THE TRAUMA DIRECTORATE
CHRIS HANI BARAGWANATH
ACADEMIC HOSPITAL
Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital
Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH), located in Soweto, Johannesburg, is the largest hospital in the southern hemisphere and one of the largest in the world. Spanning 173 acres (0.70 km²), the hospital operates with approximately 3,200 beds and employs over 6,760 staff members. Serving a community of over a million people in the Soweto area and its surrounding regions, CHBAH is a critical institution for healthcare and medical training in South Africa.
Our World Class Trauma Unit
The trauma unit, currently led by Dr. Riaan Pretorius, treats thousands of patients each year, including a large number of Priority 1, critically injured trauma cases through its dedicated 16 bay Vicky Jennings Resuscitation room . What sets the unit apart is its high volume of penetrating trauma, including gunshot wounds, stabbings, and other forms of violence that are less common in first-world countries. While many trauma centres in developed nations primarily manage injuries sustained from blunt force trauma such as road accidents or falls, South Africa faces a unique burden of violent trauma due to social and economic factors. This has given CHBAH’s trauma surgeons unparalleled expertise in managing complex, high-stakes cases that involve multiple organ injuries and require advanced surgical intervention.
The Trauma Unit is not only a hub for clinical care but also a vital centre for trauma research incorporated under the banner of Joburg trauma and Wits University. Modelled after the American College of Surgeons Level 1 trauma centre requirements, surgeons and trainees have a vast skill set coupled with a diverse patient population, offering invaluable training opportunities. The hospital’s trauma fellows, both local and international, gain exposure to trauma cases and conditions rarely encountered in other parts of the world, making CHBAH a global leader in trauma education and research.
Vicky Jennings Resuscitation Room
The resuscitation area is equipped with sixteen bays designed for the acute management and stabilisation of all priority one trauma patients. Adhering to the principles of Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), this section operates under the supervision of an on-site trauma surgeon twenty-four hours a day. The unit utilises the LODOX (Low Dose X-ray) machine, which provides a rapid full body scan of the patient, ensuring rapid and efficient diagnostics. The Trauma Unit staff maintains responsibility for the resuscitation process, including ventilation and critical care management. With critical imaging facilities, such as the CT scanner and angio-screening suites, located just 50 meters away, the resuscitation process is streamlined for time-sensitive trauma care.
History
A Premier teaching hospital
Originally established as a convalescent hospital for British servicemen, the facility was later acquired by the South African government to provide medical services to the local black community. Since its inception, CHBAH has grown into a renowned medical institution, both for its pivotal role in service delivery and as a premier teaching hospital within the Wits University teaching network. Since 1948, Wits medical graduates have greatly benefited from the hands-on training and clinical exposure provided by the hospital. Additionally, CHBAH serves as a training centre for nursing and allied health care professionals in collaboration with the university.
Known locally as ‘Bara,’ the hospital is home to one of the busiest trauma centres in the world. In 2003, a dedicated Trauma Unit was established by Professor Elias Degiannis, who served as its head for nearly 15 years. Under his leadership, the Trauma Unit was transformed into a world-class trauma training facility, recognized for its high patient volume and the complexity of cases treated. The unit has since grown exponentially, becoming a leading centre for trauma care and training, serving Wits surgical trainees, trauma fellows, and international doctors.
Trauma Ward
The Trauma Ward consists of 56 acute-care beds, including a dedicated four-bed high-care area that allows for both ventilation and dialysis. Despite the number of beds, the demand for trauma care often exceeds capacity, leading to the overflow of patients into other wards within the General Surgery Department. At peak times, the Trauma Unit has cared for more than 150 patients simultaneously, demonstrating the immense caseload managed by the hospital.
Trauma Emergency Unit (TEU)
The initial triage and screening of trauma patients occur at the entrance to the TEU which comprises 11 examination cubicles. This area is shared with orthopaedic services, facilitating a multi-disciplinary approach to trauma care. Additionally, a large triage space is located between the resuscitation area and the cubicles, capable of accommodating up to 40 patients on trolleys in the event of mass casualty incidents.
Emergency Theatres
The Trauma Unit is supported by three dedicated, fully operational emergency theatres that provide 24-hour surgical care for both general surgical and trauma patients. These theatres are located just 30 meters from the resuscitation area to ensure rapid access when immediate surgical intervention is required. An additional fourth theatre is operated 24/7 by the orthopaedics department, ensuring uninterrupted service delivery.
Helipad
The hospital’s helipad enables the rapid transport of priority one patients via rotary-wing aircraft services, provided through public-private partnerships. This allows critically injured patients to be brought directly to the Trauma Unit for immediate intervention.
Trauma Intensive Care Unit (TICU)
The Trauma Intensive Care Unit consists of eight dedicated trauma beds. This closed ICU is managed by intensivists who provide round-the-clock care for the most critically injured patients, ensuring that those with life-threatening injuries receive specialised and intensive treatment.
Our Research & Publications
At Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, we are dedicated to advancing trauma research, focused on improving the quality of life for our patients. Our partnership with the University of Witwatersrand allows us to leverage cutting-edge research and innovation to develop new treatment options. Together, we strive to push the boundaries of medical knowledge and provide exceptional care, ensuring that every patient receives the best possible outcomes.