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Assessing the trauma burden at Rwanda Military Referral and Teaching Hospital: a comprehensive analysis
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The Rwanda Military Referral and Teaching Hospital (RMRTH), located in Kigali, is a tertiary care institution for patients from diverse areas, focusing on the Eastern Province. Because it does not have a specialized trauma center, it runs through an emergency department to provide initial stabilization for surgical patients.
METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis utilizing the medical records of trauma patients admitted to the RMRTH between March 2022 and March 2023. Data from the electronic system, admission registries, and patient files, whether electronic or hard copies, were utilized. The data were analyzed using R version 4.3.1 (2023-06-16), and ggplot2-tidyverse was used as a package to create graphics.
RESULTS: A retrospective review spanning March 2022 to March 2023 involving 965 trauma patients revealed a male predominance (81.2%) and a significant contribution of road traffic accidents (56.9%) to overall trauma cases. Districts within Kigali, notably Kicukiro, accounted for a substantial proportion of admissions (15.85%). Orthopedics (37.2%), neurosurgery (32.6%), and plastic and reconstructive surgery (10.05%) were the primary treating specialties compared to other departments. Adherence to scoring systems such as the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and mSATS were moderate, highlighting areas for improvement in standardized assessment protocols. There was an association between old age and injury severity (p value=0.003), as well as between male sex and road traffic accidents (p value=0.002).
CONCLUSION: The study reveals a significant trauma burden at RMRTH, predominantly involving male patients and road traffic accidents. It highlights the need for dedicated trauma centers and the use of standardized scoring systems like GCS and mSATS for better patient management. Implementing data-driven approaches and rigorous documentation are essential for enhancing care quality and outcomes in LMICs.
