Abstract

A STUDY ON THE ROLE OF ‘INTRAVENOUS ACCESS’ IN 108 AMBULANCE SERVICES AT GVK EMRI, INDIA

Rani Janumpally*, Aruna Gimkala and Ramana Rao G. V.

Abstract

Introduction: Emergency care providers are responsible for the management and transportation of critically ill or injured patients. Vascular access is often needed in emergency care for patients with haemodynamically unstable condition who often require immediate interventions such as Intravenous (IV) cannulation for various medications and/or, in need of IV fluids or both. Objectives: To describe the IV cannulation training processes /protocols in ambulance based pre hospital care. To study on the role of IV cannulation in trauma cases reported to 108 GVK EMRI, India. Methods: This study was conducted in the pre hospital setting in GVK EMRI, India. A descriptive research design was adopted to explain the training and pre hospital care processes of IV cannulation. A retrospective study methodology was used to share the trauma study findings related to IV cannulation and IV fluids. Results: In total, 2643 number of trauma patients were enrolled during the study period in 2016 in 6 operating states of 108 GVK EMRI. State wise distribution of trauma sample 20% Assam, 18% Gujarat, 20% Himachal Pradesh, 25% Karnataka, 8% Meghalaya and 9% Telangana. Out of 2643 cases, IV was placed in 735; among these IV Fluids given in 542 patients. Conclusion: Based on this study, setting up IV access is a commonly followed procedure in the pre hospital setting. One out of every fourth victim was cannulated by Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) of GVK EMRI.

Keywords: Intravenous (IV) Cannulation, Trauma Emergencies, Training Process, Protocols, Pre hospital setting.