Caring for patients at high speed

The aim of this article is to explore whether ambulance clinicians in Sweden perceive their working environment to be safe.

Twenty four ambulance nurses and nine paramedics at five ambulance stations in urban and rural areas of Sweden were interviewed.

After transcripts of the interviews had been analysed, nine issues that affect how participants perceive the safety of patient care in ambulances emerged: planning before departure; use of safety belts; driving at high speeds; patient first, safety second; equipment design and placement; noise; driving styles; presence of relatives; documentation.

Ambulance personnel should have greater involvement in the design of ambulance care spaces and drivers should be given more regular training.