Prehospital emergency care : official journal of the National Association of EMS Physicians and the National Association of State EMS Directors
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Automated external defibrillator use by untrained bystanders: can the public-use model work?
For automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to be practical for broad public use, responders must be able to use them safely and effectively. This study's objective was to determine whether untrained laypersons could accurately follow the visual and voice prompt instructions of an AED. ⋯ This study demonstrated that the AED user interface significantly influences the ability of untrained caregivers to appropriately place pads and quickly deliver a shock. Avoiding grossly inappropriate pad placement and failure to place AED pads directly on skin may be correctable with improvements in the AED instruction user interface.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The incidence and treatment of prehospital motion sickness.
The authors' objectives were: 1) to determine the incidence of motion sickness during ambulance transport on a mountainous route in healthy volunteers, and 2) to determine if droperidol alleviated the signs and symptoms of motion sickness in those volunteers who developed it. ⋯ The incidence of motion sickness during ambulance transport in a mountainous setting is substantial. There was a strong trend toward a positive treatment effect with droperidol. Further prospective study in an actual patient setting is warranted.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Paramedic use of the endotracheal tube introducer in a difficult airway model.
To determine whether advanced life support (ALS)-level prehospital providers can be taught to effectively use the Flex-Guide (FG) Endotracheal Tube (ETT) introducer in a difficult airway model by comparing success of styleted ETT intubation with Flex-Guide-assisted intubation. ⋯ Prehospital care providers were as successful intubating a difficult airway model using the newly learned bougie technique as they were using the more familiar styleted ETT technique.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Use of emergency medical services for suspected acute cardiac ischemia among demographic and clinical patient subgroups: the REACT trial. Rapid Early Action for Coronary Treatment.
Barriers to the use of emergency medical services (EMS) and patient delay in seeking care can limit the receipt or effectiveness of reperfusion therapies and the availability of prehospital emergency cardiac care. The Rapid Early Action for Coronary Treatment (REACT) trial was designed to determine the impact of a community intervention on use of EMS among demographic and clinical subgroups of patients with suspected acute cardiac ischemia. ⋯ The REACT trial demonstrated a significant impact on the use of EMS among patients admitted to the hospital for suspected acute myocardial infarction, with greater increases among patients with chronic or other cardiac ICD-9 discharge diagnoses, those presenting with lower SBP, and retired persons.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of perceived pain with different immobilization techniques.
To compare the locations and severities of pain generated by a hard wooden spine board vs a soft vacuum mattress splint on immobilized volunteers. ⋯ The hard-board method of spinal immobilization generates higher self-reported pain scale scores than the two vacuum mattresses.