Ibrahim BE, El-Amin RO, Abdulla STA. Evaluating the Triage of Suspected COVID-19 Cases in Sudan's Emergency Settings: A Clinical Audit.
Open Access Emerg Med 2023;
15:373-382. [PMID:
37872979 PMCID:
PMC10590591 DOI:
10.2147/oaem.s433240]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background
The inevitable coronavirus disease 2019 global pandemic has severely affected Sudan's fragile healthcare system. The authors share the experience of COVID-19 triage in the emergency departments of five public hospitals in Khartoum state, Sudan.
Methods
A clinical audit was conducted in December 2020 using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Checklist and Monitoring Tool for Triage of Suspected COVID-19 Cases. The tool was categorised into 5 domains and 38 indicators.
Results
Only three hospitals had hand hygiene stations in their triage areas: Ibrahim Malik, Omdurman, and Al-Nau. Omdurman Teaching Hospital was the sole hospital with a designated respiratory waiting area. At Al-Nau and Omdurman Hospitals, all respiratory symptomatic patients wore a facemask or alternative. Ibrahim Malik and Bahri Teaching Hospitals had 60% and 50% compliance, respectively, while none at El-Tamayouz Hospital did. No posters or job aids were present in donning and doffing areas. Heavy duty gloves were worn only at Ibrahim Malik (50%) and Omdurman (20%). 100% of staff wore closed-toe footwear at Ibrahim Malik and Omdurman, 75% at El-Tamayouz, 63% at Bahri, and none at Al-Nau.
Conclusion
The healthcare facilities displayed significant shortcomings in preparedness and response to COVID-19, with variations across hospitals in infrastructure, human resources, and procedures. To better combat future outbreaks, systemic improvements and a focused approach on consistent staff training, standard triage algorithms, and adequate PPE availability are imperative.
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