The British journal of surgery
-
The field of global surgery has gained significant recent momentum, catalysed by the 2015 publication of the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery, Disease Control Priorities 3 and World Health Assembly resolution 68.15. These reports characterized the global burden of disease amenable to surgical care, called for global investment in surgical systems, and recognized surgery and anaesthesia as essential components of universal health coverage. ⋯ The development and implementation of data-driven NSOAPs should be recognized as a powerful road map to accelerate achievement of the SDGs by 2030.
-
There are few prospective studies of outcomes following surgery in rural district hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and predictors of surgical-site infection (SSI) following caesarean section at Kirehe District Hospital in rural Rwanda. ⋯ The prevalence of SSI after caesarean section is consistent with rates reported at tertiary facilities in sub-Saharan Africa. Combining antiseptic solutions for skin preparation could reduce the risk of SSI.
-
Benchmarking is a popular quality-improvement tool in economic practice. Its basic principle consists of identifying the best (the benchmark), then comparing with the best, and learning from the best. In healthcare, the concept of benchmarking or establishing benchmarks has been less specific, where comparisons often do not target the best, but the average results. ⋯ Parameters used for this purpose must be reproducible, objective and universal. A systematic approach for determining benchmarks enables self-assessment of surgical outcome and facilitates the detection of areas for improvement. The intention of benchmarking is to stimulate surgeons' genuine endeavour for perfection, rather than to judge centre or surgeon performance.
-
In 2015, six indicators were proposed to evaluate global progress towards access to safe, affordable and timely surgical and anaesthesia care. Although some have been adopted as core global health indicators, none has been evaluated systematically. The aims of this study were to assess the availability, comparability and utility of the indicators, and to present available data and updated estimates. ⋯ Surgical and anaesthesia indicators are increasingly being adopted by the global health community, but data availability remains low. Comparability and utility for all indicators require further resolution.
-
Surgery is among the most neglected parts of healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries. Ethiopia has launched a national strategic plan to address challenges in the surgical system. This study aimed to assess surgical capacity in two Ethiopian regions to inform priority areas for improvement. ⋯ Results from this study will inform programmes to simultaneously improve each of the health system domains in Ethiopia; this is required if better access to and quality of surgery, anaesthesia and obstetric services are to be achieved.