Arreola-Risa C, Garza CY, Mock CN

Language: Spanish
References: 15
Page: 69-74
PDF size: 54.96 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Saving the lives of trauma victims depends on adequate prehospital care. Much attention has been focused on hospital based care in recent years. However, increased attention needs to be paid to the development of emergency medical services in Latin America. The cornerstone of EMS is the Paramedic. Objective: To better understand the background, training and trauma experience of the paramedics in Mexico and thus to provide data that will assist with EMS development. Methods: 72 randomly selected paramedics were interviewed from 7 different cities in one state of Northern Mexico. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding their background, training, trauma experience, and advice regarding ways to improve EMS in our environment. Results: The group interviewed had a median age of 26 years old and a median of 5 years of experience as paramedics. Seventy eight percent had an EMT degree and 22% did not. Fifty five percent worked with a salary and 49% as volunteers. They reported caring for a median of 325 cases of any type per year and. One hundred and fifty trauma cases per year. Spinal. immobilization was used fairly frequently (median of 155 times per year per paramedic), as was oxygen administration (100/year). IV fluids were used moderately frequently (60/year). However, maneuvers to relieve airway obstruction were used infrequently, including oral cannula (only 32/year) and suction (only 32/year). Advanced airway maneuvers, including endotraqueal intubations were used rarely (3/year). The paramedics indicated the following impediments that prevented them from taking optimal care of the injured: bad conditions or not updated equipment (79%), training (14%), communication with hospitals, lack of cooperation among corporations (4% each). They provided the following suggestions as ways to improve EMS: improved continuing education (56%), improved team work (24%), ambulance-hospital communication (15%) and unifying criteria (10%). Conclusions: The paramedics indicated an extensive experience with prehospital trauma care. However, a significant number of paramedics do not have even basic EMT degrees. Improvements in EMS in our environment need to focus on providing this basic EMT training to all who work in EMS and to provide continuing education for those who have finished their basic training. Other priorities include improvements in maintenance of equipment and in prehospital communication, administration and organization.

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