Prehospital emergency care : official journal of the National Association of EMS Physicians and the National Association of State EMS Directors
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To determine the rate of unnecessary intravenous (IV) access in the emergency setting. ⋯ A significant percentage of IVs initiated in the emergency setting are used inappropriately. IV access without treatment in the field did not improve elapsed time to treatment once patients arrived to the ED. In an era of diminishing health care budgets, further study and strict examination of the cost-benefit ratio ensure maximal utilization of emergent IV access.
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Frequently performing procedures assists in skill maintenance. This study was conducted to characterize frequency and types of basic and advanced prehospital interventions performed on children. ⋯ Advanced EMS procedures were performed on only 19.3% of children. Opportunities to perform critical interventions (e.g., intubation) were rarely present. Children receiving procedures were older and had longer scene and run times.
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To determine the accuracy of acute stroke identification by paramedics in an urban emergency medical services system. ⋯ Paramedics in San Francisco County were correct three-fourths of the time when their documentation listed patients as having stroke/TIA. However, they did not identify 39% of stroke victims, a patient population who may benefit from urgent therapy. A substantial period elapses before stroke victims access 911. This highlights the need to develop an educational program for the community at risk for stroke, and another for paramedics directed toward more accurate identification of acute stroke victims.
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The purpose of a curfew is to decrease the amount of crime inflicted on minors during the late hours of the night. On June 1, 1994, a city curfew was instituted in New Orleans, requiring all persons 17 years of age or younger to be off the streets from 9 PM to 6 AM Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 PM to 6 AM on Friday and Saturday. This study evaluated the effect of the curfew on emergency medical services (EMS) transports for patients who were 17 years old or younger (pediatric). ⋯ The institution of a curfew may lead to a drop in pediatric EMS runs during curfew hours. Another value of the curfew may be in the secondary effects of the curfew in preventing childhood injury during noncurfew hours.