title: Prehospital Trauma Care in Singapore.
abstract: Prehospital emergency care in Singapore has taken shape over almost a century. What began as a hospital-based ambulance service intended to ferry medical cases was later complemented by an ambulance service under the Singapore Fire Brigade to transport trauma cases. The two ambulance services would later combine and come under the Singapore Civil Defence Force. The development of prehospital care systems in island city-state Singapore faces unique challenges as a result of its land area and population density. This article defines aspects of prehospital trauma care in Singapore. It outlines key historical milestones and current initiatives in service, training, and research. It makes propositions for the future direction of trauma care in Singapore. The progress Singapore has made given her circumstances may serve as lessons for the future development of prehospital trauma systems in similar environments. Key words: Singapore; trauma; prehospital emergency care; emergency medical services.
authors.forename: Andrew Fu Wah
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chew
authors.forename: Ting Hway
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Yih Yng
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Pin Pin
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Pek
authors.forename: Swee Han
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Venkataraman
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Anantharaman
authors.forename: Marcus Eng
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hock Ong
mesh_terms: D000552:Ambulances; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D012846:Singapore