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(A154) Overcrowding of Ambulances at the Scene of a Disaster: Pitfalls and Implications

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 May 2011

H. Waseem
Affiliation:
Research, Lahore, Pakistan
S. Shahbaz
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine, Karachi, Pakistan
J. Razzak
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine, Karachi, Pakistan
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Abstract

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Introduction

Pakistan is a developing country with a basic prehospital system in some cities. The prehospital services are a mixture of government and private ambulances.There is no central regulatory body for them and no central command to control the influx and out flux of ambulances from the scene.

Objective

In this paper, five episodes of terrorist incidents in the country and will try to estimate the number of ambulances on the scene.

Methods

Retrospective data was collected and triangulation was done by three sources: (1) ambulance records; (2) visual estimation; and (3) print media. An estimate of total ambulances was reached along with dead and injured. Furthermore medical transport capacity was calculated where possible.

Results

In majority of the incidents, it was found that there was a huge influx of ambulances beyond the need. This further adds to the chaos and confusion already present on the scene of disaster.

Conclusions

A Command and Control Center should be established to direct all ambulance control and movements.

Type
Abstracts of Scientific and Invited Papers 17th World Congress for Disaster and Emergency Medicine
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2011