Characteristics and Health Outcomes of Patients with Road Traffic Injuries managed in Critical Care Unit at Kenyatta National Hospital: A One Year Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Road traffic accidents are rapidly increasing in developing countries due to rapid motorization. There is limited data on outcomes of patients admitted in critical care units in Kenya. The study aimed at assessing characteristics and health outcomes of patients with road traffic injuries managed in the critical care unit at Kenyatta National Hospital. A retrospective cohort study was conducted where 71 patients’ files were reviewed using a data collection sheet. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Male to female ratio was 3.5:1. Mean age was 30 years. Motor vehicles and motor cycles accounted for 30.3% and 27.3% of injuries respectively. Head Injuries accounted for up to 97.5% of all injuries. Glasgow coma scale (GCS) on admission was below 8 among 81.7% of the patients. Low GCS was significantly associated with age below 40 years, p<0.02. The mean CCU stay was 18 days. Referrals were 69% (n=49) of the patients and was significantly associated with GCS below 8, p<0.01. GCS below 8 was strongly associated with Computerized tomography scan services, p<0.00.Mortality rate was 36.6% (n=26). The mean cost of management was ksh.450195.67. More resource allocation to county CCUs and enhanced evacuation can improve the outcomes of the patients.