Protocol and monitoring to improve snake bite outcomes in rural Ghana
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Date
2004-06
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Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Abstract
A study was conducted in Mathias Hospital, Yeji, an area of Ghana, where snake bite cases are an important cause of morbidity and mortality, with a case fatality rate of 11% (8/72). Case management difficulties included uncertainty about the assessment of the severity of envenoming, the dosage of antivenom, and the response to treatment. An intervention with several components was introduced: development of a treatment protocol, staff training, monitoring of compliance and patient education. During a 33-month post-intervention period there was excellent protocol compliance, fewer snake bite complications, and a fall in mortality rate to 1.3% (3/238) compared with a 15-month baseline review. There was a 50% increase in snake bite admissions and fewer delays. To improve snake bite outcomes in comparable settings, particularly if inexperienced staff are involved in care, we recommend a similar quality assurance project, involving case review and use of a treatment protocol with monitoring of compliance to sustain an improved approach. © 2004 Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Keywords
Antivenom, Carpet viper, Envenoming, Ghana, Snake bite, Treatment protocol