Tag: Quality

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

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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Publication

Causes of Chest Compression Interruptions During OHCA

Abstract Background Interruptions in chest compressions contribute to poor outcomes in out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest. The objective of this retrospective observational cohort study was to characterize the frequency, reasons, and duration of interruptions in chest compressions and to determine if interruptions changed over time. Methods and Results All out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrests treated by the Seattle Fire Department (Seattle, WA, United States) from 2007 to 2016 with … Continue reading Causes of Chest Compression Interruptions During OHCA

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EMS1

Research analysis: Using continuous feedback to drive cardiac arrest care improvements

The Municipal Emergency Medical Services of Vienna implemented a standardized post-resuscitation feedback system and performed a two-year evaluation of its impact on performance and patient outcomes. They recently published their results in “Resuscitation.” Within 48 hours of every out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) from August 2013 through July 2015 (n = 2466) providers received comprehensive feedback on their performance related to “compression rate, compression ratio, ventilation … Continue reading Research analysis: Using continuous feedback to drive cardiac arrest care improvements

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EMS1

Research Analysis: Key takeaways from PART and Airways-2 Trials

JAMA recently published two randomized control trial airway studies comparing endotracheal intubation (ETI) with either a laryngeal tube (LT) or supraglottic airway (SGA) device intubation during out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).  While each study came to a slightly different conclusion, both provide fodder for the ongoing debate around advanced airway management during a cardiac arrest in the prehospital setting. SUMMARY OF THE PART TRIAL … Continue reading Research Analysis: Key takeaways from PART and Airways-2 Trials

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EMS1

Research Analysis: Intubation curriculum increases first pass success

Researchers with Air Methods Corporation recently published the results of their novel airway management curriculum in Prehospital Emergency Care. The curriculum, known as the Helicopter Advanced Resuscitation Training (HeART), focuses on combining critical thinking on the part of providers with established best practices in airway management. This 25-month retrospective observational study includes over 5,000 patients that underwent rapid sequence intubation (RSI) by providers stationed at … Continue reading Research Analysis: Intubation curriculum increases first pass success

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EMS1

Quick take: Quality and safety gain prominence at NAEMSP

SAN DIEGO — The National Association of EMS Physicians started its 2018 Annual Meeting with a day-long session aimed at introducing EMS medical directors to some fundamental quality and safety concepts. The course was designed to be an interactive application of these concepts to a crowd that is not traditionally well-versed on the topics. The instructors used the System of Profound Knowledge to tie the … Continue reading Quick take: Quality and safety gain prominence at NAEMSP

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