Are emergency medical personnel prepared to act under conditions of Ebola virus disease?

Lukasz SZARPAK; Dariusz TIMLER; Lukasz CZYEWSK; Krzysztof KUROWSKI; Marcin MADZIAÅA; Andrzej KUROWSKI

Volume : V, Issue : I, January - 2015

Are emergency medical personnel prepared to act under conditions of Ebola virus disease?

Lukasz Szarpak, Dariusz Timler, Lukasz Czyewsk, Krzysztof Kurowski, Marcin Madzia A, Andrzej Kurowski

Abstract :

Background.The most important aspect of fighting Ebola virus disease (EVD) is the reinforcing of emergency medical personnels knowledge of diagnosis and rapid reaction to this pathogen. The aim of this study was to evaluate emergency medical personnels knowledge of procedures regarding EVD victims. Methods. An anonymous survey was administrated via the internet in Poland, Spain, Turkey and the USA. 2855 emergency medical personnel who met the inclusion criteria participated in this study. A Wilcoxon descriptive statistics test was used. Results. The total percentage of correct answers was 53.4 pt. vs. 36.6 pt. vs. 52.4 pt. vs. 60.3 points (Poland, Spain, Turkey and USA respectively). Correct answers in all research planes were more common amongst the emergency medical personnel from the USA. Conclusions. We conclude that the knowledge held by emergency medical personnel of EVD is insufficient. Mandatory training to recognize and treat suspected EVD victims should be implemented.