Roadside to Hospital Project

This pilot study aims to identify and quantify the factors that impact on the timely transfer of trauma patients from the scene of an incident to the emergency department.

Factors that have been associated with transport delays include the degree of isolation from major hospitals, extrication of patients, resourcing of ambulance services, and the change in pre-hospital clinical intervention associated with Ambulance and MICA Paramedics using advanced skills.

This area of research is important because of its impact on how the overall trauma system is structured in terms of the clinical input in the pre-hospital setting. The study seeks to not only document the extent or otherwise of scene-time delays, but also the reasons for any unexplained delays. These answers will contribute to a determination of whether any loss of time at scene is to the ultimate benefit or detriment to the trauma patient.

The findings will be used to develop strategies to reduce delays and improve clinical outcomes for rural trauma patients in collaboration with Rural Ambulance Victoria.

For further information contact:

Mal Boyle at the Centre for Ambulance and Paramedic Studies.