Description of the Public Safety Medical Response and Patient Encounters Within and During the Indianapolis (USA) Spring 2020 Civil Unrest.

Objective: This study describes the local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) response and patient encounters corresponding to the civil unrest occurring over a four-day period in Spring 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana (USA).

Methods: This study describes the non-conventional EMS response to civil unrest. The study included patients encountered by EMS in the area of the civil unrest occurring in Indianapolis, Indiana from May 29 through June 1, 2020.

Patient Demographics Are Associated with Differences in Prehospital Pain Management among Trauma Patients.

Objective: Disparities have been observed in the treatment of pain in emergency department patients. However, few studies have evaluated such disparities in emergency medical services (EMS). We describe pain medication administration for trauma indications in an urban EMS system and how it varies with patient demographics.

Safety of an Alternative Care Protocol for EMS Non-Transport in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Aim: Our primary goal was to evaluate safety of a new emergency medical services (EMS) protocol directing non-transport of low-acuity patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of all patients in Marion County, Indiana, from March 23, 2020 to May 25, 2020 for whom a novel non-transport protocol was used by EMS for patients with low-acuity COVID-19 symptoms. We assessed paramedic compliance with the protocol to determine numbers and types of deviations.

Factors Affecting Interfacility Transport Intervals in Stroke Patients Transferred for Endovascular Therapy.

Objective: To describe interfacility transfer (IFT) intervals, transfer vehicle type, and levels of care in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes transferred for emergent endovascular therapy (EVT).

Methods: We included all patients transferred by a single IFT agency in the state of Indiana from July 1, 2018 to December 1, 2020 to a comprehensive stroke center in Indianapolis for emergent EVT. Data were collected from the transfer center electronic medical records and matched to IFT and receiving hospital data.

911 Calls for Emergency Medical Services in Heart Failure: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a common condition leading to activation of emergency medical services (EMS).

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe reasons given by persons with HF, family members, or other caregivers for requesting EMS activation during 911 calls.

Methods: In this descriptive qualitative study, a content analysis was performed on transcribed audio files of 383 EMS requests involving 383 persons with HF in the community.