JEMS : a journal of emergency medical services
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Little is known about clinically important events and advanced care treatment that patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) encounter in the prehospital setting. ⋯ Clinically important events and advanced care treatment are common in community STEMI patients undergoing prehospital transport or interfacility transfer to a PCI center. Several patients required CPR or defibrillation. Further research is needed to define the clinical experience of STEMI patients during the out-of-hospital phase and the scope of practice required of EMS providers to safely manage these patients.
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Review
Strugging to breathe. Decision making in the assessment & treatment of acute respiratory distress.
Acute respiratory distress is a common and often serious emergency. Good patient outcomes require rapid and skilled assessment of the airway, breathing and oxygenation. The ability to assess work of breathing and knowing when and how to intervene before a patient with acute respiratory distress tires will enhance your ability to care for this challenging complaint.