Predetermining value analysis of the prehospital phase procedures in trauma victims survival

Self-reported occupational blood exposure among paramedics in Poland: a pilot study

Introduction. Paramedics are at risk of occupational blood exposure, increased by the immediacy of provided treatment. However, the issue has not been acknowledged to date by any research in Europe. Methods. This research aimed at assessing occupational blood exposure among paramedics in Poland. Respondents represented 21 Polish medical institutions. Their participation was voluntary and anonymous. Paramedics were provided with a self-directed job-specific questionnaire adapted to Polish conditions from an original US version. Results. 118 paramedics participated in the study from institutions constituting the National Emergency Medical System in Poland; including ambulance crews, Helicopter Emergency Medical Services and emergency department employees. Occupational exposure was reported by 18.64% of respondents and the main route of exposure was needlestick events. Conclusions. There is a further need to improve education among paramedics concerning the threat of being infected with blood-borne pathogens through all existing routes. Our findings point to the problem as being hidden and considered a shameful issue.

Emergency interventions for air medical services trauma victims

Objective:

to analyze emergency interventions for air medical services trauma victims, considering the time at the scene of trauma and the severity of the victims.

Method:

This was a descriptive, correlational and quantitative study, conducted from October of 2014 to December of 2015. Six nurses participated, completing an instrument containing emergency interventions performed in the care of victims after the occurrence of trauma. The sample consisted of 97 treatments.

Results:

Among the 97 for whom care was provided, peripheral venipuncture was performed in 97.94% of the cases; immobilization, including a backboard, was used in 89.70% of cases. The most commonly used medications were dipyrone in 44.33%, and ondansetron in 76.29%. The time on the scene showed significance with the severity of the victims. The Glasgow Coma scores were inversely related to time on the scene.

Conclusion:

Further studies are necessary, focused on care protocols for trauma victims.

The Experiences and Consequences of a Multiple Trauma Event from the Perspective of the Patient

This was an ethnographic investigation with the aim of comprehending the meanings of the trauma experience among multiple trauma patients. The following techniques were used for data collection: direct observation, semi-structured interview and field diary. Biographical narratives were obtained from eleven trauma victims, and ten relatives as secondary informants. The data analysis considered the set of data of each participant and all data of all subjects, searching for differences and similarities. The meanings attributed to the trauma experience are associated with interrelated feelings of fear, insecurity, anger, vulnerability and suffering and to the meanings of quality of life that converge to valorize health and work appreciation and support by social networks. This analysis shows that the concepts and experiences of the trauma are conditioning factors of the health-disease process and they are essential in planning public health actions to meet the needs of individuals.