey. Data on program feasibility and patient condition were collected. RESULTS: Of 1180 injured patients who presented for emergency care, 83% provided telephone numbers, 62% were reached, and 48% (565) of all injured patients ultimately participated in telephone follow-up. Successfully contacted patients were reached after an average of 1.76 call attempts (SD 1.91) and median call time was 4.43 min (IQR 3.67-5.36). Five patients (1%) had died from their injuries at the time of follow-up. Among surveyed patients, 27% required ongoing assistance to complete activities of daily living. Nearly, half (47%) of patients reported inability to take medicines or care for their injury as instructed at discharge. Adequate pain control was achieved in only 38% of discharged patients. CONCLUSION: Pilot data suggest considerable under treatment of injury in Cameroon. Mobile telephone follow-up demonstrates potential as a feasible tool for screening discharged patients who could benefit from further care.

Financial Risk Protection and Hospital Admission for Trauma in Cameroon: An Analysis of the Cameroon National Trauma Registry.

BACKGROUND: Half of the global population is at risk for catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) in the event that they require surgery. Universal health coverage fundamentally requires protection from CHE, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Financial risk protection reports in LMICs covering surgical care are limited. We explored the relationship between financial risk protection and hospital admission among injured patients in Cameroon to understand the role of health insurance in addressing unmet need for surgery in LMICs. METHODS: The Cameroon National Trauma Registry, a database of all injured patients presenting to the emergency departments (ED) of three Cameroonian hospitals, was retrospectively reviewed between 2015 and 2017. Multivariate regression analysis identified predictors of hospital admission after injury and of patient report of cost inhibiting their care. RESULTS: Of the 7603 injured patients, 95.7% paid out-of-pocket to finance ED care. Less than two percent (1.42%) utilized private insurance, and more than half (54.7%) reported that cost inhibited their care. In multivariate analysis, private insurance coverage was a predictor of hospital admission (OR 2.17, 95% CI: 1.26, 3.74) and decreased likelihood of cost inhibiting care (OR 0.34, 95% CI: 0.20, 0.60) when compared to individuals paying out-of-pocket. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of out-of-pocket spending among injured patients in Cameroon highlights the need for financial risk protection that encompasses surgical care. Patients with private insurance were more likely to be admitted to the hospital, and less likely to report that cost inhibited care, supporting private health insurance as a potential financing strategy.

A Qualitative Study of Transitions Between Health Care Settings After Injury in Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: Populations in Cameroon, a lower middle-income country in Central Africa, have a higher than average burden of traumatic injury, suffer from more severe injuries, and face substantial barriers to accessing formal health care services after injury. The aim of this study was to identify and describe how recently injured Cameroonians use and adapt the formal and informal medical systems and what motivates these transitions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Recently injured people or their surrogates residing in Southwest Region, Cameroon, were recruited from a larger community-based survey on injury. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 39 recently injured persons or their adult family members. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and iteratively coded to identify major themes. RESULTS: Most injured persons had complex therapeutic itineraries involving one or more transitions, and nine of 35 injured persons used formal care exclusively. Transitions away from formal care were driven by (1) anticipated costs beyond means, (2) unacceptable length of proposed treatment, (3) poorly supported referrals, (4) dissatisfaction with treatment progress or outcome, and (5) belief that traditional methods work additively with formal care. Factors motivating people to engage with formal care included (1) perceived high value of care for cost, (2) desire for reliable diagnostic tests, (3) social support during hospitalization, and (4) financial support from family or a stranger responsible for the injury. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight specific opportunities to improve engagement in formal care after injury and better support injured Cameroonians through the strengthening of the formal care referral process and health financing organization.

