Outrunning Death
Sirens wailing, lights
flashing, ambulances zip through traffic as if nothing else exists in their way.
Mortals admire his ability to turn traffic chaotic and even negotiate through
it. It seems that his heroics alone, in carting the afflicted to hospitals at lighting
speeds, is enough to prevent ‘the end’ and ensure survival of the patient. To us the public, he our saviour can outrun death.
What happens in
the hospital at the emergency room or casualty is something different. Lightning
speeds and driver’s daredevilry notwithstanding, the patient becomes one
amongst many medical emergencies and receives a very informed and calibrated
response, often mistaken by the near and dear ones as heartless apathy and
callous complacency.
Hailing Ambulances
Ambulances are
used to evacuate accident victims or patients in emergency. It is common belief
that, if a patient is ‘somehow’ ferried to the intended hospital fastest, survival
and recovery stand better chances. Thus,
it has become a norm for drivers to fly ambulances over omnipresent potholes, ricocheting
over unmarked humps on a ‘surface’ called road, chock-a-block with unyielding traffic
and unruly people poised to strike at the slightest provocation. Knowing how
emergencies are managed in hospitals, it is time to consider the need for ambulances
needlessly rocketing all over.
Evacuation Woes
The maximum damage
inflicted upon a victim after an accident happens during extrication from the
wreckage. Unfortunately, the first respondents are inevitably people who have
no clue of handling trauma. While many happily film the event, others
shamelessly slip away. The few who dare, in their exuberance to extricate, drag
the victim out holding whichever limb or part thereof they can first reach. In
most cases rescuers, ignorant of the injury already suffered by the victim,
unintentionally aggravate the condition. The victim’s ordeal doesn’t end there.
Whatever damage is left to be inflicted or can be inflicted occurs during the reckless
ride to the hospital.
Other medical
emergencies are no different.
Imagine the state
of a patient being evacuated in a medical emergency involving heart attack or
asphyxia. The speed with which an
ambulance covers crowded and winding roads negotiating heavy traffic worsens
the patient’s condition.
Mistakenly, speed
seems to be the ultimate response.
Speed or Care?
Speed seems
to be necessitated because it is important to provide medical attention without
loss of time. Ambulances without requisite medical expertise on board resort to
speed. If the requisite quality of medical care can be provided on board the
ambulance, speed becomes inconsequential. An ambulance should ideally be moving
the fastest to reach a victim or patient. Having reached the patient, its
movement to hospital must be deliberate and with medical attention on board. Ambulance must have trained doctor or paramedics, adequately
equipped to manage such emergencies. Ambulances
should transform from merely being carriages to mobile intensive care units
capable of providing medical support to stabilise the patient so that required medical interventions can happen immediately on arrival.
Timely
medical support is of essence, not speed.
Role of First
Respondents
Modern automobiles
provide high degree of survivability and protection to occupants if safety instructions,
like fastened seat belts or well secured helmet, are adhered to. With most of
the impact absorbed by inbuilt crumble zones, many occupants escape from
crashes with minor injuries. However, with the scant regard we have for safety
norms, most individuals involved in accidents sustain grievous injuries. In such cases people who arrive first at the site become rescuers.
Unaware of how crash victims should be rescued and prepared for evacuation,
first respondents in their eagerness unwittingly aggravate injuries causing
irrevocable damage to the victims. This can be avoided.
Enablers
NGOs, governmental
bodies and organisations involved in social work must launch awareness programs
to educate people on how to respond to medical emergencies and accidents. Various
audio visual and print mediums of mass communication, including social media
tools and street meetings must be employed to prepare the society to handle emergencies
individually and collectively.
Simultaneously, ambulance services be mandated to upgrade on-board
capabilities. Government must create a medical emergency response grid and all hospitals
must be mandated to be part of the grid.
