Triage Problem Among the Ambulance Crew (Paramedic) in Japan

Abstract

Introduction:

At various accidents or disaster sites, rescue, first aid, and transport to hospitals has been provided by ambulance crews (paramedics). In the case of mass casualties, they also need to operate triage for injured people.

Aim:

To consider and reveal challenges in triage by ambulance crews (paramedics) on-site.

Methods:

Interviews of seven ambulance crews (paramedics) and their instructors were conducted and their answers were analyzed.

Results:

(1.) Triage black tags: declaring “deceased: not able to survive” might give a heavy mental burden and psychological responsibility. Legal protection and an interstitial rule will be necessary in the future. (2.) Missed triage: the ambulance crew cannot perform a triage that may develop a legal problem. It is always important to prevent ambulance crews from being charged. (3.) Triage education and training: there are few triage trainings at fire departments although the number of emergency medical responses is increasing compared to fire response. It will be necessary to increase time of the triage education and training in near future. (4.) Command system (characteristic rank system in the fire department): There is a problem with the rank system in fire departments since confusion occurs when a commander of the First Aid Station is not a licensed paramedic. The ambulance crew (paramedic) usually consists of the three different ranked people. Individual operations are difficult during operation. Education for the paramedic executive is necessary for the fire organization.

Discussion:

For the triage by ambulance crew (paramedic), legal protection by medical control operation is required, and it may lead to a reduction of heavy mental burden. Triage training is needed to improve the training of triage. The ambulance crew (paramedic) operates under the fire department command system. However, at the time of disaster, the ambulance crew (paramedic) should also work under the medical command system.