Deployment of Emergency Care Practitioners by UK Ambulance Services - Term Paper Example

Deployment of Emergency Care Practitioners by UK Ambulance Services In UK many programmes are being framed for the improvement of ambulance services. One among them is the programme called East midlands ambulance service nurse triage programme. This programme was formulated to provide 24/7 cover and to enable emergency services people to be deployed in urgent as well as non urgent situations. Moreover this programme also aims to develop technical links with other out of hour services and to improve the quality of patient care services. The main objectives of this programme were to improve the scope of the service provided to patients. The emergency health care practitioners were to be given specific target to emergency 999 calls so that they can provide appropriate care in the community. To make sure that all the health care workers adapt to this plan in a positive manner, an advisory team comprising of nurses was formulated. This team participated in discussions concerning adoption of various processes. This programme was a transformational programme rather than a change programme. Moreover for evaluation purposes, data relating to calls reviewed by nurses was collected and analyzed. Surveys related to patient satisfaction were carried out. These were done by contacting patients through telephone and make them answer a questionnaire. It was looked upon that there is proper accuracy of documentation and that all the call meets the required minimum satisfaction criteria. Peer reflection was also used to identify learning outcomes and improvements required for achieving good standards.   Good news stories as well as case study materials are used for demonstration, identification of areas meant for further development. The increasing role of an emergency care practioner has increased job opportunities also. For deployment of the emergency personnel in urgent situations the nurse advisors role was also introduced. This helps to respond in a more appropriate manner.   Study conducted on this area has revealed that about 600 to 700 ambulance journeys are saved each month by providing the patient with more appropriate outcome with the sustained expansion of the referral pathways.   Analysis of statistics gathered in 2005 showed that almost 74% of the patients seen by the emergency service providers did not require the services of an ambulance. 50% did not require hospital treatment. The East midlands ambulance services team have a wide diversified staff group comprising both male and female workers. The scheme followed by the group has enabled to reflect needs of communities, patients and population that are in need of emergency services. The changes implemented by the department of health, UK govt were strictly and positively adopted by this group successfully. This group remains the first one which made use of the comprehensive use of triage nurses for patient care (Belim. &Hobbs). The reconfiguration of ambulance services was conducted in UK in the year 2006. This included the dissolution of the West county ambulance services NHS trust. A new organisation that included the counties namely, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset was formed. Now this organisation is named the south western ambulance service NHS trust.   This newly formed trust’s main objective is to develop ambulance services locally as well as nationally. The importance of delivering the best possible quality ambulance services to meet the different need of patients was highlighted. Modernisation as well as the taking care attitude towards patients was given prime importance.   More emphasis was given to coordinate the workings of the NHS trust and the local authorities. A joint scrutiny process was introduced so that the performances as well as the issues which are regional as well as local were assessed.   The modernisation drive implemented by the NHS along with the support of the joint health committee aimed to achieve the goals associated with work force having quality and in right number. Moreover it was also looked that their skills as well as diversity were also on the right path.   With regard to this area, long reviews were conducted by the department of health, UK government. Changes that could revolutionise the ambulance service sector were put forward by the department. These changes include faster response time, good telephonic advice, increased home care, better treatment at the scene as well as frequent home visits.   The emergency care practitioners of UK who are registered health care practitioners who receive continuous training to improve their skills for better health care. Their work is patient focused and aims to ensure that the patient receives care at the most appropriate circumstances. These professionals play a very important role in the promotion of well being of patients. They transcend organisational and professional boundaries for giving good care to the sick.   The role and objectives of the emergency health workers benefit the NHS in many ways. Mainly in the area of reducing of waiting time at accident and emergency departments. The health professionals correctly asses the situation of the patient before deciding whether has to be transported in an ambulance to other environments.   The ambulance trusts modernisation programme instituted along with the initiative of the department of health took steps to increase the number of ambulance cars having speedy response and equipped with a single ambulance technician. This approach did cause some kind of confusion among the staffers. However the department asserted that using a single crewed ambulance service more patients can be attended than a double staffed crew. Moreover it was estimated that around one million people who were taken the accidents and emergency departments for treatment, could be treated at the scene or community itself.   It was asserted that a single staffed clinician could treat successfully with a chronic obstructive airways disease without transporting him. The treatment could be given at the spot itself. But where transport is necessary, it could be arranged by the clinician. It was also proved that single staffed ambulance responders can reach the scene in cars, bikes or in bicycles faster through the crowded roads (Guidelines for ambulance service). As per the modernisation programme introduced to improve the ambulance services in UK, the ambulance trust has transferred the call priority system to the national computerised agency. This enables the ambulance technicians to target improved questioning for those who use 999 as well as they will be better equipped to deal emergency calls.   Moreover in situations of emergency, the paramedic emergency car will not be send without dispatching an emergency ambulance simultaneously. With regard to deployment of emergency trained staff, discussions were conducted with the respective trade unions before utilising their services.   