Study of pre hospital emergency medical services experience in response to Varzeghan, Heris and Ahar districts earthquake in 2012

Abstract

One of the most important concerns in responding to disasters is the management of their consequences and health outcomes. Considering the key role of pre-hospital emergency in treating and reducing the severity of injuries, this study was conducted with the aim of investigating the experience of pre-hospital emergency response to the earthquake in Varzeghan, Haris and Ahar cities in 2011. Methods: This study was conducted with a qualitative approach and content analysis method. The data was collected using focused group discussion meetings and interviews in the accident and emergency medical management center of the province and cities, and by coding the interviews in three stages by putting together similar concepts, subthemes were formed and after merging them, themes were formed. Findings: 26 people were interviewed, and the extracted codes were divided into 11 main categories, which were 1. Lack of preparation 2. Lack of coordination 3. Management challenges 4. Challenge of corpse management 5. Deficiency in facilities, equipment, and ambulances 6. Lack of access to villages and affected areas 7. Management of volunteers and public aid 8. Lack of learning from the past 9- Challenge of communicating with earthquake-affected areas and between teams 10. Calling and management of rescue forces 11- The consequences of communication problems