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Sante Publique (Vandoeuvre-Les-Nancy, France)
|December 27, 2022
Summary
In North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, a study found that 67.6% of oxygen concentrators in hospitals were non-functional. This highlights a critical need for improved biomedical equipment management and maintenance strategies to ensure patient safety.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Public Health
- Medical Equipment Management
Context:
- High prevalence of hypoxemia diseases in Nord-Kivu necessitates reliable oxygen concentrators.
- The study focuses on the functionality of oxygen concentrators in 31 hospital structures within North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Purpose:
- To assess the operational status and functionality of oxygen concentrators across various hospital settings in North Kivu.
- To identify factors contributing to the non-functionality of these critical medical devices.
Summary:
- A cross-sectional study surveyed 31 hospitals in North Kivu, analyzing 225 oxygen concentrators (28 brands, 65.8% 5-liter capacity).
- Donated equipment (66.2%) often lacked accessories (33.6%) and training for technicians (60%) or users (50%).
- A significant 67.6% of concentrators were non-functional, with impaired oxygen levels (34.6%) and volume flow (54.9%) being common issues, varying by hospital type (p=0.005).
Impact:
- Low functionality of oxygen concentrators poses a significant risk to patients with hypoxemia.
- Findings underscore the urgent need for a provincial strategy for managing and maintaining biomedical equipment.
- Integration of equipment management into the regional health development plan is crucial for improving healthcare delivery.