Emergency Medicine in Samoa

Emergency Medicine in Samoa Dedicated to advancing Emergency Medicine in Samoa.

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The Samoa Medical Association hosts it's Weekly CME sessions on Wednesdays at 8am for its members, and our team regularl...
05/05/2026

The Samoa Medical Association hosts it's Weekly CME sessions on Wednesdays at 8am for its members, and our team regularly attend these sessions.

Today’s topic was Palliative Care in Samoa presented by Logomaua Dr Malama Tafuna'i (MBChB, PGDipGP, FRNZCGP, PhD)

This was a very insightful and meaningful session which reinforced the importance of compassionate, patient-centered care, especially for those with life-limiting illnesses. In the Emergency Department, we are often at the frontline, and it is crucial that we not only focus on acute management, but also on comfort, dignity, and quality of life.

Palliative care is not about stopping care, it is about providing the right care, aligned with the patient’s needs and wishes.

As Samoa continues to face a growing burden of non-communicable diseases, strengthening palliative care services is essential. This includes early recognition, better communication, and stronger collaboration between hospital and community care.

Fa’afetai tele lava to the Samoa Medical Association and Dr Tafuna’i for continuing to champion and advocate for Palliative Care in this important space.

Public Tip:
Talk to your healthcare provider early about palliative care options for loved ones with serious illness — it can make a significant difference in comfort and support.

Today’s SimDay simulation focused on a high-stakes scenario, a patient presenting with an atypical presentation of a hea...
04/05/2026

Today’s SimDay simulation focused on a high-stakes scenario, a patient presenting with an atypical presentation of a heart attack that progressed to cardiac arrest.

The case challenged our team to recognize subtle, non-classic symptoms of myocardial infarction, a critical reminder that not all heart attacks present with typical chest pain. Early suspicion, timely ECG interpretation, and rapid escalation were key learning points before the patient deteriorated into cardiac arrest requiring full resuscitation.

It was great to have our staff, registrars, newly joined interns, and medical students actively involved, building confidence, teamwork, and readiness for real-life emergencies.

Last week at Grandrounds, our team who attended the Dengue Clinical Management Workshop shared key learnings with our Em...
03/05/2026

Last week at Grandrounds, our team who attended the Dengue Clinical Management Workshop shared key learnings with our Emergency Department.

We acknowledge the efforts of Dr. Stephen Tuautu, RN Tinomineta Tuaumu, RN Junior Faga, RN Neol Maka, and , who presented on practical approaches to dengue management, focusing on early recognition, identifying warning signs, and timely intervention to prevent progression to severe disease.

Their presentation reinforced an important message: dengue is dynamic, and what may appear stable early can deteriorate quickly without close monitoring and appropriate management.

This is exactly the kind of knowledge-sharing we want to see, taking what is learnt externally and bringing it back to strengthen our entire team.

As dengue cases continue to be a concern in our region, building confidence and consistency in frontline care remains a priority for the Emergency Department.

‼️Public reminder: If you or your family have fever, body aches, vomiting, abdominal pain, or bleeding symptomsseek medical attention early. Early care saves lives.

Last week, members of our Emergency Department team also took part in the workshop, including RN Tinomineta Tuaumu, RN J...
20/04/2026

Last week, members of our Emergency Department team also took part in the workshop, including RN Tinomineta Tuaumu, RN Junior Faga, RN Neol Maka, and our new ED Registrar Dr. Stephen Tuautu.

Their participation reflects the Emergency Department’s continued commitment to strengthening frontline clinical skills and preparedness in managing dengue cases, particularly as early recognition and timely management are critical in preventing severe complications.

At today’s Grandround, our Nurse in Charge of Admissions, RN Aruna Suemalo Lautusi, presented an important departmental ...
20/04/2026

At today’s Grandround, our Nurse in Charge of Admissions, RN Aruna Suemalo Lautusi, presented an important departmental audit highlighting key trends and operational challenges in our Emergency Department.

The audit reviewed 3,560 patient admissions from January to June 2025 which provided valuable insights into patient flow, outcomes, and system pressures within the department.

Key findings included:
• Mortality rate: 0.96% (34 deaths in the department), prompting the recommendation for a formal ED death audit process.
• Sepsis surveillance: Continued emphasis on compliance with the sepsis protocol to ensure timely recognition and treatment.
• Length of stay: Some admitted patients remain in ED beyond 72 hours due to ward bed shortages, contributing to overcrowding.
• Peak operational hours: The department experiences its highest surge between 6pm and midnight, highlighting the need for appropriate staffing and skill mix during these hours.
• Patient demographics: The largest age group presenting are elderly patients (60–80 years), reflecting the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and complex care needs.
• Patient flow: Continued work towards achieving the 4-hour referral pathway to improve patient movement from ED to inpatient teams.
• Other operational indicators: Review of patient transfers, absconded patients, and those signing out Against Medical Advice (AMA), with the introduction of improved documentation forms.

The audit also highlighted the need to address bed block, evening surge demand, improved communication, better documentation, and ongoing monthly audit reviews to support continuous quality improvement.

Regular audits like this are critical in helping our team identify system gaps, strengthen patient safety, and improve emergency care delivery for the people of Samoa

Over the past two days, the Ministry of Health Samoa conducted a Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) Assessment, b...
14/04/2026

Over the past two days, the Ministry of Health Samoa conducted a Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) Assessment, bringing together key stakeholders to review Samoa’s preparedness and response systems for public health emergencies.

