scholarly journals Contemporary evidence-based practice in Canadian emergency medical services: a vision for integrating evidence into clinical and policy decision-making

CJEM ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 220-229
Author(s):  
Jan L. Jensen ◽  
Andrew H. Travers
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Systems Of Care ◽  
National Level ◽  
Policy Decision ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Patient Health

AbstractNationally, emphasis on the importance of evidence-based practice (EBP) in emergency medicine and emergency medical services (EMS) has continuously increased. However, meaningful incorporation of effective and sustainable EBP into clinical and administrative decision-making remains a challenge. We propose a vision for EBP in EMS: Canadian EMS clinicians and leaders will understand and use the best available evidence for clinical and administrative decision-making, to improve patient health outcomes, the capability and quality of EMS systems of care, and safety of patients and EMS professionals. This vision can be implemented with the use of a structure, process, system, and outcome taxonomy to identify current barriers to true EBP, to recognize the opportunities that exist, and propose corresponding recommended strategies for local EMS agencies and at the national level. Framing local and national discussions with this approach will be useful for developing a cohesive and collaborative Canadian EBP strategy.

scholarly journals State of the evidence for emergency medical services care of adult patients with sepsis: an analysis of research from the Prehospital Evidence-based Practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Greene ◽  
Judah Goldstein ◽  
Daniel Lane ◽  
Jan Jensen ◽  
Yves Leroux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Septic Shock ◽  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Temperature Monitoring ◽  
Adult Patients ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
High Flow Oxygen ◽  
Balanced Crystalloids

Introduction The Prehospital Evidence-Based Practice (PEP) program is an online, freely accessible, continuously updated emergency medical services evidence repository. This PEP summary describes the research evidence for the identification and management of adult patients with sepsis or septic shock. Methods A systematic search of the literature on sepsis or septic shock was conducted. Studies were scored by trained appraisers on a three-point level of evidence scale (based on study design and quality) and a three-point direction of evidence scale (supportive, neutral or opposing findings based on the studies’ primary outcome for each intervention). Results One hundred forty-three studies (80 existing and 63 new) were included for 16 interventions listed in PEP for adult patients with sepsis. The evidence matrix rank for supported interventions (n=16) were supportive-high quality (n=2, 12.5%) for crystalloid infusion and vasopressors, supportive-moderate quality (n=8, 50%) for identification tools, pre-notification, point-of-care lactate, titrated oxygen, temperature monitoring and balanced crystalloids. The benefit of pre-hospital antibiotics, colloids, Trendelenburg position and early goal-directed therapy remain inconclusive with a neutral direction of evidence. There is moderate level evidence opposing the use of high flow oxygen. Conclusion Several standard treatments are well supported by the evidence including fluid resuscitation, using balanced crystalloids, vasopressors and titrating oxygen. Tools for identifying and guiding treatment are also supported (eg. pre-notification, temperature monitoring and lactate). The evidence for antibiotic use is inconclusive. This PEP state of the evidence analysis can be used to guide selection of appropriate pre-hospital therapies during the development of pre-hospital protocols or clinical practice guidelines.

scholarly journals LO73: The state of the evidence for emergency medical services care of adult patients with sepsis: an analysis of appraised research from the Prehospital Evidence-Based Practice (PEP) program

CJEM ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (S1) ◽  
pp. S34
Author(s):  
J. Greene ◽  
A. Carter ◽  
J. Goldstein ◽  
J. Jensen ◽  
J. Swain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Adult Patients ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Moderate Quality ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
High Flow Oxygen

Introduction: The Prehospital Evidence-Based Practice (PEP) program is an online, freely accessible, continuously updated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) evidence repository. This summary describes the research evidence for the identification and management of adult patients suffering from sepsis syndrome or septic shock. Methods: PubMed was searched in a systematic manner. One author reviewed titles and abstracts for relevance and two authors appraised each study selected for inclusion. Primary outcomes were extracted. Studies were scored by trained appraisers on a three-point Level of Evidence (LOE) scale (based on study design and quality) and a three-point Direction of Evidence (DOE) scale (supportive, neutral, or opposing findings based on the studies’ primary outcome for each intervention). LOE and DOE of each intervention were plotted on an evidence matrix (DOE x LOE). Results: Eighty-eight studies were included for 15 interventions listed in PEP. The interventions with the most evidence were related to identification tools (ID) (n = 26, 30%) and early goal directed therapy (EGDT) (n = 21, 24%). ID tools included Systematic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS), quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) and other unique measures. The most common primary outcomes were related to diagnosis (n = 30, 34%), mortality (n = 40, 45%) and treatment goals (e.g. time to antibiotic) (n = 14, 16%). The evidence rank for the supported interventions were: supportive-high quality (n = 1, 7%) for crystalloid infusion, supportive-moderate quality (n = 7, 47%) for identification tools, prenotification, point of care lactate, titrated oxygen, temperature monitoring, and supportive-low quality (n = 1, 7%) for vasopressors. The benefit of prehospital antibiotics and EGDT remain inconclusive with a neutral DOE. There is moderate level evidence opposing use of high flow oxygen. Conclusion: EMS sepsis interventions are informed primarily by moderate quality supportive evidence. Several standard treatments are well supported by moderate to high quality evidence, as are identification tools. However, some standard in-hospital therapies are not supported by evidence in the prehospital setting, such as antibiotics, and EGDT. Based on primary outcomes, no identification tool appears superior. This evidence analysis can guide selection of appropriate prehospital therapies.

