Browsing by Subject "Ambulances"
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Item A novel emergency medical services protocol to improve treatment time for large vessel occlusion strokes(PLOS, 2022-02-25) Glober , Nancy; Supples , Michael; Persaud, Sarah; Kim , David; Liao , Mark; Glidden , Michele; O'Donnell , Dan; Tainter , Christopher; Boustani , Malaz; Alexander, Andreia; Emergency Medicine, School of MedicineIn many systems, patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes experience delays in transport to thrombectomy-capable centers. This pilot study examined use of a novel emergency medical services (EMS) protocol to expedite transfer of patients with LVOs to a comprehensive stroke center (CSC). From October 1, 2020 to February 22, 2021, Indianapolis EMS piloted a protocol, in which paramedics, after transporting a patient with a possible stroke remained at the patient's bedside until released by the emergency department or neurology physician. In patients with possible LVO, EMS providers remained at the bedside until the clinical assessment and CT angiography (CTA) were complete. If indicated, the paramedics at bedside transferred the patient, via the same ambulance, to a nearby thrombectomy-capable CSC with which an automatic transfer agreement had been arranged. This five-month mixed methods study included case-control assessment of use of the protocol, number of transfers, safety during transport, and time saved in transfer compared to emergent transfers via conventional interfacility transfer agencies. In qualitative analysis EMS providers, and ED physicians and neurologists at both sending and receiving institutions, completed e-mail surveys on the process, and offered suggestions for process improvement. Responses were coded with an inductive content analysis approach. The protocol was used 42 times during the study period; four patients were found to have LVOs and were transferred to the CSC. There were no adverse events. Median time from decision-to-transfer to arrival at the CSC was 27.5 minutes (IQR 24.5-29.0), compared to 314.5 minutes (IQR 204.0-459.3) for acute non-stroke transfers during the same period. Major themes of provider impressions included: incomplete awareness of the protocol, smooth process, challenges when a stroke alert was activated after EMS left the hospital, greater involvement of EMS in patient care, and comments on communication and efficiency. This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility, safety, and efficiency of a novel approach to expedite endovascular therapy for patients with LVOs.Item Effect of introducing the mucosal atomization device for fentanyl use in out-of-hospital pediatric trauma patients(Cambridge Journals, 2013-10) O'Donnell, Daniel; Schafer, Luke; Stevens, Andrew; Weinstein, Elizabeth; Miramonti, Charles; Kozak, Mary AnnBackground: Pain associated with pediatric trauma is often under-assessed and undertreated in the out-of-hospital setting. Administering an opioid such as fentanyl via the intranasal route is a safe and efficacious alternative to traditional routes of analgesic delivery and could potentially improve pain management in pediatric trauma patients. Objective: The study sought to examine the effect of introducing the mucosal atomization device (MAD) on analgesia administration as an alternative to intravenous fentanyl delivery in pediatric trauma patients. The hypothesis for the study is that the introduction of the MAD would increase the administration of fentanyl in pediatric trauma patients. Methods: The research utilized a 2-group design (pre-MAD and post-MAD) to study 946 pediatric trauma patients (age ,16) transported by a large, urban EMS agency to one of eight hospitals in Marion County, which is located in Indianapolis Indiana. Two emergency medicine physicians independently determined whether the patient met criteria for pain medication receipt and a third reviewer resolved any disagreements. A comparison of the rates of fentanyl administration in both groups was then conducted. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of fentanyl administration between the pre-MAD (30.4%) and post-MAD groups (37.8%) (P5.238). A subgroup analysis showed that age and mechanism of injury were stronger predictors of fentanyl administration. Conclusion: Contrary to the hypothesis, the addition of the MAD device did not increase fentanyl administration rates in pediatric trauma patients. Future research is needed to address the barriers to analgesia administration in pediatric trauma patients.Item Indianapolis Emergency Medical Service and the Indiana Network for Patient Care: Evaluating the Patient Match Algorithm(American Medical Informatics Association, 2012) Park, Seong C.; Finnell, John T.; Emergency Medicine, School of MedicineIn 2009, Indianapolis launched an electronic medical record system within their ambulances and started to exchange patient data with the Indiana Network for Patient Care (INPC) This unique system allows EMS personnel to get important information prior to the patient’s arrival to the hospital. In this descriptive study, we found EMS personnel requested patient data on 14% of all transports, with a “success” match rate of 46%, and a match “failure” rate of 17%. The three major factors for causing match “failure” were ZIP code 55%, Patient Name 22%, and Birth date 12%. We conclude that the ZIP code matching process needs to be improved by applying a limitation of 5 digits in ZIP code instead of using ZIP+4 code. Non-ZIP code identifiers may be a better choice due to inaccuracies and changes of the ZIP code in a patient’s record.Item New vehicle or ambulance for the Child Hygiene Division of the State Board of Health.(Indiana State Board of Health, 1920-01)[(Text in image) Indiana State Board of Health Child Hygiene Division]Item New vehicle or ambulance for the Tuberculosis Division of the State Board of Health.(Indiana State Board of Health, 1920-01)[(Text in image) Indiana State Board of Health Tuberculosis Division]Item Smallpox ambulance and members of the healthcare community.(Indiana State Board of Health, 1902-06)Evansville Smallpox Ambulance. Dr. McCutchan in the Center, Sanitary Officer of the Lef and Superintendent of Hospital on the Right.