{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.02193645990922844, 'fraction_numerical': 0.012859304084720122, 'mean_word_length': 5.068807339449541, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Efficacy of pre-hospital care in trauma patients in Iran

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.