Strategic plan to improve trauma care in Tanzania

Purpose of Project: Trauma remains a leading cause of death worldwide and in Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for more deaths than malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS combined. The persistently disproportionate burden of trauma among low-and middle-income countries, who bear over 90% of the global trauma burden, can be attributed to undeveloped trauma systems, demonstrating the need for urgent improvement in trauma care (Sawe et al., 2017). The purpose of this DNP project was the creation and implementation of a strategic plan to improve trauma care in Tanzania at Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital. Methodology: The design of this project was in the development of evidence-based policies, procedures and supporting materials that were used to support trauma systems development. Outcomes measured were adoption of the created plan, implementation of policies and procedures, and barriers and facilitators to implementation. Data collected via interview with hospital Chief Nursing Officer was analyzed using qualitative descriptive analysis.Results: The following themes emerged including: (1) facilitating factors to implementation including dedicated nursing leadership, hospital growth and development, and strategically chosen trauma team members (2) barriers to implementation including remote, technological and link barriers to accessing WHO training and tools and (3) plan support of trauma system development as demonstrated by trauma team designation, training compliance of 84%, creation of designated treatment areas, and integration of WHO Triage Tool and Trauma Care Checklist. Implications for Practice: The project was supportive of trauma care improvement as evidenced by development of triage supporting rapid identification of critical patients, evaluation and stabilization. The project identified barriers in accessing WHO web-based training and tools. Further studies on the feasibility of accessing and implementing WHO tools and training in LMICs are warranted.