Analyzing the Emergency Triage Logbook Components of Road Traffic Accident Victims at AaBET Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Among African nations, Ethiopia has among the highest burden of road traffic accidents (RTA). Each year, the country loses around 3000 people from RTA. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of research on RTA victims presenting to urban emer-gency departments (EDs) in Ethiopia. Method(s): We conducted a retrospective document review of all patients presenting due to RTA at Addis Ababa Burn, Emergency, and Trauma (AaBET) Hospital (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) from August 18, 2015 to March 9, 2016. Selected patient variables from ED triage logbooks were entered into Microsoft Excel. Using SPSS version 21, we performed descriptive analyses, chi-square test of independence, and binary logistic regressions to describe and understand the analysis outputs of the records of RTA victims. Finding(s): During the study period, AaBET Hospital saw 662 RTA victims, comprising 32.1% of all trauma-related patients. Median age was 27 years. Using South Africa Triage Scale triage color categories, most patients were assigned lower triage acuity, with 289 (43.7%) patients assigned as Green and 273 (41.2%) patients assigned as Yellow. Of Green (lower triage acuity) victims (n=289), the majority (54.3%) of them were referred from health institutions. Among RTA victims referred from health institutions (n=408), 164 (40.2%) were referred without communication to the receiving facility. RTA patients coming from the scene were significantly less likely to arrive by ambulance [Adjusted OR = 0.3 (95% CI: 0.21-0.43)] as compared to those who were referred from health institutions. Interpretation(s): In Addis Ababa, many patients being referred to a specialized trauma hospital after RTA have low triage acuity. Nevertheless, these referrals place highest demand on limited ambu-lance services, and often occur without clear communication between facilities. Strengthening primary health institutions to manage low-acuity RTA victims without referral may decrease strain on pre-hospital transport and trauma center resources, which may instead be directed toward RTA patients from the scene and those suffering from more critical injuries.