[Reforms and modernization in the emergency medical care system in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina].

This paper reports on the result of an in-depth review by the Federal Ministry of Helath (MOH)/This review was undertaken by an expert committee appointed to review the delivery of emergency healthcare services in the context of the overall organizational structure of the country's healthcare system. Within their mission to reform health care system in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was worked out by the expert commission for the development of the health care organizational scheme proposal, in part dealing with urgent medical services. The committee's followed the universal and well-documented principle that 1) The timely delivery of particularly pre-hospital emergency healthcare reduces unnecessary loss-of life and disability 2) The timely delivery of emergency healthcare has a positive impact on effectiveness and efficiency of the overall performance of the healthcare systems. A retrospective analysis of pre-hospital emergency services based on a systems analysis, procedures and experiences revealed the need for a system approach such as documented, for instance, by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) "Agenda for the Future" in the U.S.A. A preliminary set of recommendations was made which requires further follow up, particularly through an international dialogue at Conference like these. Of paramount importance is the development of a systems approach to the delivery of Emergency Healthcare, both in the pre-hospital and in-hospital domain. This systems approach should be developed in the context of the overall infrastructure and healthcare system of BiH. When such an organizational concept is accepted as a "doctrine", then it will be possible to establish a truly national system, with--and this is of great importance--a set of minimum quality standards attached.