scholarly journals Impacts of Emergency Medical Technician Configurations on Outcomes of Patients with Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Author(s):  
Pin-Hui Fang ◽  
Yu-Yuan Lin ◽  
Chien-Hsin Lu ◽  
Ching-Chi Lee ◽  
Chih-Hao Lin

Paramedics can provide advanced life support (ALS) for patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, the impact of emergency medical technician (EMT) configuration on their outcomes remains debated. A three-year cohort study consisted of non-traumatic OHCA adults transported by ALS teams was retrospectively conducted in Tainan City using an Utstein-style population database. The EMT-paramedic (EMT-P) ratio was defined as the EMT-P proportion out of all on-scene EMTs. Among the 1357 eligible cases, the median (interquartile range) number of on-scene EMTs and the EMT-P ratio were 2 (2–2) persons and 50% (50–100%), respectively. The multivariate analysis identified five independent predictors of sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC): younger adults, witnessed cardiac arrest, prehospital ROSC, prehospital defibrillation, and comorbid diabetes mellitus. After adjustment, every 10% increase in the EMT-P ratio was on average associated with an 8% increased chance (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.08; p < 0.01) of sustained ROSC and a 12% increase change (aOR, 1.12; p = 0.048) of favorable neurologic status at discharge. However, increased number of on-scene EMTs was not linked to better outcomes. For nontraumatic OHCA adults, an increase in the on-scene EMT-P ratio resulted in a higher proportion of improved patient outcomes.

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. S82-S89
Author(s):  
Michael Poppe ◽  
Mario Krammel ◽  
Christian Clodi ◽  
Christoph Schriefl ◽  
Alexandra-Maria Warenits ◽  
...  

Objective Most western emergency medical services provide advanced life support in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest aiming for a return of spontaneous circulation at the scene. Little attention is given to prehospital time management in the case of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with regard to early coronary angiography or to the start of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation treatment within 60 minutes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest onset. We investigated the emergency medical services on-scene time, defined as emergency medical services arrival at the scene until departure to the hospital, and its association with 30-day survival with favourable neurological outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Methods All patients of over 18 years of age with non-traumatic, non-emergency medical services witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest between July 2013 and August 2015 from the Vienna Cardiac Arrest Registry were included in this retrospective observational study. Results Out of 2149 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients, a total of 1687 (79%) patients were eligible for analyses. These patients were stratified into groups according to the on-scene time (<35 minutes, 35–45 minutes, 45–60 minutes, >60 minutes). Within short on-scene time groups, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest occurred more often in public and bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation was more common (both P<0.001). Patients who did not achieve return of spontaneous circulation at the scene showed higher rates of 30-day survival with favourable neurological outcome with an on-scene time of less than 35 minutes (adjusted odds ratio 5.00, 95% confidence interval 1.39–17.96). Conclusion An emergency medical services on-scene time of less than 35 minutes was associated with higher rates of survival and favourable outcomes. It seems to be reasonable to develop time optimised advance life support protocols to minimise the on-scene time in view of further treatments such as early coronary angiography as part of post-resuscitation care or extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pramod Chandru ◽  
Tatum Priyambada Mitra ◽  
Nitesh Dutt Dhanekula ◽  
Mark Dennis ◽  
Adam Eslick ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Refractory out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is associated with extremely poor outcomes. However, in selected patients extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCPR) may be an effective rescue therapy, allowing time treat reversible causes. The primary goal was to estimate the potential future caseload of eCPR at historically 'low-volume' extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) centres. Methods A 3-year observational study of OHCA presenting to the Emergency Department (ED of an urban referral centre without historical protocolised use of eCPR. Demographics and standard Utstein outcomes are reported. Further, an a priori analysis of each case for potential eCPR eligibility was conducted. A current eCPR selection criteria (from the 2-CHEER study) was used to determine eligibly. Results In the study window 248 eligible cardiac arrest cases were included in the OHCA registry. 30-day survival was 23.4% (n=58). The mean age of survivors was 55.4 years. 17 (6.8%) cases were deemed true refractory arrests and fulfilled the 2-CHEER eligibility criteria. The majority of these cases presented within “office hours” and no case obtained a return of spontaneous circulation standard advanced life support. Conclusions In this contemporary OHCA registry a significant number of refractory cases were deemed potential eCPR candidates reflecting a need for future interdisciplinary work to support delivery of this therapy.


