Document Detail


Effect of intensive physician oversight on a prehospital rapid-sequence intubation program.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20397866     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of adding close concurrent and retrospective physician oversight, consistent with National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) recommendations, to an existing regional prehospital rapid-sequence intubation (RSI) program.
METHODS: This study involved a retrospective cohort of patients receiving RSI between January 1, 2004, and July 31, 2008. On January 1, 2007, an updated program including additional concurrent and retrospective physician oversight, increased RSI-specific continuing medical education, and cadaver laboratory training was implemented. Study patients were divided into a preintervention group (group 1) and a postintervention group (group 2) based on date of medical care. Data regarding baseline characteristics, airway management, medication usage, and performance factors were compared between the groups. A retrospective review by two emergency medical services (EMS) physicians assessed whether the RSI was "clearly indicated" based on a predetermined set of criteria.
RESULTS: There were 109 RSIs performed in group 1 and 54 in group 2. Absolute increases in the use of both basic life support (BLS) (5%, p = 0.2) and advanced life support (ALS) (41%, p = 0.001) airway techniques were observed. Increases in postintubation administration of midazolam (30%, p = 0.001) and morphine (24%, p = 0.001) and a decrease for vecuronium (-28%, p = 0.001) were observed. There was no statistically significant difference in the intubation success rates (92% vs. 94%) and the frequencies of recognized esophageal endotracheal tube (ETT) placement (5% vs. 6%). The number of unrecognized esophageal ETT placements remained zero. Physician chart review demonstrated an absolute increase in "clearly indicated" RSIs (17%, p = 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: Close concurrent and retrospective physician oversight consistent with recommendations from the NAEMSP is associated with improved cognitive skills in paramedics, including appropriate patient selection for RSI. Further research is warranted to validate this model and optimize where resources are best used to enhance patient safety and improve clinical management for this controversial paramedic skill.
Authors:
Jeremy T Cushman; Aaron Zachary Hettinger; Aaron Farney; Manish N Shah
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Prehospital emergency care : official journal of the National Association of EMS Physicians and the National Association of State EMS Directors     Volume:  14     ISSN:  1545-0066     ISO Abbreviation:  Prehosp Emerg Care     Publication Date:    2010 Jul-Sep
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-05-28     Completed Date:  2010-09-13     Revised Date:  2011-08-01    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9703530     Medline TA:  Prehosp Emerg Care     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  310-6     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. jeremy cushman@urmc.rochester.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Clinical Competence / standards
Emergency Medical Services*
Emergency Medical Technicians / education*,  organization & administration
Humans
Intubation, Intratracheal / methods*,  standards*
Medical Audit
Middle Aged
Physicians*
Program Evaluation
Retrospective Studies
Time Factors
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
K23 AG028942-02/AG/NIA NIH HHS; K23 AG028942-03/AG/NIA NIH HHS; K23 AG028942-04/AG/NIA NIH HHS
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