Prehospital Evaluation of the FAST-ED as a Secondary Stroke Screen to Identify Large Vessel Occlusion Strokes.

Introduction: The Field Assessment Stroke Triage for Emergency Destination (FAST-ED) was developed to identify Large Vessel Occlusion Strokes (LVOS) presenting out of hospital, although there is limited prospective research validating its use in this setting. This study evaluated the test characteristics of the FAST-ED to identify LVOS when used as a secondary stroke screen in the prehospital environment. Secondary analysis compared the performance of the CPSS and the FAST-ED in identifying an LVOS. Methods: This prospective, observational study was conducted from April 2018 to December 2019 in a municipal EMS system with all ALS ambulance response. The FAST-ED was implemented as a secondary screening tool for emergent stroke patients who had at least one positive Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Screen (CPSS) item. CPSS and FAST-ED scores were extracted from prehospital electronic care reports, while the presence of LVOS was extracted from hospital records. Results: A total 1,359 patients were enrolled; 55.3% female, 47.5% white, with a mean age of 69.4 (SD 15.8). In this cohort, 11.3% of patients experienced an LVOS. The mean FAST-ED for a patient experiencing an LVOS was 5.33 (95%CI 4.97-5.69) compared to 3.06 (95%CI 2.95-3.12) (p < 0.001). A score of greater or equal to 4 yielded the highest combination of sensitivity (77.78%) and specificity (65.34%) with positive likelihood ratio 2.24 (95% CI 2.00-2.52) and negative likelihood ratio 0.34 (95% CI 0.25-0.46). Area under the ROC curve was 0.77 (95%CI 0.73, 0.81). A CPSS with all three items positive demonstrated a sensitivity of 73.20% and 69.57% specificity, with an ROC area of 0.73 (95% CI 0.70-0.77). When comparing a FAST-ED ≥4 to a CPSS of all positive items, there was no significant difference in sensitivity (p > 0.05), and the FAST-ED had a significantly lower specificity than the CPSS (p < 0.005). Conclusion: As stroke care advances, EMS agencies must consider their destination triage needs. This study suggests agencies must consider the use of single versus secondary scales, and to determine the ideal sensitivity and specificity for their system.

A Novel Use of NEMSIS to Create a PECARN-Specific EMS Patient Registry.

Background: Research networks need access to EMS data to conduct pilot studies and determine feasibility of prospective studies. Combining data across EMS agencies is complicated and costly. Leveraging the National EMS Information System (NEMSIS) to extract select agencies' data may be an efficient and cost-effective method of providing network-level data. Objective: Describe the process of creating a Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) specific NEMSIS data set and determine if these data were nationally representative. Methods: We established data use agreements (DUAs) with EMS agencies participating in PECARN to allow for agency identification through NEMSIS. Using 2019 NEMSIS version 3.4.0 data for EMS events with patients 18 years old and younger, we compared PECARN NEMSIS data to national NEMSIS data. Analyzed variables were selected for their ability to characterize events. No statistical analyses were utilized due to the large sample, instead, differences of ±5% were deemed clinically meaningful. Results: DUAs were established for 19 EMS agencies, creating a PECARN data set with 305,188 EMS activations of which 17,478 (5.7%) were pediatric. Of the pediatric activations, 17,140 (98.1%) were initiated through 9-1-1 and 9,487 (55.4%) resulted in transport by the documenting agency. The national data included 36,288,405 EMS activations of which 2,152,849 (5.9%) were pediatric. Of the pediatric activations 1,704,141 (79.2%) were initiated through 9-1-1 and 1,055,504 (61.9%) were transported by the documenting agency. Age and gender distributions were similar between the two groups, but the PECARN-specific data under-represents Black and Latinx patients. Comparison of EMS provider primary impressions revealed that three of the five most common were similar with injury being the most prevalent for both data sets along with mental/behavioral health and seizure. Conclusion: We demonstrated that NEMSIS can be leveraged to create network specific data sets. PECARN's EMS data were similar to the national data, though racial/ethnic minorities and some primary impressions may be under-represented. Additionally, more EMS activations in PECARN study areas originated through 9-1-1 but fewer were transported by the documenting agency. This is likely related to the type of participating agencies, their ALS response level, and the diversity of the communities they serve.

Inter-Rater Reliability of the FAST-ED in the Out-of-Hospital Setting.