The ambulance trust of UK is operating a scheme called the fire co responder scheme. This scheme was found to be good as a result of several trials undertaken particularly in Devon and Somerset. This scheme aims to serve emergency care in situations of fire accidents. For the successful operation of this scheme, regular sharing of data is made between the managers.    The trust is also engaged in training of members of a particular community which would be helpful in developing community responder groups. As per the emergency programme, the number of emergency staffers and ambulance cars has been increased. The patient experience also has been increased by experience leading group of clinic specialists (Pryor. 2006).    Nowadays ambulance services as well as emergency departments face many challenges. One among them is increase in service demand. Traditionally ambulance services have provided only limited service of transportation of patients. An extended programme introduced by the New South Wales ambulance service called Extended care paramedic programme, promotes the idea of right care at the right place and right time. This program was formulated to provide treatment on the spot to referral patients having severe health care problems. For the successful implementation of this programme, twelve paramedics were recruited and trained in their field. The training lasted for nine weeks and was undertaken in collaboration with the local partners. This programme aims to provide increased choices to patients as well as providing an excellent career for paramedics.  It is estimated that the demand for ambulance service is increasing on an average five percentage every year. There are also continued reports form paramedics who state the refusal of patients who contact through 000 numbers, with regard to transportation to an emergency department or emergency care. In normal practice, ambulance services offer the patients very limited options regarding health care access. The choice will be decline or accept service or to be transported to an ED (emergency department) or not. The accessibility of patients to other areas of health care is limited until they arrive at the ED or in any hospital. The analysis of the workload of paramedics has revealed that there are many areas where extended care could be given to the patients without visiting the ED. Good care could be providing along with the cooperation of the local health care authorities. This programme called the extended care paramedic programme is equipped with opportunities that could solve the many challenges faced by the authorities and the patients. This programme is being formulated according to international trends. It is true that the expectations of the consumer regarding ambulance services are changing day by day. All ambulance service providers face an increased diversity of calls for assistance in an emergency. This programme has increased the choices available to patients regarding health care with quality. Emerging evidences from UK have pointed out to the fact that the current challenges faced by the health care authorities can be overcome through help provided by providers of ambulance services. Appropriate ambulance services could decrease the rate of visits by patients to ED’s and hospitals drastically. The care period can be cut shorter. And the satisfaction of the patients could be increased. As per the evidences collected in this regard, an extended care paramedic program was established. A project team with a project manager and project director was established. This program was based on the UK’s emergency care practitioners program but was modified according to the local needs.  Programmes were charted along with the cooperation of clinical staff, local universities, local management groups etc. the program information were given the ambulance staff and the program was monitored through good clinical governance processes. If this programme is implemented widely, it could decrease the pressure on ED, it can free ambulance services and increase the operational performance of the system. Moreover the treatment time of the patients can also be reduced drastically. Patient satisfaction and safe care to patients can be achieved through this programme (Extended Care Paramedic Program). The paramedic profession gained importance since 2003. This was because of the introduction of statutory registration as well as graduate entry. The paramedics of the future, to remain competent should have the necessary skills, training, as well as professional capacity. The training given to paramedic should embrace or adopt the complexities associated with autonomous practice. It is argued that in the short term, paramedics education should be given to the paramedic to identify and manage commonly occurring conditions on a wider term., as well as minor illness, trauma etc. and in the longer aspect a paramedic should learn to take ownership the basic philosophies associated with their practice in terms of a good foundation supported by valid researches (Ball .2004) Another important aspect in the area of ambulance services in UK is the implementation of the Taking health care to the patient programme. (THTP) This programme was an important milestone in the history of ambulance services of UK. This plan set new guidelines for both emergency care workers and support workers. This was regarded as the future of all ambulance services in UK. The formation of new pattern of ambulance services, particularly in England have led to the formation of national working groups who take steps to put forward the work streams for the THTP programme. A chief executive as well as HR director group was established. More over a highly innovative and sophisticated national ambulance partnership forum was also established in this area. These establishments provided opportunity to works as well as achievements (NHS Ambulance services. 2007). Reference: Belim.A&Hobbs.V.S. East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust. (online). Available: http://www.tin.nhs.uk/index.asp?pgid=6999&mtype=print Ball .L.2004. Prehospital care. (online). Available:http://emj.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/22/12/896 Extended Care Paramedic Program. (online). Available: http://www.archi.net.au/e-library/clinical/ecp  Guidelines for ambulance service. (online). Availablehttp://www.modern.nhs.uk/testing/23868/Operation_Management_Guidelines_for_Ambulance_Services.pdf NHS Ambulance services. 2007. (online). Available:http://www.unison.org.uk/file/ECA%20RESOURCE%20PACK%203340.pdf Pryor.S. 2006. SOUTH WESTERN AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS TRUST. (online). Available:http://www.somerset.gov.uk/council/Board%2025%5C2006%20September%2021%20Item%206%20SWAST%20Update%20Report.htm Read More