Prehospital emergency care : official journal of the National Association of EMS Physicians and the National Association of State EMS Directors
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Delayed sequence intubation (DSI) involves the administration of ketamine to facilitate adequate preoxygenation in the agitated patient. DSI was introduced into the Clinical Practice Guideline for Intensive Care Flight Paramedics in Victoria in late 2013. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of patients receiving DSI. ⋯ DSI provides a reasonably safe and effective approach for intensive care flight paramedics in the preoxygenation of agitated, hypoxic patients in order to decrease the risk of peri-intubation desaturation and related hypoxic injury.
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Dexamethasone is frequently used in the treatment of allergic reactions and airway inflammation because of its potent anti-inflammatory effects and long duration of action. As prehospital use becomes more common, it is important for providers to be aware of unique and potentially distressing associated adverse effects. We report eight cases of intravenous dexamethasone administration associated with perineal or diffuse burning sensation in female patients.
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Hemorrhage is the leading cause of death on the battlefield. Development of chitosan- and kaolin-based hemostatic agents has improved hemorrhage control options. Sparse data exists on the use of these agents in the prehospital, combat setting. We describe recent use of these agents and compare patients receiving hemostatic to the baseline population. ⋯ Hemostatic agents were infrequently utilized to manage traumatic hemorrhage during the recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Hemostatic agent use was more frequent in casualties with gunshot wounds, traumatic amputations, concomitant tourniquet application, and greater blood product administration."