Representing our Emergency Department was one of our Nursing Leaders, RN Aruna Uno Suemalo Lautusi, who participated in the assessment discussions alongside other national health partners.

The review focused on evaluating the current structure, coordination systems, communication pathways, and operational readiness of the HEOC, with the aim of strengthening Samoa’s capacity to respond effectively to emergencies such as outbreaks, disasters, and other public health threats.

Several important gaps and opportunities for improvement were identified during the assessment. These include the need to strengthen coordination mechanisms, improve information management and data sharing, enhance emergency planning frameworks, and ensure clearer operational roles across responding agencies.

Moving forward, the assessment recommended the development of clear action plans to address these gaps, alongside continuous input and collaboration from all relevant stakeholders to ensure that planning, preparedness, and response systems remain effective and responsive.

Strengthening emergency preparedness is a shared national responsibility, and initiatives like this assessment help ensure Samoa continues to build a resilient health system capable of protecting our communities during times of crisis.

Public Reminder:
Preparedness is not only the responsibility of health systems, communities also play an important role. Staying informed, following public health guidance, and supporting emergency response efforts help ensure a safer Samoa for everyone.

Today’s Grandround highlighted an important aspect of quality patient care in the Emergency Department.Our Nurse in Char...
13/04/2026

Today’s Grandround highlighted an important aspect of quality patient care in the Emergency Department.
Our Nurse in Charge of the Resuscitation Area, Paulo Niko, presented his audit on documentation practices within the resuscitation area. His findings emphasized the critical need for consistent and accurate documentation during emergency care. Proper documentation is not only essential for patient safety and continuity of care, but also for clinical review, audit, and improving our emergency systems.

Interestingly, the same issue was also highlighted during last week’s Trauma Audit, showing that documentation remains an area where we must continue to strengthen our practice as a team.

Moments like these remind us that good emergency care is not only about rapid clinical decisions, but also about clear and reliable records that support patient care and learning. Our team remains committed to continuous improvement through audit, education, and open discussion.

Public Tip:
If you or a family member attends the Emergency Department, always try to provide accurate information about symptoms, medications, allergies, and medical history. Clear information helps healthcare workers make faster and safer decisions during emergencies.

Today’s SimDay, the team focused on the management of a severe trauma case that rapidly deteriorated into a tension pneu...
12/04/2026

Today’s SimDay, the team focused on the management of a severe trauma case that rapidly deteriorated into a tension pneumothorax leading to cardiac arrest. The scenario challenged the team to recognize the condition early, initiate resuscitation, and perform a life-saving chest drain insertion.
Simulation training like this allows our staff to practice critical decision-making, teamwork, and procedural skills in a safe learning environment. Managing conditions such as tension pneumothorax requires rapid recognition and immediate intervention, and regular simulation ensures our team remains prepared for these high-stakes emergencies.

Public Tip:
Severe chest injury after a crash, fall, or assault can be life-threatening. If someone develops severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, or suddenly collapses after trauma, seek medical help immediately. Early treatment can save a life.

08/04/2026

PISEC 2026. See you in August

Samoa Tourism (VC)

Today's GrandRound, Seinafolava Enisini Milikini, our Acting Principal Nurse and Nurse in Charge of the Trauma Area, pre...
07/04/2026

Today's GrandRound, Seinafolava Enisini Milikini, our Acting Principal Nurse and Nurse in Charge of the Trauma Area, presented the findings from his Trauma Audit.

The audit highlighted several important areas for improvement within our department, particularly around clinical documentation and ongoing training in trauma assessment and management. Accurate and consistent documentation is essential not only for patient care, but also for maintaining reliable data that helps guide improvements in our emergency systems.

The discussion emphasized the need for continued staff training, strengthening trauma management skills, and improving documentation practices so that every trauma case is recorded clearly and accurately. High-quality data allows us to better understand injury patterns in Samoa and improve how we respond to trauma cases in the future.

As we continue to strengthen emergency care in Samoa, these regular audits and discussions remain an important part of our commitment to learning, accountability, and better patient outcomes.

Prevention remains one of the most powerful tools in protecting our families and communities.

This week’s Grand Round was presented by our Nurse in Charge of Triage, Belinda Tolai, who shared the findings from her ...
01/04/2026

This week’s Grand Round was presented by our Nurse in Charge of Triage, Belinda Tolai, who shared the findings from her recent triage audit in the Emergency Department.

Belinda is also currently undergoing professional development training with The Alfred Emergency & Trauma Centre, further strengthening her expertise in emergency care systems and triage processes.

Her audit highlighted the increasing number of low-acuity, non-urgent cases presenting to the ED, which continues to place significant pressure on our emergency service. When large volumes of non-urgent patients attend the ED, it can slow down the assessment and treatment of critically ill and injured patients who require immediate emergency care.

The audit findings also emphasized the importance of effective triage streaming, ensuring patients are directed to the right level of care, whether emergency, urgent, or primary care. Strengthening triage systems helps improve patient flow, reduce congestion, and allows the ED team to focus on identifying and managing true emergencies quickly and safely.

These discussions are important as we continue working to improve patient flow, strengthen triage processes, and maintain the Emergency Department’s ability to respond rapidly to life-threatening conditions.

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