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Foster AA, Watkins K, Trivedi TK, Cruz‐Romero M, Leibovich SA, Daftary RK, Kornblith AE, Grupp‐Phelan J, Sporer KA, Kellison C, Glomb NW. Physical restraint use in children with mental and behavioral health emergencies in the prehospital setting. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open 2023; 4:e13016. [PMID: 37600903 PMCID: PMC10432898 DOI: 10.1002/emp2.13016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Emergency medical services (EMS) transport for mental and behavioral health (MBH) emergencies occurs frequently in children, yet little is understood regarding prehospital physical restraint use despite the potential for serious adverse events. We aim to describe restraint use prevalence and primary impressions among children with MBH emergencies. Methods This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of children with MBH emergencies evaluated by Alameda County (ALCO), California EMS from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2018. Patient demographics and clinical variables were collected from the EMS records including sex, age at time of encounter, year of encounter, transport destination, medication use, and primary impression(s). The primary outcome was the use of physical restraints. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the primary outcome and associated demographic and diagnostic features, as well as temporal use patterns. Sex and age were compared between restrained and non-restrained youth using chi-square analysis. Results Over the 7-year study period, ALCO EMS transported 9775 children with MBH emergencies. Of these transports, 1205 (12.3%) were physically restrained. Most children restrained had the primary impression of "behavioral/psychiatric crisis" (51.1%), "psychiatric crisis" (27.4%), and "behavioral-other" (12.4%) and the remaining children (9.1%) had a non-psychiatric/behavioral health primary impression. Over time, there was no statistically significant change in either number of children with MBH emergencies transported or physical restraint rate. Conclusions More than 1 in 8 children with MBH emergencies are being physically restrained during EMS transport. Restraint rate did not substantially change over time. Further studies to understand existing restraint rates and EMS resources available to address acute agitation in children are needed to inform quality and care enhancing initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley A. Foster
- Department of Emergency MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kenshata Watkins
- Department of Emergency MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Tarak K. Trivedi
- Department of Emergency MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Marisol Cruz‐Romero
- Department of Behavioral HealthUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sara A. Leibovich
- Department of Emergency MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Rajesh K. Daftary
- Department of Emergency MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Aaron E. Kornblith
- Department of Emergency MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Karl A. Sporer
- Department of Emergency MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Colleen Kellison
- Department of Emergency MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Nicolaus W. Glomb
- Department of Emergency MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
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2
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Guterman EL, Sporer KA, Newman TB, Crowe RP, Lowenstein DH, Josephson SA, Betjemann JP, Burke JF. Real-World Midazolam Use and Outcomes With Out-of-Hospital Treatment of Status Epilepticus in the United States. Ann Emerg Med 2022; 80:319-328. [PMID: 35931608 PMCID: PMC9930617 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2022.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE Guidelines recommend 10-mg intramuscular midazolam as the first-line treatment option for status epilepticus. However, in real-world practice, it is frequently administered intranasally or intravenously and is dosed lower. Therefore, we used conventional and instrumental variable approaches to examine the effectiveness of midazolam in a national out-of-hospital cohort. METHODS This retrospective cohort study of adults with status epilepticus used the ESO Data Collaborative research dataset (January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2019). The exposures were the route and dose of midazolam. We performed hierarchical logistic regression and 2-stage least squares regression using agency treatment patterns as an instrument to examine our outcomes, rescue therapy, and ventilatory support. RESULTS There were 7,634 out-of-hospital encounters from 657 EMS agencies. Midazolam was administered intranasally in 20%, intravenously in 46%, and intramuscularly in 35% of the encounters. Compared with intramuscular administration, intranasal midazolam increased (risk difference [RD], 6.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.4% to 10.5%) and intravenous midazolam decreased (RD, -11.1%; 95% CI, -14.7% to -7.5%) the risk of rescue therapy. The differences in ventilatory support were not statistically significant (intranasal RD, -1.5%; 95% CI, -3.2% to 0.3%; intravenous RD, -0.3%; 95% CI, -1.9% to 1.2%). Higher doses were associated with a lower risk of rescue therapy (RD, -2.6%; 95% CI, -3.3% to -1.9%) and increased ventilatory support (RD, 0.4%; 95% CI, 0.1% to 0.7%). The instrumental variable analysis yielded similar results, except that dose was not associated with ventilatory support. CONCLUSION The route and dose of midazolam affect clinical outcomes. Compared with intramuscular administration, intranasal administration may be less effective and intravenous administration more effective in terminating status epilepticus, although the differences between these and previous results may reflect the nature of real-world data as opposed to randomized data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elan L Guterman
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA; Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, CA.
| | - Karl A Sporer
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Thomas B Newman
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Remle P Crowe
- ESO, Inc. Kaiser Permanente, Northern California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Daniel H Lowenstein
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - S Andrew Josephson
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - John P Betjemann
- Department of Neurology, Kaiser Permanente, Northern California, San Francisco, CA
| | - James F Burke
- Department of Neurology, Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH; Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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Breyre AM, Sporer KA, Davenport G, Isaacs E, Glomb NW. Paramedic use of the Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) for medical intervention and transportation decisions. BMC Emerg Med 2022; 22:145. [PMID: 35948964 PMCID: PMC9367154 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-022-00697-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment forms (POLST) exist in some format in all 50 states. The objective of this study is to determine paramedic interpretation and application of the California POLST for medical intervention and transportation decisions. METHODS This study used a prospective, convenience sample of California Bay Area paramedics who reviewed six fictional scenarios of patients and accompanying mock POLST forms. Based on the clinical case and POLST, paramedics identified medical interventions that were appropriate (i.e. non-invasive positive pressure airway) as well as transportation decisions (i.e. non-transport to the hospital against medical advice). EMS provider confidence in their POLST interpretation was also assessed. RESULTS There were 118 paramedic participants with a mean of 13.3 years of EMS experience that completed the survey. Paramedics routinely identified the selected medical intervention on a patients POLST correctly as either comfort focused, selective or full treatment (113-118;96%-100%). For many clinical scenarios, particularly when a patient's POLST indicated comfort focused treatment, paramedics chose to use online medical oversight through base physician contact (68-73;58%-62%). In one case, a POLST indicated "transport to hospital only if comfort needs cannot be met in current location", 13 (14%) paramedics elected to transport the patient anyway and 51 (43%) chose "Non-transport, Against Medical Advice". The majority of paramedics agreed or strongly agreed that they knew how to use a POLST to decide which medical interventions to provide (106;90%) and how to transport a patient (74;67%). However, after completing the cases, similar proportions of paramedics agreed (42;36%), disagreed (43;36%) or were neutral (30;25%) when asked if they find the POLST confusing. CONCLUSION The POLST is a powerful tool for paramedics when caring patients with serious illness. Although paramedics are confident in their ability to use a POLST to decide appropriate medical interventions, many still find the POLST confusing particularly when making transportation decisions. Some paramedics rely on online medical oversight to provide guidance in challenging situations. Authors recommend further research of EMS POLST utilization and goal concordant care, dedicated paramedic POLST education, specific EMS hospice and palliative care protocols and better nomenclature for non-transport in order to improve care for patients with serious illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia M Breyre
- University of California San Francisco, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Francisco, USA.
