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Incidence of hypoxia and related events detected by pulse oximeters provided by the Lifebox Foundation in the maternity unit at Sylvanus Olympio University Teaching Hospital, Togo

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Abstract

In recent decades anesthesia safety has not been improved in low-income countries. This prospective audit describes the incidence of hypoxia and related events detected among a cohort of patients undergoing surgery in the maternity unit at Sylvanus Olympio University Teaching Hospital, Togo, West Africa, by using pulse oximeters donated by the Lifebox Foundation. The Lifebox oximeter enables early detection of hypoxia for patients undergoing surgery before irreversible damage occurs. Pulse oximetry is cost-effective intervention and should be more accessible in all operating rooms of this type.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to express our gratitude to Remy Turc, Project Officer Lifebox Foundation, London United Kingdom for supporting safety of anaesthesia in Togo and to AuthorAID mentor Stephen Gilliver, PhD Science Editor, Center for Primary Health Care Research, Malmö, Sweden for English medical editing of this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Sylvanus Olympio University Teaching Hospital, Lomé, 08 BP, 8146, Togo

    H. D. Sama

  2. Unit of Anesthesiology Hospital, Ales, France

    A. F. Ouro Bang’na Maman

  3. Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

    I. A. Walker

Authors
  1. H. D. Sama
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  2. A. F. Ouro Bang’na Maman
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  3. I. A. Walker
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. D. Sama.

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Conflict of interest

No external funding. Isabeau Walker is a trustee of Lifebox.

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Sama, H.D., Maman, A.F.O.B. & Walker, I.A. Incidence of hypoxia and related events detected by pulse oximeters provided by the Lifebox Foundation in the maternity unit at Sylvanus Olympio University Teaching Hospital, Togo. J Anesth 29, 971–973 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-015-2048-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-015-2048-2

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