The level of knowledge regarding oxygen treatment measured in physicians working in emergency medical service ambulances

Abstract

Objectives: Delivery of oxygen is impaired in many clinical hypoxemic situations, thus oxygen treatment is fundamental for the physicians working in 112 pre-hospital emergency care ambulance system (PHECAS) in the treatment of most critical, respiratory or non-respiratory diseases especially in pediatric patients. It is one of indispensable treatment modality for medical staff working in emergency medical service ambulances who deal with hypoxemic patients. We aimed to measure the level of knowledge regarding oxygen treatment in physicians working in PHECAS in Denizli, Turkey.
Materials and Methods: Physicians working in PHECAS in Denizli, Turkey were asked to fill in the questionnaires.
Results: Thirty nine (92.8%) of 42 physicians staffed in Denizli EMS center agreed to join the study and completed the questionnaire. Physicians who had never taken any post-graduate training regarding oxygen therapy was 82% (n=32). Only 35 (89.5%) physicians start the highest amount of oxygen to respiratory arrest victims. Thirty seven (95.8%) subjects stated that starting oxygen therapy to patients suffering chest pain in cardiac origin is true. Although simple face mask and nasal cannula were recognized by all participants, recognition rate of nonrebreather mask and venturi mask were, 82% and 64.1% consequently.
Conclusion: Although the study carried out in Denizli PHECAS does not show the whole Turkish PHECAS, the level of knowledge regarding oxygen treatment measured in physicians might be regarded as insufficient. Pre- and postgraduate trainings need to be more frequently repeated by PHECAS physicians.