Prehospital emergency care : official journal of the National Association of EMS Physicians and the National Association of State EMS Directors
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To evaluate the implementation of an out-of-hospital termination of resuscitation policy in an urban EMS setting. ⋯ Field termination of resuscitation is practical in the setting of asystole unresponsive to aggressive resuscitative efforts. The implementation of such an out-of-hospital termination of resuscitation policy is complicated by many problems and is best accomplished by a gradual implementation process. Through this process all members of the EMS community can address practical and ethical issues and grow comfortable with the ongoing evolution of out-of-hospital therapy.
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Routine vital signs assessment is considered a fundamental component of patient assessment. This study was undertaken to determine whether advanced life support (ALS) emergency medical services (EMS) providers depend on vital signs information in managing their patients. ⋯ The presence or absence of vital signs information does influence some of the patient care decisions of EMS providers; however, the clinical implications of these decisions are unclear. Further studies are needed to determine whether ALS providers can adequately manage actual patients without obtaining vital signs.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
A randomized, controlled trial of the efficacy of closed chest compressions in ambulances.
To examine the feasibility of closed chest compressions in ambulances. ⋯ The percentage of correct compressions in all the vehicles tested was lower when compared with the percentage on the ground, and the increase in heart rate was higher. Only one of these results was statistically significant. A further study with more participants seems warranted.
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To analyze medical care facilities and resources available for spectators attending football games in the current National Football League (NFL) stadiums. ⋯ A wide variety of system designs, facilities, and personnel configurations are used to provide emergency medical care for spectators attending NFL games. This information may be useful for assisting those individuals responsible for organizing stadium medical coverage.