The purpose of this study was to determine whether shorter prehospital scene time (ST) is associated with an increased survival rate in non-traumatic, out-of-hospital, cardiac arrest (CA) in a medium-sized, metropolitan EMS system. Information was retrieved for all adult victims (age ≥18 years) of CA treated and transported by a metropolitan fire department over a 16month period (6/87–9/88). Data were retrieved from the fire department's database, hospital records, and death certificates. Statistical analysis of continuous variables was performed using the two-tailed, Student's t-test and non-parametric evaluations were performed by square analysis with p<0.05 considered significant. Two hundred ninety-eight cases were recorded of which 293 patients (98.3%) had documented ST (study group). Seventy-nine patients (27.0%) had ST <12 minutes, while 214 (73.0%) had ST≥12 minutes. Patients with ST <12 minutes were more likely to have return of spontaneous circulation in the field (26.6% vs. 15.9%, p<0.05) and also were more likely to survive than were patients with ST ≥12 minutes (13.9% vs. 6.5%, p<0.05). Mean ST for survivors was significantly less than for non-survivors (12.8 vs. 15.3 min., p<0.05).

We conclude that, in our system, adult victims of CA with ST <12 minutes are more likely to survive than are patients with longer ST. In addition, the mean ST for survivors is shorter than for non-survivors. It remains unclear whether shorter ST actually has an impact on survival or is merely a reflection of a sub-group with rapid resuscitation and consequently a higher likelihood of survival. Future investigations are needed to determine whether shorter ST actually impacts the likelihood of survival from CA.

Prolonged EMS response times are a significant problem in rural areas. In this study, VHF radios and personal medical kits were placed in the private vehicles of rescue squad members. By coordinating the responses using radios, higher level EMTs were sent directly to the scene to initiate patient assessment and other procedures while others proceeded to an unstaffed station to pick up the rescue truck.

Using this response system, EMTs arrived at the scene prior to the rescue vehicle on 30 of 35 calls (85.7%). In 25 of 35 calls (71.4%), the first person at the scene was at an advanced EMT level even though the majority of responses (56%) were made by Basic EMTs (p<0.001). The mean response time for EMTs using privately owned vehicles was 9±4 minutes (means±SD) compared with 16±9 minutes for the rescue truck (p<0.01). There also was a significant difference in response times between the privately owned vehicles and the rescue truck when the time between the receipt of the call and the initial acknowledgement of response was measured (1±1 minutes vs. 7±3 minutes; p<0.01).

An effective EMS response can be made in rural areas by sending EMTs directly to a scene in private vehicles. Providing EMTs with VHF radios and personal medical kits enhances this response.

A prospective study of 200 patients was conducted to evaluate the use of pulse oximetry as an adjunct to clinical monitoring of critically ill patients transported by rotary-wing aircraft with non-pressurized cabins. Thirty-four subjects (17%) were found to have significant hemoglobin desaturation of less than 90%, as defined by pulse oximetry (SpO2). Data were recorded continuously for later review. Desaturation often was noted prior to alterations in vital signs or clinical appearance. In 32 of the 34 hypoxemic subjects (94%), therapeutic interventions corrected the low SpO2. The use of pulse oximetry permitted measures for cardiorespiratory support to be instituted and assessed more rapidly than otherwise would have been possible. The availability of a continuous record of SpO2 facilitated detailed review of case management. It is concluded that the use of pulse oximetry is a practical and valuable adjunct for monitoring critically ill patients transported by rotary-wing aircraft.

Application of pressure infusion bags may increase intravenous (IV) flow rates three-fold. Commercially available pressure infusers, manual squeezing of the IV fluid bag, inflating a blood pressure (BP) cuff around the bag, and kneeling on the bag have been used by prehospital personnel attempting to augment fluid infusion rates. To test the efficacy of each these methods, seven experienced paramedics were asked to employ each method in turn trials using a 1-liter bag of saline though a 14-gauge, 5.7cm catheter and a standard administration set. Gravity flow from 80cm served as the control.

Pressure infusers generated flow rates of 257±54 ml/min and 296±53 ml/min when inflated to 300 mmHg and maximum pressure respectively. This rate was 2–2.5 times that of gravity flow (123±2 ml/min) and significantly greater than those rates obtained by any other method (p<.0005). Manually squeezing the bag also was significantly better than was gravity flow with flow rates of 184±6 ml/min and 173±40 ml/min achieved by each of two different squeezing methods (p<.01). Neither blood pressure (BP) cuff application and inflation (135±28 ml/min) nor kneeling on the bag (125±36 ml/min) was better than gravity alone.

These results indicate that pressure infusers should be used to the exclusion of other field methods of supplying infusion pressure. If pressure infusers are not available, manually squeezing the bag is the only alternative acceptable in the field.

