Establishment of trauma registry at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital(QECH), Blantyre, Malawi and mapping of high risk geographic areas for trauma

BACKGROUND: Less attention is directed toward gaining a better understanding of the burden and prevention of injuries, in low and middle income countries(LMICs). We report the establishment of a trauma registry at the Adult Emergency and Trauma Centre(AETC) at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital(QECH) in Blantyre, Malawi and identify high risk geographic areas. METHODS: We devised a paper based two-page trauma registry form. Ten data clerks and all AETC clinicians were trained to complete demographic and clinical details respectively. Descriptive data, regression and hotspot analyses were done using STATA 15 statistical package and ArcGIS(16) software respectively.RESULTS: There were 3,747 patients from May 2013 to May 2015. The most common mechanisms of injury were assault(38.2%), and road traffi c injuries(31.6%). The majority had soft tissue injury(53.1%), while 23.8% had no diagnosis indicated. Fractures(OR 19.94 [15.34–25.93]), head injury and internal organ injury(OR 29.5 [16.29–53.4]), and use of ambulance(OR 1.57 [1.06–2.33]) were found to be predictive of increased odds of being admitted to hospital while assault(OR 0.69 [0.52–0.91]) was found to be associated with less odds of being admitted to hospital. Hot spot analysis showed that at 99% confidence interval, Ndirande, Mbayani and Limbe were the top hot spots for injury occurrence. CONCLUSION: We have described the process of establishing an integrated and potentially sustainable trauma registry. Signifi cant data were captured to provide details on the epidemiology of trauma and insight on how care could be improved at AETC and surrounding health facilities. This approach may be relevant in similar poor resource settings.

Improving hospital-based trauma care for road traffic injuries in Malawi

BACKGROUND: The mortality rate from road traffic injuries has increased in sub-Saharan Africa as the number of motor vehicles increase. This study examined the capacity of hospitals along Malawi's main north-south highway to provide emergency trauma care.METHODS: Structured interviews and checklists were used to evaluate the infrastructure, personnel, supplies, and equipment at all four of Malawi's central hospitals, ten district hospitals, and one mission hospital in 2014. Most of these facilities are along the main north-south highway that spans the country.RESULTS: Between July 2013 and March 2014, more than 9 200 road traffic injuries(RTIs) and 100 RTI deaths were recorded by the participating hospitals. All of the hospitals reported staff shortages, especially during nights and weekends. Few clinicians had completed formal training in emergency trauma management, and healthcare workers reported gaps in knowledge and skills, especially at district hospitals. Most central hospitals had access to the critical supplies and medications necessary for trauma care, but district hospitals lacked some of the supplies and equipment needed for diagnosis, treatment, and personal protection.CONCLUSION: The mortality and disability burden from road traffi c injuries in Malawi(and other low-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa) can be reduced by ensuring that every central and district hospital has a dedicated trauma unit with qualified staff who have completed primary trauma care courses and have access to the equipment necessary to save lives.