Internal medicine outreach in area 2 of KwaZulu-Natal with the Red Cross Air Mercy Service: 2007-mid-2013

摘要

Introduction This study updates the Outreach Programme for Internal Medicine in Area 2 of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) over the past six-and-a-half years. Methods AMS, via a formal agreement with the KZN Department of Health (DOH) for 16 years, has provided a safe, reliable, independent transport system, by air and by road. The DOH has provided posts in the major disciplines for the co-ordination of Area 2 outreach. The aim is that each district hospital should receive a visit from a specialist in each major discipline on a monthly basis. Internal Medicine is fortunate to have a fulltime coordinator with the retention of the retired coordinator on a sessional basis. A typical visit comprises a teaching session, a ward-round, and an outpatient session. Protocols and referral criteria are discussed, and the medical manager may be consulted regarding needs and problems. Results 90% of the 20 district hospitals in Area 2 of KZN have received regular visits. The sessional outreach physician visits seven hospitals per month, and has now made 432 visits, 172 of them by air and 260 by road. The current coordinator and other specialists have achieved a further 167 visits, giving a tally of 599. A total of 3509 medical personnel have been involved, and 5525 patients have been seen. An additional achievement has been regular visits by Neurology, Nephrology, Cardiology and Endocrinology to Madadeni Hospital, furthering the plan of subspecialty outreach to regional hospitals and general specialty outreach to district hospitals. Conclusion This Outreach Programme functions on a comprehensive footing, thanks to the AMS and the KZN DOH. Other health areas could be encouraged to follow this example.