Local advanced life support (ALS) medical directors in North Carolina choose the skills and medications they want utilized in their jurisdiction from a list of options authorized by the State Board of Medical Examiners. We surveyed all 35 medical directors of paramedic providers in the state to determine which optional skills and medications local medical directors allow to be used and, therefore, how they tailor their prehospital practices. Information concerning the urban or rural status of the paramedic service area, annual call volume, and the specialty classification of the medical director also were obtained.

All of the medical directors surveyed responded. Twenty-one (60%) of the paramedic service areas were rural and 14 (40%) urban. Twenty-three physicians (66%) listed emergency medicine as their primary specialty. Annual call volumes ranged from 580 to 33,500. Skills allowed by >80% of the medical directors include: drawing blood, insertion of esophageal and endotracheal airways, defibrillation, cardioversion, and initiation of intravenous fluids prior to hospital contact. The majority permit the administration of bretylium, dopamine, NaCl injection, sodium bicarbonate, furosemide, sublingual nitroglycerin, diazepam, diphenhydramine, and morphine. The majority do not allow the use of positive-pressure ventilators and do not allow administration of dobutamine, nifedipine, procainamide, propranolol, local procaine, isoetharine, metaproterenol, nitroglycerin paste, 10% dextrose solution, methylprednisolone, mannitol, phenytoin, meperidine, or nitrous oxide. Nitroglycerin paste and dexamethasone were significantly (p<.05) more likely to be allowed in rural than in urban areas. No differences in utilization by medical director specialty classification or call volume were detected. The results suggest that, when given a choice, local ALS medical directors select a limited prehospital practice. Further study is warranted to determine why available skill and medication options are not utilized.

Medical emergencies occur in every country regardless of its level of socio-economic development. Little comparative data are available which define the characteristics of the system by which some emergencies are managed. Without such comparisons, it is difficult for countries to establish appropriate priorities within their geographic, cultural, and economic constraints. In an effort to gather some of these needed data, a survey was distributed to the participants in an International Conference on Emergency Health Care (EHC) Development convened in Washington, D. C, in August 1989. Each country participating was classified as Industrialized (INDUS), Developing (DC), or Least Developed (LDC) in accordance with World Health Organization definitions. Responses are expressed as proportion of total participants.

There were 450 participants from 74 countries. Only 17% of the surveys were returned. The sample included 78 participants from 40 (57%) countries. (INDUS: 30%; DC: 48%; LDC: 22%). All showed considerable dependence on ambulance services, but DC and LDC indicated substantial reliance on friends, neighbors, community health workers, and physician's offices. Prehospital EHC services were available to 93% of INDUS, 63% of DC, and possibly one-third of the LDC. Emergency Health Care is taken to the patients in the same proportions as noted above. The types of manpower dispatched varied widely with a great proportion of the respondents from DC and LDC indicating that care was delivered by non-professionally trained individuals. Interestingly, INDUS had the greatest proportion of volunteers. Response and transport times were shorter for INDUS than for DC. When no prehospital EHC services were available, patients reached the receiving facilities by alternate means such as walking (33%), private automobile (48%), or public transportation (33%). Central emergency access was available for 80%. Considerable variation exists as to the mechanisms by which such services are financed: poorer countries depend more on government support than do INDUS who rely heavily on donations and fee-for-service. Lastly, regardless of level of economic development, cardiovascular disease, trauma, and medical illness comprise the most important reasons for accessing the EHC systems.

This preliminary study points to the need for individualizing EHC systems in concert with the priorities of the country for which they are designed. Direct application of operational systems across countries does not seem an appropriate mechanism for the development of EHC. However, the delivery of EHC must be made an important element of overall health care in all the countries of the world.

Non-traumatic, sudden death in young patients has been described in several studies, but most of these studies have involved highly selected populations. This study examined consecutive cases of non-traumatic, prehospital, sudden death in young patients (age 2–35 years) in a six-year period in an urban EMS system. One-hundred-seven cases were identified; however, seven cases were excluded because of occult trauma or lack of documentation. Of the 100 cases studied, drug and/or toxin exposure was the most common etiology (32%), followed by cardiac (22%) and pulmonary (20%). This is the first study which describes all cases of non-traumatic, prehospital, sudden death in young patients presenting to an EMS system. Implications of these data for EMS personnel are discussed.

The National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) was formulated to provide medical care for casualties of future large-scale natural disasters and military conflicts. We sent questionnaires to the 59 emergency medical directors of North Carolina's participating hospitals in order to assess their views regarding the need for NDMS and the level of their hospital's preparedness. Responses were received from 78% (46) of the physicians surveyed. Of those responding, an overwhelming majority supported the need for a national plan like NDMS to treat casualties of a natural disaster or an overseas military conflict. Respondents also agreed that the participation of emergency department personnel, other physicians, and support personnel is essential for successful activation of NDMS. Responses to questions regarding level of preparedness, however, suggested that there is less than an optimal degree of preparedness for participation in NDMS.