Trauma care in Jamaica. A time for decision

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Trauma Surgery
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Trauma represents a significant workload, accounting for 40% of cases in the Accident and Emergency Unit and surgical wards at the University Hospital of the West Indies.
• Jamaica experiences higher death rates from motor vehicle accidents and homicide compared to developed nations and the Caribbean region, with many fatalities occurring pre-hospital.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the substantial burden of trauma in Jamaica.
• To emphasize the need for enhanced preventative measures and pre-hospital care.
• To advocate for improved in-hospital trauma management systems and collaboration.

Main Methods:

• This study is a review of the current trauma situation in Jamaica based on documented incidence and mortality rates.
• Analysis of workload in key hospital departments.
• Comparison of mortality rates with regional and international data.

Main Results:

• Trauma is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Jamaica.
• A significant proportion of trauma deaths occur before hospital admission.
• Preventable deaths also occur within the first few hours of hospital admission.

Conclusions:

• Implementing preventative strategies and enhancing pre-hospital care are vital to reduce trauma-related deaths in Jamaica.
• Optimizing hospital care through organized systems and Advanced Trauma Life Support training can further decrease mortality.
• Multisectoral collaboration is essential for advancing injury prevention and improving trauma care outcomes.