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World Journal of Surgery
Published in: World Journal of Surgery 7/2013

01-07-2013

An Assessment of the Hospital Disease Burden and the Facilities for the In-hospital Care of Trauma in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Authors: Timothy C. Hardcastle, Candice Samuels, David J. Muckart

Published in: World Journal of Surgery | Issue 7/2013

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Abstract

Background

Trauma is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in South Africa. The present study was designed to review the hospital trauma disease burden in light of the facilities available for the care of the injured in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa’s most populous province.
The primary outcomes were the annual hospital burden of trauma in KZN, determined through data extrapolation, and evaluation of the data in light of available hospital facilities within the province of KZN, a developing province. The data were obtained through review of the trauma load in relation to all emergency cases at all levels of hospitals.

Methods

Hospital administrators in KZN were requested to submit trauma caseloads for the months of March and September 2010. Caseloads were reviewed to determine the trauma load for the province per category using two extrapolation methods to determine the predicted range of annual incidence of trauma, intentional versus non-intentional trauma ratios and population-related incidence of trauma. The results were GIS mapped to demonstrate variations across districts. Hospital data were obtained from assessments of structure, process, and personnel undertaken prior to a major sporting event. These were compared to the ideal facilities required for accreditation of trauma care facilities of the Trauma Society of South Africa and other established documents.

Results

Data were obtained from 36 of the 47 public hospitals in KZN that manage acute emergency cases. The predicted annual trauma incidence in KZN ranges from 124,000 to 125,000, or 12.9 per 1,000 population. This would imply a national public hospital trauma load on the order of at least 750,000 cases per year. Most hospitals are required to treat trauma; however, within KZN many hospitals do not have adequate personnel, medical equipment, or structural integrity to be formally accredited as trauma care facilities in terms of existing criteria.

Conclusions

There is a significant trauma load that consumes vital emergency center resources. Most hospitals will need extensive upgrading to provide appropriate care for trauma. An inclusive trauma system needs to be formalized and funded, especially in light of the planned National Health Insurance for South Africa
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Metadata
Title
An Assessment of the Hospital Disease Burden and the Facilities for the In-hospital Care of Trauma in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors
Timothy C. Hardcastle
Candice Samuels
David J. Muckart
Publication date
01-07-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
World Journal of Surgery / Issue 7/2013
Print ISSN: 0364-2313
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2323
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-012-1889-1

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