Collection: How can we improve outcomes in surgical patients? Thoughts for a resource-constrained environment.

Surgical outcomes are significantly worse in resource-constrained environments. Bruce will discuss study results from resource-constrained environments and propose a model of care to improve patient outcomes.

Based on previous work in perioperative outcomes in Africa, we will discuss the ‘inside-out’ stepwise model of care presented in the book 'Safer Surgery for Africa', where we will start at the core and work our way outwards, with each step dependent on the delivery of the previous one to ensure a successful intervention to improve the quality of care.

The 'inside-out' model consists of five steps:

1. Align the beliefs and values of the individuals with the organisation.
2. Ensure that the team has the knowledge and education to improve care.
3. Bring the team to agreement upon a deliverable intervention
4. Reflect on process and provide feedback
5. Remove the limits on resources for delivering quality care.

Each step will be discussed with examples from real life situations.