Assessment of Quality of Pediatric Emergency Triage and Associated Factors in Selected Hospitals of Wolaita Zone 2017
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Date
2017-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: the quality of pediatric emergency triage is dependent on current professional
knowledge; perception of health care workers, on the level of confidence of health care
workers (HCWs), the availability of essential medicines, supplies, equipment’s and on the
presence and adherence of HCWs to evidence based clinical practice guidelines. Therefore,
the objective of this study is to assess the quality of pediatric emergency triage and its
associated factors in selected hospitals of Wolaita zone 2017.
Methodology: descriptive cross-sectional facility based study design was used. The sampling
procedure of the study was done by using purposive sampling technique. The study period
was from Dec. 2016 to June 2017 and data collected from March to April 2017GC. 175
HCWs responded to the questionnaire from the total of 178. The tools mainly consisted of
soscio-demographics of HCWs, knowledge and perception of HCWs, factors associated with
triage quality and observation check lists focusing on availability of essentials of pediatric
emergency triage. The data was collected by using self-administered questionnaire on the
health care workers and observation check list. The descriptive statistics such as frequency,
percentage and SD was used for analysis as appropriate. The findings from observation
checklists were summarized in the form of text and tables. Multivariate analysis was used
to declare statistical.
Results: this study indicated 41.7 % not correctly defined triage, 81.1 did not know triage
duration, 85.72% not identified all triage places and 64% did not categorize child with urgent
signs. 32 % of HCWs not interested when assigned in pediatric emergencies and 77 % of
HCWs were not confident when allocated in the unit. None of the hospitals have guidelines,
protocols, standards, sick child flow charts, treatment algorithms and no glucometer and IO
needle. All the three hospitals were lacking oxygen cylinder. This study result has shown that
level of qualification, training experience and reading guidelines were factors affecting triage
quality
Conclusion: the overall quality of pediatric emergency triage service was poor. It was not as
recommended in all three hospitals assessed and needs an improvement.
Key words: quality, pediatrics, emergency, triage, assessmen
Description
Keywords
Quality, Pediatrics, Emergency, Triage, Assessment