Introduction: Patients experiencing a large vessel occlusion stroke (LVOS) may require endovascular-capable centers and benefit from direct transport to such facilities, creating a need for an accurate prehospital assessment. The Field Assessment Stroke Triage for Emergency Destination (FAST-ED) is a secondary scale to identify LVOS. Currently, there is limited prospective evidence validating the use of the FAST-ED in the prehospital environment. This study aimed to evaluate the inter-rater reliability of the FAST-ED between patient care providers in the prehospital setting.Methods: This prospective study was conducted between 4/1/2018 and 7/1/2018 in a single municipal EMS agency that staffs two providers per ambulance with at least one being a paramedic. Patients were included based on paramedic impression that the patient was both having a stroke and greater than 18 years old. Each provider independently performed and documented a FAST-ED assessment on eligible patients. Data analysis consisted of performing inter-rater reliability using Cohen's Kappa on the FAST-ED score between primary and secondary providers. The FAST-ED was analyzed on an item level, an aggregate level (cumulative of all items), and using the defined cut point of ≥4. A sub-analysis determined if inter-rater reliability changed across provider certification.Results: There were 231 patients included in this analysis with an average age of 68.5 years and 135 (58.4%) female. Inter-rater reliability varied across individual items in the scale from 90.1% agreement to 82.5%. When analyzing inter-rater reliability of the aggregate FAST-ED score, the scale demonstrated 70.1% agreement (Kappa 0.66), considered substantial agreement. FAST-ED scores were analyzed using a cut point of ≥4. When using this cut point, there was 92.2% (Kappa 0.81) agreement between primary and secondary caregiver, demonstrating almost perfect agreement. Agreement was substantial across provider certifications including paramedics and EMTS.Conclusion: This study demonstrated high inter-rater reliability of the FAST-ED scale when performed in the prehospital setting on patients suspected of having a stroke. There were minimal differences in reliability based on provider certification, and item level analysis indicated substantial inter-rater reliability.

Multicenter Evaluation of Prehospital Seizure Management in Children.

BACKGROUND: Seizures are a common reason why emergency medical services (EMS) transports children by ambulance. Timely seizure cessation prevents neurologic morbidity, respiratory compromise, and mortality. Implementing recommendations from an evidence-based pediatric prehospital guideline may enhance timeliness of seizure cessation and optimize medication dosing. OBJECTIVE: We compared management of pediatric prehospital seizures across several EMS systems after protocol revision consistent with an evidence-based guideline. METHODS: Using a retrospective, cross-sectional approach, we evaluated actively seizing patients (0-17 years old) EMS transported to a hospital before and after modifying local protocols to include evidence-based recommendations for seizure management in three EMS agencies. We electronically queried and manually abstracted both EMS and hospital data at each site to obtain information about patient demographics, medications given, seizure cessation and recurrence, airway interventions, access obtained, and timeliness of care. The primary outcome of the study was the appropriate administration of midazolam based on route and dose. We analyzed these secondary outcomes: frequency of seizure activity upon emergency department (ED) arrival, frequency of respiratory failure, and timeliness of care. RESULTS: We analyzed data for 533 actively seizing patients. Paramedics were more likely to administer at least one dose of midazolam after the protocol updates [127/208 (61%) vs. 232/325 (71%), p = 0.01, OR = 1.60 (95% CI: 1.10-2.30)]. Paramedics were also more likely to administer the first midazolam dose via the preferred intranasal (IN) or intramuscular (IM) routes after the protocol change [(63/208 (49%) vs. 179/325 (77%), p < 0.001, OR = 3.24 (2.01-5.21)]. Overall, paramedics administered midazolam approximately 14 min after their arrival, gave an incorrect weight-based dose to 130/359 (36%) patients, and gave a lower than recommended dose to 94/130 (72%) patients. Upon ED arrival, 152/533 (29%) patients had a recurrent or persistent seizure. Respiratory failure during EMS care or subsequently in the ED occurred in 90/533 (17%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of an evidence-based seizure protocol for EMS increased midazolam administration. Patients frequently received an incorrect weight-based dose. Future research should focus on optimizing administration of the correct dose of midazolam to improve seizure cessation.

