The impact of speed humps on out-of-hospital transported patients: the experience of Emergency Medical Services personnel

Purpose Constructing speed humps in urban cities is important for reducing the speed of vehicles. However, studies revealed that speed humps cause discomfort to vehicular occupants and damage vehicles, despite their potential to enhance road safety. There is a lack of scientific research in South Africa on speed humps’ impacts on transported patients from an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provider’s perspective; and this study attempts to bridge that gap. The objective of the study was to explore the experiences of EMS providers on speed humps’ effects on transported patients across Kagisanong township, Bloemfontein. Design/methodology/approach The philosophical worldview adopted in the study was pragmatic, and the research design was a convergent mixed method utilising both questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Data were collected from 80 Basic Ambulance Assistants, Ambulance Emergency Assistants and Emergency Care Technicians, who completed a semi-structured questionnaire involving a series of well-structured questions on their perceptions and opinions of the impact of speed humps on transported patients. The qualitative data was collected through one-on-one interviews with six Paramedics and Emergency Care Practitioners. Data were analysed by use of NVivo and SPSS. Findings In this study, 67 (83.8%) of the 80 respondents consider speed humps to increase pain in patients with fractures. This narrative is echoed by all interviewed participants (100%). Speed humps also leads to the dislodgement of pre-hospital life-saving interventions such as intravenous lines and endotracheal tubes, signified by 62.5% of the participants. Bleeding in a pre-hospital environment can be worsened by driving over speed humps, as stated by a significant (68.8%) number of survey participants. This was confirmed by all six interviewees, with two of them saying a clot can be dislodged by driving over speed humps. Additionally, most of the respondents (97.5%) and interviewees (100%) agree that driving over speed humps increases patient discomfort. Originality/value This study is unique in that it endeavoured to attain in-depth knowledge regarding the impact of speed humps on transported patients. Studies of this nature are scanty, as most studies focus on the impact of speed humps on pedestrians. The knowledge acquired will be utilised to influence change and development of practical solutions to limit the effects of speed humps on patient in pre-hospital and out-of-hospital environment. There is limited knowledge about the perceptions of emergency care workers on speed limitations measures and their effects. Thus, this study will add to the literature.