J E Sanders1, T Chakare1, L Mapota-Masoabi2, M Ranyali2, M M Ramokhele1, A M Rozario1, E D McCollum3,4. 1. Jhpiego Lesotho, Maseru, Lesotho. 2. Ministry of Health, Maseru, Government of Lesotho. 3. Global Program in Respiratory Sciences, Eudowood Division of Pediatric Respiratory Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA. 4. Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Abstract
SETTING: Sub-Saharan African country, Lesotho, during the SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate COVID-19 hospital capacity in Lesotho. DESIGN: We conducted a pragmatic assessment of all public hospitals in Lesotho using a WHO COVID-19 hospital assessment tool during July 2020 (baseline), with targeted follow-up in December 2020. We adapted the WHO tool into a questionnaire with a focus on hospital services and included oxygen ecosystem elements (pulse oximeters, oxygen, and advanced respiratory care). We converted qualitative questionnaire answers into quantitative ordinal variables and used standard statistics for analysis. RESULTS: At baseline, we found all 12 questionnaire domains demonstrate both hospital preparedness and weakness in infection prevention and control. Key baseline gaps were lack of a dedicated team, and insufficient personal protective equipment and space for donning and doffing. Substantial limitations were noted in hypoxemia diagnosis and treatment; information management and care coordination pathways were also suboptimal. Targeted follow-up after 5 months revealed improvement in the availability of pulse oximetry, oxygen capacity, and heated high-flow nasal cannula devices. CONCLUSION: Our baseline findings may reflect uneven early pandemic care quality; targeted follow-up suggests strengthening of the oxygen ecosystem.
SETTING: Sub-Saharan African country, Lesotho, during the SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate COVID-19 hospital capacity in Lesotho. DESIGN: We conducted a pragmatic assessment of all public hospitals in Lesotho using a WHO COVID-19 hospital assessment tool during July 2020 (baseline), with targeted follow-up in December 2020. We adapted the WHO tool into a questionnaire with a focus on hospital services and included oxygen ecosystem elements (pulse oximeters, oxygen, and advanced respiratory care). We converted qualitative questionnaire answers into quantitative ordinal variables and used standard statistics for analysis. RESULTS: At baseline, we found all 12 questionnaire domains demonstrate both hospital preparedness and weakness in infection prevention and control. Key baseline gaps were lack of a dedicated team, and insufficient personal protective equipment and space for donning and doffing. Substantial limitations were noted in hypoxemia diagnosis and treatment; information management and care coordination pathways were also suboptimal. Targeted follow-up after 5 months revealed improvement in the availability of pulse oximetry, oxygen capacity, and heated high-flow nasal cannula devices. CONCLUSION: Our baseline findings may reflect uneven early pandemic care quality; targeted follow-up suggests strengthening of the oxygen ecosystem.
Authors: Eric D McCollum; Erica Bjornstad; Geoffrey A Preidis; Mina C Hosseinipour; Norman Lufesi Journal: Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg Date: 2013-05 Impact factor: 2.184
Authors: Hamish R Graham; Ayobami A Bakare; Amy Gray; Adejumoke Idowu Ayede; Shamim Qazi; Barbara McPake; Rasa Izadnegahdar; Trevor Duke; Adegoke G Falade Journal: BMJ Glob Health Date: 2018-06-26
Authors: Patrick G T Walker; Charles Whittaker; Oliver J Watson; Marc Baguelin; Peter Winskill; Arran Hamlet; Bimandra A Djafaara; Zulma Cucunubá; Daniela Olivera Mesa; Will Green; Hayley Thompson; Shevanthi Nayagam; Kylie E C Ainslie; Sangeeta Bhatia; Samir Bhatt; Adhiratha Boonyasiri; Olivia Boyd; Nicholas F Brazeau; Lorenzo Cattarino; Gina Cuomo-Dannenburg; Amy Dighe; Christl A Donnelly; Ilaria Dorigatti; Sabine L van Elsland; Rich FitzJohn; Han Fu; Katy A M Gaythorpe; Lily Geidelberg; Nicholas Grassly; David Haw; Sarah Hayes; Wes Hinsley; Natsuko Imai; David Jorgensen; Edward Knock; Daniel Laydon; Swapnil Mishra; Gemma Nedjati-Gilani; Lucy C Okell; H Juliette Unwin; Robert Verity; Michaela Vollmer; Caroline E Walters; Haowei Wang; Yuanrong Wang; Xiaoyue Xi; David G Lalloo; Neil M Ferguson; Azra C Ghani Journal: Science Date: 2020-06-12 Impact factor: 47.728