Smart Ambulance Monitoring System Using Iot

A vehicle which is used to transport patients to hospitals is called as ambulance, this ambulance vehicle is equipped with some vital lifesaving equipment's and first aid medicines. With these medicines and equipment's, the patients are given first aid till it reaches the desired hospital. Whenever a patient is in life-threatening emergency, then the ambulance paramedics should act promptly and must update the status of the patient to their doctors. This type of treatment or service is called Emergency Medical Service (EMS). It deals with immediate treatment and timely movement of the patients. For implementing EMS in ambulance several solutions have been developed for faster means of communication between the equipment's used in ambulance and the doctors. But the solutions are not viable in emergency situations. In additions during Covid wave in 2020 there was a scarcity for hospitals beds, it was filled with many covid patients. In many hospitals there was a queue of ambulances with patients waiting outside the hospitals. In some cases, the patients even died before getting any treatment, to overcome such crucial situations we have come out with a new system combining IoT, Sensor system and Embedded Controllers. The system developed here has sensors to monitor patients' vital parameters and transmits to the hospital server, such that a doctor can know the live condition of the patient and he can give instructions to the paramedics to do emergency aids. The system is a compactable and connects to the server with a mobile hotspot. The information is updated every 10 seconds. By implementing this system in ambulances, it saves many valuable lives of the people.

The value of probabilistic forecasting in emergency medical resource planning under uncertainty

PurposeMost epidemic transmission forecasting methods can only provide deterministic outputs. This study aims to show that probabilistic forecasting, in contrast, is suitable for stochastic demand modeling and emergency medical resource planning under uncertainty.Design/methodology/approachTwo probabilistic forecasting methods, i.e. quantile regression convolutional neural network and kernel density estimation, are combined to provide the conditional quantiles and conditional densities of infected populations. The value of probabilistic forecasting in improving decision performances and controlling decision risks is investigated by an empirical study on the emergency medical resource planning for the COVID-19 pandemic.FindingsThe managerial implications obtained from the empirical results include (1) the optimization models using the conditional quantile or the point forecasting result obtain better results than those using the conditional density;(2) for sufficient resources, decision-makers' risk preferences can be incorporated to make tradeoffs between the possible surpluses and shortages of resources in the emergency medical resource planning at different quantile levels;and (3) for scarce resources, the differences in emergency medical resource planning at different quantile levels greatly decrease or disappear because of the existing of forecasting errors and supply quantity constraints.Originality/valueVery few studies concern probabilistic epidemic transmission forecasting methods, and this is the first attempt to incorporate deep learning methods into a two-phase framework for data-driven emergency medical resource planning under uncertainty. Moreover, the findings from the empirical results are valuable to select a suitable forecasting method and design an efficient emergency medical resource plan.

The role of lean in healthcare during COVID-19 pandemic

PurposeThe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare operations has raised questions about the applicability and capacity of the lean approach to respond to critical events. Thus, with a dearth of studies addressing this issue, this study aims to understand the role of lean in healthcare operations under the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on a case study carried out in an emergency department in Brazil during the COVID-19 outbreak, the author presents results from semi-structured interviews and document analysis.FindingsThe results show three prominent themes that respond to this study's purpose: lean applicability during the pandemic, lean challenges during the pandemic and the pandemic impact on the lean processes. Furthermore, the study underscores that lean is not the panacea to operational problems caused by the pandemic in healthcare organisations, but it eases the impact on their operations. Finally, this study contributes to the discipline of operations management and highlights the need to rethink lean applications during disruptive events, focusing on flexibility, adaptability and patients' needs.Research limitations/implicationsThe literature addressing the pandemic impact on healthcare operations is still new and emerging;therefore, it is possible that some of the studies that are under review and could contribute to this study were not considered.Practical implicationsThe study provides a better understanding of the lessons learned from the real-world experiences gained during the pandemic, helping managers to make informed decisions when developing contingency plans to improve healthcare readiness and responsiveness under crisis conditions (e.g. untenable demand and constrained capacity).Originality/valueGiven the contemporary nature of this pandemic, only few emerging studies addressing the impact of the pandemic on lean healthcare operations are available and scholars are calling for more empirical studies. Furthermore, there is an increasing criticism and scepticism about the applicability of lean in healthcare during a pandemic. Thus, this research both provides original contributions by responding to scholars' calls for novel research in this area and further contributes towards filling the void in the literature.

