Regulation of Emergency Services

Abstract

IHE transportation and care given an accident victim until he reaches a proper,medical facility are frequently crucial to his survival. Nevertheless, the emergency services in most communities are noticeably unsupervised and unregulated, and, all too often, accident victims arrive at the hospital with injuries and conditions inadequately cared for or even obviously aggravated by improper handling. In contrast, a mass of accreditation, examination, and licensing procedures protect accident victims once they are at the hospital. The lack of regulation in emergency transportation services is of specific concern to the practicing physician, the health department, and the citizens themselves. The practicing physician is most directly concerned because only he has the knowledge necessary to give proper direction and training to emergency service personnel. The health department has a direct concern because, where regulations do exist, the health department is the agency most frequently designate.d to inspect for compliance with regulations governing the type and equipment of emergency vehicles and the training of emergency personnel. The citizens themselves are obviously the most vitally affected because they, including you and me, are the victims of accidents and other emergencies.