2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 220-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olanrewaju A. Soremekun ◽  
Melissa L. Shear ◽  
Jay Connolly ◽  
Charles E. Stewart ◽  
Stephen H. Thomas

AbstractIntroductionDuring disasters and mass-casualty incidents (MCIs), there may be insufficient numbers of advanced life support (ALS) providers to provide intravenous (IV) access to all patients requiring parenteral fluids and/or medications. Enzyme-assisted subcutaneous infusion (EASI) access, in which human recombinant hyaluronidase (HRH) augments subcutaneous fluid dispersion and absorption, may be useful when ALS resources are insufficient to meet intravascular access needs. The utility of the use of the EASI lies, in part, in its ease of placement by ALS personnel.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to document the feasibility, comfort, and speed/degree of infused-glucose uptake through EASI lines placed by basic-level emergency medical technicians (EMT-Bs).MethodsEighteen EMT-Bs instituted EASI access on each other. A total of 150 units (1 mL) of HRH were administered through the EASI line, followed by the administration of 250 mL of tracer-labeled D5W. Timed phlebotomy enabled gas chromatography/mass spectrometry characterization of glucose uptake. Enzyme-assisted subcutaneous infusion placement and comfort ratings were tracked and analyzed using non-parametric statistics and Fisher's Exact Test.ResultsIn all 18 subjects, EASI access required only one attempt and was rated by the EMT-Bs as easy to accomplish. Glucose was absorbed quickly (within five minutes) in all subjects. The rate of infusion was rapid (median 393 mL/hour) and was comfortable for the recipients (median pain score 1/10).ConclusionsThe use of EASI may be viable as a fast, simple, and reliable method for the administration of fluid and glucose by EMT-Bs.Soremekun OA, Shear ML, Connolly J, Stewart CE, Thomas SH. Basic-level emergency medical technician administration of fluids and glucose via enzyme-assisted subcutaneous infusion access. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2012;27(3):1-6.


Resuscitation ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 303-304
Author(s):  
Rafael Canto Neguillo ◽  
Márquez Sergio ◽  
Chacón Coral ◽  
Martín Carmen ◽  
Olavarría Luís

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cosmin Balan ◽  
Adrian View-Kim Wong

Catecholamines are entrenched in the management of shock states. A paradigm shift has pervaded the critical care arena in recent years acknowledging their propensity to cause harm and fuel a ‘death-spiral’. We present the case of a 21-year-old male following a witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest who received high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation and standard advanced life support for refractory ventricular fibrillation until return of spontaneous circulation after 70 min. Early post-admission echocardiography revealed severe diffuse sub-basal left ventricular hypertrophy with dynamic mid-cavity obstruction and akinetic apical pouching. Within this context, a decatecholaminised strategy comprising a beta-blocker was used to augment the left ventricular end-diastolic volume and attain cardiovascular stability.


2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric J. Cortez ◽  
Ashish R. Panchal ◽  
James E. Davis ◽  
David P. Keseg

AbstractIntroductionThe staffing of ambulances with different levels of Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers is a difficult decision with evidence being mixed on the benefit of each model.Hypothesis/ProblemThe objective of this study was to describe a pilot program evaluating alternative staffing on two ambulances utilizing the paramedic-basic (PB) model (staffed with one paramedic and one emergency medical technician[EMT]).MethodsThis was a retrospective study conducted from September 17, 2013 through December 31, 2013. The PB ambulances were compared to geographically matched ambulances staffed with paramedic-paramedic (PP ambulances). One PP and one PB ambulance were based at Station A; one PP and one PB ambulance were based at Station B. The primary outcome was total on-scene time. Secondary outcomes included time-to-electrocardiogram (EKG), time-to-intravenous (IV) line insertion, IV-line success rate, and percentage of protocol violations. Inclusion criteria were all patients requesting prehospital services that were attended to by these teams. Patients were excluded if they were not attended to by the study ambulance vehicles. Descriptive statistics were reported as medians and interquartile ranges (IQR). Proportions were reported with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The Mann-Whitley U test was used for significance testing (P<.05).ResultsMedian on-scene times at Station A for the PP ambulance were shorter than the PB ambulance team (PP: 10.1 minutes, IQR 6.0-15; PB: 13.0 minutes, IQR 8.1-18; P=.01). This finding also was noted at Station B (PP: 13.5 minutes, IQR 8.5-19; PB: 14.3 minutes, IQR 9.9-20; P=.01). There were no differences between PP and PB ambulance teams at Station A or Station B in time-to-EKG, time-to-IV insertion, IV success rate, and protocol violation rates.ConclusionIn the setting of a well-developed EMS system utilizing an all-Advanced Life Support (ALS) response, this study suggests that PB ambulance teams may function well when compared to PP ambulances. Though longer scene times were observed, differences in time to ALS interventions and protocol violation rates were not different. Hybrid ambulance teams may be an effective staffing alternative, but decisions to use this model must address clinical and operational concerns.CortezEJ, PanchalAR, DavisJE, KesegDP. The effect of ambulance staffing models in a metropolitan, fire-based EMS system. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(2):175–179.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 244-252
Author(s):  
Jerzy Kiszka ◽  
Dawid Filip ◽  
Piotr Wasylik