Infection prevention and control practices and related factors among paramedics during the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak in Korea.

This study aimed to investigate the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection prevention and control (IPC) practices and related factors among paramedics. We selected 249 paramedics using convenience sampling from three areas in Korea. Data on the demographics, infection-related characteristics, awareness, and practice of IPC were collected using self-reported questionnaires. The mean IPC practice score was 4.47 ± 0.54. The compliance with IPC practices was relatively high among those with a disease history (B = 0.194, p = 0.045) and who were aware of the safety management standard guidelines. Provision of sufficient protective equipment and infection prevention monitoring were associated with higher IPC practice scores. Education for increasing awareness of the recent IPC guidelines and the allocation of personal protective equipment would be helpful in improving the practice.

Challenges of Emergency Medical Services Response to Arasbaran Twin Earthquakes; a Content Analysis.

Introduction: One of the most important concerns in responding to disasters is providing Basic Life Support (BLS) services. Considering the key role of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in providing BLS, the purpose of this study is to investigate the experience of provincial EMS during their response to the Arasbaran twin earthquakes and its challenges in Iran. Methods: This study was conducted using a qualitative approach and the conventional content analysis method. Data were collected through Focused Group Discussions (FGD) and semi-structured in-depth interviews with purposively-selected EMS paramedics and officials in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. To form the main categories, the interviews were encoded in three stages and the similar codes were placed under the same subcategories and merged. Results: A total of 26 EMS paramedics participated in the study. The codes extracted from the interviews, after three stages of reduction, were placed in the top ten categories, including the lack of preparedness and coordination, dead bodies' management challenges, responders' psychosocial support, deficiencies in supplies and ambulances, difficulty of access to rural areas, volunteer management, non-documentation of the experiences, communication challenges, recalling, and deploying of EMS responders. Conclusion: Timely response of the EMS and paramedics' sense of responsibility for providing services were positive and successful points about the emergency response operations. The weaknesses of EMS should, therefore, be addressed through transferring of experiences and by planning and arranging training courses.

Professional quality of life and resilience in pre-hospital emergency technicians during COVID-19 in Iran: a cross-sectional study.

The professional quality of life of pre-hospital emergency technicians has been adversely affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study was performed to investigate the professional quality of life and resilience and their relationships in pre-hospital emergency technicians of Kermanshah Province, Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional, descriptive correlational study was conducted on 412 pre-hospital emergency technicians in Kermanshah Province in 2020 using the census method. Data collection tools were the Stamm Professional Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Emergency Medical Services Resilience scale. Pre-hospital emergency technicians experienced moderate levels of the professional quality of life dimensions and high/acceptable levels of resilience. There was a significant correlation between resilience and the dimensions of the professional quality of life. The results of the regression test showed that resilience had a significant effect on all three components of the professional quality of life. Therefore, the use of resilience enhancement strategies is recommended to improve the professional quality of life of pre-hospital emergency technicians.

Risk factors for stress in professionals at the North emergency care unit in Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil.

Introduction: Emergency care units provide intermediate complexity care services, are open 24 hours a day, and are frequently required to attend to high levels of demand, especially so during the Covid-19 pandemic. On-duty shift work at emergency care units is highly conducive to causing excessive stress. Objectives: To identify the risk factors for excessive stress among workers at the North emergency care unit, in Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil. Methods: A questionnaire was administered covering basic information and data on lifestyle to the workers at the unit, in addition to the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and a single-item instrument for diagnosis of stress. Results: It was possible to recruit 44 participants. It was observed that 57% of the participants exhibited stress and 31.82% had excessive sleepiness. Having more than one job, drinking alcohol, having attended higher education, and having excessive sleepiness increased the likelihood of exhibiting stress. There was a statistical significant association of very large magnitude between performing housework and exhibiting symptoms of stress (p = 0.028; rɸ = 0.36). Conclusions: The high percentage of workers with stress found among the study participants reveals a need for measures to review their working processes, such as creating space for dialogue between workers and management or implementing shared management, with the objective of minimizing development of work-related disorders, with benefits both for the workers and the Unit.

