Effect of in-hospital delays on surgical mortality for emergency general surgery conditions at a tertiary hospital in Malawi

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, surgical access is limited by an inadequate surgical workforce, lack of infrastructure and decreased care-seeking by patients. Delays in treatment can result from delayed presentation (pre-hospital), delays in transfer (intrafacility) or after arrival at the treating centre (in-hospital delay; IHD). This study evaluated the effect of IHD on mortality among patients undergoing emergency general surgery and identified factors associated with IHD. Methods:Utilizing Malawi's Kamuzu Central Hospital Emergency General Surgery database, data were collected prospectively from September 2013 to November 2017. Included patients had a diagnosis considered to warrant urgent or emergency intervention for surgery. Bivariable analysis and Poisson regression modelling was done to determine the effect of IHD (more than 24h) on mortality, and identify factors associated with IHD. Results: Of 764 included patients, 281 (36.8 per cent) had IHDs. After adjustment, IHD (relative risk (RR) 1.68, 95 per cent c.i. 1.01 to 2.78; P = 0.045), generalized peritonitis (RR 4.49, 1.69 to 11.95; P = 0.005) and gastrointestinal perforation (RR 3.73, 1.25 to 11.08; P = 0.018) were associated with a higher risk of mortality. Female sex (RR 1.33, 1.08 to 1.64; P = 0.007), obtaining any laboratory results (RR 1.58, 1.29 to 1.94; P<0.001) and night-time admission (RR 1.59, 1.32 to 1.90; P<0.001) were associated with an increased risk of IHD after adjustment. Conclusion: IHDs were associated with increased mortality. Increased staffing levels and operating room availability at tertiary hospitals, especially at night, are needed.