Ambulances in Bulgaria to Reach Patients in 8-120 minutes, Depending on Urgency

Ambulances in Bulgaria will reach patients in 8-120 minutes, depending on the urgency of the case, according to a draft new emergency medical care standard published on the website of the Health Ministry.

According to the document, patents will be grouped into three categories, "code red", "code yellow", and "code green."
Ambulances will be expected to reach patients in critical condition, or "red code" patients, in 8 minutes.

"Code red" includes people with life-threatening symptoms or conditions, who may die, unless urgent action is taken.

"Code yellow" patients, who are to be reached in 8-20 minutes, include those, whose health condition is unstable or potentially life threatening, according to the document, as cited by the BGNES news agency.

"Code green" patients, including people whose condition is stable and face no risk of complications, may have to wait 20-120 minutes for an ambulance.

According to statistics from 2011, ambulances reached 58% of the patients in up to 20 minutes, 27% of the patients in up to 30 minutes, and 15% of the patients in over 30 minutes.

Deputy Health Minister Vanyo Sharkov suggested recently that ambulances would reach patients in up to 20 minutes in any city, town or village by 2020.

Bulgaria is to receive a total of EUR 85 M in EU aid for new ambulances and equipment.