The Prevalence and Characteristics of Untreated Hernias in Southwest Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: Hernias are one of the most commonly encountered surgical conditions, and every year, more than 20 million hernia repairs are performed worldwide. The surgical management of hernia, however, is largely neglected as a public health priority in developing countries, despite its cost-effectiveness. To date, the prevalence and impact of hernia have not been formally studied in a community setting in Cameroon. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of untreated hernia in the Southwest region of Cameroon. METHODS: This study was a subanalysis of a cross-sectional community-based survey on injury in Southwest Cameroon. Households were sampled using a three-stage cluster sampling method. Household representatives reported all untreated hernias occurring in the past year. Data on socioeconomic factors, hernia symptoms, including the presence of hernia incarceration, and treatment attempts were collected between January 2017 and March 2017. RESULTS: Among 8065 participants, 73 persons reported symptoms of untreated hernia, resulting in an overall prevalence of 7.4 cases per 1000 persons (95% confidence limit 4.98-11.11). Groin hernias were most commonly reported (n = 49, 67.1%) and predominant in young adult males. More than half of persons with untreated hernia (56.7%) reported having symptoms of incarceration, yet 42.1% (n = 16) of these participants did not receive any surgical treatment. Moreover, 21.9% of participants with untreated hernias never presented to formal medical care, primarily because of the high-perceived cost of care. Untreated hernias caused considerable disability, as 21.9% of participants were unable to work because of their symptoms, and 15.1% of households earned less money. CONCLUSIONS: Hernia is a significant surgical problem in Southwest Cameroon. Despite over half of those with unrepaired hernias reporting symptoms of incarceration, home treatment and nonsurgical management were common. Costs associated with formal medical services are a major barrier to obtaining consultation and repair. Greater awareness of hernia complications and cost restructuring should be considered to prevent disability and mortality due to hernia.

Geospatial Analysis of Trauma Burden and Surgical Care Capacity in Teso Sub-region of Eastern Uganda.

INTRODUCTION: Over 90% of injury-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Relating spatial distribution of injury burden and trauma care capacity is crucial for effective resource allocation. Our study assesses trauma burden and emergency and essential surgical care (EESC) quality in Teso Sub-region Eastern Uganda through a spatial analysis of trauma burden in relation to surgical capacity at the district level. METHODS: In this study, we surveyed trauma patients presenting at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital (SRRH) and assessed EESC capacity of district hospitals. We used geospatial techniques to relate trauma burden and capacity and characterized delay using the three-delay framework. RESULTS: We surveyed 131 trauma patients presenting to SRRH for trauma-related injuries from June 1 to July 15, 2017. Almost all trauma incidents (n = 129, 98.4%) occurred within a 2-h ideal drive time to SRRH. From time of injury to receiving care, median time totaled to approximately 9.25 h. District hospital exhibited decreased EESC capacity (personnel, infrastructure, procedures, equipment, and supplies (PIPES) score range 2.2-5.5, mean 4.2) compared to SRRH (PIPES score 8.1). CONCLUSION: Trauma patients face delays in each step of the care-seeking process from deciding to seek care, arriving at care site, and receiving treatment. Synergistic effects of a poor prehospital care, EESC deficiencies on district and regional levels, cost of seeking care contribute to delays that likely result in increased morbidity and mortality. Improved resource allocation, training at the district level, and strengthening system-level organization of emergency medical services could avert preventable death and disability.

Identifying Information Gaps in a Surgical Capacity Assessment Tool for Developing Countries: A Methodological Triangulation Approach.

BACKGROUND: Surgical capacity assessment in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is challenging. The Surgeon OverSeas' Personnel Infrastructure Procedure Equipment and Supplies (PIPES) survey tool has been proposed to address this challenge. There is a need to examine the gaps in veracity and context appropriateness of the information obtained using the PIPES tool. METHODS: We performed a methodological triangulation by comparing and contrasting information obtained using the PIPES tool with information obtained simultaneously via three other methods: time and motion study (T&M); provider focus group discussions (FGDs); and a retrospective review of hospital records. RESULTS: In its native state, the PIPES survey does not capture the role of non-physician clinicians who contribute immensely to surgical care delivery in LMICs. The surgical workforce was more accurately captured by the FGDs and T&M. It may also not reflect the improvisations (e.g., patients sharing beds, partitioning the operating theater, and using preoperative rooms for surgery, etc.) that occur to expand surgical capacity to overcome the limited infrastructure and equipment. CONCLUSIONS: The PIPES tool captures vital surgical capacity information but has gaps that can be filled by modifying the tool and/or using ancillary methodologies. The interests of the researcher and the local stakeholders' perspectives should inform such modifications.

Trauma registry implementation in low- and middle-income countries: challenges and opportunities.

