Improving Trauma Care in Africa.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Trauma Nursing
• International Health

Background:

• Zimbabwe faces significant healthcare challenges, including limited services and a shortage of professionals.
• Nurses recognized a gap in "best practice" trauma care, driving a need for standardized education.
• An international educational partnership aimed to address these critical needs in trauma management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement the Advanced Trauma Care for Nurses (ATCN) program in Zimbabwe.
• To establish a sustainable, countrywide continuing education program for nurses in trauma care.
• To reduce morbidity and mortality associated with traumatic injuries in Zimbabwe.

Main Methods:

• Delivered ATCN provider and instructor courses in collaboration with the American College of Surgeons (for ATLS).
• Focused on systematic approaches to trauma care and rapid initial patient assessment.
• Established St. Philip's as the National Nurse Trauma Training Center, certified by the Zimbabwe Nursing Council.

Main Results:

• 64 nurses completed ATCN courses by October 2016.
• 9 nurses were certified as ATCN faculty.
• Zimbabwe's first National Nurse Trauma Training Center was established, becoming the sole center in Africa.

Conclusions:

• The ATCN program successfully provided crucial trauma care training to Zimbabwean nurses.
• The initiative improved the standard of care, contributing to saving lives.
• The establishment of a national training center ensures sustained trauma care education and improved patient outcomes.