| | - Karl A Sporer
- Alameda County Emergency Medical Services Agency, San Leandro, USA
| | - Glen Davenport
- Columbia University, Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning, Oregon, USA
| | - Eric Isaacs
- University of California San Francisco, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Francisco, USA
| | - Nicolaus W Glomb
- University of California San Francisco, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Francisco, USA
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Breyre AM, Vertelney H, Sporer KA, Davenport G, Issacs ED, Glomb NW. Emergency medical service interpretation of Physician Orders for Life‐Sustaining Treatment (POLST) in cardiopulmonary arrest. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open 2022; 3:e12705. [PMID: 35342899 PMCID: PMC8931303 DOI: 10.1002/emp2.12705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Amelia M. Breyre
- Department of Emergency Medicine University of California San Francisco San Francisco USA
| | - Haley Vertelney
- Department of Emergency Medicine University of California San Francisco San Francisco USA
| | - Karl A. Sporer
- Alameda County Emergency Medical Services Agency San Leandro California USA
| | - Glen Davenport
- Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning Columbia University New York New York USA
| | - Eric D. Issacs
- Department of Emergency Medicine University of California San Francisco San Francisco USA
| | - Nicolaus W. Glomb
- Department of Emergency Medicine University of California San Francisco San Francisco USA
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Guterman EL, Lowenstein DH, Sporer KA. Seizing an Opportunity for Improvement. Neurology 2022; 98:287-288. [PMID: 34937790 PMCID: PMC8865891 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000013248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elan L Guterman
- From the Departments of Neurology (E.L.G., D.H.L.) and Emergency Medicine (K.A.S.), University of California, San Francisco.
| | - Daniel H Lowenstein
- From the Departments of Neurology (E.L.G., D.H.L.) and Emergency Medicine (K.A.S.), University of California, San Francisco
| | - Karl A Sporer
- From the Departments of Neurology (E.L.G., D.H.L.) and Emergency Medicine (K.A.S.), University of California, San Francisco
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Abstract
This study assesses whether patients with status epilepticus are receiving first-line treatment consistent with current guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elan L. Guterman
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco
| | - James F. Burke
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Karl A. Sporer
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
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Breyre AM, Benesch T, Glomb NW, Sporer KA, Anderson WG. EMS Experience Caring and Communicating with Patients and Families with a Life-Limiting-Illness. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2021; 26:708-715. [PMID: 34669550 DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2021.1994674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The emergency medical services (EMS) system was designed to reduce death and disability and EMS training focuses on saving lives through resuscitation, aggressive treatment and transportation to the emergency department. EMS providers commonly care for patients who have life-limiting illnesses. The objective was to explore EMS provider challenges, self-perceived roles and training experiences caring for patients and families with life-limiting illness. Methods: Qualitative content analysis of semi-structured interviews with EMS providers (n = 15) in Alameda County, CA. Purposive sampling was used to ensure a variety of perspectives including provider age, years of EMS experience, emergency medical technicians and paramedics, fire-based versus private, transport versus non-transporting. Recorded and transcribed interviews were analyzed using a thematic approach. Results: In their work with patients with life-limiting illness, participating EMS providers were interviewed and reported challenges for which their formal training had not prepared them: responding to grief and emotion expressed by families during traumatic events or death notification, and performing in the moment decision-making to determine the course of action after acute, unexpected, and traumatic events. Many participants reported becoming comfortable with grief counseling and death notification after acquiring some clinical experience. In the moment decision-making was eased when patients and families had had advance care planning discussions, however many patients, especially those from vulnerable and underserved populations, lacked advance care planning. In the face of situations where the course of action was not immediately clear, EMS providers voiced two frames for their role in caring for patients with life-limiting illness: transportation only ("transport people") versus a more "holistic" view, where EMS providers provided counseling and information about available resources. Conclusions: EMS providers interface with patients who have life-limiting illness and their families in the setting of traumatic events where the course of action is often unclear. There is an opportunity to provide formal training to EMS providers around grief counseling as well as how they can assist patients and families in in the moment decision-making to support previously identified goals and align care with patient goals and preferences.
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Abstract
Introduction: Emergency medical services (EMS) were designed to prevent death and disability. When hospice patients call 9-1-1, it can create challenging scenarios for EMS providers, patients, and families. The objective of this investigation is to understand the characteristics of hospice and comfort care patient EMS utilization in Alameda County, California. Methods: This is a 15-month (7/1/2019-10/1/2020) retrospective observational study in Alameda County using electronic patient care reports (PCRs). The search terms "hospice" and "comfort measures only" were applied to PCR narratives. Results: Of the 237,493 EMS provider response calls, 534 (0.2%) were for hospice and comfort care patients. One hundred seventy-four (32.6%) calls were from skilled nursing facilities versus 343 (64.2%) from private residences. Among the most common primary impressions were respiratory complaints (96; 18.0%), altered mental status (96; 18.0%), weakness (58; 10.9%), and cardiac arrest (45; 8.4%). The most common interventions included blood glucose (244; 45.7%), electrocardiogram (181; 33.9%), and intravenous placement (170; 31.8%). Of note, eight (1.5%) patients received cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and an additional eight (1.5%) patients were intubated endotracheally or received a supraglottic airway device for intubation. Sixty-eight (12.7%) patients received medications, the most common of which were fentanyl (17; 3.2%) and albuterol (16; 3.0%). Of note, five (0.9%) patients received naloxone. Ultimately, 468 (87.6%) patients were transported by EMS. Of the 33 (6.1%) patients who died on the scene, three received resuscitation attempts. Conclusion: Although EMS providers encounter hospice and comfort care patients infrequently, awareness of hospice services and comprehensive end-of-life care communication skills with patients and family should be an important part of EMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia M Breyre
- Department of Emergency Medicine and University California of San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Gurvijay Bains
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University California of San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Justin Moore
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Alameda Health System, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Lee Siegel
- Alameda County Emergency Medical Services, San Leandro, California, USA
| | - Karl A Sporer
- Alameda County Emergency Medical Services, San Leandro, California, USA
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Guterman EL, Sanford JK, Betjemann JP, Zhang L, Burke JF, Lowenstein DH, Josephson SA, Sporer KA. Author Response: Prehospital Midazolam Use and Outcomes Among Patients With Out-of-Hospital Status Epilepticus. Neurology 2021; 97:404. [PMID: 34426549 PMCID: PMC10501789 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000012460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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10
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Lacocque J, Siegel L, Sporer KA. Improving care for the post ROSC patient. Am J Emerg Med 2021; 56:282. [PMID: 34373069 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2021.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Lacocque
- UCSF, Department of Emergency Medicine, United States of America.
| | - Lee Siegel
- Alameda County EMS Agency, United States of America
| | - Karl A Sporer
- UCSF, Department of Emergency Medicine, United States of America; Alameda County EMS Agency, United States of America
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Lacocque J, Siegel L, Sporer KA. Prehospital, post-ROSC blood pressure and associated neurologic outcome. Am J Emerg Med 2021; 49:195-199. [PMID: 34144261 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2021.05.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between hypotension and neurologic outcome in adults with return of spontaneous circulation after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. METHODS Blood pressure and medication data were extracted from adult patients who had ROSC after OHCA in Alameda County and matched with neurologic outcome using the CARES database from January 1, 2018 through July 1, 2019. We used univariate logistic regression with p ≤ 0.2 followed by multivariate logistic regression and reported an odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS Among the 781 adult patients who had ROSC after OHCA, 107 (13.7%) were noted to be hypotensive and 61 (57% of the hypotensive group) received vasopressors. Patients with a final prehospital blood pressure recording of <90 mmHg were more likely to have a poor neurologic outcome (adjusted odds ratio 2.13, adj p = 0.048). About twice as many patients who were not hypotensive had a good neurologic outcome compared to hypotensive patients who had a good neurologic outcome (23% to 10.3%). Additionally, patients who were hypotensive and did not receive vasopressors had a similar neurologic outcome compared to patients who did receive vasopressors. CONCLUSION Prehospital post-ROSC hypotension was associated with worse neurologic outcome and giving hypotensive patients vasopressors may not improve neurologic outcome in the prehospital setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Lacocque
- UCSF, Department of Emergency Medicine, United States of America.
