Abstract
Objective: In the research, it was aimed to determine the knowledge level of ambulance service employees working in disasters about the treatment of crush syndrome in the field.
Materials and Methods: The research is a descriptive study and it was carried out on İzmir 112 Ambulance Service employees. The data were collected with a questionnaire form developed by the researchers. The sample of the research consists of İzmir Provincial Ambulance Service Chief Physician, İzmir 112 Command and Control Center and Emergency Health Services Stations in the central location. A total of 310 112 Ambulance Service employees participated in the research. The data obtained from the Crush Syndrome Knowledge Level Questionnaire were transferred to the SPSS 24.0 program. By analyzing the data, the descriptive features and knowledge levels of the people participating in the research were compared.
Results: A total of 310 people participated in the research. 79.7% of the Ambulance Service employees who participated in the research stated that they had received training on crush syndrome. These trainings include in-service trainings such as trauma advanced life support training, basic module training, UMKE training during high school, university and graduate education, trainings of non-governmental organizations and professional development trainings, as well as information obtained from articles and books. Significant differences were found in the level of knowledge of the Ambulance Service personnel regarding the treatment of crush syndrome in the field, depending on age, occupation, education level, tenure, encountering with crush syndrome in their professional life, thinking that their knowledge is sufficient and receiving education.
Conclusion: All employees in the Emergency Health Services who show the first reflex in disasters and emergencies should be supported with in-service training. Education of health professionals is part of disaster risk management. These trainings should not be just theoretical trainings. In particular, Ambulance Service employees should be able to recognize cases that develop crush syndrome in the field and apply the necessary treatment algorithms. By creating different trauma scenarios, employees should be given the opportunity to apply the knowledge they have learned.