Utilisation of WhatsApp for Emergency Medical Services in Garissa, Kenya.

Garissa county, Kenya is a geographically large county with a mobile pastoralist population that has developed a method for emergency medical services (EMS) coordination using the WhatsApp communication platform. This work was based on a site visit, to better understand and describe the current operations, strengths, and weaknesses of the EMS communication system in Garissa. The use of WhatsApp in Garissa county seems to work well in the local context and has the potential to serve as a cost-effective solution for other EMS systems in Kenya, Africa, and other LMICs.

Increased Temperatures Are Associated with Increased Utilization of Emergency Medical Services in Rhode Island.

Background: Increasing temperatures negatively impact health and increases demands on healthcare systems. However, this has been poorly studied in Rhode Island (RI). Here we characterize the impact of heat on emergency medical services (EMS) utilization in RI.

The Value of Songs for Teaching and Learning Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Competencies: A Systematic Review.

We sought to summarize, in a systematic review, the effectiveness of songs to support learning, performance, and recall of quality characteristics of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) compression rate, and depth. We systematically reviewed the literature from eight academic indexes from the fields of medicine, nursing, allied health, and education, from 2014 to 2020 to identify studies that evaluated an intervention of song use during CPR training against control and reported outcomes of compression rate and depth. There were 185 studies initially identified for review, eight met criteria for inclusion and analysis.

A Cross-sectional Survey on the Use of Tranexamic Acid in the Pre-hospital Setting.

Study Objective: Tranexamic Acid (TXA), an anti- fibrinolytic, has been used in military trauma cases and civilian Emergency Departments for several years. This study aims to evaluate protocols for the administration of TXA across Emergency Medical Services (EMS) regions in the United States.

Methods: An anonymous survey was distributed by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) to its members.

Pediatric Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Rhode Island: Concepts and Controversies.

Pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (POHCA) is an infrequently encountered event by emergency medical providers, both across Rhode Island and nationally. The etiologies of these events differ from those in adult cardiac arrests and overall outcomes remain poor. The skills required by emergency medical providers to care for these patients are performed and practiced infrequently.

Pilot Study of the Effect of a Protocol of 30 Minutes of Scene Care in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Rhode Island.

Background: Improved outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have been demonstrated with increased focus on high-quality CPR. In 2017, the RI Department of Health mandated 30 minutes of on-scene CPR for atraumatic cardiac arrest victims. The effects of this intervention are unknown.

Comparison of EMS Provider In-Transit Performance and Exertion with Standard and Experimental Resuscitation Protocols during Simulated Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

Objective: To assess the effect of a device-assisted out- of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) resuscitation approach on provider performance during simulated transport.

Methods: BLS and ALS providers were randomized into control and experimental teams. Subjects were fitted with wireless heart rate (HR) monitors.

Health Information Exchange in Emergency Medical Services.

Background: The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has outlined the benefits of health information exchange in emergency medical services (EMSs) according to the model-, , , -developed in collaboration with the California Emergency Medical Services Authority.

Objective: This scoping review aims to identify and characterize progress toward the adoption of prehospital health information exchange, as reported in the peer-reviewed literature.

Methods: A structured review of literature in MEDLINE-indexed journals was conducted using the "Electronic Health Records" topic-specific query, the "Emergency Medical Services" Medical Subject Headings descriptor, and a prehospital identifier.

Comparative Analysis of Emergency Medical Service Provider Workload During Simulated Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation Using Standard Versus Experimental Protocols and Equipment.

Introduction: Protocolized automation of critical, labor-intensive tasks for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) resuscitation may decrease Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provider workload. A simulation-based assessment method incorporating objective and self-reported metrics was developed and used to quantify workloads associated with standard and experimental approaches to OHCA resuscitation.

Methods: Emergency Medical Services-Basic (EMT-B) and advanced life support (ALS) providers were randomized into two-provider mixed-level teams and fitted with heart rate (HR) monitors for continuous HR and energy expenditure (EE) monitoring.

Circus disaster: Case report, response, and review of injuries.

Circus acts with human artists performing acrobatic feats are a popular spectator pastime in the United States and in international venues. There is little data in the literature regarding injuries sustained during circus acts. Some injuries are minor, but others can be serious, or even fatal.

Simulation-based Randomized Comparative Assessment of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation Bundle Completion by Emergency Medical Service Teams Using Standard Life Support or an Experimental Automation-assisted Approach.

Introduction: Effective resuscitation of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients is challenging. Alternative resuscitative approaches using electromechanical adjuncts may improve provider performance. Investigators applied simulation to study the effect of an experimental automation-assisted, goal-directed OHCA management protocol on EMS providers' resuscitation performance relative to standard protocols and equipment.

False-negative chest radiographs in emergency department diagnosis of pneumonia.

Background: Emergency department (ED) patients frequently undergo chest x-ray (CXR) to evaluate for pneumonia. The rate of false-negative CXR in patients with pneumonia is unclear.

Objectives: Identify patients admitted with pneumonia who were diagnosed by CT despite nondiagnostic CXR.