Prehospital ECG with ST-depression and T-wave inversion are associated with new onset heart failure in individuals transported by ambulance for suspected acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Prehospital electrocardiogram(s) (ECG) can improve early detection of acute coronary syndrome (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI], non-STEMI, and unstable angina) and inform prehospital activation of cardiac catheterization lab; thus, reducing total ischemic time and improving patient outcomes. Less is known, however, about the association of prehospital ECG ischemic findings and long term adverse clinical events. With this in mind, this study was designed to examine the: 1) frequency of prehospital ECGs for acute myocardial ischemia (ST-elevation, ST-depression, and/or T-wave inversion); and, 2) whether any of these specific ECG features are associated with adverse clinical events within 30 day of initial presentation to the emergency department (ED). METHODS: We included consecutive patients ≥ 21 years during a five-year period (2013-2017), who were transported by ambulance to the ED with non-traumatic chest pain and/or anginal equivalent(s) and had a prehospital 12­lead ECG. Two cardiologists (LG, EC), blinded to clinical data, interpreted the 12­lead ECGs applying current guideline based ischemia criteria. Adverse clinical events, return to ED, and rehospitalization evaluated at 30-days. RESULTS: We identified 3646 patients (mean age, 59.7 years ±15.7; 45% female) with ECGs, of which N = 3587 had data on the three ischemic markers of interest. Of these, 1762 (49.1%) had ECG evidence of ischemia. In adjusted logistic regression models, those with T-wave inversion had a higher odds (OR = 1.59) of new onset heart failure, while ST-elevation was associated with lower odds (OR = 0.69). Patients with ST-depression had higher odds of new onset heart failure and death within 30 days (OR = 1.29, 1.49 respectively), but this association attenuated after controlling for other ECG features. CONCLUSIONS: ST-depression and/or T-wave inversion are independent predictors of new onset heart failure, within 30 days of initial ED presentation. Our study in a large cohort of patients, suggests that using ECG ST-elevation alone may not capture patients with ischemia who may benefit from aggressive anti-ischemic therapies to reduce myocardial damage with resultant heart failure.

Validity of the Pediatric Early Warning Score and the Bedside Pediatric Early Warning Score in Classifying Patients Who Require the Resources of a Higher Level Pediatric Hospital.

Introduction: The pediatric early warning score (PEWS) and the bedside pediatric early warning score (BPEWS) are validated tools that help determine the need for critical care in children with acute medical conditions. These tools could be used by EMS and have not been evaluated outside of the hospital. This study retrospectively tested the validity of these tools in the prehospital setting to identify children who needed a hospital with higher level pediatric resources. Methods: This was a multi-center retrospective validation of screening tools using prehospital and in-hospital data obtained from 3 EMS agencies. EMS patient records from April 1, 2013 to April 30, 2015 were used to identify subjects for this analysis. Pediatric patients were retrospectively classified using the PEWS based on the clinical information documented in the EMS medical record. Those with PEWS scores greater than 4 were matched to a subject with scores less than 4 based on age, gender, and paramedic primary impression. Hospital medical record review was then used to determine whether the patient required a hospital with higher level pediatric resources. These classifications were used to calculate sensitivity, specificity, and resultant 95% confidence intervals. The analysis was repeated for included subjects who had sufficient data to calculate BPEWS. Results: There were 386 patients enrolled. A PEWS ≥ 4 demonstrated a sensitivity of 62.8 (95% CI 53.6-71.4) and a specificity of 55.9 (95% CI 49.6-61.9) in identifying a patient who required a hospital with higher level pediatric resources. There were 44 pairs of patients that had sufficient EMS data documented to calculate a BPEWS. A BPEWS ≥ 7 demonstrated a sensitivity of 46.4 (95% CI 27.5-66.1) and a specificity of 76.7 (95% CI 64.0-86.6) to correctly classify a patient who required a hospital with higher level pediatric resources. Conclusion: In the prehospital setting neither PEWS nor BPEWS exhibited sufficient sensitivity for clinical use to accurately identify children who need a hospital with higher level pediatric resources. Further research should be conducted to identify variables that are captured by prehospital care providers and are associated with children who need a hospital with higher level pediatric resources.

Development of a Content Valid and Reliable Prehospital Environmental Falls Risk Assessment Tool for Older Adults.

Introduction: The aging population reintroduces the need to establish early identification of falls risk as a means of primary and secondary prevention of falls. While there are several existing tools to assess environmental risk factors developed for consumers or home health providers, assessment of environmental falls risk by emergency medical services (EMS) providers represents a novel approach to primary and secondary prevention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a content valid and reliable assessment of environmental fall risk to be performed in the prehospital setting. Methods: This was a mixed methods study, conducted from August, 2015 to September, 2017 in Mecklenburg County, NC, utilizing qualitative methodology to develop content valid items for an environmental falls risk assessment and quantitative methodology to assess those items for interrater reliability. Content validity was assessed using 2 expert panels. Expert Panel One was tasked with assessing validity of a construct to indicate an increased risk of an in-home fall for elderly individuals and expert Panel Two was responsible for assessing the likelihood of an EMS professional to identify a construct during their course of patient care. To assess reliability of the identified content valid items, 5 paramedics were recruited for interrater reliability (IRR) testing of the validated falls risk assessment tool. Each paramedic and their partner received education on documentation and deployment of the tool. Crews independently documented presence or absence of each item with pair agreement assessed using Cohen's kappa (κ). Results: A total of 87 items were identified for assessment through review of validated scales and relevant literature, with the content validation process reducing to 9 the number of items tested in the field for reliability. A total of 57 paired assessments were completed and included in analysis. One item returned almost perfect agreement (κ = 0.87), 5 items returned moderate agreement (κ = 0.41-0.54), with the remaining 3 items illustrating fair agreement (κ = 0.33-0.39). Conclusion: We developed a construct valid and reliable assessment of environmental falls risk to be performed in the prehospital setting. Further trials should be conducted using this tool to determine appropriate cut scores and deployment in the prehospital setting to help with primary and secondary fall prevention.

