Epinephrine use and outcomes in anaphylaxis patients transported by emergency medical services.

Background: Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that may require emergency medical system (EMS) transport. Fatal anaphylaxis is associated with delayed epinephrine administration. Patient outcome data to assess appropriateness of EMS epinephrine administration are sparse.

Appropriate and safe utilization of helicopter emergency medical services: a joint position statement with resource document.

This position statement with accompanying resource document is the result of a collaborative effort of a writing group comprised of members of the Air Medical Physician Association (AMPA), the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP), and the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM). This document has been jointly approved by the boards of all four organizations. Patients benefit from the appropriate utilization of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS).

Effect of an onboard event recorder and a formal review process on ambulance driving behaviour.

Background: Onboard event recorders in vehicles record external and internal video before and after when preset g-force limits are exceeded. The use of these recorders in a fleet of ambulances, along with formal review, may decrease the number of unsafe driving events. The aim of this study was to evaluate the number of driving events since the inception of DriveCam technology in a fleet.

Efficacy and compliance of a prehospital spinal immobilization guideline.

Background: Prehospital spinal immobilization criteria are useful in identifying those at risk for spinal fractures, while reducing the number of patients unnecessarily immobilized. The use of immobilization criteria, without regard to mechanism of injury, has been shown to accomplish this task.

Aims: The study's purpose is to examine efficacy of a prehospital spinal clearance guideline and triage/management of these injuries.

Air medical transport of trauma patients.

This report reviews the current status of air medical transportation of trauma patients. Aspects reviewed include patient care, dispatch, safety, and possible future directions in air medical patient care.

Emergency medical service aspects of emergency cardiac care.

Prehospital intervention has the potential for significantly affecting the outcome of cardiovascular emergencies. The authors examine multiple issues in prehospital care that can streamline and improve cardiac care. Improving access to prehospital care and increasing the use of the emergency medical services (EMS) system can speed interventions to the patients.

Evolution of a community-wide early defibrillation programme experience over 13 years using police/fire personnel and paramedics as responders.

Background: In November 1990, a 2-year trial period was initiated in which police officers in the city of Rochester, Minnesota, were trained in the operation of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Following the trial, the program was expanded as the city grew in population and area. In 1998 firefighters also were equipped with AEDs, bringing to a total 18 AEDs with police and fire personnel, in addition to paramedic capability.

Overview, prevention, and treatment of rabies.

Rabies is a uniformly fatal viral encephalitis that causes 30,000 to 70,000 deaths worldwide each year. Prevention is the primary approach to the disease. In the United States, 25,000 to 40,000 people are treated annually for exposure to rabid or potentially rabid animals at a per-patient cost exceeding 1000 dollars.

Use of the autolaunch method of dispatching a helicopter.

Introduction: Autolaunch is a method of dispatching whereby the dispatcher can send the helicopter to a scene, as opposed to traditional request-driven dispatch. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in patient outcomes when autolaunch was used. A 2-year period, July 1997 through June 1999, was studied.