Abstract

Introduction: More research is required on care quality and patient safety, especially from the care provider perspective. Aims and objectives: The study describes factors that affect the quality of emergency care as experienced by nurses, paramedics, hospital and ambulance attendants and practical nurses in out-of-hospital emergency medical services. Methods: Data were collected in October 2013 by semi-structured interviews ( n = 15) in Finland and analysed using inductive content analysis. Results: High quality emergency care is patient-centred, equal, professional, individualized and holistic. It encompasses the following areas: prompt emergency care on site; prevention of patient deterioration; individualized holistic care; arranging safe follow-up care; supporting the coping of patients and families and; securing the safety of patients and staff on site and in ambulance. The care quality care is affected by professionals’ theoretical and practical competence and personal qualities, by the availability of equipment, co-operation, contextual factors, personnel policy and by the outcome of consultation with a doctor. Conclusions: Emergency care staff will be expected to provide increasingly extensive, holistic care on site. All stages of the care pathway should be evaluated and comparative international studies conducted to detect development needs. Relevance to clinical practice: Consistent practices and instructions are indicated. Management needs to promote staff coping and motivation by means of education, focusing on the care of older patients and clients affected by multiple diseases, and on psychosocial and social problems of people affected by alcoholism or social exclusion.

Highlights

  • More research is required on care quality and patient safety, especially from the care provider perspective

  • In Fin- states that all risk management and safety planning in health land, the focus is on promoting patient safety, but few studies and social service organizations must start with patients and have so far been conducted on emergency care .[1] with ensuring that they receive safe, high quality care

  • This study accesses experiences of nurses, paramedics, hospital and ambulance attendants and practical nurses working in out-of-hospital emergency medical services

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Summary

INTRODUCTION

Emergency medical services (EMS) and out-of hospital care fined as a combination of out-of hospital services provided are key areas in health services, providing urgent care for under the administration of hospital districts, mainly to asacutely ill or injured patients and transporting them to defini- sess patients’ need for acute care and transfer to hospital. tive care units. Countries, Finnish law requires that health care organizations Their experiences will be valuable when seeking to detect follow evidence-based practices to ensure high quality out- risks and prevent human errors.[24,25] Studying care profescomes.[10] In future, the development of clinical emergency sionals’ experiences of the work environment, equipment services will rely on real-time electronic information about and factors that affect patient safety can help to develop the patient’s medical history.[11] one must bear the quality of emergency care.[26]. Was selected for this study, because little earlier research exists on the quality of emergency medical services in Finland, 2.3 Data analysis especially from the care provider perspective.

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