Paramedic-Identified Enablers of and Barriers to Pediatric Seizure Management: A Multicenter, Qualitative Study.

Background: Seizures have the potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality, and are a common reason emergency medical services (EMS) are requested for a child. An evidence-based guideline (EBG) for pediatric prehospital seizures was published and has been implemented as protocol in multiple EMS systems. Knowledge translation and protocol adherence in medicine can be incomplete. In EMS, systems-based factors and providers' attitudes and beliefs may contribute to incomplete knowledge translation and protocol implementation. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify paramedic attitudes and beliefs regarding pediatric seizure management and regarding potential barriers to and enablers of adherence to evidence-based pediatric seizure protocols in multiple EMS systems. Methods: This was a qualitative study utilizing semi-structured interviews of paramedics who recently transported actively seizing 0-17 year-old patients in 3 different urban EMS systems. Interviewers explored the providers' decision-making during their recent case and regarding seizures in general. Interview questions explored barriers to and enablers of protocol adherence. Two investigators used the grounded theory approach and constant comparison to independently analyze transcribed interview recordings until thematic saturation was reached. Findings were validated with follow-up member-checking interviews. Results: Several themes emerged from the 66 interviewed paramedics. Enablers of protocol adherence included point-of-care references, the availability of different routes for midazolam and availability of online medical control. Systems-level barriers included equipment availability, controlled substance management, infrequent pediatric training, and protocol ambiguity. Provider-level barriers included concerns about respiratory depression, provider fatigue, preferences for specific routes, febrile seizure perceptions, and inaccurate methods of weight estimation. Paramedics suggested system improvements to address dose standardization, protocol clarity, simplified controlled substance logistics, and equipment availability. Conclusions: Paramedics identified enablers of and barriers to adherence to evidence-based pediatric seizure protocols. The identified barriers existed at both the provider and systems levels. Paramedics identified multiple potential solutions to overcome several barriers to protocol adherence. Future research should focus on using the findings of this study to revise seizure protocols and to deploy measures to improve protocol implementation. Future research should also analyze process and outcome measures before and after the implementation of revised seizure protocols informed by the findings of this study.

Assessment of Key Health and Wellness Indicators Among North Carolina Emergency Medical Service Providers.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to characterize key health indicators in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel and identify areas for intervention in order to ensure a strong and capable emergency health workforce. METHODS: Participants were EMS personnel delivering patients to 4 regional tertiary care emergency departments within North Carolina (NC). After transferring patient care and agreeing to participate, height, weight, and blood pressure (BP) measurements were recorded and each participant completed a questionnaire regarding demographics, activity levels, alcohol consumption, smoking, and medical history. Data were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: A sample of 452 EMS personnel from across NC was enrolled. The cohort was predominantly male (74.1%) and employed full-time (85.5%). The prevalence of overweight and obesity (80.3%) among EMS personnel was higher than the NC population (65.6%) and the general United States (US) population (70.8%). A previous diagnosis of high BP was reported by only 18.3% of participants, but 65.1% had elevated BP at the time of measurement. Alcohol consumption in the past 30 days among participants (55.4%) was slightly higher than state estimates (48.0%) and similar to national estimates (57.1%). However, heavy drinking (22.2%) and binge drinking (28.8%) were reported at much higher rates than state (5.6% and 15.2%, respectively) and national (6.6% and 18.3%, respectively) estimates. The prevalence of current smoking (21.5%) and quit attempts (48.8%) in the cohort was similar to state (21.8% and 55.0%, respectively) and national (21.2% and 55.7%, respectively) estimates. Likewise, the proportion of EMS providers meeting the Center for Disease Control's activity guidelines (49.6%) was similar to that found in the NC (46.8%) and the general US (48.0%) populations. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a high prevalence of overweight and obesity, heavy drinking, binge drinking, and high BP among NC EMS personnel. Similar to fire service personnel, these rates are higher than the general US population. As such, they suggest areas where intervention would have the greatest positive impact on the health and performance of the EMS workforce.

Decreased Time from 9-1-1 Call to PCI among Patients Experiencing STEMI Results in a Decreased One Year Mortality.

