Efficacy of pre-hospital care in trauma patients in Iran.
OBJECTIVE
Pre-hospital care plays a vital role in the management of trauma patients. The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of the pre-hospital care performed by the Tehran Emergency Medical Service (EMS) in trauma patients.


METHODS
The prospective study was performed on trauma patients referred to the emergency department of a teaching hospital by the Tehran EMS from September 2004 until 2005. Considering the lack of scientific observation-based protocols on pre-hospital care, certain protocols were developed based on the available up-to-date protocols in the emergency medicine text books and were used as the gold standard for comparing the provided care by EMSs.


RESULTS
The effectiveness of pre-hospital care performed by Tehran emergency technicians, compatible with the patients' condition, was evaluated in 994 patients. Wound bandaging and haemostasis were done correctly in 80% of the indicated cases. Splint was applied correctly in 50% of patients in need for such a device, whereas collar and spinal bed were not performed in 80% of the indicated cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Tehran's EMS is not capable of providing trauma patients with effective and accurate pre-hospital care, indicating that major changes are needed to improve this.
Khashayar
Patricia
P
Research and Development Center, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
Amoli
Hadi Ahmadi
HA
Tavakoli
Hassan
H
Panahi
Farzad
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*