| | - Lee Siegel
- Alameda County EMS Agency, United States of America
| | - Karl A Sporer
- UCSF, Department of Emergency Medicine, United States of America; Alameda County EMS Agency, United States of America
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12
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Hart L, Sanford JK, Sporer KA, Kohn MA, Guterman EL. Identification of Generalized Convulsive Status Epilepticus from Emergency Medical Service Records: A Validation Study of Diagnostic Coding. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2020; 25:607-614. [PMID: 32870726 DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2020.1817214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) is a neurologic emergency demanding prehospital identification and treatment. Evaluating real-world practice requires accurately identifying the target population; however, it is unclear whether emergency medical services (EMS) documentation accurately identifies patients with GCSE. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the validity of EMS diagnostic impressions for GCSE. METHODS This was an analysis of electronic medical records of a California county EMS system from 2013 to 2018. We identified all cases with a primary diagnostic impression of "seizure-active," "seizure-post," or "seizure-not otherwise specified (NOS)" and within each diagnostic category, we randomly selected 75 adult and 25 pediatric records. Two authors reviewed the provider narrative of these 300 charts to determine a clinical seizure diagnosis according to prespecified definitions. We calculated a kappa for interrater reliability of the clinical diagnosis. We then calculated the positive predictive value (PPV), sensitivity, and specificity of an EMS diagnosis of "seizure-active" diagnosis for identifying GCSE. Sensitivity and specificity calculations were weighted according to the distribution of seizure cases in the overall population. We performed a descriptive analysis of records with an incorrect EMS diagnosis of GCSE or seizure. RESULTS Of 38,995 total records for seizure, there were 3401 (8.7%) seizure-active cases, 12,478 (32.0%) seizure-NOS cases, and 23,116 (59.4%) seizure-post cases. An EMS diagnosis of "seizure-active" had a PPV of 65.0% (95% CI 54.8-74.3), sensitivity of 54.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 39.3-69.0), and specificity of 96.6% (95% CI 95.1-97.6) for capturing GCSE. Limiting the case definition to patients who received an EMS diagnosis of "seizure-active" and were treated with a benzodiazepine increased the PPV (80.2%; 95% CI 69.9-88.2) and specificity (99.3%; 95% CI 98.7-99.6) while the sensitivity decreased (25.1%; 95% CI 17.0-35.3). Across the 300 records reviewed, there were 19 (6.3%) patients who had a non-seizure related diagnosis including non-epileptic spells (7 records), altered mental status (8 records), tremors (2 records), anxiety (1 record), and stroke (1 record). CONCLUSIONS EMS diagnostic impressions have reasonable PPV and specificity but low sensitivity for GCSE. Improved coding algorithms and training will allow for improved benchmarking, quality improvement, and research about this neurologic emergency.
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Guterman EL, Sanford JK, Betjemann JP, Zhang L, Burke JF, Lowenstein DH, Josephson SA, Sporer KA. Prehospital midazolam use and outcomes among patients with out-of-hospital status epilepticus. Neurology 2020; 95:e3203-e3212. [PMID: 32943481 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000010913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the use of benzodiazepines and the association between low benzodiazepine dose, breakthrough seizures, and respiratory support in patients with status epilepticus. METHODS In this cross-sectional analysis of adult patients with status epilepticus treated by an emergency medical services agency from 2013 to 2018, the primary outcome was treatment with a second benzodiazepine dose, an indicator for breakthrough seizure. The secondary outcome was receiving respiratory support. Midazolam was the only benzodiazepine administered. RESULTS Among 2,494 patients with status epilepticus, mean age was 54.0 years and 1,146 (46%) were female. There were 1,537 patients given midazolam at any dose, yielding an administration rate of 62%. No patients received a dose and route consistent with national guidelines. Rescue therapy with a second midazolam dose was required in 282 (18%) patients. Higher midazolam doses were associated with lower odds of rescue therapy (odds ratio [OR], 0.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7-0.9) and were not associated with increased respiratory support. If anything, higher doses of midazolam were associated with decreased need for respiratory support after adjustment (OR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.8-1.0). CONCLUSIONS An overwhelming majority of patients with status epilepticus did not receive evidence-based benzodiazepine treatment. Higher midazolam doses were associated with reduced use of rescue therapy and there was no evidence of respiratory harm, suggesting that benzodiazepines are withheld without clinical benefit. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This study provides Class III evidence that for patients with status epilepticus, higher doses of midazolam led to a reduced use of rescue therapy without an increased need for ventilatory support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elan L Guterman
- From the Department of Neurology (E.L.G., J.K.S., J.P.B., D.H.L., S.A.J.), Weill Institute for Neurosciences (E.L.G., J.K.S., J.P.B., D.H.L., S.A.J.), Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics (L.Z.), Department of Medicine (L.Z.), and Department of Emergency Medicine (K.A.S.), University of California, San Francisco; and Department of Neurology (J.F.B.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
| | - Joseph K Sanford
- From the Department of Neurology (E.L.G., J.K.S., J.P.B., D.H.L., S.A.J.), Weill Institute for Neurosciences (E.L.G., J.K.S., J.P.B., D.H.L., S.A.J.), Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics (L.Z.), Department of Medicine (L.Z.), and Department of Emergency Medicine (K.A.S.), University of California, San Francisco; and Department of Neurology (J.F.B.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - John P Betjemann
- From the Department of Neurology (E.L.G., J.K.S., J.P.B., D.H.L., S.A.J.), Weill Institute for Neurosciences (E.L.G., J.K.S., J.P.B., D.H.L., S.A.J.), Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics (L.Z.), Department of Medicine (L.Z.), and Department of Emergency Medicine (K.A.S.), University of California, San Francisco; and Department of Neurology (J.F.B.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Li Zhang
- From the Department of Neurology (E.L.G., J.K.S., J.P.B., D.H.L., S.A.J.), Weill Institute for Neurosciences (E.L.G., J.K.S., J.P.B., D.H.L., S.A.J.), Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics (L.Z.), Department of Medicine (L.Z.), and Department of Emergency Medicine (K.A.S.), University of California, San Francisco; and Department of Neurology (J.F.B.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - James F Burke
- From the Department of Neurology (E.L.G., J.K.S., J.P.B., D.H.L., S.A.J.), Weill Institute for Neurosciences (E.L.G., J.K.S., J.P.B., D.H.L., S.A.J.), Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics (L.Z.), Department of Medicine (L.Z.), and Department of Emergency Medicine (K.A.S.), University of California, San Francisco; and Department of Neurology (J.F.B.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Daniel H Lowenstein
- From the Department of Neurology (E.L.G., J.K.S., J.P.B., D.H.L., S.A.J.), Weill Institute for Neurosciences (E.L.G., J.K.S., J.P.B., D.H.L., S.A.J.), Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics (L.Z.), Department of Medicine (L.Z.), and Department of Emergency Medicine (K.A.S.), University of California, San Francisco; and Department of Neurology (J.F.B.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - S Andrew Josephson
- From the Department of Neurology (E.L.G., J.K.S., J.P.B., D.H.L., S.A.J.), Weill Institute for Neurosciences (E.L.G., J.K.S., J.P.B., D.H.L., S.A.J.), Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics (L.Z.), Department of Medicine (L.Z.), and Department of Emergency Medicine (K.A.S.), University of California, San Francisco; and Department of Neurology (J.F.B.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Karl A Sporer