BACKGROUND: The impact on mortality due to prompt recognition of ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) patients by EMS has not been well described. The objective of this study was to describe the association between the time interval, 9-1-1 call to percutaneous intervention (PCI), and mortality at one year. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included patients that were transported by EMS as a "code STEMI" and underwent PCI.  Total time from 9-1-1 call to PCI was calculated for each patient and was the independent variable of interest. Each patient's mortality status at one year was the outcome variable, collected by querying medical records and the national death index. Confounding variables were abstracted from hospital records. Logistic regression was conducted to determine the likelihood of survival given differences in time to PCI. RESULTS: A total of 550 patients were included in the analyses of which 68% were male with an average age 59.8 (SD 12.8). Mean reperfusion time was 81.8 min (SD 20.0) and was significantly lower in patients alive at one year (80.8 min, SD 19.7) vs. deceased at one year (93.9 min, SD 19.6), respectively. Odds of survival at one year decreased by 3% (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.96-0.99) for every one minute increase in time to PCI. This relationship practically represents a 30% increase in mortality for every 10 minute delay from 9-1-1 call to PCI. CONCLUSION: The model produced suggests that a linear relationship exists between time to PCI and mortality in the prehospital environment with the probability of survival decreasing significantly as time to PCI increases.

Effect of Task Load Interventions on Fatigue in Emergency Medical Services Personnel and Other Shift Workers: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Modifying the task load of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel may mitigate fatigue, sleep quality and fatigue related risks. A review of the literature addressing task load interventions may benefit EMS administrators as they craft policies related to mitigating fatigue. We conducted a systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature to address the following question: "In EMS personnel, do task load interventions mitigate fatigue, mitigate fatigue-related risks, and/or improve sleep?" (PROSPERO 2016:CRD42016040114). METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the literature that described use of randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and observational study designs. We retained and reviewed research that involved EMS personnel or similar shift worker groups 18 years of age and older. Studies of 'healthy volunteers' and non-shift worker populations were excluded. Studies were included where the methodology of the study implied a theoretical framework of task load (or workload) affecting fatigue, and then fatigue related outcomes. Outcomes of interest included personnel safety, patient safety, personnel performance, acute fatigue, and cost to system. We used the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology to summarize findings and assess quality of evidence from very low to high quality. RESULTS: The search strategy yielded 3,394 unique records resulting in 58 records included as potentially eligible. An additional 69 studies were reviewed in full following searches of bibliographies. We detected wide variation in the description and measurement of task load in the retained and excluded research. Among 127 potentially relevant studies reviewed in full, five were judged eligible. None of the retained studies reported findings germane to personnel safety, patient safety, or cost to system. We judged most studies to have serious or very serious risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of task load interventions on fatigue, fatigue-related risks, and/or sleep quality was not estimable and the overall quality of evidence was judged low or very low. There was considerable heterogeneity in how task load was defined and measured.

Evidence-Based Guidelines for Fatigue Risk Management in EMS: Formulating Research Questions and Selecting Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Greater than half of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel report work-related fatigue, yet there are no guidelines for the management of fatigue in EMS. A novel process has been established for evidence-based guideline (EBG) development germane to clinical EMS questions. This process has not yet been applied to operational EMS questions like fatigue risk management. The objective of this study was to develop content valid research questions in the Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) framework, and select outcomes to guide systematic reviews and development of EBGs for EMS fatigue risk management. METHODS: We adopted the National Prehospital EBG Model Process and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework for developing, implementing, and evaluating EBGs in the prehospital care setting. In accordance with steps one and two of the Model Process, we searched for existing EBGs, developed a multi-disciplinary expert panel and received external input. Panelists completed an iterative process to formulate research questions. We used the Content Validity Index (CVI) to score relevance and clarity of candidate PICO questions. The panel completed multiple rounds of question editing and used a CVI benchmark of ≥0.78 to indicate acceptable levels of clarity and relevance. Outcomes for each PICO question were rated from 1 = less important to 9 = critical. RESULTS: Panelists formulated 13 candidate PICO questions, of which 6 were eliminated or merged with other questions. Panelists reached consensus on seven PICO questions (n = 1 diagnosis and n = 6 intervention). Final CVI scores of relevance ranged from 0.81 to 1.00. Final CVI scores of clarity ranged from 0.88 to 1.00. The mean number of outcomes rated as critical, important, and less important by PICO question was 0.7 (SD 0.7), 5.4 (SD 1.4), and 3.6 (SD 1.9), respectively. Patient and personnel safety were rated as critical for most PICO questions. PICO questions and outcomes were registered with PROSPERO, an international database of prospectively registered systematic reviews. CONCLUSIONS: We describe formulating and refining research questions and selection of outcomes to guide systematic reviews germane to EMS fatigue risk management. We outline a protocol for applying the Model Process and GRADE framework to create evidence-based guidelines.

