Articles: emergency-medical-services.
-
Many Canadian communities rely on non-amalgamated ambulance services to respond to out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest victims. These pre-hospital care systems lack a central coordinating and dispatching facility, a publicized, easily-accessible telephone number (911) and vehicles equipped with monitor-defibrillators, and are generally staffed by personnel trained only in basic cardiac life support. To receive definitive care, the victim of a cardiac arrest in these communities must be successfully transported to a hospital. ⋯ Overall, only 8 victims (8.8%) survived and were discharged from hospital. Based on the data presented, survival rate for cardiac arrest victims treated by a non-amalgamated ambulance system are inferior to those reported for pre-hospital care services capable of providing advanced cardiac life support at the scene. Whether all of the components of an established paramedic program are required to improve survival rates in individual communities remains undetermined.
-
The role of the pharmacist as a hazardous materials consultant is described. Pharmacists in a university-affiliated teaching hospital are contacted by either emergency medical services or the emergency department to assist in the management of incidents involving toxic hazardous materials. These incidents can range from major chemical spills or leaks to long-term exposures involving generalized, nonspecific symptoms. ⋯ During the period between January 1 and July 1, 1986, the pharmacy was consulted on 66 hazardous materials incidents. Since pharmacists have traditionally been used as information resources for clinical toxicology questions, it follows that their participation can extend into the field of environmental toxicology, specifically involving hazardous materials. The pharmacist's input as a hazardous materials consultant in our institution has been well received, and we believe that pharmacy departments can play an important role in the management of incidents involving hazardous materials.
-
Very few studies about prehospital care of pediatric emergencies have been published. With new interest in emergency care of the pediatric population demonstrated by the development of Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Advanced Pediatric Life Support, it is imperative to have data that define the different types of problems encountered in the prehospital care setting and their outcomes. Prehospital assessment forms were reviewed retrospectively over a consecutive 12-month period beginning August 1, 1983. ⋯ Advanced life support was associated with prolonged on-scene time and had a relatively low use and success rate in the younger pediatric population. Resuscitation of 23 cases of pediatric prehospital arrest resulted in no survivors to hospital discharge. The appropriateness of prolonged time spent on scene (mean of 18.3 minutes in 1,196 cases) for prehospital pediatric emergencies requires further evaluation.