2 April 2007
In preparation of the upcoming Easter holidays, the Northern Cape Department
of Health's Emergency Medical Services conducted a rescue exercise to address
any shortcomings ahead of the expected increase of traffic on our roads.
Members of the South African Police Services, fire-brigade and traffic were
also invited so as to assess the way the various units work together, to
identify the different roles and to pick up on any problems, so that they can
improve their services as a team.
The aim of the exercise was further to prepare the emergency workers for
bigger accidents, as there are generally more accidents involving a higher
number of patients during this time period, and to have the security that
regardless of what may happen, our emergency staff will be able to handle
it.
The exercise was conducted in Kimberley, on the Roodepan Road at
approximately 14h00 on Monday, 2 April, and the staged accident involved the
use of a combi and 15 patients, whilst the medical response team was made up of
12 Emergency Care Practitioners (ECPs), four ambulances, one rescue vehicle and
one patient transport vehicle.
The majority of the patients were ECPs, so that they could assess the
management of their fake injuries, including dislocation of shoulders, eye
injuries, head injuries, fractures, burns, epileptic patient seizures and
cervical spine injuries, which can cause paralysis if standard treatment is not
implemented.
Patients were further tagged and colour coded to indicate their injury, and
also the extent of their injury of which black meant dead, red meant priority,
yellow meant not too serious but requiring a certain level of care from the
attendees, and green represented a minor injury.
Response times, treatment given, assistance and scene management were
closely monitored.
Enquiries:
Shelley Fielding
Cell: 083 701 7191
Issued by: Department of Health, Northern Cape Provincial Government
2 April 2007
Source: Northern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.northern-cape.gov.za)
