Improving Pediatric Admission Records in Kenyan Hospitals
Author Information
Author(s): Mwakyusa Sekela, Wamae Annah, Wasunna Aggrey, Were Fred, Esamai Fabian, Ogutu Bernhards, Muriithi Assumpta, Peshu Norbert, English Mike
Primary Institution: KEMRI Centre for Geographic Medicine Research – Coast
Hypothesis
Can a structured pediatric admission record improve documentation of illness in district hospitals in Kenya?
Conclusion
The structured pediatric admission record was well accepted and significantly improved documentation of illness in children admitted to the hospital.
Supporting Evidence
- The use of the pediatric admission record increased from 50% to 84% over the study period.
- Documentation of key clinical signs improved significantly, such as skin turgor in diarrhea cases from 2% to 83%.
- The study involved a total of 868 records, with 163 pre-intervention and 705 post-intervention.
Takeaway
This study shows that using a special form to record children's health information helps doctors remember important details and improves the care they give.
Methodology
The study involved training hospital staff on a structured pediatric admission record and analyzing the quality of documentation before and after its implementation.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the involvement of external researchers and lack of close supervision.
Limitations
The study was conducted in only one district hospital, which may limit the generalizability of the results.
Participant Demographics
Children admitted to a district hospital in Kenya, with a median age of 12 months.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p < 0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.14–1.63
Statistical Significance
p < 0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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