- From the Department of Neurology (E.L.G., J.K.S., J.P.B., D.H.L., S.A.J.), Weill Institute for Neurosciences (E.L.G., J.K.S., J.P.B., D.H.L., S.A.J.), Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics (L.Z.), Department of Medicine (L.Z.), and Department of Emergency Medicine (K.A.S.), University of California, San Francisco; and Department of Neurology (J.F.B.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
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Hodroge SS, Glenn M, Breyre A, Lee B, Aldridge NR, Sporer KA, Koenig KL, Gausche-Hill M, Salvucci AA, Rudnick EM, Brown JF, Gilbert GH. Adult Patients with Respiratory Distress: Current Evidence-based Recommendations for Prehospital Care. West J Emerg Med 2020; 21:849-857. [PMID: 32726255 PMCID: PMC7390576 DOI: 10.5811/westjem.2020.2.43896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We developed evidence-based recommendations for prehospital evaluation and treatment of adult patients with respiratory distress. These recommendations are compared with current protocols used by the 33 local emergency medical services agencies (LEMSA) in California. METHODS We performed a review of the evidence in the prehospital treatment of adult patients with respiratory distress. The quality of evidence was rated and used to form guidelines. We then compared the respiratory distress protocols of each of the 33 LEMSAs for consistency with these recommendations. RESULTS PICO (population/problem, intervention, control group, outcome) questions investigated were treatment with oxygen, albuterol, ipratropium, steroids, nitroglycerin, furosemide, and non-invasive ventilation. Literature review revealed that oxygen titration to no more than 94-96% for most acutely ill medical patients and to 88-92% in patients with acute chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation is associated with decreased mortality. In patients with bronchospastic disease, the data shows improved symptoms and peak flow rates after the administration of albuterol. There is limited data regarding prehospital use of ipratropium, and the benefit is less clear. The literature supports the use of systemic steroids in those with asthma and COPD to improve symptoms and decrease hospital admissions. There is weak evidence to support the use of nitrates in critically ill, hypertensive patients with acute pulmonary edema (APE) and moderate evidence that furosemide may be harmful if administered prehospital to patients with suspected APE. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) is shown in the literature to be safe and effective in the treatment of respiratory distress due to acute pulmonary edema, bronchospasm, and other conditions. It decreases both mortality and the need for intubation. Albuterol, nitroglycerin, and NIPPV were found in the protocols of every LEMSA. Ipratropium, furosemide, and oxygen titration were found in a proportion of the protocols, and steroids were not prescribed in any LEMSA protocol. CONCLUSION Prehospital treatment of adult patients with respiratory distress varies widely across California. We present evidence-based recommendations for the prehospital treatment of undifferentiated adult patients with respiratory distress that will assist with standardizing management and may be useful for EMS medical directors when creating and revising protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sammy S Hodroge
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Francisco, California
| | - Melody Glenn
- University of Arizona, Department of Emergency Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Amelia Breyre
- Alameda Health System, Highland Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Oakland, California
| | - Bennett Lee
- Hawaii Emergency Physicians Associated, Kailua, Hawaii
| | - Nick R Aldridge
- Kaiser Permanente San Diego, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Diego, California
| | - Karl A Sporer
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Francisco, California
| | - Kristi L Koenig
- County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency, EMS, University of California, Irvine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Orange, California
| | - Marianne Gausche-Hill
- Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Los Angeles County EMS Agency, Santa Fe Springs, California
| | | | | | - John F Brown
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Francisco, California
| | - Gregory H Gilbert
- Stanford University, Department of Emergency Medicine, Palo Alto, California
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Trivedi TK, Glenn M, Hern G, Schriger DL, Sporer KA. Emergency Medical Services Use Among Patients Receiving Involuntary Psychiatric Holds and the Safety of an Out-of-Hospital Screening Protocol to "Medically Clear" Psychiatric Emergencies in the Field, 2011 to 2016. Ann Emerg Med 2018; 73:42-51. [PMID: 30274946 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2018.08.422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE Patients with acute psychiatric emergencies who receive an involuntary hold often spend hours in the emergency department (ED) because of a deficit in inpatient psychiatric beds. One solution to address the lack of prompt psychiatric evaluation in the ED has been to establish regional stand-alone psychiatric emergency services. However, patients receiving involuntary holds still need to be screened and evaluated to ensure that their behavior is not caused by an underlying and life-threatening nonpsychiatric illness. Although traditional regional emergency medical services (EMS) systems depend on the medical ED for this function, a field-screening protocol can allow EMS to directly transport a substantial portion of patients to a stand-alone psychiatric emergency service. The purpose of this investigation is to describe overall EMS use for patients receiving involuntary holds, compare patients receiving involuntary holds with all EMS patients, and evaluate the safety of field medical clearance of an established field-screening protocol in Alameda County, CA. METHODS We obtained data for all EMS encounters between November 1, 2011, and November 1, 2016, using Alameda County's standardized data set. After unique patient identification, we describe the data at the patient level and at the encounter level. At the patient level, we compare "involuntary hold patients" (≥1 involuntary hold during the study period) with those who were "never held." Additionally, we assess the safety of out-of-hospital medical clearance by calculating the rate of failed diversion, defined as retransport of a patient to a medical ED within 12 hours of transport to the psychiatric emergency services by EMS. RESULTS Of the 541,731 total EMS encounters in Alameda County during the study period, 10% (N=53,887) were identified as involuntary hold encounters. Of these involuntary hold patient encounters, 41% (N=22,074) resulted in direct transport of the patient to the stand-alone psychiatric emergency service for evaluation; 0.3% (N=60) failed diversion and required retransport within 12 hours. At the patient level, Alameda County EMS encountered 257,625 unique patients, and 10% (N=26,283) had at least one encounter for an involuntary hold during the study period. These "involuntary hold patients" were substantially younger, more likely to be men, and less likely to be insured. Additionally, they had higher overall EMS use: "involuntary hold patients" accounted for 24% of all encounters (N=128,003); 53,887 of these encounters were for involuntary holds, whereas an additional 74,116 were for other reasons. Similarly, 4% of "involuntary hold patients" had 20 or more encounters, whereas only 0.4% of "never held" patients were in this category. Last, the 7% of "involuntary hold patients" (N=1,907) who received greater than or equal to 5 involuntary holds during the study period accounted for 39% of all involuntary holds and 9% of all EMS encounters. CONCLUSION Ten percent of all EMS encounters were for involuntary psychiatric holds. With an EMS-directed screening protocol, 41% of all such patient encounters resulted in direct transport of the patient to the psychiatric emergency service, bypassing medical clearance in the ED. Overall, only 0.3% of these patients required retransport to a medical ED within 12 hours of arrival to psychiatric emergency services. We found that 24% of all EMS encounters in Alameda County were attributable to "involuntary hold patients," reinforcing the importance of the effects of mental illness on EMS use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarak K Trivedi
- National Clinical Scholars Program, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA; Veterans Administration, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA.
