A basic needs assessment of Kenyan health care practitioners’ training and ability in providing resuscitation management for patients in Mbagathi Hospital, Nairobi

Abstract Study Objective To determine if health care providers at one district hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, possess the training and confidence necessary to attend to basic needs for patient resuscitation. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Mbagathi District Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya, a 300-bed, government district-level health care facility serving over one million Kenyans. Subjects 21 medical officers, clinical officers, medical officer and clinical officer interns, and nurses. Measurements An investigator-designed survey, the Self Assessment of Clinical Skills, designed to assess training and level of confidence in addressing basic resuscitation, was administered. Main Results 80% of respondents have been taught how to maintain a patent airway, but 22% felt less than confident in their ability. Nearly two thirds (62%) of respondents had not been trained to use a pulse oximeter. 100% of respondents felt they would benefit from additional training in airway and pulse oximetry assessment. While 90% reported that they had been taught to treat hypotension and 76% had experience treating hypotension, only 62% felt confident in their ability to treat hypotension. 95% desired additional training in hypotension management. 85% wanted additional training in measuring blood pressure, and every respondent desired additional training in the other circulatory monitoring skills listed on the survey. Conclusions Providers of the Mbagathi District Hospital, Nairobi, report a lack of confidence in recognizing basic resuscitation needs, and they desire additional training.