Review on the importance of an emergency kit for physicians in out-of-hospital emergencies

Eur J Emerg Med. 2006 Dec;13(6):380-2. doi: 10.1097/01.mej.0000224436.89740.67.

Abstract

The importance of an emergency kit for private use by emergency physicians was evaluated. Self-reporting questionnaires were used to assess the satisfaction of emergency physicians who were given a specially adjusted emergency kit for 3 years. Of 73 emergency physicians, 52.1% used the kit at least once during a 3-year interval. Physicians who already used the emergency kit responded more frequently to the importance of having private emergency equipment than those who did not. The kit's low weight and assortment of equipment including ventilation equipment were given higher ratings by users. The majority of physicians regarded a maintenance interval of 6-12 months as sufficient for the emergency equipment. In conclusion, the private emergency kit was used by more than half of the study participants at least once during a 3-year study period. Emergency physicians who used the emergency kit gave it higher ratings than did non-users.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Austria
  • Emergencies
  • Emergency Medical Services* / methods
  • Emergency Medicine / instrumentation*
  • Equipment Design
  • Humans
  • Maintenance
  • Medical Staff, Hospital / psychology*
  • Medicine Chests / standards*
  • Private Sector
  • Surveys and Questionnaires