Dead on arrival in a low-income country: results from a multicenter study in Pakistan

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the characteristics of dead on arrival (DOA) patients in Pakistan. METHODS: Data about the DOA patients were extracted from Pakistan National Emergency Department Surveillance study (Pak-NEDS). This study recruited all ED patients presenting to seven tertiary care hospitals during a four-month period between November 2010 and March 2011. This study included patients who were declared dead-on-arrival by the ED physician. RESULTS: A total of 1,557 DOA patients (7 per 1,000 visits) were included in the Pak-NEDS. Men accounted for two-thirds (64%) of DOA patients. Those aged 20-49 years accounted for about 46% of DOA patients. Nine percent (n = 72) of patients were brought by ambulance, and most patients presented at a public hospital (80%). About 11% of DOA patients had an injury. Factors significantly associated (p \u3c 0.05) with ambulance use were men (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.72), brought to a private hospital (OR = 2.74), and being injured (aOR = 1.89). Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed on 6% (n = 42) of patients who received treatment. Those brought to a private hospital were more likely to receive CPR (aOR = 2.81). CONCLUSION: This study noted a higher burden of DOA patients in Pakistan compared to other resourceful settings (about 1 to 2 per 1,000 visits). A large proportion of patients belonging to productive age groups, and the low prevalence of ambulance and CPR use, indicate a need for improving the prehospital care and basic life support training in pakistan

Capacitação de técnicos/auxiliares de enfermagem: repercussão nos registros de enfermagem relacionados ao atendimento pré-hospitalar móvel Capacitación de técnicos y auxiliares de enfermería en la atención pre-hospitalaria móvil: repercusiones en los registros de enfermería Training of nursing technicians/assistants in mobile pre-hospital healthcare: results from nursing records

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o impacto de um curso de capacitação na melhoria dos registros realizados por técnicos/auxiliares de enfermagem no atendimento pré-hospitalar a crianças menores de cinco anos com dificuldade respiratória. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo exploratório, realizado no Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgências - Recife. Foram incluídas as fichas de atendimentos realizados por Unidades de Suporte Básico a crianças menores de cinco anos com quadro de dificuldade respiratória, totalizando 148 ocorrências em 2006, antes do curso de capacitação e 113 em 2007/2008 após a capacitação de técnicos/auxiliares de enfermagem. RESULTADOS: Observou-se mudança significativa na qualidade da informação registrada, passando os sinais de gravidade respiratória a serem avaliados com maior freqüência, como o uso da musculatura acessória, batimento de asa de nariz, agitação, retração xifóide e sibilos expiratórios (p<0,01). CONCLUSÃO: O curso de capacitação implementado proporcionou melhor comunicação com a central médica de regulação no repasse objetivo dos sinais de dificuldade respiratória, favorecendo a adoção de condutas apropriadas.<br>OBJETIVO: Evaluar el impacto de un curso de capacitación para la mejoría de los registros realizados por técnicos/auxiliares de enfermería en la atención pre hospitalaria a niños menores de cinco años con dificultad respiratoria. MÉTODOS: Se trata de un estudio prospectivo exploratorio, realizado en el Servicio de Atención Móvil de Urgencias - Recife. Fueron incluídas las fichas de atención realizadas por Unidades de Soporte Básico a niños menores de cinco años con cuadro de dificuldad respiratoria, con un total de 148 ocurrencias en el 2006, antes del curso de capacitación y 113 en 2007/2008 después de la capacitación de técnicos/auxiliares de enfermería. RESULTADOS: Se observó un cambio significativo en la calidad de la información registrada, pasando las señales de gravedad respiratoria a ser evaluados con mayor frecuencia, como el uso de la musculatura accesoria, aleteo nasal, agitación, retracción xifoide y sibilancias expiratorias (p<0,01). CONCLUSIÓN: El curso de capacitación implementado proporcionó mejor comunicación con la central médica de regulación en el repaso objetivo de las señales de dificultad respiratoria, favoreciendo la adopción de conductas apropiadas.<br>OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a program for capacitation of associate degree nurses and licensed practical nurses in improving the documentation of respiratory care for children less than 5 years old in pre-hospital mobile units. METHODS: A quasi-experimental, prospective, and comparative one-group before and after design was used to conduct the study. The study was conducted in the Pre-Hospital Mobile Units of Recife. The sample consisted of 148 children's records in 2006 before the initiation of the program of capacitation and 113 children's records in 2007 and 2008 after the implementation of the program. RESULTS: There was a statistical significant change after the implementation of the program regarding to quality documentation and the frequency of respiratory system assessment, such as the use of the accessory respiratory muscle, nose flaring, agitation, xiphoid process retraction, and wheezes (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of the program of capacitation of associate degree nurses and licensed practical nurses improved communication, nursing care, documentation, and respiratory assessment of children in pre-hospital mobile units