SUMMARY The Simulated Trauma and Resuscitation Team Training (S.T.A.R.T.T.) course is a unique multidisciplinary trauma team training course deliberately designed to address the common crisis resource management (CRM) skills of trauma team members. Moreover, the curriculum has been updated to also target the specific learning needs of individual participating professionals: physicians, nurses a...

BACKGROUND The purpose of the study was to explore the association between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and work performance of emergency medical services personnel in Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS Emergency medical service personnel were screened for potential PTSD using Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Work performance was assessed on the basis of five variables: number of late ...

BACKGROUND We aimed to assess the structure, function and performance of Ashanti Region's emergency medical services system in the context of the regional need for prehospital emergency care. DESIGN A mixed-methods approach was employed, using retrospective collection of quantitative data and prospectively gathered qualitative data. Setting - pertinent data were collected from Ghanaian and in...

Prehospital emergency care personnel can play a crucial role in the identification and management of patients presenting with ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). Specifically, prehospital thrombolysis by emergency medical personnel such as paramedics/nurses/prehospital doctors has been identified as being a successful and safe approach for the provision of accelerating reperfusion strat...

This paper presents the design approach and architecture of a Decision Support System (DSS) for the Hellenic Centre for Emergency Health Care (ΕΚΑΒ, http://www.ekab.gr). The DSS supports the cooperation and decision-making processes at the EKAB call centre concerning the effective activation and allocation of appropriate resources mainly: ambulances, healthcare personnel and other public emerge...

BACKGROUND Maternal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa remains a challenge with estimates exceeding 1,000 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in some countries. Successful prevention of maternal deaths hinges on adequate and quality emergency obstetric care. In addition to skilled personnel, there is need for a supportive environment in terms of essential drugs and supplies, equipment, and a r...

Background Prompt and safe extrication of motor vehicle accident patients is essential to allow efficient transport to hospital. A rapid extrication technique was developed in the Oslo-Akershus Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and fire service in 1999. The Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation trains fire fighters, police and EMS personnel in this technique. This study investigated how well the te...