Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

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A number of SIGs exist currently in ECSSA. Each SIG is lead by an ECSSA member who was responsible for establsihing the SIG. A SIG may be established to allow Society members with common interests to communicate, exchange ideas and develop programmes to further the advancement, support and awareness of their common interest. SIGs may also be requested by the Board of Directors or a Committee to contribute towards the creation of documents, white papers, guidelines, position statements or other outputs related to their area of interest.

Quality and Informatics SIG

The Quality and Informatics SIG focuses on two interlinked aspects of Emergency Medical Services (EMS): quality improvement and information management. While healthcare quality can be difficult to define, it broadly relates to how effectively a system improves outcomes and aligns with best practices. This SIG will initially focus on two key areas—performance indicators and performance measurement—along with clinical governance in EMS.

Effective quality assessment and improvement efforts rely on strong, reliable information systems. Both operational and clinical data are essential for guiding EMS control, quality assurance, and governance.

The objectives of the Quality and Informatics SIG are:

✅ To contribute to the development of a quality framework for EMS in South Africa and foster cooperation and knowledge-sharing among EMS and other professional organisations.

✅ To lead the process of clinical and operational data standardisation in South African EMS, supporting robust methods of data collection, analysis, and decision-making.

✅ To advocate for reliable performance indicators at a national EMS level.

✅ To promote the standardisation and reliability of clinical and operational data collection and usage across all EMS stakeholders.

✅ To enhance understanding of EMS quality and informatics through articles, publications, and presentations for the broader emergency care community.

For more information, contact SIG leader Chris Stein.

Rescue Matters SIG

The art and science of Rescue is developing and progressing on a daily basis. Different scenarios, where victims need to be rescued, present themselves in the most creative ways imaginable. To be able to conduct a rescue proficiently demands a slick combination of knowledge, psychomotor skills and practical experience. Within the framework of knowledge lies the challenge for individuals to stay current and informed of global best practises which are carefully integrated into the South African context. This SIG will invite individuals with a keen interest in the developing world of rescue to join the group and share their knowledge and expertise, allowing topics to be debated, with the aim of ensuring that the next rescue is conducted in the best possible way.

The objectives of the Rescue Matters SIG are:

✅ To create a platform for debating rescue-related topics and sharing diverse perspectives.
✅ To share and review new rescue equipment and emerging technologies.
✅ To explore teaching methodologies and initiatives related to rescue.
✅ To comment on articles in rescue-focused journals such as TRM, Park Ranger, and out of hospital and Disaster Medicine.
✅ To share web-based rescue resources—videos, podcasts, webcasts, case reviews, and more.
✅ To share valuable “lessons learned” from real-world rescues.
✅ To establish a rescue research agenda and share outcomes from related studies.

For more information, contact SIG leader Nico Louw.

Critical Care and Transport SIG

The Critical Care and Transport Special Interest Group (SIG) provides a national platform for emergency care providers involved in high-acuity and inter-facility patient transfers. As the field continues to evolve, this SIG fosters knowledge sharing, clinical excellence, and patient safety in the context of critical care retrieval and transport.

The objectives of the Critical Care and Transport SIG are:

– Promoting best practices for ICU and high-acuity transfers.
– Sharing experiences and practical insights across the critical care transport community.
– Keeping providers updated on current research, innovations, and protocols.
– Supporting the development of safe transfer guidelines for critically ill patients.
– Whether you’re a frontline provider or involved in system design, this SIG helps ensure critical care transport is safe, evidence-informed, and well-supported.

Emergency Care Research and Development SIG

The Emergency Care Research and Development Special Interest Group (SIG) is dedicated to advancing emergency medical care research in South Africa. This SIG provides structured support for both emerging and experienced researchers, promoting evidence-based practice and innovation within the emergency care profession.

Core focus areas include:

Research Support – Mentorship, topic development, statistical consultation, and academic writing assistance.

Research Promotion – Creating interest and visibility for emergency care research across all levels of practice.

Capacity Building – Strengthening the research skills of future leaders in emergency care.

Research Development – Shaping a national emergency care research agenda.

The SIG also manages the ECSSA publications division, including the Sanguine clinical research section, and promotes the translation of research into clinical and policy improvements.