Assessment of Trauma Care Capacity in Karachi, Pakistan: Toward an Integrated Trauma Care System

Mohammad Salman Khalil, Asad Latif, Muhammad Nabeel Ashraf, Muhammad Mehmood Alam Atiq, Hasnain Zafar, Adil Haider, Lubna Samad

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Pakistan is a lower-middle-income country with a high burden of injuries. Karachi, its most populated city, lacks a trauma care system due to which trauma patients do not receive the required care. We conducted an assessment of the existing facilities for trauma care in Karachi. Methods: Twenty-two tertiary and secondary hospitals from public and private sectors across Karachi were assessed. The Guidelines for Essential Trauma Care (GETC) tool was used to collect information about the availability of skills, knowledge, and equipment at these facilities. Results: Among tertiary hospitals (n = 7), private sector hospitals had a better median (IQR) score, 90.4 (81.8–93.1), as compared to the public sector hospitals, 44.1 (29.3–75.8). Among secondary hospitals (n = 15), private sector hospitals had a better median (IQR) score, 70.3 (67.8–77.7), as compared to the public sector hospitals, 39.7 (21.9–53.3). Discussion: This study identifies considerable deficiencies in trauma care in Karachi and provides objective data that can guide urgently needed reforms tailored to this city’s needs. On a systems level, it delineates the need for a regulatory framework to define trauma care levels and designate selected hospitals across the city accordingly. Using these data, improvement in trauma care systems can be achieved through collaboration and partnership between public and private stakeholders.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3007-3015
Number of pages9
JournalWorld journal of surgery
Volume45
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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