A Comparison of Efficacy of Treatment and Time to Administration of Naloxone by BLS and ALS Providers

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (04) ◽  
pp. 350-355
Author(s):  
Kenneth Nugent ◽  
Patrick Matthews ◽  
Jamie Gissendaner ◽  
Mia Papas ◽  
Deborah Occident ◽  
...  

AbstractIntroduction:The administration of naloxone therapy is restricted by scope of practice to Advanced Life Support (ALS) in many Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems throughout the United States. In Delaware’s two-tiered EMS system, Basic Life Support (BLS) often arrives on-scene prior to ALS, but BLS providers were not previously authorized to administer naloxone. Through a BLS naloxone pilot study, the researchers sought to evaluate BLS naloxone administration and timing compared to ALS.Hypothesis:After undergoing specialized training, BLS providers would be able to appropriately administer naloxone to opioid overdose patients in a more timely manner than ALS providers.Methods:This was a retrospective, observational study using data collected from February 2014 through May 2015 throughout a state BLS naloxone pilot program. A total of 14 out of 72 state BLS agencies participated in the study. Pilot BLS agencies attended a training session on the indications and administration of naloxone, and then were authorized to carry and administer naloxone. Researchers then compared vital signs and the time of BLS arrival to administration of naloxone by BLS and ALS. Data were analyzed using paired and independent sample t-tests, as well as chi-square, as appropriate.Results:A total of 131 incidents of naloxone administration were reviewed. Of those, 62 patients received naloxone by BLS (pilot group) and 69 patients received naloxone by ALS (control group). After naloxone administration, BLS patients showed improvements in heart rate (HR; P < .01), respiratory rate (RR; P < .01), and pulse oximetry (spO2; P < .01); ALS patients also showed improvement in RR (P < .01), and in spO2 (P = .005). There was no significant improvement in HR for ALS providers (P = .189).There was a significant difference in arrival time of BLS to the time of naloxone administration between the two groups, with shorter times in the BLS group compared to the ALS group (1.9 minutes versus 9.8 minutes; P < .01); BLS administration was 7.8 minutes faster when compared to ALS administration (95% CI, 6.2-9.3 minutes).Conclusions:Patients improved similarly and received naloxone therapy sooner when treated by BLS agencies carrying naloxone than those who awaited ALS arrival. All EMS systems should consider allowing BLS to carry and administer naloxone for an effective and potentially faster naloxone administration when treating respiratory compromise related to opiate overdose.

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armando Faa ◽  
Gavino Faa ◽  
Apostolos Papalois ◽  
Eleonora Obinu ◽  
Giorgia Locci ◽  
...  

Aim.To evaluate the effects of erythropoietin administration on the adrenal glands in a swine model of ventricular fibrillation and resuscitation.Methods. Ventricular fibrillation was inducedviapacing wire forwarded into the right ventricle in 20 female Landrace/Large White pigs, allocated into 2 groups: experimental group treated with bolus dose of erythropoietin (EPO) and control group which received normal saline. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed immediately after drug administrationas perthe 2010 European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines for Advanced Life Support (ALS) until return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) or death. Animals who achieved ROSC were monitored, mechanically ventilated, extubated, observed, and euthanized. At necroscopy, adrenal glands samples were formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, and routinely processed. Sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin.Results.Oedema and apoptosis were the most frequent histological changes and were detected in all animals in the adrenal cortex and in the medulla. Mild and focal endothelial lesions were also detected. A marked interindividual variability in the degree of the intensity of apoptosis and oedema at cortical and medullary level was observed within groups. Comparing the two groups, higher levels of pathological changes were detected in the control group. No significant difference between the two groups was observed regarding the endothelial changes.Conclusions. In animals exposed to ventricular fibrillation, EPO treatment has protective effects on the adrenal gland.


