Review on the importance of an emergency kit for physicians in out-of-hospital emergencies

Emergency Physicians as Good Samaritans: Survey of Frequency, Locations, Supplies and Medications

Introduction

Little is known about the frequency and locations in which emergency physicians (EPs) are bystanders to an accident or emergency; equally uncertain is which contents of an “emergency kit” may be useful during such events. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency and locations of Good Samaritan acts by EPs and also determine which emergency kit supplies and medications were most commonly used by Good Samaritans.

Methods

We conducted an electronic survey among a convenience sample of EPs in Colorado.

Results

Respondents reported a median frequency of 2.0 Good Samaritan acts per five years of practice, with the most common locations being sports and entertainment events (25%), road traffic accidents (21%), and wilderness settings (19%). Of those who had acted as Good Samaritans, 86% reported that at least one supply would have been useful during the most recent event, and 66% reported at least one medication would have been useful. The most useful supplies were gloves (54%), dressings (34%), and a stethoscope (20%), while the most useful medications were oxygen (19%), intravenous fluids (17%), and epinephrine (14%).

Conclusion

The majority of EPs can expect to provide Good Samaritan care during their careers and would be better prepared by carrying a kit with common supplies and medications where they are most likely to use them.

Basic life-support kit in an out-of-hospital emergency

An 8-year-old boy suffered a skull fracture and severe brain injury while attending a skiing event. A physician, equipped with his private emergency kit accomplished placement of a venous access line enabling administration of analgesic and sedating medication with ketamine and midazolam. When the helicopter emergency medical service arrived on the scene the patient's peripheral circulation had decreased to such an extent that further attempts to place a second peripheral venous line were impossible. Securing the airways by tracheal intubation was not considered necessary; the spine was stabilised with a cervical collar and a vacuum mattress. Transport to the trauma centre and intensive care were uneventful. The importance of a specially adjusted emergency kit for first aid by experienced medical personnel is discussed.

Be prepared! Drugs and equipment for 'Good Samaritan' acts

Little evidence or advice exists in the medical literature on 'medical kit' that could be usefully carried by physicians to prepare them for unexpected emergencies. The aim of this study was to establish what, in the opinion of Emergency Physicians, is an appropriate medical kit for doctors to carry to prepare them for 'Good Samaritan' acts. A telephone survey, using a proforma, of United Kingdom Emergency Physicians was conducted. Of the responders to the survey, 10% routinely undertook prehospital work. Seventy-two percent thought it appropriate to carry equipment, but only 43% thought it appropriate to carry medications. Over 80% considered basic airway equipment useful to carry, whereas other items of medical kit were considered appropriate much less commonly. A large proportion of emergency physicians consider it appropriate to carry some medical kit for 'Good Samaritan' acts and, in general, the consensus of opinion as to what medical kit should be carried agreed with the evidence-base for prehospital interventions.