National Ambulance Service Kim-Tan Nguyen GE/NMF May 7, 2009 Objective ► This study sought to identify the impact of the National Ambulance Service on access to critical care and the potential obstacles it faces to improve overall health care. Methods ► Primary data from ambulance records at Apam Catholic Hospital (base station) over a 3 year period were analyzed retrospectively for chief complaints. ► Data from ambulance records from all ten regions in Ghana were also retrospectively reviewed for chief complaints, case response time and overall number of cases. ► Interviews with patients, EMTs, critical care nurses, hospital administrators, medical directors and the National Ambulance Service Director were conducted to evaluate the impact and challenges faced by the ambulance service. National Ambulance Service ►24 stations in all 10 regions of Ghana ►2 control rooms ►243 emergency medical technicians Results Emergency Cases Case response time ► 2005: 1,498 ► 2006: 17 minutes ► 2006: 4,442 ► 2007: 12 minutes ► 2007: 7,995 Total Station Calls Mamponteng KATH Amasaman Accra City Ahwiankwanta Weija Winneba Ejisu Airport Mankessim Konongo Suhum Nkawkaw Kpong Tema Ada Ho Koforidua Hohoe Mamponteng KATH Interhospital Transfer Amasaman Accra City 900 Ejisu 800 Weija Winneba 700 Ahwiankwanta Airport 600 Mankessim 500 Konongo Tema 400 Ada 300 Nkawkaw Suhum 200 Koforidua Kpong 100 Ho 0 Hohoe Road Side Calls 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Ho Ada Weija Tema KATH Ejisu Kpong Suhum Airport Hohoe Winneba Nkawkaw Accra KonongoCity Koforidua Amasaman Mankessim Mamponteng Ahwiankwanta Case Classification by Condition 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 Burns OB Gyn Trauma Fractures Unknown Hemorrhage Cerebrospinal Gastrointestinal CardiovascularGU Complaints General MalaiseSoft Tissue UnconsciousnessInjury General Medical Respiratory Related AlteredPoison/Foreign Mental Status Body Conclusion ►Cases handled have increased ►Decreased case response time ►Funding obstacles will be potentially addressed by the National Insurance Scheme Thank You.