2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 197-205
Author(s):  
Ashley Mitek ◽  
Maureen McMichael ◽  
Brad Weir ◽  
Michael Smith ◽  
Danielle Schneider ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT As the opioid epidemic continues across the United States, law enforcement K9s (LEK9s) are at increased risk of accidental exposure and overdose. This study evaluated a novel training program teaching handlers to administer naloxone to their LEK9 in the event of an overdose. Seventy-five LEK9 handlers from a governmental agency attended a naloxone training session. A presurvey given to the handlers evaluated their knowledge of opioid overdose in LEK9s and their confidence administering naloxone. Officers were educated via a PowerPoint presentation about naloxone and how to administer it to their LEK9. A postsurvey evaluated changes in their knowledge and confidence as a result of the presentation. Sixty-two presurveys and 47 postsurveys were completed. Nearly all handlers had never given their LEK9 an intramuscular or intranasal injection. Most handlers were not comfortable monitoring their LEK9’s vital signs for an opioid overdose. After the training, handlers demonstrated a mild increase in comfort level administering intramuscular and intranasal naloxone (15 and 14% increase, respectively). Comfort level monitoring vital signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose increased 38 and 32%, respectively. Handlers may not be fully prepared to assess and treat their LEK9 and may benefit from a targeted training program teaching them to administer naloxone.


Author(s):  
Nancy M. Tofil ◽  
Stacy L. Gaither ◽  
Charli Cohen ◽  
Carrie Norwood ◽  
Jerry Lynn Zinkan ◽  
...  

AbstractPediatric advanced life support (PALS) training is critical for pediatric residents. It is unclear how well PALS skills are developed during this course or maintained overtime. This study evaluated PALS skills of pediatric interns using a validated PALS performance score following their initial PALS certification. All pediatric interns were invited to a 45-minute rapid cycle deliberate practice (RCDP) training session following their initial PALS certification from July 2017 to June 2019. The PALS score and times for key events were recorded for participants prior to RCDP training. We then compared performance scores for those who took PALS ≥3 months, between 3 days to 3 months and 3 days after PALS. There were 72 participants, 30 (of 30) in 3 days, 18 in 3 days to 3 months, and 24 in ≥3 months groups (42 total of 52 residents, 81%). The average PALS performance score was 53 ± 20%. There was no significant difference between the groups (3 days, 53 ± 15%; 3 days–3 months, 51 ± 19%; ≥3 months, 54 ± 26%, p = 0.922). Chest compressions started later in the ≥3 months groups compared with the 3 days or ≤3 months groups (p = 0.036). Time to defibrillation was longer in the 3 days group than the other groups (p = 0.008). Defibrillation was asked for in 3 days group at 97%, 73% in 3 days to 3 months and 68% in ≥3 months groups. PALS performance skills were poor in pediatric interns after PALS certification and was unchanged regardless of when training occurred. Our study supports the importance of supplemental resuscitation training in addition to the traditional PALS course.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Kristian Krogh ◽  
Morten Pilegaard ◽  
Berit Eika

Background. The simulation literature widely agrees that the reflective learning phase after the simulation is equal to or perhaps of even greater importance than the actual simulated scenario in ensuring learning. Nevertheless, advanced life support (ALS) tends to have many simulated scenarios followed by short feedback sessions. The aim of this study was to compare the ability of two groups of novice learners to stay adherent to the ALS guidelines in their provision of ALS after they had received either 8 or 12 simulated resuscitation scenarios, both in 4 hours. Methods. This study was a randomised controlled trial. Participants were either randomised to the control group with 12 scenarios (15 minutes per scenario) with 5 minutes of feedback or the intervention group with 8 simulations (15 minutes per scenario) with 15 minutes of feedback. Results. There was no statistically significant difference in test scores between the intervention group and control group in the 1-week retention test (p=0.59) and the 12-week retention test (p=0.43).  Conclusion. This study suggests that the lower number of repetitive ALS simulation scenarios does not diminish learning when the feedback is equally prolonged to ensure sufficient time for reflection.


2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 1532-1538
Author(s):  
Cedar Mitchell ◽  
Megan Dyer ◽  
Feng-Chang Lin ◽  
Natalie Bowman ◽  
Thomas Mather ◽  
...  

