Browsing by Subject "emergency medical services"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    911 Calls for Emergency Medical Services in Heart Failure: A Descriptive Qualitative Study
    (Wolters Kluwer, 2022-09) Jung, Miyeon; Hays, Laura M.; Pang, Peter S.; Newhouse, Robin P.; Arkins, Thomas P.; O'Donnell, Daniel; Cook, Ryan; Gradus-Pizlo, Irmina; McAdams, Ellen; Pressler, Susan J.; School of Nursing
    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. Results One hundred forty-seven calls (38.4%) were placed by the family members, 75 (19.6%) were placed by the patients, 56 (14.6%) were placed by healthcare workers or personnel from living facilities, and the remaining calls (n = 105, 27.4%) were placed by others (eg, friends, neighbors, officers). Three broad categories of symptoms, signs, and events were identified as the reasons for an EMS request. Frequently reported symptoms were breathing problems (55.4%), chest pain (18.3%), and other pain (eg, head, extremities) (16.7%). Signs included decreased consciousness (15.4%), swelling (5.7%), and bleeding (5.0%). The reported events involved falls (8.1%), heart attack (6.3%), hypoxic episodes (6.0%), stroke (5.2%), and post–hospital-discharge complications (4.7%). In most calls (74.9%), multiple reasons were reported and a combination of symptoms, signs, and events were identified. Heart failure diagnosis was mentioned in fewer than 10% of the calls. Conclusions Overall, symptoms and signs of HF exacerbation were common reasons to activate 911 calls. Falls were frequently reported. Under the duress of the emergent situations surrounding the 911 call, callers rarely mentioned the existence of HF. Interventions are needed to guide patients with HF and their family members to promote the management of HF to reduce EMS activation as well as to activate EMS quickly for acute changes in HF conditions.
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    Characteristics of ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Who Do Not Undergo Percutaneous Coronary Intervention After Prehospital Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Activation
    (Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins, 2016-03) Musey, Paul Idun, Jr.; Studnek, Jonathan R.; Garvey, Lee; Department of Emergency Medicine, IU School of Medicine
    Objectives: To assess the clinical and electrocardiographic characteristics of patients diagnosed with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) that are associated with an increased likelihood of not undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after prehospital Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory activation in a regional STEMI system. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of prehospital Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory activations in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, between May 2008 and March 2011. Data were extracted from the prehospital patient record, the prehospital electrocardiogram, and the regional STEMI database. The independent variables of interest included objective patient characteristics as well as documented cardiac history and risk factors. Analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: Two hundred thirty-one prehospital activations were included in the analysis. Five independent variables were found to be associated with an increased likelihood of not undergoing PCI: increasing age, bundle branch block, elevated heart rate, left ventricular hypertrophy, and non-white race. The variables with the most significance were any type of bundle branch block [adjusted odds ratios (AOR), 5.66; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.91–16.76], left ventricular hypertrophy (AOR, 4.63; 95% CI, 2.03–10.53), and non-white race (AOR, 3.53; 95% CI, 1.76–7.08). Conversely, the only variable associated with a higher likelihood of undergoing PCI was the presence of arm pain (AOR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.36–6.25). Conclusions: Several of the above variables are expected electrocardiogram mimics; however, the decreased rate of PCI in non-white patients highlights an area for investigation and process improvement. This may guide the development of prehospital STEMI protocols, although avoiding false positive and inappropriate activations.
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    Emergency medical services knowledge and attitudes about non-heart-beating donors: effect of an educational intervention
    (Elsevier, 2015-02) Burker, Eileen J.; Fingerhut, David; Ebneter, Daria; Giza, Mallory; Espey Weber, Rachel; Noone, Peadar G.; Egan, Thomas M.; Department of Psychiatry, IU School of Medicine
    BACKGROUND: More than 750,000 people die of sudden death each year, and many are potential non-heart-beating donors (NHBDs) for lung transplant. Although critical, the role of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel in assisting with recovery of NHBD lungs has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge of and attitudes about NHBDs among EMS personnel, evaluate the extent to which knowledge and personal experience with organ donation is associated with attitude, and ascertain the effectiveness of an intervention designed to teach EMS professionals about NHBDs. METHODS: EMS professionals (n = 361) completed measures of knowledge of and attitudes about NHBDs and then watched a presentation by a transplant doctor about traditional organ donation, NHBDs, and transplantation. Participants were able to ask questions during and after the presentation. Participants completed the measures again 3 months later. RESULTS: EMS professionals had a high rate of personal experience with organ donation and positive attitudes toward traditional organ donation. However, they showed lack of knowledge about NHBDs and felt less skilled in being part of the NHBD process, consistent with knowledge scores. The educational intervention was somewhat effective in improving knowledge about NHBDs. Scores improved significantly on 5 of 13 items. CONCLUSIONS: Lung recovery from NHBDs offers the potential of a very large supply for transplantation. This research suggests that with additional training, EMS professionals may be willing to be part of a NHBD recovery team.
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    Pain and heart failure during transport by emergency medical services and its associated outcomes: Hospitalization, mortality, and length of stay
    (SAGE Publications, 2024-01-17) Smith, Asa; Jung, Miyeon; Pressler, Susan
    Background: Over 22% of patients with heart failure (HF) are transported by emergency medical services (EMSs) for a primary complaint of pain. The relationship between a primary complaint of pain on hospitalization status, mortality, or length of stay following transport by EMS is understudied. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine whether a primary complaint of pain during EMS transport predicted hospitalization status, mortality, or inpatient length of stay. Methods: In this retrospective longitudinal cohort study, data were analyzed from electronic health records of 3539 patients with HF. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses were used to achieve study objectives. Results: Demographics were mean age 64.83 years (standard deviation [SD] = 14.58); gender 57.3% women, 42.7% men; self-reported race 56.2% black, 43.2% white, and 0.7% other. Of 3539 patients, 2346 (66.3%) were hospitalized, 149 (4.2%) died, and the mean length of stay was 6.02 (SD = 7.55) days. A primary complaint of pain did not predict increased odds of in-hospital mortality but did predict 39% lower odds of hospitalization (p < .001), and 26.7% shorter length of stay (p < .001). Chest pain predicted 49% lower odds of hospitalization (p < .001) and 34.1% (p < .001) shorter length of stay, whereas generalized pain predicted 45% lower odds of hospitalization (p = .044) following post-hoc analysis. Conclusions: A primary complaint of chest pain predicted lower odds of hospitalization and shorter length of stay, possibly due to established treatment regimens. Additional research is needed to examine chronic pain rather than a primary complaint of pain.