South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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Little is known about the nature of patients presenting to emergency departments (EDs) in South Africa. This study aimed to provide evidence on ED usage in Cape Town by studying patients at four community health centre (CHC) EDs, with details of the severity of their presentation and their disposal. ⋯ The data from this study present a model for staffing and resource allocation. It has implications for the provision of emergency care in CHC EDs.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
National audit of critical care resources in South Africa - open versus closed intensive and high care units.
To evaluate the distribution and functioning of South African intensive care units (ICUs) and high care units (HCUs), in particular the extent to which units were 'closed units'. ⋯ In the face of already limited resources (financial and human) and given the emphasis on primary care medicine (with consequent limited capacity for further ICU development), it is crucial that existing facilities are maximally utilised. Like the USA we are not in a position to implement the Leapfrog recommendations and must modify our approach to dealing with South African realities.
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This article provides an in-depth description of the methodology that was followed and the quality control measures that were implemented during the audit of national critical care resources in South Africa.
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Multicenter Study
National audit of critical care resources in South Africa - transfer of critically ill patients.
To establish the efficacy of the current system of referral of critical care patients: (i) from public hospitals with no ICU or HCU facilities to hospitals with appropriate facilities; and (ii) from public and private sector hospitals with ICU or HCU facilities to hospitals with appropriate facilities. ⋯ A combination of current resource constraints, the vast distances in some regions of the country and the historical disparities of health resource distribution represent a unique challenge which demands a novel approach to equitable health care appropriation.
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Multicenter Study
National audit of critical care resources in South Africa - unit and bed distribution.
To determine the national distribution of intensive care unit (ICU)/high care (HC) units and beds. ⋯ The most compelling conclusion from this study is the need for regionalisation of ICU services in SA.