Prehospital emergency care : official journal of the National Association of EMS Physicians and the National Association of State EMS Directors
-
To assess system-wide implementation of specific therapies focused on perfusion during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and cerebral recovery after Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC). ⋯ Specific therapies within a system of care (mCPR, HTH), developed to enhance circulation during CPR and cerebral recovery after ROSC, significantly improved survival by 74% with favorable neurologic function following OHCA.
-
To describe the use of prehospital ultrasonography (PHUS) to support interventions, when used by physician and non-physician air medical crew (AMC), in a Canadian helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS). ⋯ The use of PHUS by both physicians and non-physicians was found to support interventions in select trauma and medical patients. Key words: emergency medical services; aircraft; helicopter; air ambulance; ultrasonography; emergency care, prehospital; prehospital emergency care.
-
Tourniquet use by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) can be life saving for severely injured patients. The adoption of this intervention is not well described in civilian settings. This study describes patterns and trends of tourniquet use by civilian EMS and identifies predictors of such use. ⋯ Reported tourniquet use by EMS for injured patients in the U.S. is low. Increasing adoption mainly by urban services was noted. Predictors for tourniquet use in civilian trauma were identified. Establishing the effectiveness of this intervention by comparing patient outcomes is needed. Key words: emergency medical services; prehospital; tourniquet; injury; NEMSIS; hemorrhage.
-
Prehospital care providers are in a unique position to provide initial unadulterated information about the scene where a child is abusively injured or neglected. However, they receive minimal training with respect to detection of Child Abuse and Neglect (CAN) and make few reports of suspected CAN to child protective services. ⋯ Prehospital care providers have a unique vantage point in detecting CAN, but limited resources and knowledge related to this topic. Focused education on recognition of signs of physical abuse; increased training on scene safety; real-time decision support; and increased follow-up related to cases of CAN may improve their detection of CAN.
-
This study aims to determine the number and reasons for emergency paramedic attendances to older adults in Victoria, Australia. A second aim is to investigate the prevalence of psychosocial factors that may contribute to older patients requiring emergency paramedic attendance. ⋯ Paramedics attended almost 600,000 patients 65 years and older during the study period. Patients suffered from conditions including, pain, trauma, infections, cardiac complaints, and respiratory problems. Free text case descriptions provided more detail and insight into the reasons for emergency paramedic attendance. Psychosocial problems were far more prevalent than indicated by the "final assessment" field. Further research is required to determine the reasons and implications of this.