ASSESSING SAFETY MECHANISMS IN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF AMBULANCE OPERATIONS IN KARACHI

Abstract

Healthcare workers, particularly ambulance personnel, have become a global concern in areas of safety where many of the workers experience physical, verbal, and psychological violence in high stress environments. Ambulance services in Pakistan were operated at decentralised levels exposing the workers to various risks during emergency response operations. The aim of this research is to examine the safety protocols, communication practices, and risk assessment procedures of three major ambulance service providers in Karachi, Aman Foundation, Edhi Foundation and Jafferia Disaster Cell (JDC). The goal is to fill in safety measure gaps and proposing ways to improve ambulance workers’ security. The research design used was qualitative where the researcher utilized 56 participants pulled from these organizations, who were ambulance drivers, medical technicians, and managers. The FGDs and IDIs data were detailed using thematic content analysis. The study of the findings shows, for example, that although Aman Foundation has adopted some advanced safety measures and communication protocols, Edhi and JDC have to work with limited resources and are at risk for their workers. Physical violence, verbal abuse, and road accidents are reported as key hazards on by Edhi and JDC, whose major concern is the lack of safety gear and training. The findings reinforce the need for standardised safety protocols, better equipment and better training. This also recommends the introduction of bulletproof ambulances, presence of dedicated road tracks, as well as greater collaboration with government agencies. The findings help achieve ambulance worker safety, which is consistent with worldwide efforts such as the Health Care in Danger project run by the International Red Cross.