Characterization of non-cardiac arrest PulsePoint activations in public and private settings.

BACKGROUND: Geospatial smartphone application alert systems are used in some communities to crowdsource community response for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Although the clinical focus of this strategy is OHCA, dispatch identification of OHCA is imperfect so that activation may occur for the non-arrest patient. The frequency and clinical profile of such non-arrest patients has not been well-investigated. METHODS: We undertook a prospective 3-year cohort investigation of patients for whom a smartphone geospatial application was activated for suspected OHCA in four United States communities (total population ~1 million). The current investigation evaluates those patients with an activation for suspected OHCA who did not experience cardiac arrest. The volunteer response cohort included off-duty, volunteer public safety personnel (verified responders) notified regardless of location (public or private) and laypersons notified to public locations. The study linked the smartphone application information with the EMS records to report the frequency, condition type, and EMS treatment for these non-arrest patients. RESULTS: Of 1779 calls where volunteers were activated, 756 had suffered OHCA, resulting in 1023 non-arrest patients for study evaluation. The most common EMS assessments were syncope (15.9%, n=163), altered mental status (15.5%, n=159), seizure (14.3%, n=146), overdose (13.0%, n=133), and choking (10.5%, n=107). The assessment distribution was similar for private and public locations. Overall, the most common EMS interventions included placement of an intravenous line (43.1%, n=441), 12-Lead ECG(27.9%, n=285), naloxone treatment (9.8%, n=100), airway or ventilation assistance (8.7%, n=89), and oxygen administration (6.6%, n=68). CONCLUSIONS: More than half of patients activated for suspected OHCA had conditions other than cardiac arrest. A subset of these conditions may benefit from earlier care that could be provided by both layperson and public safety volunteers if they were appropriately trained and equipped.

Acceptability and Preferences of Simulation-Based Continuing Education Among Emergency Medical Service Providers.

INTRODUCTION: Simulation-based education (SBE) has been shown to be an effective and accepted teaching modality across multiple fields of medical education. Prehospital systems currently utilize simulation for initial training; however, few studies have determined the acceptability for simulation-based training for continued education among emergency medical service (EMS) providers. METHODS: We performed a retrospective mixed method review of data from prehospital provider evaluations of high-fidelity SBE training sessions. Survey responses included questions on a Likert scale pertaining to acceptability of the training, as well as free-text comments. Providers included a mix of crews with varying levels of training. RESULTS: We received a 96% response rate for providers who completed the training. Participants rated simulation as an educational tool and the overall value of the session highly for EMS providers across all levels of training with no difference among training level. All providers also indicated they would like similar training on a frequent basis in the future. CONCLUSION: Simulation-based education was found to be an acceptable tool for EMS training and should be considered for use during continuing education for all levels of practicing EMS providers. In addition, EMS providers indicated a preference for participating in SBE on a frequent basis. EMS training programs should consider incorporating more frequent SBE.

Case Report of a Left-sided Superior Vena Cava Causing Unique Positioning of Central Line.

INTRODUCTION: Persistent left-sided superior vena cava is a rare congenital venous malformation. While often clinically asymptomatic, these variations in normal anatomy may give rise to complications with central venous catheter placement. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a 71-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with sepsis of unknown etiology. A right-sided central venous catheter was placed, and due to a persistent left-sided superior vena cava the post-procedure chest radiograph showed a uniquely positioned catheter tip within the left atrium. CONCLUSION: A persistent left-sided superior vena cava may lead to uniquely positioned catheter tip placement on post-procedural imaging. This case demonstrates the need to consider variants in normal venous anatomy, such as persistent left-sided superior vena cava, to aid with correct interpretation of post-procedure imaging findings.

Improving response to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: The verified responder program pilot.

BACKGROUND: Survival following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) decreases as the interval from collapse to CPR and defibrillation increases. Innovative approaches are needed to reduce response intervals, especially for private locations. METHODS: We undertook the Verified Responder Program in 5 United States communities during 2018, whereby off-duty EMS professionals volunteered and were equipped with automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Volunteers were alerted using a geospatial smartphone application (PulsePoint) and could respond to nearby private and public suspected OHCA. The study evaluated the frequency of Verified Responder notification, response, scene arrival, and initial care prior to EMS arrival. OHCA surveillance used the CARES registry. RESULTS: Of the 651 OHCA events (475 private, 176 public), Verified Responders were notified in 7.4% (n = 49). Among the 475 in a private location, volunteers were alerted in 8% (n = 38), responded in 2.7% (n = 13), arrived on scene in 2.3% (n = 11), and provided initial care in 1.7% (n = 8). Among the 176 in a public location, volunteers were alerted in 6.3% (n = 11), responded in 2.3% (n = 4), arrived on-scene in 2.3% (n = 4), and provided initial care in 2.3% (n = 4). Over 96% surveyed had positive impression of the program and intended to continue participation. No responder reported any adverse event. CONCLUSIONS: In this initial US-based experience of a smartphone program for suspected OHCA in private and public locations, Verified Responders reported a positive experience, though were only involved in a small fraction of OHCA. Studies should determine how this type of program could be enhanced to involve more OHCA events.

Emergency Medical Dispatchers Can Obtain Accurate Pediatric Weights from 9-1-1 Callers.

BACKGROUND: Prehospital pediatric drug dosing errors affect 56,000 U.S. children annually. An accurate weight is the first step in accurate dosing. To date, the accuracy of Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) obtained weights has not been evaluated. We hypothesized that EMD could obtain accurate pediatric weights. METHODS: We used a convenience sample of patients 12 years and younger that were transported by EMS to one children's hospital. EMD obtained patient weight (DW) from the 9-1-1 caller. Paramedics reported their estimate of the patient's weight on arrival to the hospital (PW). The DW and PW were compared to the hospital scale weight (HW) for accuracy. RESULTS: A total of 197 patients were included. Parent/guardians were the most frequent 9-1-1 callers (74%). The most frequent method utilized by paramedics to obtain patient weight was to ask a family member. For 0-2 year olds, the mean differences between HW and DW/PW were 0.239kg (SD 3.117)/ -0.374 (SD 2.528). For 3-7 year olds, the mean differences between HW and DW/PW were 0.041kg (SD 4.684)/1.007 (SD 2.466). For 8-11 year olds the mean difference between HW and DW/PW was 2.768 kg (SD 10.926)/ 1.919 (SD 6.909). CONCLUSION: EMD were able to obtain pediatric patient weights with relative accuracy for patients 0-7 year old. Using this EMD-obtained weight to carry out a drug dose calculation would be unlikely to result in a clinically significant dose error in the vast majority of cases. Communicating an EMD-obtained weight to EMS crews en route to a pediatric patient offers additional preparation time for drug calculations, which could improve accuracy.

Towards evidence based emergency medicine: best BETs from the Manchester Royal Infirmary. BET 1: Efficacy of hypothermia for traumatic brain injury in children.

A short cut review was carried out to establish whether there is any evidence for induced hypothermia in paediatric brain injury. 80 papers were found using the reported search, of which 5 represent the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated. The clinical bottom line is that there is no evidence to support the use of hypothermia in brain injured children, and it may be associated with increased mortality.