Study on advanced life support devices in the ambulances for emergency cases in Klang Valley, Malaysia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In an effort to improve pre-hospital care, the authors assessed the availability and utility of ambulance devices. The study aimed to identify commonly used devices for managing emergency cases in Klang Valley of Malaysia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study comprising of 1075 emergency ambulances running on 30 days. The study analyzed the availability and utilization of life support equipment in nine ambulance providers of Klang Valley in Malaysia. The devices were classified into: (a) airway and ventilation, (b) immobilization and haemorrhage control and (c) communication. The percentage of device utilization was analysed using computerised software. RESULTS: Results showed only one ambulance service had complete equipment in accordance to international standards. In term of utilisation of life support equipment, oxygen delivery devices were used in 493 (45.86%) runs. The most used devices in immobilisation and haemorrhage control were:- (a) scoop stretcher in 321 (29.86%) runs, (b) wound dressings in 250 (23.26%) runs and (c) rigid spinal board in 206 (19.16%) runs. Two-way radios were used in 745 (69.30%) runs while mobile phones were used in 429 (39.91%) runs. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, ambulances in Klang Valley had a large variation in the availability of life support devices. This emphasizes a need for standardization of equipment.