Evaluating clinical care in the prehospital setting: Is Rapid Emergency Medicine Score the missing metric of EMS?

INTRODUCTION: The Rapid Emergency Medicine Score (REMS) was developed to predict emergency department patient mortality. Our objective was to utilize REMS to assess initial patient acuity and evaluate clinical change during prehospital care. METHODS: All non-cardiac arrest emergency transports from April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014 were analyzed from a single EMS agency. Using age, pulse rate, mean arterial pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and Glasgow Coma Scale, initial and final REMS were calculated. Change in REMS was calculated by initial minus final with a positive number indicating clinical improvement. Descriptive analyses were performed calculating means and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: There were 61,346 patients analyzed with an average initial REMS of 4.3 (95% CI: 4.2-4.3) and an average REMS change of 0.37 (95% CI: 0.36-0.38). Those patients classified with the highest dispatch priority had the highest initial REMS (5.8; 95% CI: 5.5-6.2) and the greatest change (0.95; 95% CI: 0.72-1.17). Patients transported with high priority had greater initial REMS, as well as greater improvement in REMS (high priority 7.3 [95% CI: 7.1-7.4], change 0.61 [95% CI: 0.53-0.69]; middle priority 5.3 [95% CI: 5.2-5.4], change 0.55 [95% CI: 0.51-0.59]; low priority 3.9 [95% CI: 3.8-3.9], change 0.32 [95% CI: 0.31-0.33]). CONCLUSION: Descriptive analyses indicate that as dispatch and transport priorities increased in severity so too did initial REMS. The largest change in REMS was seen in patients with the highest dispatch and transport priorities. This indicates that REMS may provide system level insight into evaluating clinical changes during care.

Utilizing Geographic Information Systems to Identify Clusters of Severe Sepsis Patients Presenting in the Out-of-Hospital Environment.

UNLABELLED: Understanding the geographic distribution of critical illness within a community may provide public health stakeholders with information that can be used to expedite access to specialized care. We hypothesized that severe sepsis patients transported by emergency medical services (EMS) exhibit geospatial clustering and that prehospital providers would recognize sepsis more frequently in patients transported from sepsis clusters. Retrospective review of a prospective, observational study of patients with severe sepsis transported to the emergency department (ED) by EMS and treated with early goal-directed therapy (EGDT). INCLUSION CRITERIA: suspected infection, 2 or more criteria for systemic inflammation, and either systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg after a fluid bolus or lactate >4 mmol/liter. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: age <18 or need for immediate surgery. Patient location at the time of EMS activation was recorded. Analysis of the addresses identified clusters, defined as a location in which EMS transported more than one patient experiencing the above associated signs and symptoms of septic shock. Other data collected included self-reported patient location as private residence or chronic care facility. One hundred sixty severe sepsis patients transported by EMS were eligible for analysis, presenting from 125 locations. Ninety-one patients (57%) presented from a private residence and 69 (37%) from a chronic care facility. Fifty (31%) patients were transported from 15 locations, with 25 of those transported from just 4 locations. Cluster patients tended to be older, come from medical facilities, and were more likely to have sepsis recognized by prehospital providers. Results from this study demonstrate low pre-hospital recognition of sepsis, as well as geospatially clustered presentations, most notably from skilled nursing facilities. Community education, public health initiatives, and EMS interventions could be targeted in such clusters of cases in order to both improve sepsis recognition and potentially expedite time-sensitive interventions.

Prehospital Opioid Administration in the Emergency Care of Injured Children.

OBJECTIVE: Prior studies have identified provider and system characteristics that impede pain management in children, but no studies have investigated the effect of changing these characteristics on prehospital opioid analgesia. Our objectives were to determine: 1) the frequency of opioid analgesia and pain score documentation among prehospital pediatric patients after system wide changes to improve pain treatment, and 2) if older age, longer transport times, the presence of vascular access and pain score documentation were associated with increased prehospital administration of opioid analgesia in children. METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of pediatric patients aged 3-18 years assessed by a single EMS system between October 1, 2011 and September 30, 2013. Prior to October 2011, the EMS system had implemented 3 changes to improve pain treatment: (1) training on age appropriate pain scales, (2) protocol changes to allow opioid analgesia without contacting medical control, and (3) the introduction of intranasal fentanyl. All patients with working assessments of blunt, penetrating, lacerating, and/or burn trauma were included. We used descriptive statistics to determine the frequency of pain score documentation and opioid analgesia administration and logistic regression to determine the association of age, transport time, and the presence of intravenous access with opioid analgesia administration. RESULTS: Of the 1,368 eligible children, 336 (25%) had a documented pain score. Eleven percent (130/1204) of children without documented contraindications to opioid administration received opioids. Of the children with no documented pain score and no protocol exclusions, 9% (81/929) received opioid analgesia, whereas 18% (49/275) with a documented pain score ≥4 and no protocol exclusions received opioids. Multivariate analysis revealed that vascular access (OR = 11.89; 95% CI: 7.33-19.29), longer patient transport time (OR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.04-1.11), age (OR 0.93; 95% CI: 0.88-0.98) and pain score documentation (OR 2.23; 95% CI: 1.40-3.55) were associated with opioid analgesia. CONCLUSIONS: Despite implementation of several best practice recommendations to improve prehospital pain treatment, few children have a documented pain score and even fewer receive opioid analgesia. Children with longer transport times, successful IV placement, and/or documentation of pain score(s) were more likely to receive prehospital analgesia.

