New version of the rescue chain

At the end of November, the Inter-association for Rescue (IVR) revised the so-called "rescue chain", which systematically shows the care of patients in medical emergency situations. Increasing changes in the rescue system have taken this into account. In the past, for example, organised first aid, which is usually provided by company paramedics and first responders, was not taken into account, as the association writes in a statement. In the revised chart, eight chain links are now assigned to four phases. These include the stages of readiness, pre-hospital, hospital and outcome.

In the preparedness phase, preparation for actual emergency events usually takes place in society. Awareness is aimed at recognising emergencies and providing assistance. This criterion is aimed at the whole population, especially the employer.

In the pre-hospital phase, emergency assistance is no longer the first priority. Here, professional alerting of the emergency call centres comes first. This is due to the fact that ambulance services have long since ceased to function primarily as rescue services, but increasingly also guide and support spontaneous first responders with qualified assistance. This also includes the disposition of bridging measures, for example by first responders or company paramedics.

New symbol: Impact measurement
After the third phase of the hospital - medical care - the phase of impact measurement completes the rescue chain. This last stage of the rescue chain symbolises the continuous efforts to strengthen the individual links in the chain - according to the motto: A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. However, this basic principle cannot be evaluated without an effective data basis, as the IVR further states. The last link should always include all systematic improvement approaches, but also science-oriented development.

According to the Inter Association of Ambulance Services, emergency care should be understood as a "composite task of many stakeholders" and as an integrating, systemic role. It should be possible for all persons and organisations involved in the care of emergency patients to find themselves represented in this chain, says the IVR.

Source: www.ivr-ias.ch