Pre-hospital emergency medical services: the analysis of EMS ambulances equipment in Rasht city

Prehospital emergency is an important part of the health care system. The prerequisite for providing appropriate services in this sector is existence of the necessary equipment, particularly equipped ambulances that plays an important role in saving the patients’ life who need emergency measures. Given the high incidence of traffic accidents and other emergencies, this study was concluded to investigate current status of medical equipment of prehospital EMS ambulances in Rasht and compare with Iranian standards. In this descriptive-analytical and functional study, 13 active ambulances of emergency medical services were studied in Rasht in 2013. Data were collected and studied due to the checklist of standard medical examination card of ambulances type B MOH (Ministry of Health) and the checklist of 4374 of relief vehicles and equipment of Iranian National Standards Organization. Researchers completed the checklists with reference to emergency medical centers in Rasht and observation of medical equipment and ambulances. Data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics appropriate. Overall, average medical equipment of EMS ambulances in Rasht was 66.5% and 64.8% respectively that had a significant difference with standards (p<0.05) according to standards of MOH & Iran Standard National organization. In addition, the average equipment regarding both standards was as follows: In the medical and diagnosis groups:80% and 82.4%; equipment of respiration/ventilation: 97%; injection/drugs: 73% and 58.4%; equipment of treatment-critical management: 65.3% and 55.7%; nursing care/ bandage 58.3% and 53.8% that have significant differences with Iran defined standards in all cases (p<0.05). According to the results and both standards, about 84% of ambulances had all equipment related to the airway/ventilation management. According to the results, the best condition of medical equipment of EMS ambulances was related to equipment of airway/ventilation management. There was a significant deficiency in other equipment groups. The deficiencies of medical equipment of ambulances will reduce the efficiency of all the pre-hospital emergency medical services; therefore, it seems essential to reduce deficiencies and to achieve the national standards.