Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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This study sought to identify factors that are associated with successful organ retrieval among patients referred to organ procurement services for potential organ donation. Particular attention was paid to the frequency, patient characteristics, and outcomes of patients referred for donation from the emergency department (ED). ⋯ Referral of potential organ donors from the ED is associated with an increased likelihood of successful organ retrieval. The authors conclude that further attention and resources should be directed toward the role of emergency medicine (EM) in the organ procurement process, owing to the relatively high likelihood of successful organ retrieval among patients referred from the ED.
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Factors that affect success on the national paramedic certification examination have been identified. However, there are no known studies that have examined success on the paramedic exam with respect to either Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) examination score or length of EMT-B certification (which may reflect field experience gained prior to enrolling in paramedic training). The objectives of this study included assessing the relationship of EMT-B examination score and length of EMT-B certification to success on the national paramedic certification examination. ⋯ Both EMT-B examination score and ength of EMT-B certification are associated with success on first attempt at the cognitive portion of the national paramedic certification exam. Educators may wish to consider these two factors when determining paramedic program admission standards and/or consider these variables when determining how to allocate program resources.