| | - Melody Glenn
- Alameda Health System-Highland Hospital, Oakland, CA
| | - Gene Hern
- Alameda Health System-Highland Hospital, Oakland, CA; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - David L Schriger
- National Clinical Scholars Program, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Karl A Sporer
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; Alameda County EMS Agency, Oakland, CA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ambulance patient offload time (APOT) also known colloquially as "Wall time" has been described in various jurisdictions but seems to be highly variable. Any attempt to improve APOT requires the use of common definitions and standard methodology to measure the extent of the problem. METHODS An Ambulance Offload Delay Task Force in California developed a set of standard definitions and methodology to measure APOT for transported 9-1-1 patients. It is defined as the time "interval between the arrival of an ambulance at an emergency department and the time that the patient is transferred to an ED gurney, bed, chair or other acceptable location and the ED assumes responsibility for care of the patient." Local EMS agencies voluntarily reported data according to the standard methodology to the California EMS Authority (State agency). RESULTS Data were reported for 9-1-1 transports during 2017 from 9 of 33 local EMS Agencies in California that comprise 37 percent of the state population. These represent 830,637 ambulance transports to 126 hospitals. APOT shows significant variation by EMS agency with half of the agencies demonstrating significant delays. Offload times vary markedly by hospital as well as by region. Three-fourths of hospitals detained EMS crews more than one hour, 40% more than two hours, and one-third delayed EMS return to service by more than three hours. CONCLUSION This first step to address offload delays in California consists of standardized definitions for data collection to address the significant variability inherent in obtaining data from 33 local agencies, hundreds of EMS provider agencies, and 320 acute care hospital Emergency Departments that receive 9-1-1 ambulance transports. The first year of standardized data collection of ambulance patient offload times revealed significant ambulance patient offload time delays that are not distributed uniformly, resulting in a substantial financial burden for some EMS providers in California.
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Sanello A, Gausche-Hill M, Mulkerin W, Sporer KA, Brown JF, Koenig KL, Rudnick EM, Salvucci AA, Gilbert GH. Altered Mental Status: Current Evidence-based Recommendations for Prehospital Care. West J Emerg Med 2018; 19:527-541. [PMID: 29760852 PMCID: PMC5942021 DOI: 10.5811/westjem.2018.1.36559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In the United States emergency medical services (EMS) protocols vary widely across jurisdictions. We sought to develop evidence-based recommendations for the prehospital evaluation and treatment of a patient with an acute change in mental status and to compare these recommendations against the current protocols used by the 33 EMS agencies in the State of California. Methods We performed a literature review of the current evidence in the prehospital treatment of a patient with altered mental status (AMS) and augmented this review with guidelines from various national and international societies to create our evidence-based recommendations. We then compared the AMS protocols of each of the 33 EMS agencies for consistency with these recommendations. The specific protocol components that we analyzed were patient assessment, point-of-care tests, supplemental oxygen, use of standardized scoring, evaluating for causes of AMS, blood glucose evaluation, toxicological treatment, and pediatric evaluation and management. Results Protocols across 33 EMS agencies in California varied widely. All protocols call for a blood glucose check, 21 (64%) suggest treating adults at <60mg/dL, and half allow for the use of dextrose 10%. All the protocols recommend naloxone for signs of opioid overdose, but only 13 (39%) give specific parameters. Half the agencies (52%) recommend considering other toxicological causes of AMS, often by using the mnemonic AEIOU TIPS. Eight (24%) recommend a 12-lead electrocardiogram; others simply suggest cardiac monitoring. Fourteen (42%) advise supplemental oxygen as needed; only seven (21%) give specific parameters. In terms of considering various etiologies of AMS, 25 (76%) give instructions to consider trauma, 20 (61%) to consider stroke, and 18 (55%) to consider seizure. Twenty-three (70%) of the agencies have separate pediatric AMS protocols; others include pediatric considerations within the adult protocol. Conclusion Protocols for patients with AMS vary widely across the State of California. The evidence-based recommendations that we present for the prehospital diagnosis and treatment of this condition may be useful for EMS medical directors tasked with creating and revising these protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Sanello
- Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency, Santa Fe Springs, California.,David Geffen School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | - Marianne Gausche-Hill
- Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency, Santa Fe Springs, California.,Harbor UCLA, Department of Emergency Medicine, Torrance, California.,David Geffen School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Los Angeles, California.,EMS Medical Directors Association of California
| | - William Mulkerin
- Stanford University, Department of Emergency Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Karl A Sporer
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Francisco, California.,EMS Medical Directors Association of California
| | - John F Brown
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Francisco, California.,EMS Medical Directors Association of California
| | - Kristi L Koenig
- EMS Medical Directors Association of California.,County of San Diego, Health & Human Services Agency, Emergency Medical Services, San Diego, California.,University of California, Irvine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Orange, California
| | - Eric M Rudnick
- EMS Medical Directors Association of California.,NorCal EMS Agency, Redding, California
| | - Angelo A Salvucci
- EMS Medical Directors Association of California.,Ventura County EMS Agency, Oxnard, California
| | - Gregory H Gilbert
- EMS Medical Directors Association of California.,Stanford University, Department of Emergency Medicine, Stanford, California
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18
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Chang BL, Mercer MP, Bosson N, Sporer KA. Variations in Cardiac Arrest Regionalization in California. West J Emerg Med 2018; 19:259-265. [PMID: 29560052 PMCID: PMC5851497 DOI: 10.5811/westjem.2017.10.34869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Revised: 10/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The development of cardiac arrest centers and regionalization of systems of care may improve survival of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). This survey of the local EMS agencies (LEMSA) in California was intended to determine current practices regarding the treatment and routing of OHCA patients and the extent to which EMS systems have regionalized OHCA care across California. Methods We surveyed all of the 33 LEMSA in California regarding the treatment and routing of OHCA patients according to the current recommendations for OHCA management. Results Two counties, representing 29% of the California population, have formally regionalized cardiac arrest care. Twenty of the remaining LEMSA have specific regionalization protocols to direct all OHCA patients with return of spontaneous circulation to designated percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-capable hospitals, representing another 36% of the population. There is large variation in LEMSA ability to influence inhospital care. Only 14 agencies (36%), representing 44% of the population, have access to hospital outcome data, including survival to hospital discharge and cerebral performance category scores. Conclusion Regionalized care of OHCA is established in two of 33 California LEMSA, providing access to approximately one-third of California residents. Many other LEMSA direct OHCA patients to PCI-capable hospitals for primary PCI and targeted temperature management, but there is limited regional coordination and system quality improvement. Only one-third of LEMSA have access to hospital data for patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian L Chang
- University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Francisco, California
| | - Mary P Mercer
- University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Francisco, California
| | - Nichole Bosson
- Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Service Agency, Los Angeles, California.,Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, Carson, California
| | - Karl A Sporer
- University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Francisco, California.,Alameda County Emergency Medical Service Agency, Alameda, California
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Brian Savino P, Reichelderfer S, Mercer MP, Sporer KA, Wang RC. In Reply: Comparing Direct and Video Laryngoscopy for Prehospital Intubation: Can Meta-analysis Provide an Exact Solution? Acad Emerg Med 2017; 24:1417-1418. [PMID: 28752692 DOI: 10.1111/acem.13262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Scott Reichelderfer
- University of California; San Francisco Fresno School of Medicine; Fresno CA
| | - Mary P. Mercer
- University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine; San Francisco CA
| | - Karl A. Sporer
- University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine; Alameda County EMS Agency
