BACKGROUND: Emergency medical care is designed to overcome the factors most commonly implicated in preventable mortality, such as delays in seeking care, access to health facility, and the provision of adequate care at the facility. The developed world has recognized the importance of organized emergency medical services and has well established systems. The Lagos State Government established the first emergency medical system in Nigeria in 2001. OBJECTIVE: This was to review the activities of the Lagos State Emergency Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS) within the stated period with the hope that our findings can be used to audit the system and make recommendations for further improvement. SUBJECTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of the State Ministry of Health for the data on the activities of LASAMBUS from 2001-2006. The number and types of emergencies that were seen and managed with the associated morbidity and mortality were reviewed. The constraints that were encountered by the LASAMBUS staff were also studied. The data that was obtained was entered into a proforma designed for the study. Analysis of the data was done using the Microsoft Excel software. RESULTS: A total of 32,774 cases comprising 21,977(67.1%) males,10,797(32.9%) females and a male to female (M:F) ratio of 2.04:1, were seen during the study period. Trauma was responsible for 29,500 (90%) of the cases. No mortality was recorded during the transfer of the cases. The records of mortality for the LASAMBUS-transferred cases were not available. CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATIONS: Trauma cases formed the majority of the cases that were seen with road traffic accident constituting a large proportion of these. Health education focusing on improving driving etiquette of Drivers and injury prevention should intensified. More equipped emergency centres should be established to reduce victims transit and injuryintervention time. Record keeping and documentations should be improved for better assessment of the activities.
BACKGROUND: Emergency medical care is designed to overcome the factors most commonly implicated in preventable mortality, such as delays in seeking care, access to health facility, and the provision of adequate care at the facility. The developed world has recognized the importance of organized emergency medical services and has well established systems. The Lagos State Government established the first emergency medical system in Nigeria in 2001. OBJECTIVE: This was to review the activities of the Lagos State Emergency Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS) within the stated period with the hope that our findings can be used to audit the system and make recommendations for further improvement. SUBJECTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of the State Ministry of Health for the data on the activities of LASAMBUS from 2001-2006. The number and types of emergencies that were seen and managed with the associated morbidity and mortality were reviewed. The constraints that were encountered by the LASAMBUS staff were also studied. The data that was obtained was entered into a proforma designed for the study. Analysis of the data was done using the Microsoft Excel software. RESULTS: A total of 32,774 cases comprising 21,977(67.1%) males,10,797(32.9%) females and a male to female (M:F) ratio of 2.04:1, were seen during the study period. Trauma was responsible for 29,500 (90%) of the cases. No mortality was recorded during the transfer of the cases. The records of mortality for the LASAMBUS-transferred cases were not available. CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATIONS: Trauma cases formed the majority of the cases that were seen with road traffic accident constituting a large proportion of these. Health education focusing on improving driving etiquette of Drivers and injury prevention should intensified. More equipped emergency centres should be established to reduce victims transit and injuryintervention time. Record keeping and documentations should be improved for better assessment of the activities.
Authors: John Whitaker; Nollaig O'Donohoe; Max Denning; Dan Poenaru; Elena Guadagno; Andrew J M Leather; Justine I Davies Journal: BMJ Glob Health Date: 2021-05
Authors: Antony Gatebe Kironji; Peter Hodkinson; Sarah Stewart de Ramirez; Trisha Anest; Lee Wallis; Junaid Razzak; Alexander Jenson; Bhakti Hansoti Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2018-04-19 Impact factor: 2.655
Authors: Wakisa Mulwafu; Linda Chokotho; Nyengo Mkandawire; Hemant Pandit; Dan L Deckelbaum; Chris Lavy; Kathryn H Jacobsen Journal: Malawi Med J Date: 2017-06 Impact factor: 0.875
Authors: Davies Adeloye; Jacqueline Y Thompson; Moses A Akanbi; Dominic Azuh; Victoria Samuel; Nicholas Omoregbe; Charles K Ayo Journal: Bull World Health Organ Date: 2016-04-21 Impact factor: 9.408