This article was produced in the year 1966 by the National Academy of sciences. During the 1960s, the condition of emergency care was deplorable. Compared to the current state of emergency medical services (EMS), an individual would marvel at how the system has transformed over time (Cowley, 2013). This paper provides a brief summary of the historical perspective of emergency medical service, its effects, and changes in Maryland.
According to the article, there were more than 52, 000, 000 accidental injuries in the mid-1960s. Of these figures, 107, 000 individuals succumbed to the injuries. More than 10, 000, 000 individuals were maimed, and 400, 000 individuals were impaired for the rest of their lives. Equally, it was estimated that more than $117 billion were spent on the treatment of these injuries. In the same year, the ratio of fatalities to crashed vehicles was estimated to be 25:100, 000 (Cowley, 2013). Even though the current US population has significantly increased, the ratio of fatalities to the crashed vehicles in the year 2006 was reported to be approximately 14:100,000. This implies that the accident rate has fallen. The article asserts that during the year 1965 the public was not aware of these figures. As such, the author of the article notes that during the time most people were ignorant of the fundamental first aid training. Through the article, the author presented several recommendations that were to be adopted and implemented by the government and the relevant stakeholders (Cowley, 2013). These recommendations were focused on preventing the rate of accidents that were on the rise. In the report, a council was to be formed to oversee the implementation of these recommendations. Similarly, in the recommendations, the public was to be educated on how to prevent these accidents.
It is apparent that ever since the implementation of the measures presented in the paper, emergency medical services in Maryland have changed for the better (Durch & Lohr, 2003). As noted above, the ratio of fatalities to the vehicles crashed has decreased even though an increase in the population was recorded. This success is attributed to the EMS White Paper. In the paper’s recommendation, the government and the relevant stakeholders were required to educate the public on how to prevent these accidents. Through these education programs, the public was educated on essential first aid training. This in a way has enhanced the emergency medical services in Maryland leading to a reduction in the number of fatalities.
Through the implementation of the recommendations suggested in the article, standard ambulance designs were adopted and the local governments were required to provide emergency ambulance services to their population (Cooper, 2004). In addition, more medical personnel with advanced skills were recruited to accompany these ambulances. Through the above improvements, emergency medical services in Maryland were enhanced.
According to Maryland’s emergency medical service mission, the provision of communication is one of their main objectives (Cooper, 2004). The article asserts that during the year 1965 the state of communication was very poor. From the time the EMS White paper was published, communication has been a priority. Currently, fundamental facilities have been developed to aid in the screening and routing of calls to emergency centers. It is apparent that the services mentioned above have improved emergency medical services in Maryland.
References
Cooper, G. F. (2004). State of Maryland, a reassessment of emergency medical services. Washington, DC.: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Cowley, A. (2013). EMS White Paper. Web.
Durch, J., & Lohr, K. N. (2003). Emergency medical services. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.