Prehospital and disaster medicine
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Prehosp Disaster Med · Feb 2019
Mass-Gathering Medical Care Provided by a Collegiate-Based First Response Service at an Annual College Music Festival and Campus-Wide Celebration.
There is insufficient research on medical care at mass-gathering events (MGEs) on college and university campuses. Fun Day is an annual celebratory day held at Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, New York USA), a small liberal arts college in the Northeastern United States. Fun Day is focused around an outdoor music festival; students also congregate and celebrate throughout the surrounding campus. To improve care and alleviate strain on local resources, a model was developed for the provision of emergency care by a collegiate-based, volunteer first-response service - Skidmore College Emergency Medical Services (EMS) - in coordination with a contracted, private ambulance service. ⋯ High medical usage rates were observed, primarily due to alcohol/illicit substance use and traumatic injuries. The provision of emergency care by a collegiate-based first response service in coordination with a contracted, private ambulance agency serves as an innovative model for mass-gathering medical care on college and university campuses.FriedmanNMG, O'ConnorEK, MunroT, GoroffD.Mass-gathering medical care provided by a collegiate-based first response service at an annual college music festival and campus-wide celebration. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2019;34(1):98-103.
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Prehosp Disaster Med · Feb 2019
Emergency Medical Services Experience With Barb Removal After Taser Use By Law Enforcement: A Descriptive National Study.
Conducted electrical weapons (CEWs), including Thomas A. Swift Electric Rifles (TASERs), are increasingly used by law enforcement officers (LEOs) in the US and world-wide. Little is known about the experience of Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers with these incidents. ⋯ At present, EMS activations with documented TASER barb removal are rare. Routine care by EMS is expected, and life-threatening emergencies are not common. All EMS providers should be familiar with local policies and procedures related to TASER use and barb removal.El SayedM, El TawilC, TamimH, MailhacA, MannNC. Emergency Medical Services experience with barb removal after TASER use by law enforcement: a descriptive national study. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2019;34(1):38-45.
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Prehosp Disaster Med · Feb 2019
Paramedic and Emergency Medical Technician Reflections on the Ongoing Impact of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks.
Qualitative methods were used to conduct interviews with 54 paramedics and EMTs on the 15-year anniversary of 9/11. ⋯ Research participants reported a range of long-term psychosocial issues including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, insomnia, relationship breakdowns and impact on family support systems, and addictive and risk-taking behaviors. Ongoing physical health issues included respiratory disorders, eye problems, and cancers.DiscussionThese findings will go some way to filling the current gap in the 9/11 evidence-base regarding the understanding of the long-term impact on paramedics and EMTs. The testimony of this qualitative research is to ensure that an important voice is not lost, and that the deeply personal and richly descriptive experiences of the 9/11 paramedics and EMTs are not forgotten. SmithEC, BurkleFMJr. Paramedic and emergency medical technician reflections on the ongoing impact of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2019;34(1):56-61.