Spoke to GVK EMRI, provider of 108 service in Bangalore (among other cities) following Vasanth's Pizza Delivery Faster Than Ambulance post. Ms Kritika Rao w/ EMRI looked at our discussion, and is keen to meet with Praja to share details of their operations. Here is her response:
Dear Ravi ,
Greetings from GVK EMRI! This is with regard to the discussion we had this morning about the 108 Emergency Response Service. We would like to invite you and your team to know our Organization better. Do let us know when it would be possible for you to come down to our office. Looking forward to meeting you.
Thanks & Regards,
Kritika
Marcom - GVK EMRI 108 Service
Now the ball is on our court. Good opportunity to understand their capabilities, limitations and difficulties. How about a meet-up next Saturday (18/Dec)? Their office is in Basaveshwara Nagar (Magadi Road), and they are available on that day.
List your Qs and comments here. Let us consolidate before we visit. Depending on our participation, I'll make an appointment.
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Comments
Suggestion one from IDS
Equipment Standards
I am ready for this Saturday
I am ready to come for this meeting.
Excellent Ravi, will join
Would be a good chance to meet some other Praja people also. Vasanth, haven't seen you for months now :)
I'm interested
I'm interested to know about how it works. Can i join in?
@ksnandan - You are welcome
Pls join - all are welcome. Will do a head count by Thursday. All those interested, pls leave a note here, so I can get a headcount.
Don't forget to post your
Don't forget to post your comments / questions so we can consolidate before the meeting.
Good chance to meet you all
This is another opportunity for all of to meet. Have to do some research on ambulence services around the world before meeting.
Will try to make it
I'll try & attend too.
Few Points for Discussion.....
www.emri.in/content/view/24/59/
www.emri.in/content/view/28/50/
The points below are what they claim to be doing and must be verified with facts and figures.
The main highlights are
Emergency Management requires the integration of three cardinal pillars: Sense, Reach and Care. Emergency Management requires partnership with multiple institutions to provide quick and quality response. GVK EMRI has therefore integrated with Government and private hospitals for timely response in case of medical emergencies. It will be interesting to know how they make sure that the emergency help will reach in about 18 minutes and how is this validated....??
It would be a good exercise to check if they do maintain the records of the services and if they have any SLA's .....and how do they react when the resources are not available in case of emergencies.
Regards,
Imran.
Meeting Confirmed & Location Info
Meeting is confirmed for 10am this Saturday. Location: GVK-EMRI Office on Magadi Road, opposite to Unani (Govt) Medical College on Magadi Road (Somewhere around this marker - check w/ someone once you reach that intersection).
Here is the address:
GVK Emergency Management and Research Institute
S T D C Housing Board Colony, OPP Govt. Unani Medical College,
GMS Compound, Magadi Road, Bangalore- 560079
Pls be present 10 mins prior to prime up.
Some Qs from above posts and beyond
SLA - x mins to site .. etc
Infrastructure - 108 control room, manpower, connections to other emergency systems
Ambulance vehicle - requirements, compliance
Ambulance Internals - equipment quality & contents
Integration w/ Bangalore Traffic Police, Bangalore City Police
Integration / interface arrangements w/ care centers - trauma, cardio, others
Ambulance Staff - First respondent included?
Governing body - who are they answerable to? Standards to comply
Interface with other ambulance operators (to help during standby / multi dispatch situations)
Cost / who pays / how / when? City / State's share?
Their expectations from callers, and vice versa
Pinch points from their point of view: What does and does not work? Their reasons / assumptions.
Confirmation
Here is EMRI's response.
Post your concerns even if you can't attend. Those visiting will try to get some answers.
Very commendable work by
Very commendable work by EMRI/108. Some additional Qs:
- Do the first responders have rudimentary nurse training?
- Does EMRI have tie-up with the police if needed? Or, what do they do in such cases?
- How is the cost recovered? Related - is the person transported to the nearest hospital?
In some cities in developed countries, people can opt in for a nominal flat rate per month (deducted from one of the utility bills like water bill) so that up to x number of ambulance requests per year are free. Similar to health insurance for the greater good.
Some more questions
- Are they able to locate addresses correctly?
- If a call gets cut in the middle, is there a way for them to recontact the person?
- Are there sufficient Trauma centers in Bangalore properly dispersed to handle Trauma cases?
-Paramedical training for staff?
-Any 3rd party certification possible?
-How do they handle legal matters - is there anything in the law or lack thereof that hinders their effectiveness?
Thanks Ravi - Will try to make
Thanks Ravi. Condition of Grandmother is not OK. Based on the condition, I will attend. I got the location info.
One Gentleman from EMRI had contacted me. They have gone through this thread and wanted us to know how they work. They also have recorded my call and noted down the problems I faced.
My only concern is the lengthy questionaire they ask when somebody is alone with the patient or patient himself calls. This should be avoided, a quick gathering of information and any first aid we can provide at home should be provided. Also want to know if there are any doctors working as well.
Meeting @ 10:30am
Thanks Vasanth. Hope your grandma's health improves. I received a call from EMRI too, requesting your presence in particular.
SB / Naveen / KSNandan / All Others who are attending - Pls try to be there by 10:15. EMRI indicated that they may be delayed by 30 minutes, so expect to start @ 10:30am.
Can't attend
I won't be able to make it - really sorry.
Calls Recorded......
It would also be worth checking if the calls are recorded....??
Also if they have any lmprovements done based on the previous experience.
Regards,
Imran.