To Assess the Awareness, Beliefs and Practice Patterns Regarding Oxygen Therapy in Prehospital Management of Respiratory Emergencies amongst EMS Professionals in Pune, India

Abstract

Background: Respiratory emergencies is one of the life threatening conditions that quickly develop into
respiratory failure landing into cardiac arrest hence EMS professional should posses updated knowledge
regarding oxygen therapy and same should reflect in their beliefs and practice patterns.
Aim: To assess the Awareness, Beliefs and Practice patterns regarding Oxygen therapy in prehospital
management of respiratory emergencies amongst EMS professionals in Pune, India
Methodology: The study was conducted among 100 EMS professionals at Symbiosis Center for health
Skills, Pune, India. A pretested and validated questionnaire developed by Aloushan et al3 was circulated
among EMS professionals. The original 25 items questionnaire was utilized for the study, 9 items pertaining
to awareness, 7 items pertaining to belief and 9 items pertaining to practice patterns. EMS professionals
were given 1 day time limit to submit the completed questionnaire. The data collected was tabulated and
statistically analyzed using SPSS version 23.0.
Result: The mean awareness score of the participants in the study was found to be 4.67 and S.D is 1.63
whereas the mean Practice pattern score of the participants in the study was found to be 3.44 and S.D is 1.44.
Majority of respondents agreed that oxygen should be given under medical supervision and that humidified
oxygen prevented dryness of upper respiratory tract. Greater emphasis needs to be laid on practical sessions
demonstrating oxygen therapy in the EMS programs.
Conclusion: It is essential that EMS professionals undergo regular skill upgradation courses and are
evaluated at the end of each course. This shall ensure appropriate utilization of the oxygen therapy and
minimization of medical errors thereby saving more lives.