Pre-Hospital Emergency Services With Emphasis on Traffic Accidents: A Case Study in Mashhad, Iran

Background: Pre-hospital emergency service is an important part of any health care system. The present study was conducted to evaluate the pre-hospital Emergency Services ۱۱۵ of Mashhad City, Iran with emphasis on response to traffic accidents during ۲۰۱۲-۲۰۱۳. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional and applied study, ۵۳۶۸۵ files of traffic accident victims related to ۴۲۲۴۰ missions accomplished during ۲۰۱۲-۲۰۱۳ were evaluated. The study data were collected by referring to the statistics unit of the Center for Medical Emergencies and Accidents. To determine the services performed for the victims, a researcher-designed checklist was used. Descriptive statistics were performed to analyze the raw data. All analyses were done by Excel ۲۰۱۳. Results: The average (SD) age of traffic accident victims was ۲۹.۵(۱۵.۶۹) years. The frequency of accidents was more in September, on Thursdays, and between ۶ and ۹ PM. About ۷۰% of missions ended with the transfer the injured to hospitals and average (SD) response times were ۸:۲۴ (۲:۳۵) minutes in ۲۰۱۲ and ۹:۰۱ (۲:۴۶) minutes in ۲۰۱۳. The frequency of treatment and dispatch to hospitals by the resident physician were reported as ۷۰.۵۱% in ۲۰۱۲ and ۶۹.۷% in ۲۰۱۳. The most frequent action taken were injections (۹۶%) and then stabilizing body limbs (۶۰%). Conclusion: Considering the findings of this research, the response time was longer than the standard time. Regarding the performed services, shortcomings in manpower and ambulance equipment can reduce the effectiveness of missions. Therefore, Emergency Center ۱۱۵ of Mashhad should carry out some interventions to resolve shortages in manpower and equipment to reach standard conditions and provide better services.

Keywords:

Pre-hospital emergency , Traffic accidents , Mashhad City