Aim: Assessment of the increase in knowledge in specific categories among students of the last-year emergency medical students after 45-hour training in advanced paediatric life support. Comparison of the impact of participation in the project and the ILS course on the increase of knowledge in the field of advanced life support in children. Material and methods: 138 third-year emergency medical students of the University of Rzeszów were studied. A proprietary questionnaire on paediatric life support was conducted before and after completing a 45-hour training on emergency medical services in children (pretest/posttest). Results: The mean percentage of subjects’ correct answers in the post-test was slightly over 60 which was statistically significantly higher compared to the pre-test, t(276)=6.54; p<0.001. The highest percentage of correct answers concerned paediatric basic life support and AED (M=77.78; SD=12.47), while the lowest – cardiac arrest in children in special situations (M=60.54; SD=21.06). No statistically significant relationship was found between the percentage of correct answers in the pre-test/post-test and the respondents’ age, gender and participation in a competence development project (p>0.05). Conclusions: The knowledge of paediatric life support among the third year emergency medical students is good. The students of subsequent years and individuals reading the literature and participating in the competence development project are better prepared to perform life support procedures in newborns and infants. From year to year, students gain less knowledge from medical literature and have the least knowledge on cardiac arrest in children in special circumstances.


Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 138 (Suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Purav Mody ◽  
Siobhan Brown ◽  
Rohan Khera ◽  
Ambarish Pandey ◽  
Colby Ayers ◽  
...  

Background: There is an urgent need to identify strategies which improve outcomes for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Determining the optimal access route to deliver medications during resuscitation from OHCA may be one such strategy. Methods: Using data from the Continuous Chest compression trial between 2011 and 2016, we examined rates of sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) i.e. ROSC on ER arrival, survival to discharge and survival with favorable neurological function (modified Rankin scale ≤3) among patients with attempted IV and IO access. Results: Among 19,731 patients with available access information, IO or IV access was attempted in 3,068 (15.5%) and 16,663 (84.5%) patients, respectively and was successful in 2,975 (97%) and 15,485 (92%) of these patients. Overall, patients with attempted IO access were younger, more likely female, received less bystander CPR, had lower proportions of shockable and witnessed arrests, marginally faster times to access and to epinephrine administration, and less frequently received therapeutic hypothermia and coronary angiography as compared with patients with IV access ( Table ) . Unadjusted rates of sustained ROSC, discharge survival and survival with favorable neurological function were significantly lower in patients with attempted IO access ( Table) . After adjustment for age, sex, initial rhythm, bystander CPR, public location, witnessed status, EMS response time and trial cluster, attempted IO access was associated with lower sustained ROSC rates (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.71-0.89, p<0.001) but not with discharge survival (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.71-1.08, p=0.21) or survival with favorable neurological function (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.67-1.1, p=0.26). Conclusions: Among patients with OHCA, intraosseous access was attempted in 1 in 7 OHCA patients and associated with worse ROSC rates but no difference in survival. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the optimal access route among OHCA patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 401-410
Author(s):  
Christos Kourek ◽  
Robert Greif ◽  
Georgios Georgiopoulos ◽  
Maaret Castrén ◽  
Bernd Böttiger ◽  
...  

Background: In-hospital cardiac arrest is a major cause of death in European countries, and survival of patients remains low ranging from 20% to 25%. Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess healthcare professionals’ knowledge on cardiopulmonary resuscitation among university hospitals in 12 European countries and correlate it with the return of spontaneous circulation rates of their patients after in-hospital cardiac arrest. Methods and results: A total of 570 healthcare professionals from cardiology, anaesthesiology and intensive care medicine departments of European university hospitals in Italy, Poland, Hungary, Belgium, Spain, Slovakia, Germany, Finland, The Netherlands, Switzerland, France and Greece completed a questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 12 questions based on epidemiology data and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training and 26 multiple choice questions on cardiopulmonary resuscitation knowledge. Hospitals in Switzerland scored highest on basic life support ( P=0.005) while Belgium hospitals scored highest on advanced life support ( P<0.001) and total score in cardiopulmonary resuscitation knowledge ( P=0.01). The Swiss hospitals scored highest in cardiopulmonary resuscitation training ( P<0.001). Correlation between cardiopulmonary resuscitation knowledge and return of spontaneous circulation rates of patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest demonstrated that each additional correct answer on the advanced life support score results in a further increase in return of spontaneous circulation rates (odds ratio 3.94; 95% confidence interval 2.78 to 5.57; P<0.001). Conclusion: Differences in knowledge about resuscitation and course attendance were found between university hospitals in 12 European countries. Education in cardiopulmonary resuscitation is considered to be vital for patients’ return of spontaneous circulation rates after in-hospital cardiac arrest. A higher level of knowledge in advanced life support results in higher return of spontaneous circulation rates.


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