Lessons from the frontline: Documenting the pandemic emergency care experience from the Pacific region - Infrastructure and equipment

doi:10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100516

. 2022 Aug:25:100516.

doi: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100516. Epub 2022 Jul 6.

Lessons from the frontline: Documenting the pandemic emergency care experience from the Pacific region - Infrastructure and equipment

Megan Cox^{1

2

3}, Deepak Sharma⁴, Georgina Phillips^{5

6}, Rob Mitchell^{5

7}, Lisa-Maree Herron⁸, Claire E Brolan^{8

9}, Gerard O'Reilly^{5

7}, Sarah Körver⁵, Mangu Kendino¹⁰, Penisimani Poloniati¹¹, Berlin Kafoa¹²

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
² The Sutherland Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
³ NSW Ambulance, Sydney, Australia.
⁴ Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, Fiji.
⁵ School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
⁶ Emergency Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
⁷ Emergency & Trauma Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia.
⁸ School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
⁹ Centre for Policy Futures, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
¹⁰ Port Moresby General Hospital, Papua New Guinea.
¹¹ Emergency Department, Vaiola Hospital, Nuku'alofa, The Kingdom of Tonga.
¹² Public Health Division, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Suva, Fiji.

PMID: 35818575
PMCID: PMC9259041
DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100516

Lessons from the frontline: Documenting the pandemic emergency care experience from the Pacific region - Infrastructure and equipment

Megan Cox et al. Lancet Reg Health West Pac. 2022 Aug.

. 2022 Aug:25:100516.

doi: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100516. Epub 2022 Jul 6.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
² The Sutherland Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
³ NSW Ambulance, Sydney, Australia.
⁴ Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, Fiji.
⁵ School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
⁶ Emergency Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
⁷ Emergency & Trauma Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia.
⁸ School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
⁹ Centre for Policy Futures, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
¹⁰ Port Moresby General Hospital, Papua New Guinea.
¹¹ Emergency Department, Vaiola Hospital, Nuku'alofa, The Kingdom of Tonga.
¹² Public Health Division, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Suva, Fiji.

PMID: 35818575
PMCID: PMC9259041
DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100516

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted challenges for all health systems worldwide. This research aimed to explore the impact of COVID-19 across the Pacific especially with regards to emergency care (EC) and clinicians' preparations and responses.

Methods: A collaboration of Australia and Pacific researchers conducted prospective qualitative research over 18 months of the pandemic. In this three phase study data were gathered from Emergency Clinicians and stakeholders through online support forums, in-depth interviews and focus groups. A phenomenological methodological approach was employed to explore the lived experience of participants. This paper discusses the findings of the study regarding the EC building block of 'Infrastructure and Equipment.'

Findings: Pre-existing infrastructure and equipment were not sufficient to help control the pandemic. Adequate space and correct equipment were essential needs for Pacific Island emergency clinicians, with donations, procurement and local ingenuity required for suitable, sustainable supplies and facilities. Adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) conferred a sense of security and increased Health Care Workers willingness to attend to patients.

Interpretation: Investing in adequate infrastructure and appropriate equipment is crucial for an effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The sustainability of such investments in the Pacific context is paramount for ongoing EC and preparation for future surge responses and disasters.

Funding: Phases 1 and 2A of this study were part of an Epidemic Ethics/World Health Organization (WHO) initiative, supported by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office/Wellcome Grant 214711/Z/18/Z. Co-funding for this research was received from the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine Foundation via an International Development Fund Grant.

Keywords: Building blocks; COVID-19; Donations; Emergency care; Health equipment; Health infrastructure; Oxygen; PICTs; PPE; Pacific; Ventilators.

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Conflict of interest statement

M.C., G.P., R.M. and G.O.R. declare they are recipients of International Development Fund Grants from the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine Foundation. G.P. reports past research funding from the Pacific Community (SPC) and visiting Faculty status at the University of Papua New Guinea and Fiji National University. Additionally, R.M. reports grants from the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as well as scholarships from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Monash University. G.O.R. reports that he is the recipient of a NHMRC Early Career Research Fellowship. C.E.B. reports past research consultancy funding from SPC.

Figures

**Figure 1**
WHO health system building blocks, adapted for the Pacific EC context and this qualitative research project.

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References

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[1] Reynolds T.A., Sawe H., Rubiano A.M., et al. E. Strengthening health systems to provide emergency care. Disease Control Priorities Volume 9: Improving Health and Reducing Poverty. 2018

[2] Reynolds T.A., Sawe H., Rubiano A.M., et al. E. Strengthening health systems to provide emergency care. Disease Control Priorities Volume 9: Improving Health and Reducing Poverty. 2018

[3] Shanahan T., Risko N., Razzak J., Bhutta Z. Aligning emergency care with global health priorities. Int J Emerg Med. 2018;11(1):52. - PMC - PubMed

[4] Shanahan T., Risko N., Razzak J., Bhutta Z. Aligning emergency care with global health priorities. Int J Emerg Med. 2018;11(1):52. - PMC - PubMed

[5] Schell C.O., Gerdin Wärnberg M., Hvarfner A., et al. The global need for essential emergency and critical care. Crit Care. 2018;22(1):284. - PMC - PubMed

[6] Schell C.O., Gerdin Wärnberg M., Hvarfner A., et al. The global need for essential emergency and critical care. Crit Care. 2018;22(1):284. - PMC - PubMed

[7] World Health Organization . Departmental News; Geneva: 2019. 72nd World Health Assembly Adopts Resolution on Emergency and Trauma Care.

[8] World Health Organization . Departmental News; Geneva: 2019. 72nd World Health Assembly Adopts Resolution on Emergency and Trauma Care.

[9] Mustafa S., Zhang Y., Zibwowa Z., et al. COVID-19 preparedness and response plans from 106 countries: a review from a health systems resilience perspective. Health Policy Plan. 2022;37(2):255–268. - PMC - PubMed

[10] Mustafa S., Zhang Y., Zibwowa Z., et al. COVID-19 preparedness and response plans from 106 countries: a review from a health systems resilience perspective. Health Policy Plan. 2022;37(2):255–268. - PMC - PubMed

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Lessons from the frontline: Documenting the pandemic emergency care experience from the Pacific region - Infrastructure and equipment

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Lessons from the frontline: Documenting the pandemic emergency care experience from the Pacific region - Infrastructure and equipment

Authors

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Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

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