ABSTRACT

The prevalence of having an accident and the occurrence of a second traffic accident are high among Ankara 112 EHS workers. In order to ensure scene safety which requires a totalitarian approach, the level of knowledge of 112 EHS workers should be increased, training should be renewed at defined intervals and the usage of personal protective equipment should be ensured. (Gazi Med J 2012; 23: 1-5)

Seventy-six physicians, 108 paramedics, 222 emergency medicine technicians, 23 health officers, 56 nurses, 82 drivers and one mid-wife participated in the study. Of the attendants, 55.3% were female and 44.7% were male. The mean age was 30.8±7.9 years. The prevalence of having an accident and the occurrence of a second traffic accident at a traffic accident scene were 11.4% and 19.4%, respectively. 13.7% of participants declared that they always had difficulties in communication with the police and military teams. Only 14.2% of the attendants placed the teams properly.

This was a cross-sectional study conducted among Ankara 112 EHS workers in May 2010. Of the 750 workers working in Ankara 112 EHS posts in this period, 568 (75.7%) were contacted. A questionnaire form includ-ing questions about sociodemographics, scene safety and communication was completed by the researcher for each attendant by the face-to-face interview technique at his/her post. Additionally, the attendants were asked to place the 112, 155, 156 and 110 teams in empty boxes provided on a traffic accident scene diagram and the proper positioning of the teams was evaluated.

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of having an accident and the occurrence of a second traffic accident, difficulties in communication and knowledge of scene safety among Ankara 112 Emergency Health System (EHS) workers.