| | - Ralph C. Wang
- University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine; San Francisco CA
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20
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Savino PB, Reichelderfer S, Mercer MP, Wang RC, Sporer KA. Direct Versus Video Laryngoscopy for Prehospital Intubation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Acad Emerg Med 2017; 24:1018-1026. [PMID: 28370736 DOI: 10.1111/acem.13193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The use of video laryngoscopy (VL) for intubation has gained recent popularity. In the prehospital setting, it is unclear if VL increases intubation success rates compared to direct laryngoscopy (DL). We sought to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing VL to DL in the prehospital setting to determine whether the use of VL increases overall and first-pass endotracheal intubation success rates compared to DL. METHODS A systematic search was performed of the PubMed, Embase, and SCOPUS databases through May 2016 to include studies comparing overall and first-pass success for VL versus DL in patients requiring intubation in the prehospital setting. Data were abstracted by two reviewers. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. RESULTS Of a potential 472 articles, eight eligible studies were included. Considerable heterogeneity (I2 > 90%) precluded reporting an overall pooled estimate across all studies. When stratified by provider type, the pooled estimates for overall intubation success using VL versus DL were a risk ratio (RR) of 0.05 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.01-0.18) in studies of physicians and RR = 2.28 (95% CI = 1.00-5.20) in nonphysicians. For first-pass intubation success the pooled RR estimates for using VL versus DL were 0.32 (95% CI = 0.23-0.44) and 1.83 (95% CI = 1.18-2.84) among studies using physicians and nonphysicians, respectively. There was moderate to significant heterogeneity between studies when stratified by provider. CONCLUSIONS Among physician intubators with significant DL experience, VL does not increase overall or first-pass success rates and may lead to worsening performance. However, among nonphysician intubators with less experience with DL, VL may provide benefit in the prehospital setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Brian Savino
- Loma Linda University School of Medicine; Loma Linda CA
- University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine; San Francisco CA
| | - Scott Reichelderfer
- University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine; San Francisco CA
| | - Mary P. Mercer
- University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine; San Francisco CA
| | - Ralph C. Wang
- University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine; San Francisco CA
| | - Karl A. Sporer
- University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine; San Francisco CA
- Alameda County EMS Agency; San Francisco CA
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21
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Silverman EC, Sporer KA, Lemieux JM, Brown JF, Koenig KL, Gausche-Hill M, Rudnick EM, Salvucci AA, Gilbert GH. Prehospital Care for the Adult and Pediatric Seizure Patient: Current Evidence-based Recommendations. West J Emerg Med 2017; 18:419-436. [PMID: 28435493 PMCID: PMC5391892 DOI: 10.5811/westjem.2016.12.32066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We sought to develop evidence-based recommendations for the prehospital evaluation and treatment of adult and pediatric patients with a seizure and to compare these recommendations against the current protocol used by the 33 emergency medical services (EMS) agencies in California. METHODS We performed a review of the evidence in the prehospital treatment of patients with a seizure, and then compared the seizure protocols of each of the 33 EMS agencies for consistency with these recommendations. We analyzed the type and route of medication administered, number of additional rescue doses permitted, and requirements for glucose testing prior to medication. The treatment for eclampsia and seizures in pediatric patients were analyzed separately. RESULTS Protocols across EMS Agencies in California varied widely. We identified multiple drugs, dosages, routes of administration, re-dosing instructions, and requirement for blood glucose testing prior to medication delivery. Blood glucose testing prior to benzodiazepine administration is required by 61% (20/33) of agencies for adult patients and 76% (25/33) for pediatric patients. All agencies have protocols for giving intramuscular benzodiazepines and 76% (25/33) have protocols for intranasal benzodiazepines. Intramuscular midazolam dosages ranged from 2 to 10 mg per single adult dose, 2 to 8 mg per single pediatric dose, and 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg as a weight-based dose. Intranasal midazolam dosages ranged from 2 to 10 mg per single adult or pediatric dose, and 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg as a weight-based dose. Intravenous/intrasosseous midazolam dosages ranged from 1 to 6 mg per single adult dose, 1 to 5 mg per single pediatric dose, and 0.05 to 0.1 mg/kg as a weight-based dose. Eclampsia is specifically addressed by 85% (28/33) of agencies. Forty-two percent (14/33) have a protocol for administering magnesium sulfate, with intravenous dosages ranging from 2 to 6 mg, and 58% (19/33) allow benzodiazepines to be administered. CONCLUSION Protocols for a patient with a seizure, including eclampsia and febrile seizures, vary widely across California. These recommendations for the prehospital diagnosis and treatment of seizures may be useful for EMS medical directors tasked with creating and revising these protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric C. Silverman
- University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Francisco, California
| | - Karl A. Sporer
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Francisco, California
| | - Justin M. Lemieux
- Stanford School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - John F. Brown
- University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Francisco, California
| | - Kristi L. Koenig
- University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Irvine, California
| | - Marianne Gausche-Hill
- University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Los Angeles, California
- Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Torrance, California
| | | | | | - Greg H. Gilbert
- Stanford School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Stanford, California
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22
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Glober NK, Sporer KA, Guluma KZ, Serra JP, Barger JA, Brown JF, Gilbert GH, Koenig KL, Rudnick EM, Salvucci AA. Acute Stroke: Current Evidence-based Recommendations for Prehospital Care. West J Emerg Med 2016; 17:104-28. [PMID: 26973735 PMCID: PMC4786229 DOI: 10.5811/westjem.2015.12.28995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Revised: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In the United States, emergency medical services (EMS) protocols vary widely across jurisdictions. We sought to develop evidence-based recommendations for the prehospital evaluation and treatment of a patient with a suspected stroke and to compare these recommendations against the current protocols used by the 33 EMS agencies in the state of California. Methods We performed a literature review of the current evidence in the prehospital treatment of a patient with a suspected stroke and augmented this review with guidelines from various national and international societies to create our evidence-based recommendations. We then compared the stroke protocols of each of the 33 EMS agencies for consistency with these recommendations. The specific protocol components that we analyzed were the use of a stroke scale, blood glucose evaluation, use of supplemental oxygen, patient positioning, 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and cardiac monitoring, fluid assessment and intravenous access, and stroke regionalization. Results Protocols across EMS agencies in California varied widely. Most used some sort of stroke scale with the majority using the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (CPSS). All recommended the evaluation of blood glucose with the level for action ranging from 60 to 80mg/dL. Cardiac monitoring was recommended in 58% and 33% recommended an ECG. More than half required the direct transport to a primary stroke center and 88% recommended hospital notification. Conclusion Protocols for a patient with a suspected stroke vary widely across the state of California. The evidence-based recommendations that we present for the prehospital diagnosis and treatment of this condition may be useful for EMS medical directors tasked with creating and revising these protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy K Glober
- University of California San Diego, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Diego, California
| | - Karl A Sporer
- EMS Medical Directors Association of California, California; University of California San Francisco, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Francisco, California
| | - Kama Z Guluma
- University of California San Diego, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Diego, California
| | - John P Serra
- University of California San Diego, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Diego, California
| | - Joe A Barger
- EMS Medical Directors Association of California, California
| | - John F Brown
- EMS Medical Directors Association of California, California; University of California San Francisco, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Francisco, California
| | - Gregory H Gilbert
