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 measure the accuracy of lead II rhythm strip interpretations performed by advanced life support (ALS) emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in a rural emergency medical services (EMS) system. ⋯ In this EMS system, ECG interpretations are generally accurate, with tachydysrhythmias and AV blocks being the source of most discrepancies.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A new method for rapid fluid bolus infusion into a peripheral vein.
To compare the flow rates achieved by a new short-tubed infusion device with those obtained with a conventional apparatus, using gravity, manual pressure, and pneumatic inflation as the driving forces. ⋯ Flow of crystalloid under pressure into a peripheral vein is markedly increased with the new STP setup as compared with the CON setup. Incorporation of this new setup in prehospital care would allow EMS personnel to infuse fluid more rapidly and conveniently during transport.
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To evaluate the implementation of an out-of-hospital termination of resuscitation policy in an urban EMS setting. ⋯ Field termination of resuscitation is practical in the setting of asystole unresponsive to aggressive resuscitative efforts. The implementation of such an out-of-hospital termination of resuscitation policy is complicated by many problems and is best accomplished by a gradual implementation process. Through this process all members of the EMS community can address practical and ethical issues and grow comfortable with the ongoing evolution of out-of-hospital therapy.
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To assess regulatory trends in EMS medical direction by examining state EMS legislation and regulations, and legal qualifications for medical direction. ⋯ There is tremendous variation in regulatory requirements for physician participation in EMS medical direction activities at the ALS level. Few states have specific training or background requirements for the provision of OLMC, and a requirement for board certification in emergency medicine is the exception, not the rule.