Prehospital emergency care : official journal of the National Association of EMS Physicians and the National Association of State EMS Directors
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Bradycardia is the most common terminal cardiac electrical activity in children, and early recognition and treatment is necessary to avoid cardiac arrest. Interventions such as oxygen, chest compressions, epinephrine, and atropine recommended by American Heart Association (AHA) Pediatric Advanced Life support (PALS) guidelines have been shown to improve outcomes (including higher survival rates) for inpatient pediatric patients with bradycardia. However, little is known about the epidemiology of pediatric prehospital bradycardia. We sought to investigate the incidence and management of pediatric bradycardia in the prehospital setting by emergency medical services (EMS). ⋯ To our knowledge, this study is the first to examine the incidence and management of prehospital pediatric bradycardia. Incidence was rare, but adherence to PALS guidelines was variable. Further research and education are needed to ensure proper prehospital treatment of pediatric bradycardia.
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Combat injury related wound infections are common. Untreated, these wound infections may progress to sepsis and septic shock leading to increased morbidity and mortality rates. Understanding infectious complications, patterns, progression, and correlated prehospital interventions are vital to understand the development of sepsis. We aim to analyze demographics, injury patterns, and interventions associated with sepsis in battlefield settings. ⋯ Sepsis occurred infrequently in the DoDTR when evacuation from battlefield is not delayed, but despite increased intervention frequency, developing sepsis demonstrates a significant drop in survival rates. Future research would benefit from the development of risk mitigation measures.
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Non-exertional heat stroke is defined as exposure to high outdoor temperatures, core body temperature >40 °C, and alteration of mentation. Early identification and treatment are imperative to reduce morbidity and mortality in these patients. Cold water immersion therapy is the most efficient and efficacious modality in treating heat stroke, yet it is rarely initiated in the prehospital setting. ⋯ He was treated with cold water immersion using a body bag in the back of the ambulance and cooled to 104.1 °F during transport. During the 9-minute transport, the patient regained consciousness, followed basic commands, and answered basic questions. This case highlights the novel use of body bag cold water immersion as early initiation of treatment for heat stroke patients.
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Emergency medical services (EMS) encounters for falls among older adults have been linked to poor outcomes when the patient is not transported by EMS to a hospital. However, little is known regarding characteristics of this patient population. Our primary objective was to describe characteristics associated with non-transport among older adult EMS patients encountered for falls. ⋯ Males, older age groups, and Hispanic/Latino patients had higher odds of non-transport among this population of community-dwelling adults age 60 or greater. These findings may inform development of future targeted falls-related mobile integrated health or community paramedic services and referrals to community intervention programs. Future work is needed to understand underlying patient and clinician perspectives driving non-transport decisions among these patients to better equip EMS clinicians with tools and information on tailored risk/benefit discussions.
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The use of the extremity tourniquet in military environments has reduced preventable deaths due to exsanguinating hemorrhage, leading to increased use in civilian settings. However, the outcomes of contemporary prehospital tourniquet use in civilian settings are not well-described nationally. The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics and outcomes following prehospital tourniquet use by emergency medical services (EMS) in the United States. ⋯ Prehospital tourniquet use by EMS in the United States is associated with lower scene-time and improved survivability to hospital. Results indicate that patients might benefit from wider tourniquet use in the civilian prehospital setting.