20 percent of critically-ill patients in Thailand die in ambulances while being rushed to hospitals

[webfact]

20 percent of critically-ill patients die in ambulances

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Traffic congestion and unintentional blocking of ambulances by motorists were blamed for 20 percent of the deaths of critically ill patients while being rushed to hospitals by ambulances, said Dr Anucha Sethsathien, secretary-general of the National Institute for Emergency Medicines, on Monday.

 

Dr Anucha’s remark was in response to an incident widely shared in the social media in which an ambulance on the way to a hospital was blocked by a pickup truck whose driver also reprimanded the ambulance driver.

 

He admitted that, in many cases, the transport of critically-ill patients to hospitals was delayed by traffic congestion or by motorists who unintentionally or unknowingly blocked the ambulances, resulting in the deaths of 20 percent of the patients.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/20-percent-critically-ill-patients-die-ambulances/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2017-01-16

[hanuman2543]

Me, me and me

[daveAustin]

A lot of truth in that; the me thing, which is wholly un-Buddhist. See it all the time, not giving way to ambulances. Unfortunately, it's the type of thing that would take generations to change. Big fines and vehicle impoundings are the only way to go... as long as they're not Mercedes. 

[Enoon]

 

Seems that I was mistaken. 

 

I thought that they sat there immobilised by obliviousness, indecision, selfishness or stupidity.

 

While the patient in the ambulance died, and the voices in the heads of those of us that have witnessed it screamed "MOVE you stupid ****!!"

 

 

[overherebc]

One possible solution if used properly.

[kotsak]

Just have a look at the way they drive on expressways and how they use the shoulder lanes, no futher comment needed.

[thedemon]

I followed an ambulance with lights and siren blaring last week on the expressway for about 30km.

 

I was wondering why they drove a critically ill patient past at least half a dozen hospitals.

 

But of course, I always get as far out of their way as possible, despite some scepticism.

[Briggsy]

An ambulance in a developed country is equipped to the max. The paramedics are very well trained.

 

A Thai ambulance typically has nothing but a stretcher although recently defibrillators have become the toy du jour which the ambulance staff love to use even when completely unnecessary. Effectively it is a taxi to the hospital.

 

Some comparable statistics, independently verified, would be enlightening.

[sweatalot]

" unintentional blocking of ambulances by motorists "

 

unintenional? I doubt this

[overherebc]

10 minutes ago, thedemon said:

I followed an ambulance with lights and siren blaring last week on the expressway for about 30km.

 

I was wondering why they drove a critically ill patient past at least half a dozen hospitals.

 

But of course, I always get as far out of their way as possible, despite some scepticism.

 

Possibly heading for a patient pick up or if one inside to a hospital with specialist equipment for the patient.

[clifric]

in response to The Demon = this is normal in Thailand that the EMS crews rush to pick up and then transport to their sponsored hospital never mind the ones they pass on the way. Exacerbated by the selfish behaviour of Thai drivers who will not give way to emergency vehicles if it means giving up a space in the road. Callous, uncaring and not Buddhist but TIT and it's not our country - put up or shut up I guess

 

[thedemon]

17 minutes ago, overherebc said:

 

Possibly heading for a patient pick up or if one inside to a hospital with specialist equipment for the patient.

 

Yeah probably something like that. But a patient transfer isn't likely to be a critical emergency.

 

And because other road users regularly see that kind of behaviour by ambulances and other emergency vehicles there is a certain amount of "the boy who cried wolf" syndrome. 

[overherebc]

2 minutes ago, thedemon said:

 

Yeah probably something like that. But a patient transfer isn't likely to be a critical emergency.

 

And because other road users regularly see that kind of behaviour by ambulances and other emergency vehicles there is a certain amount of "the boy who cried wolf" syndrome. 

 

That's true. Probably like many here I have moved as much as I can to let any ambulance through and been amazed to see a car or pick up take the space. The only thought I have at the time is I would like to think it's a relative of theirs in the ambulance. Not a nice thought but!!!

[nottocus]

Bit hard to move when in gridlock.

[Get Real]

No matter if have a law or not have a law that tells people so move aside for an ambulance. Here are people so ignorant and have so poor driving skills so it´s really unbelievable.
Nothing will change that, more than a total turn in the way of thinking and showing respect to people and human life. Something that´s really lacking here. Just to look at how much changed

in the way of thinking and living in the last 20 years in Thailand. Got the picture already. No need for more. Totally hopeless! Just simple luck that the number is as low as 20 percent. Thought it was much higher.

[tingtong]

while traffic congestions sure have a big part in it...

there is plenty horror stories about those critically ill get some help to heaven by the very ones should care for them in the ambulance,  valuables missing.

[khunpa]

Here in Chiang Mai, we have traffic lights actually creating the traffic jams. You get red light for like e.g. 4-5 minutes and then green light for 15 seconds, if you are lucky.

 

Every time I sit and wait at the red light, I wonder if there might also be some high-end police boss who is also sitting there in his car and maybe thinking... "I could make this smarter and will send a person out to fix this..." (would require a minimum of brain-activity and effort)

 

But so far I guess no Police Boss seem to have figured it out yet. So we all just sit there happily waiting, while the traffic jam builds up... I guess the waiting is overwhelmed by the great feeling of pure joy and excitement, when being 1 of the 3 cars allowed to cross the road, when the green light finally turns on.

