Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and preparedness of emergency medical services (EMS) in Islamic Republic of Iran to face Ebola. Methods: The present study is cross-sectional and somehow descriptive. We used a standard questionnaire that was designed by “ center for disease control and prevention” . This questionnaire was captioned “ emergency medical services (EMS) checklist for Ebola preparedness” . We collected a lot of data by studying that questionnaire and every manager in every province of Iran were informed about that info in 2016. This data was analyzed by using SSPP software version 16. Results: Findings have showed the average score related to preparation level of EMS in facing Ebola in Iran was 63. 73± 12. 77 percent. There was no significant difference between the country regions regarding the preparedness of to detect (p=0. 975), protect (p=0. 275) and respond (p=0. 344) to ebola outbreaks. The highest score had been achieved by region number 5 and the lowest score belonged to region number 7. Conclusion: Although the acquired average score in this study is higher than standards, considering the increased threat of breaking out biologic threats especially Ebola infection, using and practicing some measures in order to enhance preparation level of emergency medical services counter this infection and similar infectious diseases is inevitable.

Background: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an integral part of prehospital emergency care. Addressing the barriers to successful CPR may help improve the quality of CPR in the future. Objectives: The present study aimed to identify the barriers to successful CPR from the perspective of EMS providers. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from May 2015 to Jan 2016. One hundred sixty EMS providers who were employed at EMS affiliated to Birjand University of medical Sciences (Iran) were selected through simple random sampling. To assess barriers to the success of CPR, data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire (60 questions) categorized in six subscales. Study data were analyzed by SPSS v. 16, descriptive (frequency, mean, and standard deviation), and inferential statistics (t-test and ANOVA). Results: Among the subscales of barriers to successful CPR from the perspective of EMS providers, the EMS structure subscale was the most important (3. 06 0. 38, out of a 0-4 range). In this subscale, public inaccessibility automated external defibrillator (AED) (3. 59 0. 49) and Lack of telephone-CPR advice by the dispatcher (3. 58 0. 55) were the most important barriers, respectively. There was a significant difference between the mean score of barriers to successful CPR and educational status, which increased in EMS providers with BS degree (P = 0. 003). There was no significant difference between the mean score of barriers to successful CPR compared to the other demographic characteristics of EMS providers (P > 0. 05). Conclusions: EMSproviders perceived public inaccessibilityAEDand Lack of telephone-CPR training as the most important barriers to success CPR in prehospital emergency care. Therefore, public access to AEDmust be emphasized to promote immediate response and improve CPR’ s outcome in EMS. Moreover, telephone-CPR training by dispatchers should be recommended to help increase the success of CPR.

Background: emergency departments (EDs) play a crucial role in healthcare systems that are currently inflicted by countless problems. A high level of mismatch between supply and demand in EDs entail crowding and weak performance. Objectives: To compare the senior early assessment model of care in the ED of main referral medical center in southern Iran. Methods: The present study evaluated ED performance measures over a six month period prior to (Sep. 2013-Feb. 2014) and following (Sep. 2014-Feb. 2015) the development of the senior early assessment model of care, through the use of retrospective data. All admission records were collected and calculated via Iranian national ED performance measures and further analyzed ( = 0. 05). Results: Atotal of 48 194 patients were visited over a sixmonthperiod prior to the senior early assessment model of care; in addition, 49, 133 patients were analyzed during a six month period after. The percentage of patients disposed within six hours was different before and after the intervention (79. 48% vs. 88. 05%, P = 0. 025). Although the percentage of discharge with personal responsibility and the mean  SD of duration of triage time were reduced, no statistical significant changes were observed before and after the intervention (P = 0. 127, P = 0. 132). Moreover, the percentage of unsuccessful CPR was increased, however, it was not significant (P = 0. 347). Conclusions: It seems that applying new models of care, such as senior early assessment, can solve ED overcrowding. In the present research, the patients’ disposition within six hours was reduced. On the other hand, no recognizable difference was found as far as reducing unsuccessful CPR, duration of triage time, and discharge with personal responsibility. It is recommended that future studies assess the efficacy of models of care.