Multicenter Evaluation of Prehospital Opioid Pain Management in Injured Children.

BACKGROUND: The National Association of Emergency Medical Services Physicians' (NAEMSP) Position Statement on Prehospital Pain Management and the joint National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Evidence-based Guideline for Prehospital Analgesia in Trauma aim to improve the recognition, assessment, and treatment of prehospital pain. The impact of implementation of these guidelines on pain management in children by emergency medical services (EMS) agencies has not been assessed. OBJECTIVE: Determine the change in frequency of documented pain severity assessment and opiate administration among injured pediatric patients in three EMS agencies after adoption of best practice recommendations. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of children <18 years of age with a prehospital injury-related primary impression from three EMS agencies. Each agency independently implemented pain protocol changes which included adding the use of age-appropriate pain scales, decreasing the minimum age for opiate administration, and updating fentanyl dosing. We abstracted data from prehospital electronic patient records before and after changes to the pain management protocols. The primary outcomes were the frequency of administration of opioid analgesia and documentation of pain severity assessment as recorded in the prehospital patient care record. RESULTS: A total of 3,597 injured children were transported prior to pain protocol changes and 3,743 children after changes. Opiate administration to eligible patients across study sites regardless of documentation of pain severity was 156/3,089 (5%) before protocol changes and 175/3,509 (5%) after (p = 0.97). Prior to protocol changes, 580 (18%) children had documented pain assessments and 430 (74%) had moderate-to-severe pain. After protocol changes, 644 (18%) patients had pain severity documented with 464 (72%) in moderate-to-severe pain. For all study agencies, pain severity was documented in 13%, 19%, and 22% of patient records both before and after protocol changes. There was a difference in intranasal fentanyl administration rates before (27%) and after (17%) protocol changes (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The proportion of injured children who receive prehospital opioid analgesia remains suboptimal despite implementation of best practice recommendations. Frequency of pain severity assessment of injured children is low. Intranasal fentanyl administration may be an underutilized modality of prehospital opiate administration.

2015 Pediatric Research Priorities in Prehospital Care.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric prehospital research has been limited, but work in this area is starting to increase particularly with the growth of pediatric-specific research endeavors. Given the increased interest in pediatric prehospital research, there is a need to identify specific research priorities that incorporate the perspective of prehospital providers and other emergency medical services (EMS) stakeholders. OBJECTIVES: To develop a list of specific research priorities that is relevant, specific, and important to the practice of pediatric prehospital care. METHODS: Three independent committees of EMS providers and researchers were recruited. Each committee developed a list of research topics. These topics were collated and used to initiate a modified Delphi process for developing consensus on a list of research priorities. Participants were the committee members. Topics approved by 80% were retained as research priorities. Topics that were rejected by more than 50% were eliminated. The remaining topics were modified and included on subsequent surveys. Each survey allowed respondents to add additional topics. The surveys were continued until all topics were either successfully retained or rejected and no new topics were suggested. RESULTS: Fifty topics were identified by the three independent committees. These topics were included on the initial electronic survey. There were 5 subsequent surveys. At the completion of the final survey a total of 29 research priorities were identified. These research priorities covered the following study areas: airway management, asthma, cardiac arrest, pain, patient-family interaction, resource utilization, seizure, sepsis, spinal immobilization, toxicology, trauma, training and competency, and vascular access. The research priorities were very specific. For example, under airway the priorities were: "identify the optimal device for effectively managing the airway in the prehospital setting" and "identify the optimal airway management device for specific disease processes." CONCLUSION: This project developed a list of relevant, specific, and important research priorities for pediatric prehospital care. Some similarities exist between this project and prior research agendas but this list represents a current, more specific research agenda and reflects the opinions of working EMS providers, researchers, and leaders. KEY WORDS: emergency medical technician; research; emergency medical services; priorities.

