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| Client: |
Ambulance Service of NSW
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| Project: |
Assessment of the exposure of Ambulance Officers
to anaesthetic gases during the administration of inhalation analgesia
to patients in the back of ambulances.
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| Our Involvment: |
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The principle objective of the studies was to assess the exposure
of ambulance offices to the inhalation analgesics: methoxyflurane
and nitrous oxide. Two separate studies were conducted. The assessment
of exposure to methoxyflurane was conducted by field trial only.
The nitrous oxide study was conducted in two stages:
Stage 1 - Simulation Trial: conducted to assess the potential exposure
of the Treating Officer and Driver to nitrous oxide in a series
of predetermined exposure scenarios and to determine the need
to proceed to field trial.
Stage 2 - Field Trial: conducted with ambulance officers treating patients
in the field. The field trial was conducted to assess the exposures
of Ambulance Officers administering a proprietary brand nitrous
oxide gas mixture to patients in the field.
The studies were conducted over a period of
approximately six months and covered the following general elements:
Design of the study - simulation tests (nitrous
oxide only) and field study including: selection of suitable
sampling systems, design of sampling protocols and designs of
data recording systems.
Training of ambulance officers to conduct the field study.
Co-ordination of the field trials.
Preparation of database for processing the data. Statistical
interpretation of the data and report preparation.
Briefing the Ambulance Service management, WorkCover Authority
NSW and the ambulance officers’ union representatives on
the findings of the studies. Presentation at, and participation
in the Ambulance Service Focus Group discussions.
Assessment of air exchange rates in the patient cabins of NSW
ambulances.
Review of the relevant Australian Standards and overseas standards
for ventilation supply rates of the patient cabin in ambulances.
Assistance with design criteria for the retrofitting and upgrading
of ambulance cabin ventilation systems.
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