Traumatic cardiac arrest: scope of paramedic services. Ann Emerg Med 1985 Jun;14(6):583-6
Date
06/01/1985Pubmed ID
3994083DOI
10.1016/s0196-0644(85)80785-xScopus ID
2-s2.0-0021834040 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 68 CitationsAbstract
The challenge of the 1960s to ambulance care provision was the stimulus for the emergence of prehospital advanced life support (ALS) being provided by paramedic personnel. While services for cardiac disease have been accepted, paramedic activities for the trauma victim continue to be a concern for many trauma surgeons. The capability and success rate of treatment, and the time spent at the scene and during transport to the hospital have raised questions about the overall need for paramedic services. Our study period was from January 1, 1981, to December 31, 1982, and it covered 95 clinically dead trauma victims who were first seen and subsequently treated by paramedics working in a medically controlled emergency medical services system. Endotracheal intubation was successful in 81 of the patients (85%). Esophageal obturator airway use was viewed as unsuccessful intubation. Intravenous (IV) access utilizing 16-gauge angiocaths was placed successfully by a peripheral or jugular vein in 70 patients (74%). Thirty-three patients averaged 860 mL volume infusion (30 to 3,000 mL). Average scene time was 22 minutes. Scene time of patients with unsuccessful IV and endotracheal intubation was 14 minutes (P = .07). Fourteen patients (14.7%) were admitted to the operating room or intensive care unit. Only three of the study group (3.2%) survived.
Author List
Aprahamian C, Darin JC, Thompson BM, Mateer JR, Tucker JFMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Aged
Allied Health Personnel
Child
Child, Preschool
Electrocardiography
Emergencies
Emergency Medical Services
Emergency Medical Technicians
Evaluation Studies as Topic
Female
Heart Arrest
Humans
Infant
Infusions, Parenteral
Intubation
Male
Middle Aged
Time Factors
Trauma Centers
Urban Population
Wisconsin
Wounds and Injuries