First meeting of the Acute Care Action Network

Introduction

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently convened the inaugural meeting of the Acute Care Action Network (ACAN) in Geneva, Switzerland, marking a significant step towards enhancing global healthcare, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The ACAN, launched in response to the 76th World Health Assembly's resolution on integrated emergency, critical, and operative care, aims to strengthen acute care delivery and reduce the burden of emergency conditions worldwide.

The Need for ACAN

Emergency, critical, and operative care are integral components of comprehensive primary health care. However, these services are often inadequately addressed in many parts of the world, leading to significant avoidable mortality and morbidity. According to WHO, nearly 30 million deaths annually are attributed to emergency conditions, with the acute disease burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) being 4.4 times that of high-income countries.

The ACAN Initiative

The Acute Care Action Network is a global alliance of key stakeholders committed to saving millions of lives by advancing acute care through collaboration. This initiative was established with strategic support from the Laerdal Foundation and the American Heart Association, two prominent organizations dedicated to improving healthcare globally.

Key Objectives

• Strengthening Acute Care Services: The primary goal of ACAN is to enhance the delivery of acute care services, particularly in LMICs. This involves the expansion of WHO’s acute care resources and tools to support effective emergency care systems.
• Empowering Communities: ACAN aims to empower communities by implementing community first aid response programs and studying care-seeking behavior. This community-centric approach is crucial for ensuring timely access to quality care.
• Enhancing Access: Prioritizing and assigning acute care services to each level of the health system is another critical objective. This ensures that healthcare is accessible and equitable across different settings.
• Improving Quality: Supporting clinical quality improvement is essential for reducing morbidity and mortality rates. ACAN will focus on evaluating and implementing best practices in acute care delivery.
• Informing Action: Assessing and planning at the system, pathway, and facility level will help in making informed decisions about acute care services. This strategic approach will ensure that interventions are tailored to specific needs and contexts.

First Meeting of ACAN

The inaugural meeting of ACAN took place at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. This pivotal event brought together participant organizations to coordinate implementation and impact evaluation activities, share lessons learned, and support advocacy across the acute care continuum. The meeting marked a significant milestone in the network’s mission to strengthen acute care services globally.

Special Guests

The meeting attracted notable guests, including Dr. Rudi Eggers, Director of Integrated Health Services at WHO, and Dr. Teri Reynolds, who leads the WHO’s work on the Emergency, Critical, and Operative (ECO) strategy. These leaders emphasized the importance of timely access to quality emergency, critical, and operative care services, which could prevent millions of deaths and long-term disabilities from injuries, infections, mental health conditions, and other health emergencies.

Global Sepsis Alliance's Involvement

The Global Sepsis Alliance (GSA) has recently joined ACAN, underscoring the increasing recognition of sepsis as a critical condition to be addressed globally. GSA’s participation highlights the significant role it plays in advancing the global health agenda. The alliance has proposed a 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis, which aims to address sepsis as an integral part of primary health care, focusing on prevention, early detection, referral, and timely treatment.

Strategic Pillars of the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis

The 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis is structured around five strategic pillars:

1. Political Leadership and Multilateral Cooperation
2. Health Systems Strengthening
3. Community-based Interventions
4. Professional Training and Education
5. Research and Development

These pillars aim to strengthen the global response to sepsis, ensuring that it is integrated into healthcare systems and policies globally.

Conclusion

The inaugural meeting of the Acute Care Action Network marks a crucial step towards enhancing global healthcare, particularly in regions where emergency, critical, and operative care services are often inadequately addressed. The collaboration among key stakeholders, including the Laerdal Foundation, the American Heart Association, and the Global Sepsis Alliance, underscores the commitment to reducing the burden of acute conditions worldwide.

As ACAN continues its mission, it is clear that there is a growing recognition of the need for robust acute care services. With its strategic objectives and the involvement of various global health stakeholders, ACAN is poised to make a significant impact in the years to come.

For more information on ACAN and its initiatives, please visit the WHO’s website: WHO's Integrated Health Services.

References

• WHO Acute Care Action Network
• Improving Emergency, Critical, and Operative Care in Low and Middle-Income Countries
• Global Sepsis Alliance Joins WHO’s Acute Care Action Network (ACAN)
• 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis – Geneva Dialogue and Next Steps