[Equipment of physician-staffed ambulance systems in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg].
BACKGROUND
Laws regulating emergency medical systems in the federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg call for equipment of physician-staffed ambulances that is based on current knowledge in emergency medicine. The grade of implementation is determined using single issue complexes.


METHODS
A total of 127 emergency physician bases were located and each received a questionnaire regarding the equipment of the physician-staffed ambulances and helicopters and planned supplementation of the equipment, deadline was 30 June 2001.


RESULTS
Of the 127 stations 116 (91.3%) participated. A 12-lead ECG is available in 52.6%, out-of-hospital fibrinolysis is possible in 15 bases (12.9%). Alternatives to endotracheal intubation are carried in 53.3% (cricothyroidotomy: 83.3%) and 31 bases provide capnometry or other devices for verifying correct tube placement. A mobile phone is available in 88 bases (75.9%).


CONCLUSIONS
When comparing equipment of physician-staffed ambulances statewide, striking differences can be found.
Institut für Anästhesiologie und Operative Intensivmedizin, Schwerpunkt Akutmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Mannheim, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim. genzwuerker@akutmedizin.de
H
H
Genzwürker
H
H
Isovic
T
T
Finteis
J
J
Hinkelbein
C
C
Denz
J
J
Gröschel
K
K
Ellinger
D000552:Ambulances / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D003625:Data Collection; D004282:Documentation; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D005858:Germany; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D000078329:Workforce