BACKGROUND: Trauma registries are an essential part of trauma quality improvement programs aimed at decreasing morbidity and mortality in high-income countries. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the burden of injury is disproportionately high, hospitals have faced challenges in adapting trauma registry models implemented in high-income countries. We analyze the barriers to trauma registry implementation in LMICs to inform development of sustainable models in resource-constrained settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A structured review of published literature was performed. Relevant abstracts were identified using the PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL databases. The search terms included were: "implement registry," "trauma registry," "wounds and injuries," and "injury registry" combined with "Africa," "Asia," "low and middle income countries," "LMIC," and "developing countries." Articles describing challenges of trauma registry implementation were reviewed in full and details were abstracted. RESULTS: Twenty-eight articles addressed challenges of implementing trauma registries. Data quality (18), lack of resources (6), insufficient prehospital care (3), and difficulty with administrative duties and hospital organization (2) were reported as the most significant barriers to successful implementation. Solutions to the identified barriers were proposed by 15 articles. All 28 studies acknowledged that the presence of at least one local trauma registry improved injury surveillance and promoted better patient outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Many LMICs face unique challenges to implementation that must be overcome to create sustainable trauma databases. Understanding these barriers and taking steps to evaluate the effectiveness of proposed solutions may further improve trauma care to address the high burden in these settings.

Developing Trauma Audit Filters for Regional Referral Hospitals in Cameroon: Mixed-Methods Approach.

BACKGROUND: Injuries are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Developing countries account for 90% of injury-related deaths globally. Trauma audit filters can facilitate trauma quality improvement initiatives and reduce the injury burden. Little is known about context-appropriate trauma audit filters for developing countries such as Cameroon. This study aimed to (1) develop context-appropriate trauma audit filters for the setting of a regional referral hospital in Cameroon and (2) to assess the barriers and facilitators to their implementation. METHODS: Feasible audit filters were identified by a panel of Cameroonian surgeons using the Delphi technique. A Likert scale (1 to 5, with 5 as "Most Useful") was used to rank the filters for utility in a regional referral hospital setting, analyzed using the median and interquartile range. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 16 health care providers from three hospital facilities to explore their perceptions of supervision and support they receive from hospital administration, availability of resources, their work environment, and potential concerns and impacts of trauma audit filters. Interviews were coded and thematically analyzed. RESULTS: Within a panel of seven surgeons, 23 of 40 trauma audit filter variables met majority consensus criteria. Twenty-one of these, comprising mostly of primary survey and basic resuscitation techniques, had a median score of ≥4. Filters meeting consensus include, but are not limited to, vitals obtained, breathing assessment made, and two large bore intravenous established within 15 min of arrival; patient with open fracture receives intravenous antimicrobials within 1 h of arrival; patients with suspected spine injury are immobilized and given X-ray. The provider interviews revealed that the barriers to providing quality care were limited human and material resources and patients' inability to pay. Regular staff training in trauma care and the belief that trauma audit filters would potentially streamline work practices and improve the quality of care were cited as promoters of successful implementation. CONCLUSIONS: Primary survey and basic resuscitative techniques are key elements of context-appropriate audit filters in Cameroon. Such audit filters may not be costly, require complex infrastructure, or equipment that exceed the site's capabilities. Proper staff orientation and participation in the use of trauma audit filters, as quality improvement tools, are key to local buy-in and implementation success.

ANOTHER "LETHAL TRIAD"-RISK FACTORS FOR VIOLENT INJURY AND LONG-TERM MORTALITY AMONG ADULT VICTIMS OF VIOLENT INJURY.

BACKGROUND: Mental illness, substance abuse, and poverty are risk factors for violent injury, and violent injury is a risk factor for early mortality that can be attenuated through hospital-based violence intervention programs. Most of these programs focus on victims under the age of 30 years. Little is known about risk factors or long-term mortality among older victims of violent injury. OBJECTIVES: To explore the prevalence of risk factors for violent injury among younger (age < 30 years) and older (age 30 ≥ years) victims of violent injury, to determine the long-term mortality rates in these age groups, and to explore the association between risk factors for violent injury and long-term mortality. METHODS: Adults with violent injuries were enrolled between 2001 and 2004. Demographic and injury data were recorded on enrollment. Ten-year mortality rates were measured. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were used to compare older and younger subjects. RESULTS: Among 541 subjects, 70% were over age 30. The overall 10-year mortality rate was 15%, and was much higher than in the age-matched general population in both age groups. Risk factors for violent injury including mental illness, substance abuse, and poverty were prevalent, especially among older subjects, and were each independently associated with increased risk of long-term mortality. CONCLUSION: Mental illness, substance abuse, and poverty constitute a "lethal triad" that is associated with an increased risk of long-term mortality among victims of violent injury, including both younger adults and those over age 30 years. Both groups may benefit from targeted risk-reduction efforts. Emergency department visits offer an invaluable opportunity to engage these vulnerable patients.