- EMS Medical Directors Association of California, California; Stanford University, Department of Emergency Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Kristi L Koenig
- EMS Medical Directors Association of California, California; University of California Irvine, Center for Disaster Medical Sciences, Orange, California
| | - Eric M Rudnick
- EMS Medical Directors Association of California, California
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23
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Savino PB, Sporer KA, Barger JA, Brown JF, Gilbert GH, Koenig KL, Rudnick EM, Salvucci AA. Chest Pain of Suspected Cardiac Origin: Current Evidence-based Recommendations for Prehospital Care. West J Emerg Med 2015; 16:983-95. [PMID: 26759642 PMCID: PMC4703143 DOI: 10.5811/westjem.2015.8.27971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Revised: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 08/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In the United States, emergency medical services (EMS) protocols vary widely across jurisdictions. We sought to develop evidence-based recommendations for the prehospital evaluation and treatment of chest pain of suspected cardiac origin and to compare these recommendations against the current protocols used by the 33 EMS agencies in the state of California. Methods We performed a literature review of the current evidence in the prehospital treatment of chest pain and augmented this review with guidelines from various national and international societies to create our evidence-based recommendations. We then compared the chest pain protocols of each of the 33 EMS agencies for consistency with these recommendations. The specific protocol components that we analyzed were use of supplemental oxygen, aspirin, nitrates, opiates, 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) regionalization systems, prehospital fibrinolysis and β-blockers. Results The protocols varied widely in terms of medication and dosing choices, as well as listed contraindications to treatments. Every agency uses oxygen with 54% recommending titrated dosing. All agencies use aspirin (64% recommending 325mg, 24% recommending 162mg and 15% recommending either), as well as nitroglycerin and opiates (58% choosing morphine). Prehospital 12-Lead ECGs are used in 97% of agencies, and all but one agency has some form of regionalized care for their STEMI patients. No agency is currently employing prehospital fibrinolysis or β-blocker use. Conclusion Protocols for chest pain of suspected cardiac origin vary widely across California. The evidence-based recommendations that we present for the prehospital diagnosis and treatment of this condition may be useful for EMS medical directors tasked with creating and revising these protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Brian Savino
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Francisco, California
| | - Karl A Sporer
- EMS Medical Directors Association of California, California
| | - Joe A Barger
- EMS Medical Directors Association of California, California
| | - John F Brown
- EMS Medical Directors Association of California, California
| | | | - Kristi L Koenig
- EMS Medical Directors Association of California, California; University of California, Irvine, Center for Disaster Medical Sciences, Orange, California
| | - Eric M Rudnick
- EMS Medical Directors Association of California, California
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Hall MK, Raven MC, Hall J, Yeh C, Allen E, Rodriguez RM, Tangherlini NL, Sporer KA, Brown JF. EMS-STARS: Emergency Medical Services “Superuser” Transport Associations: An Adult Retrospective Study. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2014; 19:61-67. [DOI: 10.3109/10903127.2014.936630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Sporer KA, English J. What dispatch really shows. JEMS 2014; 39:58-63. [PMID: 25163201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
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Morrissey JF, Kusel ER, Sporer KA. Spinal motion restriction: an educational and implementation program to redefine prehospital spinal assessment and care. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2014; 18:429-32. [PMID: 24548084 DOI: 10.3109/10903127.2013.869643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prehospital spine immobilization has long been applied to victims of trauma in the United States and up to 5 million patients per year are immobilized mostly with a cervical collar and a backboard. OBJECTIVE The training of paramedics and emergency medical technicians on the principals of spine motion restriction (SMR) will decrease the use of backboards. METHODS The training for SMR emphasized the need to immobilize those patients with a significant potential for an unstable cervical spine fracture and to use alternative methods of maintaining spine precautions for those with lower risk. The training addressed the potential complications of the use of the unpadded backboard and education was provided about the mechanics of spine injuries. Emergency medical services (EMS} personnel were taught to differentiate between the critical multisystem trauma patients from the more common moderate, low kinetic energy trauma patients. A comprehensive education and outreach program that included all of the EMS providers (fire and private), hospitals, and EMS educational institutions was developed. RESULTS Within 4 months of the policy implementation, prehospital care practitioners reduced the use of the backboard by 58%. This was accomplished by a decrease in the number of patients considered for SMR with low kinetic energy and the use of other methods, such as the cervical collar only. CONCLUSION The implementation of a SMR training program significantly decreases the use of backboards and allows alternative methods of maintaining spine precautions.
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Hodell EM, Sporer KA, Brown JF. Which emergency medical dispatch codes predict high prehospital nontransport rates in an urban community? PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2013; 18:28-34. [PMID: 24028558 DOI: 10.3109/10903127.2013.825349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) is a commonly used computer-based emergency medical dispatch (EMD) system that is widely used to prioritize 9-1-1 calls and optimize resource allocation. There are five major priority classes used to dispatch 9-1-1 calls in the San Francisco System; Alpha codes are the lowest priority (lowest expected acuity) and Echo are the highest priority. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine which MPDS dispatch codes are associated with high prehospital nontransport rates (NTRs). METHODS All unique MPDS call categories from 2009 in a highly urbanized, two-tier advanced life support (ALS) system were sorted according to highest NTRs. There are many reasons for nontransport, such as "gone on arrival," and "patient denied transport." Those categories with greater than 100 annual calls were further evaluated. MPDS groups that included multiple categories with NTRs exceeding 25% were then identified and each category was analyzed. Results. EMS responded to a total of 81,437 calls in 2009, of which 18,851 were not transported by EMS. The majority of the NTRs were found among "cardiac/ respiratory arrest/death," "assault/sexual assaults," "unknown problem/man down," "traffic/transportation accidents," and "unconscious/fainting." "Cardiac or respiratory arrest/death -obvious death" (9B1) had the highest overall nontransport rate, 99.25% (1/134), most likely due to declaration of death. "Unknown problem -man down -medical alert notification" had the second highest NTR, 67.22% (138/421). However, Echo priority codes had the highest overall nontransport rates (45.45%) and Charlie had the lowest (13.84%). CONCLUSIONS The nontransport rates of individual MPDS categories vary considerably and should be considered in any system design. We identified 52 unique call categories to have a 25% or greater NTR, 18 of which exceeded 40%. The majority of NTRs occurred among the "cardiac/respiratory arrest/death," "assault/sexual assaults," "unknown problem/man down," "traffic/transportation accidents," and "unconscious/fainting" categories. The higher the priority code within each subset (AB vs. CDE), the less likely the patient was to be transported. Charlie priority codes had a lower NTR than Delta, and Delta was lower than Echo. Charlie codes were therefore the strongest predictors of hospital transport, while Echo codes (highest priority) were those with the highest nontransport rates and were the worst predictors of hospital transport in the emergent subset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan M Hodell
- From the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine (EMH), San Francisco , California , USA ; the Department of Emergency Medicine (JFB), University of California , San Francisco, California , USA ; and Alameda County EMS Agency (KAS) , Oakland, California , USA
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Sporer KA. Why we need to rethink C-spine immobilization: we need to reevaluate current practices and develop a saner cervical policy. EMS World 2012; 41:74-76. [PMID: 23213723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
