BACKGROUND: Operating theatres in any hospital consume a large amount
of resources. A well-functioning theatre complex is an important and essential
component of a well functioning hospital. .
The analysis is based on the socio-economic profile of patients and the time
spent in theatre.
METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study design was used involving a
retrospective record review over a one year period (April 2009 to March 2010)
was conducted. The variables for the study included, type of operations and
their indications, profiles of patients and turn-around time in the theatre. In
addition, a comparison between those who had elective and emergency
surgery was done with regard to some variables such as profile of patients
and turn-around time. The project was initiated after obtaining approval from
the head of the department of the North West Provincial Department of Health
and University of the Witwatersrand Human Research Ethics Committee
(Medical). Confidentiality and anonymity were maintained all the time during
collection, capturing, and reporting of the information
RESULT: A total of 447 cases were performed during this period including
5.6% (25) elective cases and 94.4% (422) emergency cases. The majority of
the operations performed at this Hospital included caesarean section and
evacuation of uterus. In addition to that there were other procedures such as
laparotomy, labial incision, perineorrhaphy, and dilatation and curettage. The
type of procedures (elective or emergency) was significantly associated with
ethnicity, employment and medical aid status and referral source of the
subjects. The majority of the caesarean sections were performed due to
maternal indications. More elective caesarean sections were performed for
maternal indications (79%) than fetal indications (21%). There was one
maternal complication (ruptured uterus) but no maternal mortality during this
period. Whereas all the babies were alive after elective CS, there were seven
stillbirths after emergency CS. An average of 110 minutes were spent by
patients in theatre and at least 33% of the time was spend on the actual
operation although there is no significant difference between elective and emergency patients with regard to time spent in the operating room (p = 0.46).
Emergency patients took more time (25 minutes) before they were wheeled to
theatre which is an area for improvement. The operating theatre was utilised
only 5.9% of available time. This suggests that is opportunity to utilise the
operating theatre for other cases.
CONCLUSION: This is first formal study performed at a district hospital
operating theatre in the North West Province. This study assisted in
development of understanding of the function of the operating theatre at the
General de la Rey Hospital. The findings of this would assist the hospital
management to improve its function such as reduction of latent time for
emergency patients and conducting more elective procedures.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/10931 |
| Date | 10 January 2012 |
| Creators | Lobelo, Maria Eleanor |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf, application/pdf |
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