Abstract P138: Improving Emergency Medical Services Documentation of Time Last Known Well

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dot Bluma ◽  
Jessica Link Reeve ◽  
Susan M Godersky
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Symptom Onset ◽  
Systems Of Care ◽  
Onset Time ◽  
Reperfusion Therapy ◽  
Report Card ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Emergency Department Physician ◽  
Measure Data ◽  
Emergency Medical

Background and Purpose: In a systems of care model, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) reporting a patient’s last known well (LKW) time to the receiving hospital is crucial for activation of the hospitals Acute Stroke Team. There is evidence that LKW is critical information for determining an acute ischemic stroke patient’s eligibility for advanced stroke therapy which includes intravenous Alteplase and/or mechanical endovascular reperfusion therapy. The 70 Wisconsin (WI) Coverdell Stroke Program (Coverdell) hospitals represent 80% of stroke admissions in WI. Coverdell developed a pre-arrival report card in Q3 2018 in which LKW was a tracked measure. Data entered into Get With The Guidelines®- Special Initiatives (SI) tab was collated to create the report card. After analysis of the data it was determined our performance improvement (PI) project would be to improve EMS’s documentation and reporting of time LKW. In Q3 2018, of those cases entered into the SI tab, EMS reporting a LKW time was 50%. Since LKW is not always obtainable, the project goal was set at 60%. Methods: We recognized implementation of this PI initiative would require a multi-prong approach. To assist EMS agencies in understanding the difference between LKW and symptom onset, we developed a document entitled, The Importance of an Accurate Last Known Well and Symptom Onset Time . A Coverdell team member attended WI’s EMS Physician Advisory Committee meetings where LKW data was discussed. In addition, an Emergency Department Physician hosted a webinar where the presentation highlighted the importance of documenting LKW. This webinar was recorded and sent to EMS agencies and hospitals. For loop closure and with the support of the WI’s EMS Director, LKW became a validated field for EMS in the WI Ambulance Run Data System. Findings: In Q2 2019 there was an improvement in documented LKW as evidenced by an increase to 59.2% The data has remained consistent even as more hospitals have begun to enter the data as demonstrated by the increasing N. Conclusion: The actions taken by the Coverdell program in educating EMS providers on the rationale and importance of LKW documentation was successful. However, additional efforts are required to reach and maintain the project goal of 60% with an additional stretch goal to 70%.

Naturalistic Decision-Making in Emergency Medical Services

2017 ◽  
pp. 41-52
Author(s):  
Michael A. Rosen ◽  
Ian Coffman ◽  
Aaron Dietz ◽  
P. Daniel Patterson ◽  
Julius Cuong-Pham
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Naturalistic Decision Making ◽  
Emergency Medical

scholarly journals Digital Infrastructure as a Component of Emergency Medical Services Transformation

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 138-146
Author(s):  
Svitlana MALONOHA
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Information Transfer ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Modular Architecture ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Digital Infrastructure ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Definition Of

The importance of digital infrastructure for the transformation of emergency medical services as one of the priority areas of public policy and public authorities are considered. Some approaches to the definition of digital infrastructure are studied. This study made it possible to identify the components of the digital infrastructure of emergency medical services and outline its role in the health care ecosystem. The approach to the application of the modular architecture of the digital infrastructure of emergency medical services as a conceptual basis for the integration of information systems of different departments into a single emergency system is considered. Exist two groups of mechanisms that influence the formation of the digital infrastructure of emergency medical services and indicate the causal links that explain how their use can lead to the transformation of emergency medical services. The range of tasks that are solve due to the digital infrastructure aimed at improving the efficiency, accuracy of diagnosis and provision of emergency medical services is outlined. New opportunities are opening up to improve the quality of emergency medical services provision in a human-centered health care system based on a digital infrastructure, the central elements of which are the exchange of information contained in electronic records and patient health cards and mobile digital devices, diagnostics and information transfer. The list of problems on the way of emergency medical services transformation is formulated and some recommendations for their solution are offered, the formulation of which is based on the analysis of existing practices and own long-term experience at the emergency medical services system.

scholarly journals The Impact of Demographic Changes on the Organization of Emergency Medical Services: the Case of Slovenia

Organizacija ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 247-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatjana Kitić Jaklič ◽  
Jure Kovač
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
National Level ◽  
Social Factor ◽  
Software Tool ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background and Purpose: The modern environment requires that organizations (profit and non-profit) continually harmonize their organizational models with changes in their respective environments and with their own visions and strategies for further development. The organizational structure of Emergency Medical Services (hereinafter EMS) is currently a very topical issue in Slovenia, given that a project to establish a new organization of EMS is currently underway at the national level. By examining the case of one region in Slovenia, this article presents an analysis of factors that impact on the number and types of EMS activities and depicts a forecast of future trends for the requirement of EMS. The analysis presents the initial phase of a strategic planning process for the mentioned activity and consequently, a starting point for the formation of an organizational EMS model. Methodology: This article presents an analysis of factors that impact on the formulation of an EMS model on the basis of research carried out for one geographical region of Slovenia. For the previous period, data was collected from 2002 to 2014. The software tool used for the analysis was STATA 13.0. For the purpose of forecasting a five-year period trend we used statistical package RStudio and Hyndman’s Forecast package given that this package contains algorithms for forecasting univariate time series including exponential smoothing using automated spatial models and ARIMA modelling. Results: The research has confirmed a correlation between social/environmental factors and the rate of increase in the demand for EMS. A population’s age structure has been identified as the key social factor that increases the need for EMS. On the basis of this finding, this article presents a model for forecasting growth trends in the scope of EMS activities. Conclusion: The research study has identified some important elements that are imperative to take into consideration when formulating an EMS network at the prehospital level. Population ageing has emerged as a key social factor. In the accordance with forecasted trends, an increase in the burden placed on EMS activities may also be anticipated in the future.

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