Trauma care and referral patterns in Rwanda: implications for trauma system development

• DOI: 10.1503/cjs.008115
• Publication Date: 2016-01-28T14:51:25Z
• Authors: Georges Ntakiyiruta; Evan G. Wong; Mathieu C. Rousseau; Landouald Ruhungande; Adam L. Kushner; Alexander S. Libe...; Kosar Khwaja; Marc Dakermandji; Marnie Wilson; Tarek Razek; Patrick Kyamanywa; Dan L. Deckelbaum
• Keywords: Major trauma

<h3>Background:</h3> Trauma remains a leading cause of death worldwide. The development trauma systems in low-resource settings may be benefit. objective this study was to describe operative procedures performed for at tertiary care facility Kigali, Rwanda, and evaluate geographical variations referral patterns care. <h3>Methods:</h3> We retrospectively reviewed all prospectively collected cases the largest hospital Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali (CHUK), between June 1 Dec. 1, 2011, injury-related diagnoses. used Pearson χ² Fisher exact tests compare arising from within those transferred other provinces. Geospatial analyses were also further elucidate transfer patterns. <h3>Results:</h3> Over 6-month period, 2758 surgical interventions CHUK. Of these, 653 (23.7%) trauma. Most patients resided outside city, with 337 (58.0%) provinces 244 (42.0%) Kigali. orthopedic (489 [84.2%]), although general surgery represented higher proportion surgeries than (28 [8.3%] v. 10 [4.1%]). <h3>Conclusion:</h3> To our knowledge, is first highlight access low-income country description centre Rwanda. Future efforts should focus on maturing prehospital interfacility transport systems, strengthening district hospitals supporting institutions.