 

Not sure if this could save lives.. Might need a large committee set up and some expert statements to figure that out.

 

 

[hanuman2543]

2 hours ago, thedemon said:

 

 

I was wondering why they drove a critically ill patient past at least half a dozen hospitals.

 

Because they bring the patients to the hospital which pays the biggest commission. 2 years ago I had a motorbike accident in CM. Instead of bringing me to a government hospital 200m down the road, they first drove me home to pick up my insurance details and then to a private hospital. The hospital charged for cleaning the wounds, some plaster, pain killers, bandages and a 30 second visit from one of their doctors in the ER 4500 Baht. The ambulance drivers only left after they were paid for the "delivery" of me.

[fruitman]

2 hours ago, Enoon said:

 

Seems that I was mistaken. 

 

I thought that they sat there immobilised by obliviousness, indecision, selfishness or stupidity.

 

While the patient in the ambulance died, and the voices in the heads of those of us that have witnessed it screamed "MOVE you stupid ****!!"

 

 

 

Those voices were not in your head only, BKK ambulances really have a speakersystem so they can yell to other drivers by them.

 

I see it often, it doesn't help much though. They have no idea what to do when they hear an ambulance coming, not strange if you only get 5 hours of drivinglessons to get a license.

[Artisi]

2 hours ago, overherebc said:

 

Possibly heading for a patient pick up or if one inside to a hospital with specialist equipment for the patient.

Or the one offering the highest kickback 

[the guest]

It's a coffin on wheels, until you arrive at the right destination point, ALIVE !

[bangrak]

Seen it so many times, last time yesterday (no traffic jam though): ambulances being blocked by cars, pick-ups, (concrete) trucks, once even a huge Tesco semi. Not going to the side, nearly never, even accelerating to plug the space the ambulance could have worked itself in, oooh, it makes me sooo mad to see it, repeated time after time! When I hear/see an ambulance coming in my back, I go to the side a.s.a.p., period, ...but I'm not Thai. And whether male or female, young or old doesn't change a thing: most will block, or 'race' against, the ambulance... Oh, and I go to the side too when I see an ambulance coming in the opposite direction, was it only to allow it to 'pass through' in the middle of the road, that no Thai ever seemed to understand, the only few I saw doing that were... some maligned Farangs! And, cherry on the cake, when I am slowing down, or already standing still, it's seldom I see a Thai doing the same, mostly the morons(!) will hurry just to get in front of me, ...and block the ambulance. Deep sigh! Is that part of 'Thainess' too? Despicable, and criminal, it is by all means!

[lungbing]

And those poor devils who die in the ambulance, ie were not killed at the scene, don't count in the figures of those killed in accidents.  So the New Year / Songkran figures are higher than you are told.

[jaltsc]

“…delayed by traffic congestion or by motorists who unintentionally or unknowingly blocked the ambulances, resulting in the deaths of 20 percent of the patients.”

Just another example of traffic laws not being enforced. Hit those who interfere with ambulances with a 50,000 baht fine and make it stick. Soon you will see every vehicle scrambling out of the way.

 

Ha, Ha....Only kidding. TIT. Ain't never gonna happen. No way. Walk, run, drive at your own peril and pray that this isn't your unlucky day. 

[frangkila]

The bad traffic doesn't help. People need to be educated to get out of the way for ambos and the like though.

[webfact]

20 per cent of emergency patient deaths blamed on traffic jam delays
By The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- MORE THAN 20 per cent of patients needing emergency treatment have died on their way to hospital because of delays due to traffic jams and uncooperative motorists, National Institute of Emergency Medicine (NIEM) secretary-general Anucha Setthasathian said.

 

Anucha revealed the startling statistic yesterday after a video clip went viral showing a pickup obstructing an ambulance on an emergency call. The incident reportedly took place in Chiang Mai on Sunday. 

 

Instead of giving way to the ambulance, the clip showed the pickup driver being angry that the ambulance overtook. He then sped up to catch the ambulance and complain. 

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30304268

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-01-17

 

 

[webfact]

RELATED TOPIC:

 

Impatience (and idiot) with a capital "I"

 

Picture: Video Screenshot

 

CHIANG MAI: -- A driver of a pick-up truck has been roundly condemned after he blocked off an ambulance with a dying person in the back.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/964032-impatience-and-idiot-with-a-capital-i/

[toenail]

If Thai drivers were  ever taught the rules of driving & police enforced  the laws &.., society took the attitude of obeying rules of the road.,. I think this country would not have this problem

[arrowsdawdle]

There appears to be competition [baht] between the Toyota pickup rescue teams, who seem to be highly territorial with a gang mentality, and hospital ambulances. Ask somebody local that is well-connected and you are likely to learn that the pickup cowboys have been known to harvest body parts enroute to emergency rooms. So long as this kind of corruption is allowed to persist, what is the likelihood of improvement in legitimate ambulance practices?

[jlwilliamsjr18]

This is pure bull#hit.  Lived in LA, Calif.... set up some laws and enforce them.