Articles: emergency-medical-services.
-
Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · Feb 1987
Medical direction in emergency medical services: the role of the physician.
The past two decades has seen the development of sophisticated systems of prehospital care. The task now is to intensify the input of well-trained physicians into all aspects of EMS systems. This article tracks the history of EMS in this country and provides some suggested answers to the difficult questions facing this new specialty.
-
Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) · Jan 1987
Early emergency care study: the potential and benefits of advanced prehospital care.
Of 26358 patients taken by ambulance to the accident and emergency departments of two large hospitals, 1185 were admitted to resuscitation areas. The scope for ambulance staff to employ a range of advanced techniques at the scene of incidents was assessed by using information relating to the condition of patients when they were picked up by the ambulance and on admission, time in transit, details from hospital records, and outcome at three months. ⋯ The results of the assessment of benefit were compared with estimates of benefit from other studies. In cases of cardiopulmonary arrest the potential to save lives was less optimistic than earlier estimates, and in cases of trauma the potential to save lives was negligible.
-
Acta Anaesthesiol Belg · Jan 1987
ReviewResuscitation and evaluation of victims of blunt multisystem trauma.
The initial management of hemodynamically unstable polytrauma patients can be challenging. Although there are other possible causes of hypotension, such as tension pneumothorax, CNS injury and hemopericardium, in the vast majority of blunt trauma victims shock is due to blood loss. Whereas the diagnosis of circulatory collapse is clearcut, the rapid identification and control of the bleeding source may not be a straightforward matter. ⋯ In concert with respiratory management, other members of the trauma team should secure adequate vascular access, resuscitate the patient and perform a physical examination. Physical findings dictate the order of further diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers. In unstable patients the potential need for urgent surgical intervention must not be overlooked.