– If you can improve the time for the patient and at the same time get the patient to the hospital faster, or the right level of care, that is great for everyone. That’s what ambulance driver Liam says. Together with their colleague Espen, they now spend far more time on the asphalt instead of the office chair than before. They have been allowed to do that since 19 May. The goal is to be able to be in place faster when it is urgent. – We have already seen in the short time now in the project that it has happened that there is a shorter response time. I would like to think it is decisive, says Liam. Ambulance drivers Espen (left) and Liam patrol around with the ambulance as often as they can. Photo: Eirik Leivestad Hall / news – Proved difficult for many years Drammen is the first place in the country to test out patrolling ambulances. The trial project lasts for three months. After Drammen, Ringerike and Kongsberg will try the same for the same amount of time each. The purpose is to reduce the response time, which has increased – both in cities and rural areas, according to the Directorate of Health. The goal, to be in place within the time in 90 percent of calls, is not achieved by any AMK central. – This is an initial survey to see if we can reduce the response time. It has previously proved difficult for many years to create better services for people, says Thrine Therese Carlsen. 52 seconds She is the leader of the project, Carlsen says that everyone at the ambulance station in Drammen has embraced the project so far. – The cool thing about these patrols is that the employees choose for themselves. They let us know which way they want to patrol, she says. The project has been planned for a long time, but the pandemic put it all on hold. Now Carlsen is happy that they are finally up and running. Thrine Therese Carlsen says the response among the ambulance drivers has been good. Photo: Eirik Leivestad Hall / news At the same time, she sees another positive effect: they get closer to people. The patrolling ambulance in Drammen has also already managed to set a record. – From a patrol receiving a message until they were with the patient, it took 52 seconds. I think it’s the best time we’ve had so far. It could have been a situation where time was of the essence, says Carlsen. Is there for the patients Figures from the Institute of Public Health show that in the last five years the number of emergency assignments has increased by 38 per cent nationally. In emergency situations, every second counts. In some cases, it can mean life and death. By already being packed and ready, the ambulance drivers save important time. – The most important thing is to have the medicines, defibrillators and oxygen checked: the most important things. We have long checklists, but there are some things that are more important than others, says Espen. Ambulance drivers Liam (left) and Espen are excited about how much effect patrolling ambulances have on the response time. Photo: Eirik Leivestad Hall / news He believes that being more spread out instead of gathered at one station has something to do with it. – Ultimately, we are there for the patient. Then we really have to try to reduce that response time, says Espen.
ttn-69
Testing patrolling ambulances for the first time