Abstract Tick-borne diseases are a growing threat to public health in the United States, especially among outdoor workers who experience high occupational exposure to ticks. Long-lasting permethrin-impregnated clothing has demonstrated high initial protection against bites from blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae), in laboratory settings, and sustained protection against bites from the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.) (Acari: Ixodidae), in field tests. However, long-lasting permethrin impregnation of clothing has not been field tested among outdoor workers who are frequently exposed to blacklegged ticks. We conducted a 2-yr randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial among 82 outdoor workers in Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts. Participants in the treatment arm wore factory-impregnated permethrin clothing, and the control group wore sham-treated clothing. Outdoor working hours, tick encounters, and bites were recorded weekly to assess protective effectiveness of long-lasting permethrin-impregnated garments. Factory-impregnated clothing significantly reduced tick bites by 65% in the first study year and by 50% in the second year for a 2-yr protective effect of 58%. No significant difference in other tick bite prevention method utilization occurred between treatment and control groups, and no treatment-related adverse outcomes were reported. Factory permethrin impregnation of clothing is safe and effective for the prevention of tick bites among outdoor workers whose primary exposure is to blacklegged ticks in the northeastern United States.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 4314-4317
Author(s):  
Thamu Priyadharshini N T

Dialysis is performed as critical life support when the patient is suffering acute and chronic kidney failure. The study focus on to determine effectiveness of on pain reduction during AV fistula puncture among patients undergoing . The population comprised of patients in . Experimental Research design was utilized for this study. The investigators assess the pain on AV fistula puncture among the patients with the assistance of numerical pain rating scale, Sixty samples (30 experimental group and 30 control group)were selected by probability simple random (Numerical table method)sampling technique, the data was gathered through the Numerical Pain Rating scale and demographic variables. The pain on AV fistula puncture of the experimental group and control group were calculated by paired’ test for experimental group (‘t’ = 18) and in control group, (‘t’ =1.5). This proves that there is a significant difference in test and post test levels of pain on AV fistula puncture in the experimental group at 0.05 levels. It indicated that the given was effective. The implication of the findings indicated that given was effective for pain reduction during AV fistula puncture among patients. : , pain on AV fistula puncture, patients. implication of the findings indicated that given was effective for pain reduction during AV fistula puncture among patients.


Author(s):  
Tahereh Hajian ◽  
Maryam Razavi ◽  
Ali Dashipour

Background: This study was designed to investigate the effect of tranexamic acid and its side effects in preventing postpartum hemorrhage in patients referred to Ali ibn Abitaleb Hospital in Zahedan during 2020-2021. Methods: Patients were divided into two groups of 85 patients. Vital signs as well as drug side effects related to tranexamicity are monitored and recorded every15 minutes in the first hour and every 30 minutes in the second hour. Also, blood samples are taken from patients to measure hemoglobin and hematocrit within6 hours after delivery. The number and weight difference of droschitis used during 2 hours after delivery are also measured. In addition, PPH (Postpartum hemorrhage) cases in both groups were checked by repeated examination of the uterine fundus during the first 2 hours and after 6 weeks. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the number of deliveries and further decrease in hemoglobin levels in the control group compared to the intervention group. Nausea, vomiting, and dizziness were observed in the intervention group and thrombosis was not observed in any group. According to the independent samples t-test, there was a statistically significant difference between the mean blood volume lost between the two groups. The mean hematocrit drop was statistically significant between the two groups. No blood transfusion was observed in any of the patients. Conclusion: Tranxamic acid injections can effectively reduce postpartum hemorrhage and reduce maternal hemoglobin and hematocrit following this complication.


