Assessment of Awareness and Preparedness regarding Management of Major Traumatic Haemorrhage in Prehospital Settings amongst EMS Professionals, Pune, India

Abstract

Background: In trauma cases acute major hemorrhage in the first few hours of injury is the leading cause of
death in as many as 30% – 40% cases. Major hemorrhage can result in the collapse of the circulatory system
and the patient can present to the emergency room in a state of shock. EMS professionals are expected to
have high degree of awareness as well as should possess the requisite skills and preparedness in the various
techniques utilized to control life threatening hemorrhage.
Aim: To assess the Awareness and Preparedness regarding management of major traumatic hemorrhage in
prehospital settings among EMS students.
Methodology: The study was conducted amongst 141 Emergency Medical Service professionals. The
original questionnaire consisted of 2 parts, first containing two clinical scenarios testing the awareness level
and the second one containing twenty four items pertaining to the preparedness of EMS professionals in
major traumatic hemorrhagic situations.
Result: The mean score obtained for the parameter awareness was 18.32 out of maximum score of
28.Respondents scored well on the parameter pertaining to the management of venous bleeding and amputated
limb while scored relatively lower on the items pertaining to the management of capillary bleeding.
Conclusion: The present study provides encouraging results with regards on the awareness and preparedness
levels of EMS professionals. It also provides insight into future training needs to enhance preparedness in
cases of infrequent hemorrhagic emergencies.