Bridging the mismatch: observing the introduction of new anesthesia technology for a low-resource environment.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the impact of the introduction of the Universal Anaesthesia Machine (UAM), a device designed for use in clinical environments with limited clinical perioperative resources, on the choice of general anesthesia technique and safe anesthesia practice in a tertiary-care hospital in Sierra Leone.

Methods: We introduced an anesthesia machine (UAM) into Connaught Hospital, Freetown, Sierra Leone. We conducted a prospective observational study of anesthesia practice and an examination of perioperative clinical parameters among surgical patients at the hospital to determine the usability of the device, its impact on anesthesia capacity, and changes in general anesthesia technique.

A comparative analysis of intravenous infusion methods for low-resource environments.

Introduction: Intravenous (IV) therapy is a crucial aspect of care for the critically ill patient. Barriers to IV infusion pumps in low-resource settings include high costs, lack of access to electricity, and insufficient technical support. Inaccuracy of traditional drop-counting practices places patients at risk.

Ventilator Training through International Telesimulation in Sierra Leone.

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in an increased need for medical professionals with expertise in managing patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, overwhelming the existing critical care workforce in many low-resource countries.

Objective: To address this need in Sierra Leone, we developed, piloted, and evaluated a synchronous simulation-based tele-education workshop for healthcare providers on the fundamental principles of intensive care unit (ICU) management of the COVID-19 patient in a low-resource setting.

Methods: Thirteen 2-day virtual workshops were implemented between April and July 2020 with frontline Sierra Leone physicians and nurses for potential ICU patients in hospitals throughout Sierra Leone.

Evaluating Rapid-cycle Deliberate Practice Versus Mastery Learning in Training Nurse Anesthetists on the Universal Anaesthesia Machine Ventilator in Sierra Leone.

Background: Underserved sub-Saharan countries have 0.1 to 1.4 anesthesia providers per 100 000 citizens, below the Lancet Commission's target of 20 per 100 000 needed for safe surgery.