Author: catherinercounts

Catherine R. Counts is a health services researcher in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She completed her doctorate in the Department of Global Health Management and Policy at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine where she also previously earned her Master of Health Administration. Dr. Counts also holds a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Psychology with a minor in Spanish. Dr. Counts has research interests in domestic healthcare policy, quality and patient safety, organizational theory and culture, and prehospital emergency medicine. Given the crossover between her background in public health and her expertise in emergency medical services (EMS), she specializes in the mechanisms by which providers are changing the way healthcare is delivered in the prehospital setting. She has worked across the healthcare spectrum from EMS to long term care and is well versed in the systemic issues facing American healthcare. In addition to her work at the University of Washington, Dr. Counts serves as a consultant for a variety of quality improvement and EMS related projects, and contributes as a columnist for EMS1.com. She regularly attends a wide variety of conferences and is a member of the National Association of EMS Physicians. In her spare time Dr. Counts trains her urban search and rescue dog Bruno.
Publication, Research

Routine Use of a Bougie Improves First-Attempt Intubation Success in the EMS Setting

Study objective The bougie is typically treated as a rescue device for difficult airways. We evaluate whether first-attempt success rate during paramedic intubation in the out-of-hospital setting changed with routine use of a bougie. Methods A prospective, observational, pre-post study design was used to compare first-attempt success rate during out-of-hospital intubation with direct laryngoscopy for patients intubated 18 months before and 18 months after a … Continue reading Routine Use of a Bougie Improves First-Attempt Intubation Success in the EMS Setting

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Publication, Research

EMS and DNAR directives among patients with OHCA

Background: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are often involved in end-of-life circumstances, yet little is known about how EMS interfaces with advance directives to forego unwanted resuscitation (Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR)). We evaluated the frequency of these directives involved in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and how they impact care. Methods: We conducted a cohort investigation of adult, EMS-attended OHCA from January 1 to December 31, 2018 in … Continue reading EMS and DNAR directives among patients with OHCA

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Publication

Seizure-like presentation in OHCA creates barriers to dispatch recognition of cardiac arrest

Abstract Purpose Early recognition of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) by 9-1-1 dispatchers is a critical first step along the resuscitation pathway. Barriers to recognition may lead to adverse outcomes among patients. This study aims to determine the impact of seizure-like activity among OHCA patients during 9-1-1 calls. Methods We evaluated a retrospective cohort study of all adult, non-traumatic OHCAs that occurred prior to emergency medical … Continue reading Seizure-like presentation in OHCA creates barriers to dispatch recognition of cardiac arrest

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Publication

Clinical Characteristics of Patients With COVID-19 Receiving EMS

Question  What is the clinical presentation to emergency medical services among persons with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)? Findings  This cohort study of 124 patients with COVID-19 revealed that most patients with COVID-19 presenting to emergency medical services were older and had multiple chronic health conditions. Initial concern, symptoms, and examination findings were heterogeneous and not consistently characterized as febrile respiratory illness. Meaning  The findings of this study suggest … Continue reading Clinical Characteristics of Patients With COVID-19 Receiving EMS

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Publication

Prevalence of COVID-19 in OHCA: Implications for Bystander CPR

We undertook a cohort investigation of OHCA attended by emergency medical services (EMS) in Seattle and King County, WA from January 1 to April 15, 2020. Patients where EMS attempted resuscitation (EMS treated) and where EMS responded but did not provide resuscitation because of signs of irreversible death (dead on EMS arrival) were included. Our population-based OHCA registry systematically abstracts information about OHCA presentation, treatment, and outcome from dispatch audio recordings, defibrillator electronic data, prehospital … Continue reading Prevalence of COVID-19 in OHCA: Implications for Bystander CPR

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EMS1

Research Analysis: Preventing downstream consequences of EMS assaults

The National Association of EMTs (NAEMT) recently published a survey on member experiences with violence in the prehospital setting. They received nearly 2,200 responses from mostly paramedics and EMTs detailing not only their exposure to violence, but also the role violence plays on their perceptions of safety, provider knowledge of reporting systems, agency policies and procedures, as well as the types of education and training … Continue reading Research Analysis: Preventing downstream consequences of EMS assaults

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Publication

Occupational Exposures and Programmatic Response to COVID-19 Pandemic: An EMS Experience

Abstract Background: Rigorous assessment of occupational COVID-19 risk and personal protective equipment (PPE) use are not well-described. We evaluated 9-1-1 emergency medical services (EMS) encounters for patients with COVID-19 to assess occupational exposure, programmatic strategies to reduce exposure, and PPE use. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort investigation of lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients in King County, WA who received 9-1-1 EMS responses from February 14, 2020 … Continue reading Occupational Exposures and Programmatic Response to COVID-19 Pandemic: An EMS Experience

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EMS1

Research Analysis: Status epilepticus: Pick your antidote

Results from the Established Status Epilepticus Treatment Trial (ESETT) were recently published in New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), providing medical directors with a research-centric resource to turn to when epileptic patients don’t respond to traditional benzodiazepines. Specifically, ESETT was an NIH and FDA funded joint effort by the Neurological Emergencies Treatment Trials (NETT) Network and the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) in … Continue reading Research Analysis: Status epilepticus: Pick your antidote

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EMS1

8 types of data: Telling the story of COVID-19

As the United States enters its second month of COVID-19, the availability of data on the pandemic that will define a generation has become almost overwhelming. Websites abound with tables, graphics and projections on how different aspects of the crisis are unfolding. Some use data to make their case for a far-flung theory, others display it in a way that tells an easy-to-interpret story of … Continue reading 8 types of data: Telling the story of COVID-19

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EMS1

7 data visualizations that explain COVID-19

Throughout the last two months, Seattle and King County have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. The first COVID-19 case within our borders was confirmed in Snohomish County, Washington on Jan. 21, 2020. The first reported death happened nearly six weeks later at a hospital 15 miles from downtown Seattle. For a month and a half, the virus … Continue reading 7 data visualizations that explain COVID-19

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