Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
Methods: A Health Needs Assessment identified a technology gap preventing reliable oxygen supplies in Gambian hospitals. We used simultaneous engineering to develop two solutions: a Mains-Power Storage (Mains-PS) system consisting of an oxygen concentrator and batteries connected to mains power, and a Solar-Power Storage (Solar-PS) system (with batteries charged by photovoltaic panels) and evaluated them in health facilities in The Gambia and Fiji to assess reliability, usability and costs.
Results: The Mains-PS system delivered the specified ?85% (±3%) oxygen concentration in 100% of 1-2 weekly measurements over 12 months, which was available to 100% of hypoxaemic patients, and 100% of users rated ease-of-use as at least 'good' (90% very good or excellent). The Solar-PS system delivered ?85%?±?3%) oxygen concentration in 100% of 1-2 weekly measurements, was available to 100% of patients needing oxygen, and 100% of users rated ease-of-use at least very good.Costs for the systems (in US dollars) were: PS$9519, Solar-PS standard version $20?718. The of oxygen for a standardised 30-bed health facility using 1.7 million litres of oxygen per year was: for cylinders 3.2 cents (c)/L in The Gambia and 6.8 c/L in Fiji, for the PS system 1.2 c/L in both countries, and for the Solar-PS system 1.5 c/L in both countries.
Conclusions: The oxygen systems developed and tested delivered high-quality, reliable, cost-efficient oxygen in LMIC contexts, and were easy to operate. Reliable oxygen supplies are achievable in LMIC health facilities like those in The Gambia and Fiji.
SUBMITTER: Howie SR
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7698571 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Howie Stephen Rc SR Ebruke Bernard E BE Gil Mireia M Bradley Beverly B Nyassi Ebrima E Edmonds Timothy T Boladuadua Sainimere S Rasili Senimili S Rafai Eric E Mackenzie Grant G Cheng Yu Ling YL Peel David D Vives-Tomas Joan J Zaman Syed Ma SM
Journal of global health 20201201 2
<h4>Background</h4>Oxygen reduces mortality from severe pneumonia and is a vital part of case management, but achieving reliable access to oxygen is challenging in low and middle-income country (LMIC) settings. We developed and field tested two oxygen supply solutions suitable for the realities of LMIC health facilities.<h4>Methods</h4>A Health Needs Assessment identified a technology gap preventing reliable oxygen supplies in Gambian hospitals. We used simultaneous engineering to develop two so ...[more]