Bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) has been recognized as a critical component in the survival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA); likewise, time is a factor in the effectiveness of CPR. Pre-arrival instructions (PAIs) for CPR performance by Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMDs) increase the rate of bystander CPR and OHCA survival. While uncontrollable barriers to PAIs delivery exists, time to first compression (TTFC) remains a modifiable component of the EMD-caller interaction. To develop a model describing the impact of TTFC intervals of...
Adequate chest compression (CC) depth is paramount for resuscitation outcomes. Elderly rescuers are often unable to achieve the required 5-6 cm CC depth; thus, we investigated new strategies to improve CC performance. To evaluate the effects of the Andrew Maneuver (four-hands CC) on the depth of CCs performed by elderly bystanders in the setting of simulated dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DA-CPR). A randomized controlled trial conducted in December 2013. Sixty-eight lay rescuers aged 50–75 were randomized to intervention or control pairs (males and females separately)...
The job of an emergency dispatcher is inherently stressful. As a 9-1-1 dispatcher, it is expected to receive a call for a multi-system trauma victim, a child drowning, an assault, amongst thousands of others, will be answered. These stressors are encountered multiple times per shift. While answering the call is controllable, the stressor on the other end is not. To examine the relationships of emergency dispatchers' home and work life, and present perceived control (how one focuses energy on what can be controlled in an uncontrollable situation) on secondary traumatic stress (STS), the effects...
Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) completed a study which evidenced through quantitative data that Continuing Dispatch Education (CDE) improves service performance. In 2014 a CDE research poster was presented at a conference organized by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch™ (IAED). To further understand what motivated this improvement, Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMDs) were asked to reflect on CDE undertaken and highlight which support they found most helpful. The responses were analyzed to assess what methods of CDE would be most effective in generating service improvement...
Air ambulances are scarce and expensive assets. To be used efficiently they need to be dispatched to patients who will gain the most benefit. To identify factors associated with low standdown rates and high conveyance rates, suggesting efficient use of air ambulance resources. Eight months' call history for a single United Kingdom air ambulance (National Health Service (NHS) paramedic/doctor crew, charity-funded aircraft) covering two English counties was retrospectively analyzed. Standdown and conveyance rates were calculated for (medical, trauma, road traffic collision (RTC)) types of call...
Diabetes is a major global problem. Diabetes and pre-diabetes are risk factors for increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. In 2014, the prevalence of diabetes worldwide was estimated at 9% among adults above 18 years of age. According to International Diabetes Foundation (IDF), 381 million people in 2013 had diabetes. To study the prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This cross-sectional study was carried out on patients admitted to the hospital (N.K.P Salve Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Nagpur city, India) with ACS...
Ambulances can't get up mountains, and air ambulances can't land on steep ground. However, UK ambulance assets are sometimes tasked to inaccessible locations that require a Search & Rescue (SAR) response, e.g. Mountain Rescue Teams (MRT) or hoist-equipped helicopter. We wished to ascertain: (1) The proportion of mountain users aware of correct procedure to call for help in event of a medical emergency in a location inaccessible by road (999>Police>request MRT), and (2) the proportion of UK ambulance services with formal...
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