1997 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 45-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
John E. Hipskind ◽  
JM Gren ◽  
DJ Barr

AbstractIntroduction:Patients refusing hospital transportation occurs in 5% to 25% of out-of-hospital calls. Little is known about these calls. This study was needed to determine the demographics, inherent risks, and timing of refused calls.Methods:This was a prospective review of all run sheets of patients who refused transportation were collected for a two month period. Demographic data and medical information was collected. Each run was placed into one of three categories of need for transport and further evaluation: 1) minimal; 2) moderate; and 3) definite. The Greater Elgin Area Mobile Intensive Care Program (GEA-MICP) based at Sherman Hospital in Elgin, Illinois, was the setting. The GEA-MICP is an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system comprised of 17 advanced life support (ALS) ambulance agencies servicing northeastern Illinois. Study subjects were all patients who refused transportation to a hospital by ALS ambulance during July 1993 and February 1994. Paramedics were required to complete a run sheet for all calls.Results:Overall, 30% (683 of2,270) of all runs resulted in refusal of transportation. Patients who most commonly refused transportation were asymptomatic, 11–40 years old and involved in a motor vehicle crash. They usually had no past medical history, normal vital signs, and a normal mental status. Patients generally signed for their own release after evaluation. The average time to arrival was 4.2 minutes and average time spent on scene by paramedics was 18.4 minutes. Of the patients, 72% were judged to have minimal need, 25% were felt to have a moderate need, and 3% were felt to definitely need transport to a hospital for further evaluation and/or treatment.Conclusion:There are many cases when EMS are activated, but transportation is refused. Most refusals occur after paramedic evaluation. Providing paramedics with primary care training and protocols would standardize care given to patients and provide a mechanism for discharge instructions and follow-up for those who chose not to be transported to a hospital. Patients judged to require further treatment had unique characteristics. These data may be useful in identifying potentially sicker patients allowing a concentrated effort to transport this subset of patients to a hospital.


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 1005-1011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Heidarianpour ◽  
Elnaz Shokri ◽  
Tayebe Baghian ◽  
Behnaz Shokri

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of aerobic training, 4 weeks of detraining and use gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) on serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and cortisol levels in girls with central precocious puberty (CPP). Methods Forty-five girls (aged 6–8 years) with precocious puberty were randomly divided into three groups (medication, training and medicine + training groups). Fifteen healthy girls (without precocious puberty) were also included as the control group. Serum CRP and cortisol levels were measured at baseline by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Then, the experimental groups performed an aerobic training program for 3 days/week 20–75 min per day at 45–75% maximum heart rate for 12 weeks. The medication groups also received GnRHa during the study, once a month (1 mL every 4 weeks) by intramuscular injection. Serum CRP and cortisol levels were measured again 48 h after the last training session and also after 4 weeks of detraining. Results Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures showed a significant decrease in CRP (p = 0.02) and cortisol levels (p = 0.01) in the training group and the medicine + training group. Detraining led to return of CRP and cortisol levels to the pre-training levels (p = 0.001). No significant difference in serum CRP (p = 0.43) and cortisol levels (p = 0.06) was observed in the medication group. Further, no significant difference was observed between groups in CRP and cortisol. Conclusions Long-term regular moderate training decreases inflammation indices, and detraining eliminates the benefits of training in girls with precocious puberty.


Author(s):  
Juan Chaves ◽  
Antonio A. Lorca-Marín ◽  
Emilio José Delgado-Algarra

Different studies show that mixed methodology can be effective in medical training. However, there are no conclusive studies in specialist training on advanced life support (ALS). The main objective of this research is to determine if, with mixed didactic methodology, which includes e-learning, similar results are produced to face-to-face training. The method used was quasi-experimental with a focus on efficiency and evaluation at seven months, in which 114 specialist doctors participated and where the analysis of the sociodemographic and pre-test variables points to the homogeneity of the groups. The intervention consisted of e-learning training plus face-to-face workshops versus standard. The results were the performance in knowledge and technical skills in cardiac arrest scenarios, the perceived quality, and the perception of the training. There were no significant differences in immediate or deferred performance. In the degree of satisfaction, a significant difference was obtained in favour of the face-to-face group. The perception in the training itself presented similar results. The main limitations consisted of sample volume, dropping out of the deferred tests, and not evaluating the transfer or the impact. Finally, mixed methodology including e-learning in ALS courses reduced the duration of the face-to-face sessions and allowed a similar performance.


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