Availability of Life Support Equipment and its Utilization by Ambulance Drivers

Abstract

Background: An effective ambulance is a vital requirement for providing an emergency medical service. Wellequipped ambulances with trained paramedics can save many lives during the golden hours of trauma care. The objective was to document the availability and utilization of basic life support equipment in the ambulances and to assess knowledge on first aid among the drivers. Methods:Descriptive design was used. Total of 109 ambulances linked to B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences were enrolled using purposive sampling method. Self-constructed observation checklist and semi structured interview schedule was used for data collection.Results: More than half of the respondents had less than five years of experience and were not trained in first aid. About two-third of the respondents had adequate knowledge on first aid. About 90% of the ambulance had oxygen cylinder and adult oxygen mask which was 'usually' used equipment. More than half of ambulance had equipment less than 23% as compared to that of national guidelines. There was significant association of knowledge with the experience (p = 0.004) and training (p = 0.001). Availability of equipment was associated with training received (p = 0.007),organization (p= 0.032)and district (p = 0.023) in which the ambulance is registered. Conclusions:The study concludes that maximum ambulance linked to BPKIHS, Nepal did not have even one fourth of the equipment for basic life support. Equipment usually used was oxygen cylinder and oxygen mask. Majority of driver had adequate knowledge on first aid and it was associated with training and experience.

State of Post-injury First Response Systems in Nepal—A Nationwide Survey

“…Contrary to other studies from Nepal (13,18), this study found that most 293 (95.1%) ambulances drivers were trained in basic first aid. Very few 9 (2.9%) ambulances were reported to have trained paramedics or Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs).…”

Perceived Satisfaction of A&E Staff on the Level of Integration of Patient Care Operations with Emergency Ambulance Service, Sri Lanka

“…One of the key areas that marked most agreed group-perceived satisfaction was patient-handling techniques of the ambulance crew. Skills of critical patient handling need to have sound knowledge of different emergencies, awareness of complications [10], and the ability to handle emergency equipment used in the provision of on-site critical care [11]. The result of the study confirms that use of appropriate equipment, specifically, oxygen, face mask, cervical collars, spinal boards, and splints, and techniques, particularly, cervical stabilization and log rolling techniques, were within the expected degree of the A&E staff.…”

A Study to Assess the Knowledge Regarding Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Among Staff of Ambulance, Equipped Status of Ambulances, and their Utilization

“…There was no AED in any ambulances in their study. 11 In present study, majority of the ambulances were equipped with basic equipment used for first aid only like dressing, pain management, and so on. Due to the lack of trained staff, these ambulances only serve the purpose of transportation of the victim to the health centers.…”

“…A study conducted by Acharya et al, highlighted that 77% participants were having a secondary/10 + 2 level of education. 11 According to Hansda et al, around 60% had a 10 + 2 or above level of education. 20 In the present study, only 9.00% had training course on CPR and according to other study, 24% staff had done CPR training course.…”

“…During golden hour of emergency, many lives can be saved by well-trained ambulance staff. 11 Cardiac arrest is the most common reason for out-of-hospital deaths, and hence, basic life support (BLS) becomes an important component for survival of victim experiencing cardiac arrest. In case of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, first rescue is always the ambulance staff and the delay to reach a medical care center can be disastrous for the patient.…”