Background: The role and function of emergency medical Service (EMS) in people’ s health and the need for continuous evaluation of its function, especially delivering services to the patients, are essential. So, the present study was conducted to determine the time indices of prehospital emergency services in Ardabil City, Iran. Materials and Methods: This study was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Out of all calls recorded in EMS centers of Ardabil in the first 6 months of 2020, 327 calls, which resulted in the patient’ s transfer to a hospital, were randomly selected. Then, the required data, including time indices and demographic information, were extracted from EMS forms filled by a medical emergency technician for each mission. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including mean, standard deviation, and inferential statistics, including 1-way analysis of variance and the Chi-square test in SPSS v. 22. Results: In terms of time indices, the average delay time (1. 01 minutes), the response time (7. 87 minutes), on-scene time (13. 81 minutes), transport time (12. 53 minutes), the total run time (transport time, response time, and on-scene time) (35. 15 minutes), and the round trip time (52. 50) had been recorded. According to the Chi-square test, there was a significant relationship between the total run time (transport time, response time, and on-scene time), transport time, round trip time, and the location of the emergency base. Conclusion: EMS time indices were at the desired level. Updating information systems, ambulances, medical equipment, and holding training courses for personnel working in this system can effectively improve time indicators.

Background: emergency medical services (EMS) staff can play an important role in the survival and prevention of serious injuries to patients if they are in good physical and mental health and focus on doing their jobs with sufficient attention. Therefore, a study was conducted to investigate attention level and its related factors in night shift prehospital emergency personnel.Materials and Methods: This research is a descriptive-analytic study. A total of 114 Tehran prehospital emergency staff participated in this study. Pen and paper Bonnardel test and a questionnaire was used to collect information. The attention of the participants was assessed around 10-11 PM and 4-5 AM. The data were analyzed by using the Spearman correlation coefficient and independent t test.Results: Mean attention level of EMS staff was 0.490±0.237 around 10-11 PM and 0.456±0.252 around 4-5 AM. There was no statistically significant difference between the attention level of prehospital emergency staff around 10-11 PM and 4-5 AM (P˃0.01). Also, there was significant difference between age and the night attention (P<0.01).Conclusion: The mean level of night attention of EMS staff was moderate. Therefore, based on the average number of daily missions in different bases, we recommend increasing the number of ambulances in the base or the number of bases in the crowded emergency areas. It is also necessary to increase welfare and nutritional facilities in prehospital emergency bases so that those who are older and experienced carry out fewer missions.

Background: Pre-hospital emergency is usually the first phase of treatment. The most serious emergency cases before any action in health care unit is to know what services are the cause of satisfaction or dissatisfaction of the patients with the overall emergency care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the satisfaction of recipients of pre-hospital emergency care in Qom City. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study 400 patients who transported to the hospitals by Qom EMS were selected by using simple random sampling. Data were collected by using of satisfaction questionnaire. The data gathered through telephone interviews. Data were collected by using a demographic questionnaire and a Consumer emergency Care Satisfaction Scale (CECSS) and then analyzed by SPSS v. 16 software using descriptive and Chi-square tests. Results: The results showed that the satisfaction rate from emergency ambulances and the efficiency of the emergency staff was moderate, and the satisfaction from technicians, the rate of acting professionally, performance of technicians, and the general opinion of patients were high. Also, the highest level of satisfaction (70%) belonged to technicians and the least satisfaction (26%) belonged to ambulance. Conclusion: Although the satisfaction rate of Qom pre-hospital emergency staff related to the performance of ambulance was low due to some shortcomings and deficiencies; however the overall rate of satisfaction from pre-hospital emergency care in Qom City was at a good and acceptable level.

Background: Poisoning is a common pediatric emergency among children and adolescents in the emergency Department of Zahedan University of medical Sciences hospital.Objectives: The aim of this study was comparing the characteristics and variations of pediatric poisoning between two retrospective studies (1998 and 2008). We hypothesized that the epidemiology of pediatric patients admitted for poisoning is related to variations of environmental agents and drug usage.Patients and Methods: Records of 170 patients from 1998 and 147 from 2008 with acute poisoning were retrospectively evaluated and compared.Results: Poisoning mostly occurred in children younger than five years old via oral route (72.94%-87%) and by single exposure (94.12%-96.6%). It was also noted that 86.8%-90% of cases were accidentally poisoned. Drugs were the most common poisoning agents in both studies (52.94% and 37.41%, respectively) and analgesics-antipyretics were the most common poisoning drugs. Drug poisoning was more common among children under five years old in both the studies. Neurological signs including lethargy and coma were the main presenting signs. About 80%-95% of cases were referred to the hospital within three hours of poisoning and supportive-symptomatic therapy was provided to them, charcoal/naloxone was administered for most of the patients (26.2% in 2008 and 21% in 1998). Mortality rate due to drug poisoning was 3-4 cases in both studies, but, non-drug poisoning mortality rate was higher.Conclusions: Preventable accidental poisoning is a significant cause of morbidity in children in developing countries. The study provided information on evolving trends and the need for increasing awareness about potential toxins as well as appropriate storage of toxins in the house to reduce the occurrence of accidental poisoning.