Electrocardiographic diagnosis of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction: An evaluation of three automated interpretation algorithms.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity of three different computerized electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation algorithms in correctly identifying STEMI patients in the prehospital environment who require emergent cardiac intervention. METHODS: This retrospective study validated three diagnostic algorithms (AG) against the presence of a culprit coronary artery upon cardiac catheterization. Two patient groups were enrolled in this study: those with verified prehospital ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) activation (cases) and those with a prehospital impression of chest pain due to ACS (controls). RESULTS: There were 500 records analyzed resulting in a case group with 151 patients and a control group with 349 patients. Sensitivities differed between AGs (AG1=0.69 vs AG2=0.68 vs AG3=0.62), with statistical differences in sensitivity found when comparing AG1 to AG3 and AG1 to AG2. Specificities also differed between AGs (AG1=0.89 vs AG2=0.91 vs AG3=0.95), with AG1 and AG2 significantly less specific than AG3. CONCLUSIONS: STEMI diagnostic algorithms vary in regards to their validity in identifying patients with culprit artery lesions. This suggests that systems could apply more sensitive or specific algorithms depending on the needs in their community.

An assessment of pain management among patients presenting to emergency medical services after suffering a fall.

INTRODUCTION: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals frequently care for patients experiencing acute pain. Analgesics are critical in patient comfort and satisfaction levels during the treatment of acute pain. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of pain management in patients suffering a fall, the documented pain score, and the location of their injuries. It was hypothesized that the frequency of analgesia administration was low and would be associated with injury location. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of patients presenting with a complaint of an injury from a fall transported by a single municipal EMS system. Administration of analgesia was the primary outcome variable, with pain severity, injury location, age, gender, race, and distance of fall the independent variables of interest. Pain severity was assessed using a 0-10 scale. Injury location was defined as head/neck, extremities, back, and hip. Patients were deemed ineligible for analgesia, according to local protocol, if they reported chest or abdominal pain, or were hemodynamically unstable as determined by an assessment of pulse and blood pressure. RESULTS: There were 1,200 patients who were classified as having injuries suffered from a fall, with 76 (6.3%) ineligible for analgesia. Ninety-two (8.2%) patients received analgesia, and they had a mean recorded pain score of 9.1 (95% CI, 8.7-9.5), which was higher than those who did not receive analgesia (5.8; 95% CI, 5.5-6.2). Analgesia administration was associated with injury location; patients experiencing an extremity injury (OR = 13.23; 95% CI, 5.58-31.36; P < .001) or hip injury (OR = 11.65; 95% CI, 4.64-29.24; P < .001) had increased odds of analgesia administration compared to those with head/neck injury. The odds of analgesia administration were decreased for black patients (OR = 0.19; 95% CI, 0.08-0.44; P < .001) when compared to white patients. CONCLUSION: Analgesia administration was provided to 10% of eligible patients, and was associated with injury location. Of concern was the number of patients who suffered a fall and did not receive a documented pain score. The results from this study indicated a need for education relating to pain management in patients suffering a fall.

Rates of cardiac catheterization cancelation for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after activation by emergency medical services or emergency physicians: results from the North Carolina Catheterization Laboratory Activation Registry.

BACKGROUND: For patients with an acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) activation by emergency medical technicians or emergency physicians has been shown to substantially reduce treatment times. One drawback to this approach involves overtriage, whereby CCL staffs are activated for patients who ultimately do not require emergent coronary angiography or for patients who undergo angiography but are not found to have coronary artery occlusion. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined CCL activation at 14 primary angioplasty hospitals to determine the course of management, including the rate of inappropriate activation. Among 3973 activations (29% by emergency medical technicians, 71% by emergency physicians) between December 2008 and December 2009, appropriate CCL activations occurred for 3377 patients (85%), with 2598 patients (76.9% of appropriate activations) receiving primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Reasons for inappropriate activations (596 patients; 15%) included ECG reinterpretations (427 patients; 72%) or the fact that the patient was not a CCL candidate (169 patients; 28%). The rate of cancellation because of reinterpretation of emergency medical technicians' ECG (6% of all activations) was more common than for cancellation because of reinterpretation of emergency physicians' ECG (4.6%). CONCLUSIONS: This represents the first report of the rates of CCL cancellation for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction system activation by emergency medical technicians and emergency physicians in a large group of hospitals organized within a statewide program. The high rate of coronary intervention and relatively low rate of inappropriate activation suggest that systematic CCL activation by emergency personnel on a broad scale is feasible and accurate, and these rates set a benchmark for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction systems.