Strict access control often a problem for emergency services
Netcare 911 has stated security at access-controlled residential estates can be more of a hindrance than a help in an emergency situation.
Shalen Ramduth, Netcare 911 director business development and support services, said emergency medical teams do sometimes experience delays at the gates of residential complexes, gated communities or business parks when security guards insist on being provided with full credentials before they will grant paramedics access.
“While these tight security procedures are understandable and have been put in place to protect residents, time is always of the essence in emergency situations and holdups of this nature can potentially have serious consequences for the patient,” he noted.
“Netcare 911 strongly recommends that homeowners’ associations and body corporates consider and review their access controls to cater for the possibility of such emergency situations.
“Such premises should put a comprehensive set of protocols in place to enable legitimate emergency services providers easy access in the event of a medical emergency.”
Ramduth added that Netcare 911 is one of the best-known emergency medical services providers in the country, so it is therefore extremely rare for their well-branded vehicles and ambulances to be prevented or delayed in accessing secured premises.
“A few years ago, however, I personally experienced this kind of situation,” related a paramedic.
“It was extremely frustrating for us as the emergency team, particularly, as we knew that a resident of an estate had depended
on our urgent assistance for severe chest pain.
“The guards nevertheless insisted that we first prove our identity and tried to contact the homeowner to obtain permission for us to enter. They argued that they were ‘only doing their job’, which of course was the case, but their actions potentially placed a patient at risk.”
Ramduth suggested that once a gated community or complex has established a set of access protocols for emergency services providers, it must take care to effectively relate these protocols to their security company.
“Security staff must be properly trained to know when it is necessary to grant access to an emergency services provider. If guards have concerns about the legitimacy of an ambulance or emergency vehicle, one of them could be asked to accompany the vehicle, rather than delay it at the entrance to an estate,” he said.
“Security staff should always be adequately trained and be provided with a comprehensive list of emergency contact numbers.”
Is there anything the caller or patient themselves can do to enable a quicker paramedic response time?
Ramduth said that, if possible, the caller should contact their security company or gate security personnel in order to facilitate immediate access for an ambulance or other emergency response vehicle.
“With a bit of advance planning by both the individual and the community, potential delays can be avoided and the best possible outcomes achieved for patients in an emergency situation.”
