Distribution of Trauma Care Facilities in Oman in Relation to High-Incidence Road Traffic Injury Sites: Pilot study.
Objectives
Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are considered a major public health problem worldwide. In Oman, high numbers of RTIs and RTI-related deaths are frequently registered. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of trauma care facilities in Oman with regards to their proximity to RTI-prevalent areas.


Methods
This descriptive pilot study analysed RTI data recorded in the national Royal Oman Police registry from January to December 2014. The distribution of trauma care facilities was analysed by calculating distances between areas of peak RTI incidence and the closest trauma centre using Google Earth and Google Maps software (Google Inc., Googleplex, Mountain View, California, USA).


Results
A total of 32 trauma care facilities were identified. Four facilities (12.5%) were categorised as class V trauma centres. Of the facilities in Muscat, 42.9% were ranked as class IV or V. There were no class IV or V facilities in Musandam, Al-Wusta or Al-Buraimi. General surgery, orthopaedic surgery and neurosurgery services were available in 68.8%, 59.3% and 12.5% of the centres, respectively. Emergency services were available in 75.0% of the facilities. Intensive care units were available in 11 facilities, with four located in Muscat. The mean distance between a RTI hotspot and the nearest trauma care facility was 34.7 km; however, the mean distance to the nearest class IV or V facility was 83.3 km.


Conclusion
The distribution and quality of trauma care facilities in Oman needs modification. It is recommended that certain centres upgrade their levels of trauma care in order to reduce RTI-associated morbidity and mortality in Oman.
['Al-Kindi|Sara M|SM|', 'Naiem|Ahmed A|AA|', 'Taqi|Kadhim M|KM|', 'Al-Gheiti|Najla M|NM|', 'Al-Toobi|Ikhtiyar S|IS|', 'Al-Busaidi|Nasra Q|NQ|', 'Al-Harthy|Ahmed Z|AZ|', 'Taqi|Alaa M|AM|', 'Ba-Alawi|Sharif A|SA|', 'Al-Qadhi|Hani A|HA|']
D000063:Accidents, Traffic D062305:Geographic Mapping D006801:Humans D009850:Oman D010865:Pilot Projects D012042:Registries D014193:Trauma Centers D014947:Wounds and Injuries
Oman Public Health Emergency Medical Services Motor Vehicles Traffic Accidents Trauma Centers