C Haracteristics of F Atal a Mbulance C Rashes in the U Nited S Tates : A N 11- Year R Etrospective a Nalysis

Abstract

Most crashes and fatalities occurred during emergency use and at intersections. The greater burden of injury fell upon persons not in the ambulance. Rear compartment occupants were more likely to be injured than those in the front. Crash and injury reduction programs should address improved intersection control, screening to identify high-risk drivers, appropriate restraint use, and design modifications to the rear compartment of the ambulance.

Time saved with high speed driving of ambulances

“…Other studies have also suggested that the benefits of emergency driving are limited because the transportations are considered to be more or less dangerous for fellow road users, ambulance staff and patients (Kahn et al, 2001;Lawrence, 1994;Solomon, 2003). Accident studies show that most ambulance accidents in urban areas are collisions in intersections (Albertsson and Bylund, 2009;Kahn et al, 2001;Petzäll, 2006;Solomon, 2003). The most common ambulance accidents in rural areas are ambulances that run off the road or collide with other vehicles.…”

“…Nilsson (2004) has shown that the number of injury accidents change according to the square of the relative speed change. Traffic accidents also occur during ambulance transportation, both in emergency use and non-emergency use, and several studies reveal that emergency driving at high speed is more risky and cause more accidents than non-emergency driving (Becker et al, 2003;Kahn et al, 2001;Lundälv, 2005;Maguire and Porco, 1997;Petzäll, 2006;Solomon, 2003). Emergency driving at high speed is also a stressful situation for patients and personnel, as well as for the driver.…”

“…The mean time saved is in the order of 1-4 min, including both urban and rural environments (Brown et al, 2000;Ho and Casey, 1998;Ho and Lindquist, 2001;Hunt et al, 1995). The benefits when driving ambulances at high speed using lights and sirens are supposed to be rather limited, as this kind of transportation is dangerous for patients, personnel and fellow road users (Kahn et al, 2001;Lawrence, 1994;Solomon, 2003). Therefore, the use of warning lights and sirens has become a controversial issue (Ho and Casey, 1998).…”

“…Emergency driving at high speed is also a stressful situation for patients and personnel, as well as for the driver. These situations result in unsafe vehicle operation to a greater extent, especially among untrained drivers (Kahn et al, 2001).…”

Back problems among emergency medical services professionals: The LEADS health and wellness follow‐up study

“…Predictors of low back pain in other health professions have been well documented [Smedley et al, 1997[Smedley et al, , 1998Edlich et al, 2005]; however, EMS is unique in that medical care is often provided in varying and often dangerous locations [Kahn et al, 2001;Maguire et al, 2002;Becker et al, 2003;Proudfoot et al, 2003]. These varying work conditions may impact the susceptibility of EMS professionals to injury.…”