Leading experts on ambulance safety are convening in Phoenix this week to explore ways to mitigate the risks of common injuries and deaths to medics and patients.
The National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) is sponsoring the conference Tuesday and Wednesday at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort.
“In my role as the Medical Director for the Bureau of EMS and Trauma System for the State of Arizona, I clearly understand the critical importance of ambulance safety,” said Ben Bobrow, M.D. “This unique, NAEMSP-sponsored conference taking place in Phoenix will bring together two dozen international expert panelists, in addition to a knowledgeable audience of participants, who will address key issues related to ambulance safety such as details surrounding vehicles, drivers, patient care providers, and most importantly, patients. "
Bobrow says the resulting authoritative paper from this conference will help establish a new safety paradigm and standards for emergency care in ambulances.
The Facts:
• The risk of occupational death is excessively high for emergency rescuers in the back of a moving ambulance, nearly five-fold higher than other U.S. workers.
• A moving ambulance is the greatest risk confronting EMS workers—accounting for 74 percent of EMS fatalities.
• Few safety standards exist for the patient compartment in ambulances in the U.S.
• There are an estimated 40,000 ambulances in the U.S. today; they respond to a half million 911 calls a day.
Leading ambulance safety experts will convene to discuss the inherent dangers medics and patients face in the back of an ambulance and determine strategies to mitigate the associated risks. This major ambulance safety conference is sponsored by the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP), with grants from ZOLL Medical Corporation and Physio-Control. The agenda, including a list of the speakers, is available at www.zoll.com/naemsp/agenda.
Where: Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, 11111 North 7th Street, Phoenix, Highland Center Room 2. (602-866-7500).
