Development and use of a prehospital-oriented EMS computer bulletin board service.

Objective: To describe a Level 1 trauma center's response to the need for centralized information for EMS providers by implementing a computer bulletin board service (BBS). This service permits rapid retrieval of continuing education and reference information as well as an electronic forum for EMS-related issues.

Methods: A desktop computer with a modem supporting 14.

Evaluation and selection of patient-controlled analgesia infusion pumps.

Seven PCA infusion pumps from seven manufacturers were evaluated. The condition for acceptable use of most of the units is that they not be used at low volumes that could result in overinfusion from the stored volume when an occlusion is cleared. All pumps met most accuracy, electrical safety, and performance criteria.