Distribution of Trauma Care Facilities in Oman in Relation to High-Incidence Road Traffc Injury Sites Pilot study
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2017, Vol 17, Issue 4
Abstract
Objectives: Road trafc injuries (RTIs) are considered a major public health problem worldwide. In Oman, high numbers of RTIs and RTI-related deaths are frequently registered. Tis study aimed to evaluate the distribution of trauma care facilities in Oman with regards to their proximity to RTI-prevalent areas. Methods: Tis descriptive pilot study analysed RTI data recorded in the national Royal Oman Police registry from January to December 2014. Te distribution of trauma care facilities was analysed by calculating distances between areas of peak RTI incidence and the closest trauma centre using Google Earth and Google Maps software (Google Inc., Googleplex, Mountain View, California, USA). Results: A total of 32 trauma care facilities were identifed. Four facilities (12.5%) were categorised as class V trauma centres. Of the facilities in Muscat, 42.9% were ranked as class IV or V. Tere were no class IV or V facilities in Musandam, Al-Wusta or Al-Buraimi. General surgery, orthopaedic surgery and neurosurgery services were available in 68.8%, 59.3% and 12.5% of the centres, respectively. Emergency services were available in 75.0% of the facilities. Intensive care units were available in 11 facilities, with four located in Muscat. Te mean distance between a RTI hotspot and the nearest trauma care facility was 34.7 km; however, the mean distance to the nearest class IV or V facility was 83.3 km. Conclusion: Te distribution and quality of trauma care facilities in Oman needs modifcation. It is recommended that certain centres upgrade their levels of trauma care in order to reduce RTI-associated morbidity and mortality in Oman.
Authors and Affiliations
Sara M. Al-Kindi| General Surgery Residency Programme, Oman Medical Specialty Board, Muscat, Oman, Ahmed A. Naiem| General Surgery Residency Programme, Oman Medical Specialty Board, Muscat, Oman, Kadhim M. Taqi| General Surgery Residency Programme, Oman Medical Specialty Board, Muscat, Oman, Najla M. Al-Gheiti| General Surgery Residency Programme, Oman Medical Specialty Board, Muscat, Oman, Ikhtiyar S. Al-Toobi| General Surgery Residency Programme, Oman Medical Specialty Board, Muscat, Oman, Nasra Q. Al-Busaidi| General Surgery Residency Programme, Oman Medical Specialty Board, Muscat, Oman, Ahmed Z. Al-Harthy| General Surgery Residency Programme, Oman Medical Specialty Board, Muscat, Oman, Alaa M. Taqi| College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Sharif A. Ba-Alawi| College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Hani A. Al-Qadhi| Department of Surgery, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman
Keywords
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- EP ID EP14820
- DOI 10.18295/squmj.2017.17.04.009
- Views 383
- Downloads 20
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