Field Experiences with Handheld Diagnostic Devices to Triage Children under Five Presenting with Severe Febrile Illness in a District Hospital in DR Congo.

ABSTRACT: As part of a field study (NCT04473768) in children presenting with severe febrile illness to Kisantu hospital (DR Congo), we retrospectively compiled user experiences (not performance) with handheld diagnostic devices assisting triage: tympanic thermometer, pulse oximeter (measuring heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation), hemoglobinometer and glucometer. Guidance documents for product selection were generic and scattered. Stock rupture, market withdrawal and unaffordable prices interfered with procurement. Challenges at implementation included environmental temperature, capillary blood sampling (antisepsis, order of multiple tests, filling microcuvettes and glucose strips), calibration (environmental temperature, cold chain) and liability-oriented communication with a manufact

SUBMITTER: Tack B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8947034 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature