Accident and Emergency(A&E)

The Accident and Emergency Unit at Vihiga County Referral Hospital operates 24/7, managing a significant volume of emergencies, averaging 50-100 patients daily, mainly trauma cases. This essential department provides emergency medical treatment to all patients, handling referrals from within and outside Vihiga County.

Key Functions of the Accident and Emergency Section:

Triaging of Patients:

Prioritizing patients based on the severity of their condition for prompt attention.

Done by nurse

Emergency Medical Services:

Immediate medical care for patients arriving without prior appointments, handling both life-threatening and routine cases.

Continuous Operation:

Functioning around the clock to ensure accessibility during emergencies.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation:

Administering life-saving measures to patients facing critical conditions.

Medical Examination and Assessment:

Conducting thorough examinations and assessments for appropriate treatment plans.

Referrals and Follow-up:

Referring patients to relevant physicians after initial assessment in the Emergency Department.

Administration and Feedback:

Handling administrative tasks and providing feedback on patient care.

Public Relations with External Hospitals:

Establishing relationships with external healthcare facilities for seamless patient referrals.

Ambulance Services:

Offering ambulance services for swift transportation of critical patients.

Handling Referrals and Patient Surge:

Managing patient influx, including referrals from external facilities.

Application of Plaster of Paris:

Providing necessary care, including Plaster of Paris application, for fracture patients.

Issuance of Drugs from the Pharmacy:

Disbursing medications based on prescriptions and treatment plans.

Sample Collection and Analysis in the Lab:

Conducting sample collection and analysis in the laboratory to aid diagnostics.

Sub-sections within the Accident and Emergency Unit:

Nurse Covering Unit:

Location: Positioned as the first room on the left immediately upon entering the main door.

Roles and Services:

Initiates Emergency Calls:

The Nurse Covering Unit plays a crucial role in initiating emergency calls and ensuring swift response to urgent medical situations.

Monitors and Coordinates Ambulance Services:

This unit actively monitors and coordinates ambulance services, ensuring the timely dispatch of emergency medical assistance to those in need.

Social Worker Desk:

Location: Strategically situated opposite the main service area, adjacent to the Nurse Covering Unit.

Roles and Services:

Facilitates the Waiver Process for Patients:

The Social Worker Desk is pivotal in assisting patients through the waiver process, ensuring accessibility to medical services for those facing financial challenges.

Casualty Non-Pharm Store:

Location: Positioned next to the Social worker's desk

Roles and Services:

Dispenses Non-Pharmaceutical Items:

The Casualty Non-Pharm Store serves as a vital point for dispensing non-pharmaceutical items essential for immediate medical care.

Casualty Minor Theatre:

Location: Following the Non-Pharm Store.

Roles and Services:

Conducts Minor Operations:

The Casualty Minor Theatre is equipped to conduct minor surgical operations, providing critical intervention for patients with immediate medical needs.

Casualty Laboratory:

Location: Adjacent to the Minor Theatre.

Roles and Services:

Performs Laboratory Tests:

The Casualty Laboratory is dedicated to conducting urgent laboratory tests and facilitating quick diagnostic assessments for patients in the emergency department.

NHIF Section, Registration, and Cashpoint:

Location: Positioned at the entrance, directly opposite the Nurse Covering Office.

Roles and Services:

NHIF Clerk Verifies and Processes NHIF-Related Matters:

The NHIF Section is responsible for verifying and processing NHIF-related matters, ensuring eligible patients can access insurance benefits.

Registration Officer Manages Patient Registrations:

Patient registrations are efficiently handled by the Registration Officer, streamlining the admission process for individuals seeking medical attention.

Cashier Handles Payment Transactions:

The Cashier oversees payment transactions, providing a seamless experience for cash-paying patients within the Casualty Section.

Main Service Area for Comprehensive Casualty Services:

The main service area acts as the central hub for comprehensive casualty services, coordinating various functions to ensure holistic patient care.

Doctor's Area:

Location: Following the Main Service Area.

Roles and Services:

Doctors Perform Patient Diagnosis and Examinations:

In the Doctor's Area, medical professionals perform crucial tasks such as patient diagnosis and examinations, and determining the appropriate course of treatment.

Orthopedic Trauma Section:

Location: Adjacent to the Orthopedic Trauma Section are the beds where patients lie.

Roles and Services:

Specializes in the Application of Plaster of Paris for Trauma Patients:

The Orthopedic Trauma Section specializes in providing immediate care for trauma patients, with a focus on the application of Plaster of Paris for fractures and related injuries.

General Patient Flow :

Registration Desk:

Patients, excluding Scheme patients (NHIF/AON/MINET, UHC, ETC), start the process at the Registration Desk, providing necessary personal and medical information.

Cashier:

They proceed to the Cashier for payment of registration or revisit fees.

The Cashier issues a detailed receipt, outlining the services rendered and the corresponding amount paid.

NHIF Desk (For Scheme Patients):

·Scheme patients directly head to the NHIF Desk for registration and verification, bypassing the Cashier's desk.

·The NHIF clerk confirms eligibility, processes relevant NHIF-related matters, and issues the receipt to the patient.

Activation and Triage:

Upon registration and payment confirmation, the patient's number is activated.

 All patients, regardless of payment status, progress to the Triage Area.

Triage Area:

·In the Triage Area, vital signs are meticulously recorded by the nurse, facilitating a comprehensive assessment.

Doctor's Area:

Subsequently, patients proceed to the Doctor's Area for in-depth examination and diagnosis.

The doctor may recommend further assessments or direct patients to specific departments, such as the laboratory, X-ray, pharmacy, orthopedic section, or admission.

Admission Process (if recommended):

If a patient is referred for admission, the patient visits the Health Records department, is issued with an inpatient number, and then taken to the ward.

Lab/Imaging Services Process:

Receipt Presentation:

Patients must present a receipt from either the Cashier or NHIF clerk to access laboratory or imaging services.

Waiver Process (if applicable):

In cases where a cash-paying patient is unable to pay, a waiver process may be initiated by the social worker, subject to approval by the management.

Tests and Results:

Tests are conducted in the lab or radiology departments, and results are transmitted back to the doctor through the system, hard copies, or portable media like CDs.

The doctor reviews the results and decides on a treatment plan based on the findings.

Pharmacy Process:

Prescription Fulfillment:

After consultations with the doctor, patients, regardless of payment status, are directed to the pharmacy for prescription fulfillment.

Cashpoint Office (for Cash-Paying Patients):

The pharmacist assesses prescriptions and directs cash-paying patients to the Cashpoint Office for payment.

Medicine Dispensing:

After payment, the patient returns to the pharmacy with a receipt, where medicines are dispensed.

Direct Dispensing (For Scheme Patients):

For Scheme patients, medicines are dispensed directly without the need to visit the Cashpoint Office.