A MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE ORTHOPEDIC CARE IN LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIES

摘要

This paper describes a scalable and sustainable patient care model for low and middle-income countries (LMICs) that can improve the standard of care for hospitals with scarce resources and an ever growing backlog of patients. SIGN Fracture Care International (SIGN), a non-profit, humanitarian medical device organization, has developed technical solutions over the last 20 years, to address the yearly increasing number of patients affected by upper and lower extremity trauma, using a three-pronged approach. The model includes effective training of in-country local surgeons on current orthopaedic techniques; providing an on-going supply of appropriately designed surgical implants and instruments manufactured to ISO 13485 and FDA standards; and evaluating patient outcomes until healing occurs to validate the model is truly benefiting patients and the hospital throughput. By providing equal access to technology, knowledge, and timely feedback, LMIC surgeons can provide vital orthopedic care to their local communities and sustainably respond to the daily trauma cases they encounter and enable patients to return to work, school, keep families on the path out of poverty, and improve the lives of future generations. The model is describe in detail in the hopes that other entities can utilize the principles for additional healthcare specialties around the world.