Author Of 1 Presentation
EVALUATION OF PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE IN THE COUNTRY OF GEORGIA
Abstract
Background
Pediatric preparedness in emergency departments (EDs) in Georgia has not been systematically assessed. In most hospitals, pediatric emergencies are attended by a general pediatrician, while more severe cases are referred to adult intensivists, surgeons, or anesthesiologists.
Objectives
The purpose of this study is to measure pediatric emergency preparedness in Georgia using in situ simulations and surveys of general emergency departments, and improve preparedness through gap analysis and action plans.
Methods
This prospective multicenter cohort study involves all EDs in Georgia. Each site will complete a survey to assess pediatric preparedness across six domains (QI, policies, safety, staffing, equipment, coordination). This program also includes an assessment of performance by inter-professional teams caring for four standardized simulated pediatric patients.
Results
To date, we have conducted the pediatric readiness survey in six hospitals in the region of Tbilisi. The in-situ simulations were conducted in three hospitals to date. Preparedness in Georgia seemed to be higher in EDs with higher patient volume. The median readiness score was 37.4/100 points with the weakest areas being quality improvement, care coordination and quality improvement efforts. Regarding the simulation scenarios, sepsis was the most challenging case (median 33%) for all hospitals while the performance during the seizure scenario was the strongest (median 43%).
Conclusion
Our results suggest that pediatric preparedness in Georgia is consistently low across six hospitals visited to date. Further visits in other areas of the country and the simulation-based assessment will help further characterize this finding, and these assessments form the basis for future improvement efforts in the Country.