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Strengthening Ambulance Care How Trained Are Sri Lanka’s Emergency Medical Teams

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by

Vishnu
in

Introduction

Emergency medical care starts the moment help is callednot just when a patient reaches the hospital. A new study published in the International Journal of Clinical Anesthesia and Research explores the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of emergency medical personneldoctors, nurses, and EMTswho accompany patients to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. The findings shed light on gaps in training and preparedness that could shape the future of pre-hospital emergency care.
Visit https://www.anesthesiaresjournal.com/ for more groundbreaking research in this field.

Study Overview Who, What, and Why

  • Participants: 35 medical staff (15 doctors, 16 nurses, 4 EMTs)
  • Setting: National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL)
  • Timeframe: August–October 2008
  • Method: 30-item self-administered questionnaire assessing knowledge, skills, and attitudes

This cross-sectional analysis aimed to assess how well-equipped the on-board ambulance staff are in terms of emergency knowledge and procedures, and how their attitudes and training impact care quality.

Key Findings: Where Are the Gaps

Knowledge Levels

  • Basic EMT Level: Average score – 57.5%
    • Strengths: Airway management (84.3%), bleeding control (82.9%)
    • Weaknesses: Basic life support (38.6%), oxygen administration (37.1%)
  • Intermediate Level: Average score – 42.9%
    • Weaknesses: Endotracheal intubation (41.4%), initial cardiac drug therapy (44.3%)
  • Paramedic Level: Lowest average – 33.9%
    • Notable deficits in: ECG interpretation (37.1%), pediatric life support (20%), pharmacology (12.9%)

Read the full study at: https://doi.org/10.29328/journal.ijcar.1001010

Attitudes Toward Pre-Hospital Care

The research revealed overwhelmingly positive attitudes towards the importance of training:

  • 97.1% agreed that all EMS staff should receive specialized training.
  • 77.1% acknowledged that emergency care can be costly, but necessary.
  • However, only 25.7% believed that prompt treatment in ambulances could reduce mortalityrevealing a critical misconception.

According to the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), early interventions in pre-hospital care are crucial to improve survival outcomes supporting the need for awareness alongside training.

Skills Assessment: What They Can and Can’t Do

While many staff demonstrated competence in:

  • IV cannulation (71.4%)
  • IV drug administration (71.4%)

Fewer were confident in performing:

  • Cricothyroidotomy (22.9%)
  • Laryngoscopy and intubation (31.4%)
  • Pleural drainage (25.7%)

Interestingly, nurses often outperformed doctors in IV procedures and monitoring, emphasizing the value of a team-based skill-building approach.

A detailed analysis can be found in our main journal article.

Related Resources and Insights

Takeaway Points

  • Basic knowledge is adequate, but advanced-level skills are lacking.
  • Positive attitudes toward training show readiness to improve.
  • Targeted education and national training standards for EMTs are essential for improving pre-hospital emergency outcomes.

Get Involved

Explore more studies at https://www.anesthesiaresjournal.com/ and join the conversation by sharing your thoughts in the comments below!

Disclaimer: This content is generated using AI assistance and should be reviewed for accuracy and compliance before considering this article and its contents as a reference. Any mishaps or grievances raised due to the reusing of this material will not be handled by the author of this article.

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