Characteristics of In-patient Deaths in a Private Health Facility

Abstract

Background: Death in a private facility is a very traumatic event because of its far reaching economic and social
consequences.The aim of the review is to establish the characteristics of deaths amongst admitted patients in a privte
facility in Niger Delta , Nigeria.
Methods: This was a 7 year retrospective review of deaths amongst admitted patients in a private facility from 2001 to 2007. Demographics and other characteristics were analysed bearing in mind the ortho-trauma bias of the facility. Simple statistical methods were adopted.
Results: In the 7 year period 10,431 patients came for treatment, 3285 (31.49%) were admitted and 72 of the patient died with a crude mortality rate of 0.69%. Male to Female ratio was 1.25:1 with the mean age of 43+20. Presenting pathologies included head injury (11.9%), malignancies (10.9%), cervical spine trauma (9.5%), and cardiovascular pathologies (8.2%). A lot of the patients had long bone fractures (22.5%,n=19). Many patients
died within 24 hours of admissiom(18.1%) or an intervention (20%). Septicaemia (19.4%), hypovolaemic shock and head trauma (9.7%) each were complications that provided the
terminal exits.
Conclusion: Standard facilities might reduce some of these deaths which are preventable.We recommend enforceable minimal standards of care.Questionable deaths must be audited by a goverment enabled body with ability to sanction culprits.It might be a step in the right direction.


Keywords: admission, deaths, demographics, trauma

Nigeria Journal of Orthopaedics and Trauma Vol. 7 (2) 2008: pp. 73-75