1. Vital Signs Directed Therapy in critical care in Tanzania
Dr Tim Baker
Stockholm, Sweden
SATA Conference, Tanzania, May 2016

2. Summary
What is VSDT
How to use VSDT
Benefits of VSDT

4. Improved care in the ICU
Aim:
No deaths from untreated
Airway threat
Hypoxia
Shock

5. The nurse is close to the patient
→ Sees more
→ Hears more
→ Can act quickly if deterioration
→ Corrects misunderstandings during rounds
Vital Signs goals used on ICUs all over the world

7. Principles of the protocol
A new way of working for all critically ill patients
Frequent observations of vital signs
Defined actions if vital signs are very abnormal = danger signs

8. Principles of the protocol
Nurses can do some actions without a physician’s presence
Few human resources
Critically ill patients change condition fast
Need modification of therapy continually
Critical care requires certain decisions to be made by those working bedside

9. Principles of the protocol
Therapy is modified continually
Actions are standardised to avoid stress
The protocol is formalised in an SOP

23. In-hospital mortality rates
64%
18%

24. 18%
64%
18%

25. 18%
64%
18%

27. Research conclusions - Danger Signs were associated with mortality
- The VSDT Protocol is possible to introduce to a ward in Tanzania
- VSDT can improve acute treatments of critically ill
- VSDT can reduce mortality rates for some patients

28. Summary
Aim of VSDT is to avoid deaths from untreated Airway threats, Hypoxia, Shock
The VSDT Protocol standardises the care of the critically ill
Nurses can carry out some actions themselves
Doctors can change goals and treatments
VSDT improves critical care and reduces mortality .
The VSDT Protocol could be used in all hospitals where there are critically ill patients