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. 2015 Jun;15(2):457-65.
doi: 10.4314/ahs.v15i2.20.

Overcrowding of accident & emergency units: is it a growing concern in Nigeria?

Jerry G Makama  1 , Pius Iribhogbe  2 , Emmanuel A Ameh  1
Affiliations

Overcrowding of accident & emergency units: is it a growing concern in Nigeria?

Jerry G Makama et al. Afr Health Sci. 2015 Jun.

Abstract

Background: The inability of the Nigeria's Accident and Emergency Departments (AED) to meet current demands is growing among the public and health care professionals. The data supporting perceptions of insufficient capacity are limited. Therefore, this study was intended to determine the prevalence, causes, and effects of overcrowding AEDs in Nigeria.

Materials and methods: This was a cross sectional, descriptive study carried out among AED staff of 3 referral teaching hospitals in Nigeria, using a pre-tested and validated structured questionnaire.

Results: The analysis of the 267 AED staff revealed 20-56 years (36.40+5.1 mean) age range. One hundred and twenty eight (47.9%) were males, 139 (52.1%) females. Two hundred and fifty nine (97%) agreed that an AED should have a bed capacity of 21-30. Agreement to AED overcrowding in Nigeria was quite considerable. The frequency of AED overcrowding per week was 4-7 times. The average bed occupancy level was 3.25. Agreed common causes of prolonged AED admissions were to be a high volume of critically ill patients, Delayed transfer of patients to the wards, delay in theatre operation, delay in radiological investigations and exceptionally high proportion of patients requiring admission in AED. Also, long pre-review waiting time and haematological delays were more causes. The average waiting time for victims to be seen was 29.7 minutes.

Conclusion: There are many causes of AED overcrowding in this environment. However, improving AED bed management, better organized and diligent discharge planning, and reducing access block should be a priority to reduce AED overcrowding.

Keywords: Nigeria; Overcrowding; accident; emergency surgery.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The category of Professional among respondents
Figure 2
Figure 2
The AED bed capacity
Figure 4
Figure 4
The frequency of AED overcrowding per week
Figure 5
Figure 5
Diversion of patients away from AED
Figure 3
Figure 3
The level of acceptance for AEDs overcrowding in Nigeria
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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