An investigation into the dramatic increase in deaths from gastroenteritis during the summer of 2007/08 at National District Hospital, Bloemfontein, Free State

Abstract

Introduction and background: Despite national guidelines and agreed upon admission and referral criteria for children in National District Hospital (NDH), Bloemfontein, the number of children admitted with gastroenteritis (GE) has increased dramatically since December 2007. From the previous year's Child Healthcare Problem Identification Programme (Child PIP) data the increase in GE admissions was evident in NDH. During the preceding year, 123 children were admitted for GE and during the audit period 267. The number of deaths in NDH also increased from an average of 2.25 a month over the past 3 years to 10 a month during January and February 2008.