Articles: emergency-medical-services.
-
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) patient care reports (PCRs) are an important component for the transfer of patient care from EMS systems to hospitals and a foundational element of EMS quality improvement (QI). The PCR may serve as the only objective source of information for EMS patient presentation. Surprisingly little data, either objective or anecdotal, exists regarding the reliability of this process. Our objective is to describe the frequency of missing PCRs and the time of their receipt following EMS transport to hospital emergency departments (EDs). ⋯ Many PCRs are missing after EMS transport, with marked variation in submission rates and time to upload by agency and hospital. Many PCRs were infrequently available for use in a timely manner. Further assessment is needed to quantify the degree to which the lack of transfer of documentation of EMS patient care exists across emergency care systems.
-
Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2024
Firearm Injury Risk Prediction Among Children Transported by 9-1-1 Emergency Medical Services: A Machine Learning Analysis.
Among children transported by ambulance across the United States, we used machine learning models to develop a risk prediction tool for firearm injury using basic demographic information and home ZIP code matched to publicly available data sources. ⋯ Among pediatric patients transported by ambulance, basic demographic information and neighborhood measures can identify children and adolescents at elevated risk of firearm injuries, which may guide focused injury prevention resources and interventions.
-
The National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices, in partnership with the National Association of State Emergency Medical Services Officials (NASEMSO), supported five states-Kentucky, Ohio, South Carolina, Vermont, and Wisconsin-in developing and implementing action plans to expand the role of EMS to help prevent overdose events and support individuals with substance use disorders. States undertook initiatives such as pilot programs for EMS-initiated buprenorphine, development of statewide naloxone leave-behind programs, and changes to EMS protocols that enable agencies and clinicians to use evidence-informed best and promising practices that utilize harm reduction strategies and provide opportunities for linkages to treatment.
-
Observational Study
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Victoria, 2003-2022: retrospective analysis of Victorian Ambulance Cardiac Arrest Registry data.
To examine changes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) characteristics and outcomes during 2003-2022, and 12-month outcomes for people who experienced OHCA during 1 January 2010 - 30 June 2022. ⋯ Utstein survival to hospital discharge increased threefold during 2003-2022, and the proportions of cases in which bystanders provided cardio-pulmonary resuscitation or public access defibrillation increased. The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a substantial reduction in survival, and new strategies are needed to improve outcomes.
-
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is a leading cause of mortality in Europe. Quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation, particularly of chest compressions, is crucial. Real-time audiovisual feedback (RTAVF) devices aim to enhance chest compression quality. Recent studies on these tools have reported improved outcomes for in-hospital but not for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. This registry-based, retrospective study investigated the use of feedback-devices by emergency medical services personnel to treat out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Germany and assessed its effect on return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). ⋯ We could show a minor association between the use of feedback devices and any ROSC, but not for ROSC on hospital admission, in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients in a generalized linear mixed model. Further research should address implementation strategies, sustainability and evaluate its effectiveness for other applications.