BMC emergency medicine
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BMC emergency medicine · Jan 2015
Multicenter StudyAmbulance use in Pakistan: an analysis of surveillance data from emergency departments in Pakistan.
The utilization of ambulances in low- and middle-income countries is limited. The aim of this study was to ascertain frequency of ambulance use and characteristics of patients brought into emergency departments (EDs) through ambulance and non-ambulance modes of transportation. ⋯ Utilization of ambulances is very low in Pakistan. Ambulance use was found to be more among the elderly and those presenting with injuries. Patients presenting via ambulances were more likely to die in the ED.
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BMC emergency medicine · Jan 2015
Multicenter StudyThe pediatric disease spectrum in emergency departments across Pakistan: data from a pilot surveillance system.
There is an increasing number of urgently ill and injured children being seen in emergency departments (ED) of developing countries. The pediatric disease burden in EDs across Pakistan is generally unknown. Our main objective was to determine the spectrum of disease and injury among children seen in EDs in Pakistan through a nationwide ED-based surveillance system. ⋯ Pediatric patients constitute a smaller proportion among general ED users in Pakistan. Injury is the most common presenting complaint for children seen in the ED. These data will help in resource allocation for cost effective pediatric ED service delivery systems. Prospective longer duration surveillance is needed in more representative pediatric EDs across Pakistan.
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BMC emergency medicine · Jan 2015
Multicenter StudyPattern of presenting complaints recorded as near-drowning events in emergency departments: a national surveillance study from Pakistan.
Drowning is a heavy burden on the health systems of many countries, including Pakistan. To date, no effective large-scale surveillance has been in place to estimate rates of drowning and near-drowning in Pakistan. The Pakistan National Emergency Department Surveillance (Pak-NEDS) study aimed to fill this gap. ⋯ There was major under-reporting of drowning and near-drowning cases in the surveillance study. The etiology of near-drowning cases should be further studied. Patients who experienced non-fatal drownings were more commonly sent for medical care due to other accompanying conditions, rather than near-drowning event itself. There is also need for recognizing true near-drowning incidents. The results of this study provide information on data source selection, site location, emergency care standardization, and multi-sector collaboration for future drowning prevention studies.
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BMC emergency medicine · Jan 2015
Multicenter Study Observational StudyDead on arrival in a low-income country: results from a multicenter study in Pakistan.
This study assessed the characteristics of dead on arrival (DOA) patients in Pakistan. ⋯ This study noted a higher burden of DOA patients in Pakistan compared to other resourceful settings (about 1 to 2 per 1,000 visits). A large proportion of patients belonging to productive age groups, and the low prevalence of ambulance and CPR use, indicate a need for improving the prehospital care and basic life support training in Pakistan.
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BMC emergency medicine · Jan 2015
Multicenter StudyBurn injury characteristics: findings from Pakistan National Emergency Department Surveillance Study.
Burn injury is an important yet under-researched area in Pakistan. The objective of this study was to determine the characteristics and associated outcomes of burn injury patients presenting to major emergency departments in Pakistan. ⋯ Burn injuries are a burden on emergency rooms in Pakistan. We were able to demonstrate the significant burden of burn injuries that is not addressed by specialized burn centers.