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To improve morbidity and mortality outcomes in mass casualty victims it is pertinent that a system of prehospital triage be implemented. The objectives of this study are to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices of emergency care transporters and ambulance personnel towards onsite triage, pre-hospital management and transportation to hospital of critically injured and wounded patients in mass casualty incidents and other emergencies in Karachi, Pakistan.All ambulance personnel and emergency care transporters who transported patients to the hospital were included in the study. Pre-tested questionnaire was selfadministered after obtaining written consent.Among 250 emergency care transporters (ambulance personnel), mostly belonged to age group 21-25 years 73 (29.2%). Most of emergency transport provider teams were composed of only 1 person who was the driver of ambulance 22 (80%) and only 44 (17.6%) had the facility of paramedics. Regarding lifesaving equipment facilities in ambulance, 188 (75.2%) ambulances did not have these and only 62 (24.8%) were equipped. Predominantly, the ambulance personnel performed the 'scoop and run' practice and the ambulance works as a transport vehicle 188(75.2%), while facilities of basic life support were available in only 45 (18%) and advance life support facility in 17 (6.8%). Among all 203 (81.2%) did not think they are able to decide who is severely injured and 183(73.2%) believe they are unable to do triage in mass causalities.Our study showed significant gaps in the knowledge of the emergency care providers regarding triage of patients especially in mass casualty incidents. Though the response time and time to the hospital center is comparable, no prehospital lifesaving interventions are attempted en-route. A coordinated effort by the ambulance services, hospitals and the government are detrimental for a swift functioning of a trauma system.

Objective Low- and middle-income countries account for over 90% of all road traffic injury deaths. Despite this, formal training in trauma management is not widely adopted in these countries. No specific training was available in prehospital or emergency department for life support before primary trauma care (PTC) course. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the PTC course in the improvement of knowledge and skills of trauma management among participant in Pakistan. Method Two days of PTC courses were organised and conducted in various regions of Pakistan, participants per course comprising medical students, doctors, house officers, residents, and paramedics. The course comprises lectures of 5 hours and 30 minutes, skills workshops for 3 hours and discussion and multisystem trauma scenarios for 3 hours. Trauma management knowledge and clinical confidence of candidates were assessed using a predetermined multiple-choice questionnaire of 30 MCQs both at pre- and post-course, and using clinical scenarios, confidence matrix was assessed. Results A total 7852 of participants were trained, an average of 2 courses per month and 302 total courses. Mean score of pre-course MCQs was 60% and mean score of post-course MCQs was 82%. Among the participant postgraduate trainees, average in trauma knowledge and trauma clinical confidence were significantly higher in both pre- and post-course. The mean score of pre-course confidence matrix was 70% and the mean score of post-course confidence matrix was 93%; at the end of course, all participants showed a high level of confidence in managing trauma mock scenarios. A total of 5889 (75%) participants had a ≥78.5% post-workshop knowledge score. However, only 1963 (25%) participants had a trauma skill score with ≤75 marks. Conclusion PTC workshop could be an alternative and cost-effective flexible course for gaining knowledge and clinical skills of initial trauma management and strengthening the capacity of trauma management training in developing countries with minimal resources for saving the life of trauma victims.