Emergency preparedness capacity of a university hospital in Ghana: a cross-sectional study

Estella Antoinette Boateng-Osei; Isaac Osei; Abigail Kusi-Amponsah Diji; Bernice Agyeman Pambour; Rejoice Wireko-Gyebi; Portia Okyere; Alberta Yemotsoo Lomotey

doi:10.1016/j.afjem.2023.05.001

Emergency preparedness capacity of a university hospital in Ghana: a cross-sectional study

Afr J Emerg Med. 2023 Sep;13(3):152-156. doi: 10.1016/j.afjem.2023.05.001. Epub 2023 Jun 8.

Authors

Estella Antoinette Boateng-Osei^{1

2}, Isaac Osei³, Abigail Kusi-Amponsah Diji², Bernice Agyeman Pambour⁴, Rejoice Wireko-Gyebi⁵, Portia Okyere⁶, Alberta Yemotsoo Lomotey²

Affiliations

¹ University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
² Department of Nursing, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
³ MRC Unit, The Gambia at LSHTM Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara.
⁴ Ejisu Government Hospital, Ejisu-Juaben Municipality, Ashanti Region, Ghana.
⁵ Department of Planning and Sustainability, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani.
⁶ Department of Public Health Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

Abstract

Background: The health and safety of people are often endangered during emergencies and disasters. Efficient emergency management systems ensure that mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery actions exist to preserve the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Failure to carry out appropriate responses can have adverse consequences for both emergency responders and casualties; hence, the need for emergency preparedness. This study sought to assess the state of emergency preparedness capacity of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology hospital in Ghana.

Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2018 and February 2019 using three guidelines developed respectively by the World Health Organization, the Ministry of Health-Ghana, and the Ghana Health Service. The hospital's emergency preparedness was assessed regarding the emergency policies, plan, protocol, equipment, and medications.

Results: Overall, the hospital's emergency preparedness level was weak (57.36%). Findings revealed that the hospital had inadequate emergency equipment, and supplies for emergency care delivery, especially during upsurge. It also did not have an emergency planning committee. There were noticeable deficiencies in some emergency resources such as chest tubes, basic airway supplies, and many emergency drugs. Other vital emergency tools such as pulse oximeter, thermometer, and emergency medications were inadequate. The hospital had a strong emergency plan and policies on assessment (77.8% and 78%) respectively.

Conclusion: The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology hospital is not prepared sufficiently for an emergency surge, and this poses a major health challenge. Emergency items must be made available, and the organization and planning of emergency service provisions must be improved to avoid preventable deaths during an emergency surge.

Keywords: Casualty services; Emergency; Emergency plan; Medical services; Preparedness; Resources.