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Mortality in the accident and emergency unit of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi: Patterns and factors involved
Abstract
Mortality in the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department is a good indicator of the quality of care as well as facilities available.
Between 1st of July 1996 and 30th of June 2000 a total of 3583 patients were registered at the accident and emergency unit of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi. Three hundred and thirty eight (338) died within 24 hrs.
The case files of these were reviewed with a view to ascertaining the causes and factors involved in the deaths of these patients. The analysis revealed that of the total number of deaths, 225 were males while 113 were females. Medical causes of death accounted for 203 cases while surgical causes accounted for 135 cases.
Cardiovascular accident due to hypertension is the commonest single medical cause of death while head injury from road traffic accident is the commonest single surgical cause of death. The highest incidence (when medical and surgical causes are combined) occurred between the 5th and 6th decades while the lowest was in the 9th decade.
The interval between presentation at the A & E department and death range from 30mins to 17hrs 30mins. Death from medical causes in our A & E department is due to late arrivals sequel to patronage of prayer houses and traditional healers while those from surgical causes are mainly due to delay in transportation and lack of facilities. Emphasis should therefore be laid on a mass enlightenment campaign and improvement of facilities.
KEY WORDS:- Accident and Emergency, Mortality.
[Nig J Clinical Practice Vol.5(1) 2002: 61-63]
Between 1st of July 1996 and 30th of June 2000 a total of 3583 patients were registered at the accident and emergency unit of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi. Three hundred and thirty eight (338) died within 24 hrs.
The case files of these were reviewed with a view to ascertaining the causes and factors involved in the deaths of these patients. The analysis revealed that of the total number of deaths, 225 were males while 113 were females. Medical causes of death accounted for 203 cases while surgical causes accounted for 135 cases.
Cardiovascular accident due to hypertension is the commonest single medical cause of death while head injury from road traffic accident is the commonest single surgical cause of death. The highest incidence (when medical and surgical causes are combined) occurred between the 5th and 6th decades while the lowest was in the 9th decade.
The interval between presentation at the A & E department and death range from 30mins to 17hrs 30mins. Death from medical causes in our A & E department is due to late arrivals sequel to patronage of prayer houses and traditional healers while those from surgical causes are mainly due to delay in transportation and lack of facilities. Emphasis should therefore be laid on a mass enlightenment campaign and improvement of facilities.
KEY WORDS:- Accident and Emergency, Mortality.
[Nig J Clinical Practice Vol.5(1) 2002: 61-63]
