Factors influencing the delivery of basic pre-hospital trauma care during disaster by the Emergency Medical Services of the Bureau of Fire Protection

Marites  S. Geronimo,

Factors influencing the delivery of basic pre-hospital trauma care during disaster by the Emergency Medical Services of the Bureau of Fire Protection

Abstract:

Introduction The Philippines is considered a disaster-prone country, making basic pre-hospital trauma care essential in the disaster response. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is mandated by law as the lead agency in providing emergency medical services (EMS) in the country, which plays a critical role in disaster response. This study aimed to investigate the influence of the different factors (knowledge, training, experience, and logistics) on the disaster preparedness of the BFP EMS personnel and to identify the strongest predictor among the factors. Methods A correlational study was done among 125 EMS personnel in the Bureau of Fire Protection- National Capital Region (BFP-NCR) using stratified random sampling. A four-part questionnaire, which included a demographic form, a 20-item knowledge test, a logistics compliance checklist from the Department of Health licensing tool, and the Emergency Preparedness Information Questionnaire (EPIQ) was used. Statistical analysis done were Pearson correlation and logistic regression. Results The findings showed that knowledge (OR = 0.299, 95% CI: 0.128–0.689), training (OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.8–5.6), and experience (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1–3.4) affected the level of disaster preparedness. Furthermore, logistics did not show a significant effect (p > 0.05). Conclusion The strongest predictor of disaster preparedness among the factors is knowledge. Even though logistics is an essential factor, its effectiveness still depends on the proper utilization by trained personnel. Recommendations include continuous training and retention of experienced personnel, which are essential to enhance BFP EMS readiness during disasters.

References:

Abebe A, Kebede Z & Demissie DB. (2023). Practice of pre-hospital emergency care and associated factors in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Facility-based cross-sectional study design. Open Access Emerg Med 15: 277–87.
Beyramijam M, Farrokhi M, Ebadi A, Masoumi G & Khankeh HR. Disaster preparedness in emergency medical service agencies: A systematic review. J Educ Health Prom 10: 249.
Beyramijam M, Farrokhi M, Ebadi A, Masoumi G & Khankeh HR. (2021). Disaster preparedness in emergency medical service agencies: A systematic review. J Educ Health Prom 10: 258.
Catlett C, Jenkins L & Millin MG. (2011). Role of emergency medical services in disaster response: Resource document for the National Association of EMS Physicians position statement. Prehosp Emerg Care 15(3): 420–5. https://doi.org/10.3109/10903127.2011.561401
Ciottone GR, Biddinger PD, Darling RG, Fares S, Keim ME, Molloy MS & Suner S. (Eds.). Ciottone’s Disaster Medicine (2nd ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences 2015.
Committee on Guidance for Establishing Crisis Standards of Care for Use in Disaster Situations. (2012). Crisis Standards of Care: A Systems Framework for Catastrophic Disaster Response. The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/13351
Department of Health. (2014). Action framework for pre-hospital emergency medical services. Department of Health, Philippines.
Department of Health. (2018). Revised rules and regulations governing the licensure of land ambulances and ambulance service providers. Republic of the Philippines.
Garbutt SJ, Peltier JW & Fitzpatrick JJ. (2008). Evaluation of an instrument to measure nurses’ familiarity with emergency preparedness. Milit Med 173(11): 1073–7. https://doi.org/10.7205/MILMED.173.11.1073
Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery. (2017). Philippines: Country risk profile. https://www.gfdrr.org
Haghparast-Bidgoli H, Hasselberg M, Khankeh H, Khorasani-Zavareh D & Johansson E. (2010). Barriers and facilitators to provide effective pre-hospital trauma care for road traffic injury victims in Iran: A grounded theory approach. BMC Emerg Med 10(1): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-227X-10-20
Ho M. (2020). Strengthening EMS systems in the AsiaPacific: A public health approach. WHO Regional Office Reports 14(2), 23–9.
James J, Rifino SE & Mahon P. (2015). Role of emergency medical services in disaster management and preparedness. In GR Ciottone et al. (Eds.): Ciottone’s Disaster Medicine (2nd ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.
Lyng K. (2021). Disaster preparedness among emergency medical service providers: A systematic review protocol. J Educ Health Prom 10: 249.
Mehmood A, Rowther AA, Kobusingye O & Hyder AA. (2018). Assessment of prehospital emergency medical services in low-income settings using a health systems approach. In J Emerg Med 11(1), 53. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-018-0218-0
Padlan JA & Gaerlan MM (2018). Review of pre-hospital emergency care and EMS systems in the Philippines: Challenges and opportunities. Phil J Emerg Med 13(1), 12–18.
Republic Act No. 11589. (n.d.). An act strengthening and modernizing the Bureau of Fire Protection and appropriating funds therefor. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2021/09/10/republic-act-no-11589/
Tourani S, Malmoon Z, Zaboli R, Jafari M & Arabloo J. (2018). Key aspects of disaster preparedness among emergency medical service agencies: A systematic review. J Educ Health Prom 7: 111.
Uhm DC, Jung HY & Kim HJ. (2019). Factors influencing the disaster response competency of emergency medical technicians. J Emerg Nurs 45(3): 245–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2018.10.008
World Economic Forum. (2018). The global risks report 2018. https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-global-risksreport-2018