Pre-hospital Emergency Medical Services: situation analysis of Ambulance Medical Equipments in Rasht city

Introduction: Prehospital emergency is an important part of the health care system. The prerequisite for providing appropriate services in this sector is existence the necessary equipment, particularly equipped ambulances which to play plays an important role in Save the life of patients who need emergency measures. Given the high incidence of traffic accidents and other emergencies, this study was concluded to investigate the current status of medical equipment of ambulances of emergency medical services in Rasht and were compared with Iranian standards. Methods: This study is a descriptive-analytical and functional study that was performed in Rasht in ۲۰۱۳. The samples consisted of ۱۳ active ambulances of emergency medical services. Data collection tools were included the standard medical examination card checklist of B type ambulances of Ministry of Health and Checklist of ۴۳۷۴ of rescue vehicles and equipment of the National Iranian Standard Organization. The checklists has been completed by observation of the medical equipment all emergency medical services ambulances by researchers. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics appropriate. Findings: The overall, average medical equipment of EMS ambulances in Rasht, according stands of MOH (Ministry of Health) & Iran Standard National organization, was ۶۶.۵ and ۶۴.۸%, respectively that had significant difference with standards (p<۰.۰۵). Also, the average equipment according to the two standards, in the diagnosis group was ۸۰ and ۸۲.۴%, equipment of respiration/ventilation, ۹۷%, injection/drugs: ۷۳ and ۵۸.۴%, equipment of treatment-critical management ۶۵.۳ and ۵۵.۷%, nursing care/ bandage ۵۸.۳ and ۵۳.۸%, respectively, that have significant difference with Iran defined standards in all cases (p<۰.۰۵). According to results and according the two standards, ۸۴% of ambulances had all equipment related to airway/ventilation management. Conclusion: The best condition of medical equipment of ambulances of emergency medical services was related to equipment of airway/ventilation management. There was a significant deficiency in other equipment groups. The deficiencies of medical equipment of ambulances will reduce the efficiency of emergency medical services, therefore, it seems reducing of the deficiencies, and achieving the national standards is essential.

Keywords:

Emergency Medical Services , Pre-hospital care , Ambulance , اورژانس پیش بیمارستانی , پایگاه خدمات پزشکی , تجهیزات طبی آمبولانس.