The Prevalence of Having an Accident in a Traffic Accident Scene and an Evaluation of Scene Safety Knowledge Among Ankara 112 Emergency Personnel

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Objective: 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. Methods: 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 including 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. Results: Seventy-six physicians, 108 paramedics, 222 emergency medicine technicians, 23 health officers, 56 nurses, 82 drivers and one midwife 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. Conclusion: 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.

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112 emergency health services , traffic , traffic accident , scene , safety

Gazi Medical Journal

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Gazi Medical Journal