Introdução: As unidades de pronto atendimento prestam serviços de complexidade intermediária, operando em regime de plantão (24 horas) e atendendo frequentemente a altas demandas, especialmente no período da pandemia por covid-19. Serviços de pronto atendimento em regime de plantão são muito propícios a produzir estresse excessivo em seus trabalhadores. Objetivos: Verificar quais são os fatores de risco para estresse excessivo entre trabalhadores da unidade de pronto atendimento Norte, em Palmas, Tocantins. Métodos: Foi aplicado um questionário acerca de informações básicas e de estilo de vida dos trabalhadores dessa unidade, além da Escala de Sonolência de Epworth e um instrumento de um único item para diagnóstico do estresse. Resultados: Foi possível obter a adesão de 44 participantes. Constatou-se que 57% dos participantes apresentavam estresse, e 31,82% apresentavam sonolência diurna excessiva. Ter duplo vínculo, ser etilista, ser profissional de nível superior e ter sonolência diurna excessiva aumentaram as chances de apresentar estresse. Houve associação estatística significativa e de muito alta magnitude entre realizar tarefas domésticas e apresentar sintomas de estresse (p = 0,028; rɸ = 0,36). Conclusões: O alto percentual de servidores com estresse encontrado entre os participantes suscita medidas de revisão do processo de trabalho, tais como promover espaços de diálogo entre servidores e gestores ou promover gestão compartilhada, no intuito de minimizar o desenvolvimento de transtornos relacionados ao trabalho e beneficiar tanto os servidores quanto o próprio Serviço.

Psychosocial Work Stress and Occupational Stressors in Emergency Medical Services.

Emergency medical service (EMS) professionals often experience work stress, which escalated during COVID-19. High job demand in the EMS profession may lead to progressive decline in physical and mental health. We investigated the prevalence of psychosocial job stress in the three levels of EMS: basic, advanced, and paramedic, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. EMS professionals (n = 36) were recruited from EMS agencies following the Institutional Review Board approval. Participants took surveys on demographics, personal characteristics, chronic diseases, and work schedules. Job stress indicators, namely the effort-reward ratio (ERR) and overcommitment (OC), were evaluated from survey questionnaires using the effort-reward imbalance model. Associations of job stress indicators with age, sex, body mass index, and working conditions were measured by logistic regression. Psychosocial work stress was prevalent with effort reward ratio > 1 in 83% of participants and overcommitment scores > 13 in 89% of participants. Age, body mass index, and work hours showed strong associations with ERR and OC scores. The investigation findings suggested that a psychosocial work environment is prevalent among EMS, as revealed by high ERR, OC, and their correlation with sleep apnea in rotating shift employees. Appropriate interventions may be helpful in reducing psychosocial work stress in EMS professionals.

COVID-19: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Pandemic's Effect on an Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) is a historic pandemic severely impacting health care. This study examines its early effect on a busy academic emergency department. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients from an academic tertiary care Level I trauma, cardiac and stroke center's emergency department seeing an average of 54,000 adults and 21,000 pediatric patients per year. Total visits, reasons for patient visits, demographics, disposition, and length of stay were analyzed from January through July 2020 and compared with the same time period in the previous 2 y. RESULTS: From March through July 2020 there were statistically significant decreases in the total number of patient visits (-47%) especially among pediatric (-73%) and elderly (-43%) patients and those with cardiovascular (-39%), neurological (-63%) complaints, headaches (-60%), back pain (-64%), abdominal pain (-51%), and minor trauma (-71%). There was, however, a significant increase in pulmonary complaints (+54%), as well as admissions (+32%), and length of stay (+40%). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant drop in overall patients and select groups early in the pandemic, while admissions and emergency department length of stay both increased. This has implications for future pandemic planning.