Acute myocardial infarction at a district hospital in KwaZulu-natal ­ management and outcomes

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) following ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The condition remains a management challenge in resource-constrained environments. This study analysed the management and outcomes of patients presenting with AMI at a district hospital in KwaZulu-Natal. Methods: A descriptive study that assessed hospital records of all patients diagnosed with AMI over a 2-year period (01 August 2016 to 31 July 2018). Data extracted recorded patient demographics, risk factors, timing of care, therapeutic interventions, follow up with cardiology and mortality of patients. Results: Of the 140 patients who were admitted with AMI, 96 hospital records were analysed. The mean (standard deviation [s.d.]) age of patients was 55.8 (±12.7) years. Smoking (73.5%) and hypertension (63.3%) were the most prevalent risk factors for patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in contrast to dyslipidaemia (70.2%) and hypertension (68.1%) in patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Almost 49.5% of patients arrived at hospital more than 6 h after symptom onset. Three (12.5%) patients received thrombolytic therapy within the recommended 30-min time frame. The mean triage-to-needle time was 183 min ­ range (3; 550). Median time to cardiology appointment was 93 days. The in-hospital mortality of 12 deaths considering 140 admissions was 8.6%. Conclusion: In a resource-constrained environment with multiple systemic challenges, in-hospital mortality is comparable to that in private sector conditions in South Africa. This entrenches the role of the family physician. There is need for more coordinated systems of care for AMI between district hospitals and tertiary referral centres.

Readiness to adopt a performance measurement system for substance abuse treatment: Findings from the Service Quality Measures initiative

Background. A performance measurement system ­ the Service Quality Measures (SQM) initiative ­ has been developed to monitor the quality of South Africa (SA)'s substance abuse treatment services. Identifying factors associated with readiness to adopt this system may inform strategies to facilitate its robust implementation.Objective. To examine factors associated with readiness to adopt a performance measurement system among SA substance abuse treatment providers.Methods. We surveyed 81 treatment providers from 13 treatment sites in the Western Cape, SA. The survey examined awareness, resources, organisational climate, leadership support and readiness to adopt the SQM system. Regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with readiness to adopt this system.Results. Readiness to adopt the SQM initiative was high (M=5.64, standard deviation 1.63). In bivariate analyses, caseload size (F=3.73 (degrees of freedom (df)=3.70), p=0.015), awareness (r=0.78, p<0.0001), leadership support (r=0.70, p<0.0001), resources (r=0.65, p<0.0001), openness to change (r=0.372, p=0.001), and external pressure to change were associated with readiness to adopt the SQM. In multivariate analyses, only awareness of the SQM initiative (B=0.34, standard error (SE) 0.08, t=4.4, p<0.0001) and leadership support (B=0.45, SE 0.11, t=4.0, p<0.0001) were significantly associated with readiness to adopt this system.Conclusion. While treatment providers report high levels of readiness to adopt the SQM system, findings show that the likelihood of adoption can be further increased through improved provider awareness and enhanced leadership support for this health innovation

Neurinomes et neurofibromes spinaux diagnostic et resultats du traitement chirurgical a Yaounde

Description les neurinomes et neurofibromes spinaux restent très peu étudiés en Afrique sub-saharienne. Objectif rapporter les résultats du traitement chirurgical des neurinomes et neurofibromes spinaux à Yaoundé. Méthodes étude rétrospective menée à l'Hôpital Général et à l'Hôpital Central de Yaoundé, du 1er Janvier 1995 au 1er Janvier 2005. Critères d'inclusion: dossier médical comprenant les résultats de l'examen clinique pré et post opératoire, ceux des examens neuroradiologiques et histopathologiques, le compte rendu opératoire. Un suivi post-opératoire minimal de six mois. Le résultat fonctionnel été évaluée par l'échelle de Karnofsky. Résultats sur 62 patients opérés d'une tumeur intrarachidiennes, 12 (19,35 %) ont été sélectionnés (neuf neurinomes, deux neurofibromes, un neurofibrosarcome). L'age moyen était de 40,66 ans ±13,20, le sex ratio 0,71. La durée moyenne de symptômes avant le diagnostic était de 17,83 mois ± 5,81, extrêmes 6 et 28 mois ; le signe d'appel le plus fréquent était la radiculalgie (six cas). Cinq patients étaient paraplégiques. Le score de Karnofsky moyen préopératoire était de 50,00 ±12,79 et de 70,83±23,53 en postopératoire. Le siège tumoral était cervical (quatre cas), dorsal (six cas), lombaire (deux cas). La tumeur était extradurale dans six cas, intra durale quatre, intra et extradurale deux cas. L'exérèse était macroscopiquement complète dans neuf cas, partielle dans trois. Cinq patients ont connu une amélioration permettant une réinsertion professionnelle. Conclusion le diagnostic des neurinomes et neurofibromes reste tardif dans notre environnement, ce qui limite le résultat chirurgical