Abstract

Objectives Pre-hospital care plays a vital role in the management of trauma patients. The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of the pre-hospital care performed by the Tehran Emergency Medical Service (EMS) in trauma patients. Methods The prospective study was performed on trauma patients referred to the emergency department of a teaching hospital by the Tehran EMS from September 2004 until 2005. Considering the lack of scientific observation-based protocols on pre-hospital care, certain protocols were developed based on the available up-to-date protocols in the emergency medicine text books and were used as the gold standard for comparing the provided care by EMSs. Results The effectiveness of pre-hospital care performed by Tehran emergency technicians, compatible with the patients' condition, was evaluated in 994 patients. Wound bandaging and haemostasis were done correctly in 80 of the indicated cases. Splint was applied correctly in 50 of patients in need for such a device, whereas collar and spinal bed were not performed in 80 of the indicated cases. Conclusions Tehran's EMS is not capable of providing trauma patients with effective and accurate pre-hospital care, indicating that major changes are needed to improve this.