Evaluation of a large‐scale donation of Lifebox pulse oximeters to non‐physician anaesthetists in Uganda

Abstract

SummaryPulse oximetry is widely accepted as essential monitoring for safe anaesthesia, yet is frequently unavailable in resource-limited settings. The Lifebox pulse oximeter, and associated management training programme, was delivered to 79 non-physician anaesthetists attending the 2011 Uganda Society of Anaesthesia Annual Conference. Using a standardised assessment, recipients were tested for their knowledge of oximetry use and hypoxia management before, immediately following and 3–5 months after the training. Before the course, the median (IQR [range]) test score for the anaesthetists was 36 (34–39 [26–44]) out of a maximum of 50 points. Immediately following the course, the test score increased to 41 (38–43 [25–47]); p < 0.0001 and at the follow-up visit at 3–5 months it was 41 (39–44 [33–49]); p = 0.001 compared with immediate post-training test scores, and 75/79 (95%) oximeters were in routine clinical use. This method of introduction resulted in a high rate of uptake of oximeters into clinical practice and a demonstrable retention of knowledge in a resource-limited setting.

Safe Anaesthesia in Remote Sites

“…An interesting WHO initiative named 'Safe Surgery Saves Lives' donated pulse oximeters and trained the medical personnel in several poor countries to enhance safety of anaesthesia, although a plan to supply more non-expensive oximeters and maintenance is needed [18,19]. Pulse oximeters donation and training 79 non-physician anaesthetists proved to be useful resulting in a high rate of uptake of oximeters into clinical practice and knowledge retention in a country with limited medical supply [20].…”

Providing quality in anesthesia care in low- and middle-income countries

“…En Ouganda, par exemple, un programme d'enseignement Lifebox Ò qui incorpore l'utilisation de la liste de contrôle chirurgicale de l'OMS a été récemment ajouté au cours d'obstétrique « SAFE ». 3 Des cours semblables aux cours d'obstétrique « SAFE » sont maintenant élaborés pour la pratique pédiatrique et un troisième développement est prévu: il s'agira d'un cours de portée générale, plus court (probablement sur une seule journée) sur le comportement sécuritaire de base au sein d'une salle d'opération.…”

“…For example, in Uganda, a Lifebox Ò teaching program that incorporates use of the WHO surgical checklist was recently added to the SAFE Obstetric course. 3 Courses similar to SAFE Obstetric are now being developed for pediatric practice, and a third development is planned, namely, a shorter (probably oneday) general course on basic safe conduct within an operating room.…”

Lifebox pulse oximeter implementation in Malawi: evaluation of educational outcomes and impact on oxygen desaturation episodes during anaesthesia

“…However, pulse oximeters are still not available in operating theatres in many low-income countries [6,9].…”