Violent reinjury risk assessment instrument (VRRAI) for hospital-based violence intervention programs.

BACKGROUND: Violent injury is the second most common cause of death among 15- to 24-year olds in the US. Up to 58% of violently injured youth return to the hospital with a second violent injury. Hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) have been shown to reduce injury recidivism through intensive case management. However, no validated guidelines for risk assessment strategies in the HVIP setting have been reported. We aimed to use qualitative methods to investigate the key components of risk assessments employed by HVIP case managers and to propose a risk assessment model based on this qualitative analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An established academic hospital-affiliated HVIP served as the nexus for this research. Thematic saturation was reached with 11 semi-structured interviews and two focus groups conducted with HVIP case managers and key informants identified through snowball sampling. Interactions were analyzed by a four-member team using Nvivo 10, employing the constant comparison method. Risk factors identified were used to create a set of models presented in two follow-up HVIP case managers and leadership focus groups. RESULTS: Eighteen key themes within seven domains (environment, identity, mental health, behavior, conflict, indicators of lower risk, and case management) and 141 potential risk factors for use in the risk assessment framework were identified. The most salient factors were incorporated into eight models that were presented to the HVIP case managers. A 29-item algorithmic structured professional judgment model was chosen. CONCLUSIONS: We identified four tiers of risk factors for violent reinjury that were incorporated into a proposed risk assessment instrument, VRRAI.

Comparing traditional and novel injury scoring systems in a US level-I trauma center: an opportunity for improved injury surveillance in low- and middle-income countries.

BACKGROUND: In most low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the resources to accurately quantify injury severity using traditional injury scoring systems are limited. Novel injury scoring systems appear to have adequate discrimination for mortality in LMIC contexts, but they have not been rigorously compared where traditional injury scores can be accurately calculated. To determine whether novel injury scoring systems perform as well as traditional ones in a HIC with complete and comprehensive data collection. METHODS: Data from an American level-I trauma registry collected 2008-2013 were used to compare three traditional injury scoring systems: Injury Severity Score (ISS); Revised Trauma Score (RTS); and Trauma Injury Severity Score (TRISS); and three novel injury scoring systems: Kampala Trauma Score (KTS); Mechanism, GCS, Age and Pressure (MGAP) score; and GCS, Age and Pressure (GAP) score. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between each scoring system and mortality. Standardized regression coefficients (ß2), Akaike information criteria, area under the receiver operating characteristics curve, and the calibration line intercept and slope were used to evaluate the discrimination and calibration of each model. RESULTS: Among 18,746 patients, all six scores were associated with hospital mortality. GAP had the highest effect size, and KTS had the lowest median Akaike information criteria. Although TRISS discriminated best, the discrimination of KTS approached that of TRISS and outperformed GAP, MGAP, RTS, and ISS. MGAP was best calibrated, and KTS was better calibrated than RTS, GAP, ISS, or TRISS. CONCLUSIONS: The novel injury scoring systems (KTS, MGAP, and GAP), which are more feasible to calculate in low-resource settings, discriminated hospital mortality as well as traditional injury scoring systems (ISS and RTS) and approached the discrimination of a sophisticated, data-intensive injury scoring system (TRISS) in a high-resource setting. Two novel injury scoring systems (KTS and MGAP) surpassed the calibration of TRISS. These novel injury scoring systems should be considered when clinicians and researchers wish to accurately account for injury severity. Implementation of these resource-appropriate tools in LMICs can improve injury surveillance, guiding quality improvement efforts, and supporting advocacy for resource allocation commensurate with the volume and severity of trauma.