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Cantrill SV, Brown MD, Carlisle RJ, Delaney KA, Hays DP, Nelson LS, O'Connor RE, Papa A, Sporer KA, Todd KH, Whitson RR. Clinical Policy: Critical Issues in the Prescribing of Opioids for Adult Patients in the Emergency Department. Ann Emerg Med 2012; 60:499-525. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2012.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Sporer KA, Solares M, Durant EJ, Wang W, Wu AHB, Rodriguez RM. Accuracy of the initial diagnosis among patients with an acutely altered mental status. Emerg Med J 2012; 30:243-6. [PMID: 22362650 DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2011-200452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objectives of this prospective observational study were to: (1) determine the accuracy of physician diagnosis in patients with an acutely altered mental status (AMS) within the first 20 min of emergency department (ED) presentation; and (2) access if physician confidence in early diagnosis correlates with accuracy of diagnosis. METHODS A prospective observational convenience study was conducted of 112 adult patients who presented to an urban county ED with AMS (Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ≤14) between August 2008 and July 2009. Within the first 20 min of patient presentation to the ED, treating physicians were asked to record their best diagnostic guess of the cause of the patient's AMS and their confidence in this diagnosis. Serial hourly GCS was performed and the results of all diagnostic testing were recorded. Blinded investigators determined the final consensus diagnostic cause of the patient's AMS. RESULTS The final consensus diagnoses for AMS aetiologies were as follows: isolated alcohol intoxication 31%, other (psychotic episodes, underlying dementia) 21%, combination alcohol/other drug intoxications 18%, isolated other drug intoxications 10%, other metabolic derangements 6%, cerebrovascular accident/transient ischaemic attack 4%, seizures/post-ictal states 4%, traumatic brain injuries 3%, isolated opiate intoxications 2%, isolated benzodiazepine intoxication 1% and septic episode 1%. The emergency physician's initial diagnosis of the AMS patient correlated with the accuracy of the final diagnosis (r(2)=0.807). The quintiles of confidence of diagnosis were: 0-20% degree of confidence had a 33% diagnostic accuracy, 21-40% had 25% accuracy, 41-60% had 43% accuracy, 61-80% had 52% accuracy and those with 81-100% confidence of initial diagnosis had 78% accuracy. Of the 106 patients with an initial diagnosis, 52 (51%) had a head CT performed, with eight (8%) having an acute abnormality. DISCUSSION Early diagnoses of AMS patients are moderately accurate. Few early misdiagnoses of AMS patients were clinically relevant. Physicians' greater degree of confidence in their diagnosis correlated with greater accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl A Sporer
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
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Newgard CD, Zive D, Holmes JF, Bulger EM, Staudenmayer K, Liao M, Rea T, Hsia RY, Wang NE, Fleischman R, Jui J, Mann NC, Haukoos JS, Sporer KA, Gubler KD, Hedges JR. A multisite assessment of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma field triage decision scheme for identifying seriously injured children and adults. J Am Coll Surg 2012; 213:709-21. [PMID: 22107917 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2011.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2011] [Revised: 09/06/2011] [Accepted: 09/06/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACSCOT) has developed and updated field trauma triage protocols for decades, yet the ability to identify major trauma patients remains unclear. We estimate the diagnostic value of the Field Triage Decision Scheme for identifying major trauma patients (Injury Severity Score [ISS] ≥ 16) in a large and diverse multisite cohort. STUDY DESIGN This was a retrospective cohort study of injured children and adults transported by 94 emergency medical services (EMS) agencies to 122 hospitals in 7 regions of the Western US from 2006 through 2008. Patients who met any of the field trauma triage criteria (per EMS personnel) were considered triage positive. Hospital outcomes measures were probabilistically linked to EMS records through trauma registries, state discharge data, and emergency department data. The primary outcome defining a "major trauma patient" was ISS ≥ 16. RESULTS There were 122,345 injured patients evaluated and transported by EMS over the 3-year period, 34.5% of whom met at least 1 triage criterion and 5.8% had ISS ≥ 16. The overall sensitivity and specificity of the criteria for identifying major trauma patients were 85.8% (95% CI 85.0% to 86.6%) and 68.7% (95% CI 68.4% to 68.9%), respectively. Triage sensitivity and specificity, respectively, differed by age: 84.1% and 66.4% (0 to 17 years); 89.5% and 64.3% (18 to 54 years); and 79.9% and 75.4% (≥55 years). Evaluating the diagnostic value of triage by hospital destination (transport to Level I/II trauma centers) did not substantially improve these findings. CONCLUSIONS The sensitivity of the Field Triage Decision Scheme for identifying major trauma patients is lower and specificity higher than previously described, particularly among elders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig D Newgard
- Center for Policy and Research in Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
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Sporer KA, Johnson NJ. Detailed analysis of prehospital interventions in medical priority dispatch system determinants. West J Emerg Med 2011; 12:19-29. [PMID: 21691468 PMCID: PMC3088370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2009] [Revised: 01/25/2010] [Accepted: 02/08/2010] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) is a type of Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) system used to prioritize 9-1-1 calls and optimize resource allocation. Dispatchers use a series of scripted questions to assign determinants to calls based on chief complaint and acuity. OBJECTIVE We analyzed the prehospital interventions performed on patients with MPDS determinants for breathing problems, chest pain, unknown problem (man down), seizures, fainting (unconscious) and falls for transport status and interventions. METHODS We matched all prehospital patients in complaint-based categories for breathing problems, chest pain, unknown problem (man down), seizures, fainting (unconscious) and falls from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2006, with their prehospital record. Calls were queried for the following prehospital interventions: Basic Life Support care only, intravenous line placement only, medication given, procedures or non-transport. We defined Advanced Life Support (ALS) interventions as the administration of a medication or a procedure. RESULTS Of the 77,394 MPDS calls during this period, 31,318 (40%) patients met inclusion criteria. Breathing problems made up 12.2%, chest pain 6%, unknown problem 1.4%, seizures 3%, falls 9% and unconscious/fainting 9% of the total number of MPDS calls. Patients with breathing problem had a low rate of procedures (0.7%) and cardiac arrest medications (1.6%) with 38% receiving some medication. Chest pain patients had a similar distribution; procedures (0.5%), cardiac arrest medication (1.5%) and any medication (64%). Unknown problem: procedures (1%), cardiac arrest medication (1.3%), any medication (18%). Patients with Seizures had a low rate of procedures (1.1%) and cardiac arrest medications (0.6%) with 20% receiving some medication. Fall patients had a lower rate of severe illness with more medication, mostly morphine: procedures (0.2%), cardiac arrest medication (0.2%), all medications (28%). Unconscious/fainting patients received the following interventions: procedures (0.3%), cardiac arrest medication (1.9%), all medications (32%). Few stepwise increases in the rate of procedures or medications were seen as determinants increased in acuity. CONCLUSION Among these common MPDS complaint-based categories, the rates of advanced procedures and cardiac arrest medications were low. ALS medications were common in all categories and most determinants. Multiple determinants were rarely used and did not show higher rates of interventions with increasing acuity. Many MPDS determinants are of modest use to predict ALS intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl A. Sporer
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital,Address for Correspondence: Karl Sporer, MD, Emergency Services, Room 1E21, San Francisco General Hospital, 1001 Potrero Ave., San Francisco, Ca. 94110.
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Johnson NJ, Sporer KA. How many emergency dispatches occurred per cardiac arrest? Resuscitation 2010; 81:1499-504. [PMID: 20638764 DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2010.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2010] [Revised: 06/12/2010] [Accepted: 06/17/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) is an emergency medical dispatch (EMD) system that is widely used to prioritize 9-1-1 calls and optimize resource allocation. Calls are assigned an MPDS determinant, which includes a number (1-32) representing chief complaint and priority (Alpha through Echo) representing acuity. OBJECTIVE This study evaluates the number of emergency dispatches per cardiac arrest (NOD-CA) in cardiac arrest and non-cardiac arrest MPDS determinants. METHODS All patients assigned a determinant by MPDS from January 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009 in a large metropolitan area were included. Prehospital electronic patient care records were linked with dispatch data. For each MPDS determinant, the number of calls for which the paramedic impression was listed as "Cardiac Arrest - Non-Traumatic" was tabulated. The NOD-CA was calculated for each cardiac arrest and non-cardiac arrest MPDS determinant. Non-MPDS calls with cardiac arrests were analyzed separately. RESULTS A total of 101,642 patients were included. Among them, 555 had "Cardiac Arrest - Non-Traumatic" listed as the paramedic impression. The Cardiac/Respiratory Arrest/Death protocol had the highest number of cardiac arrests (285), followed by Breathing Problems (99) and Unconscious/Fainting (76). Overall, 183 dispatched occurred for each cardiac arrest, 131 of which resulted in a lights and sirens response. The NOD-CA was 7 in the Cardiac Arrest/Death protocol, 122 in Breathing Problems, and 104 in Unconscious/Fainting. 31 Cardiac arrests occurred in non-MPDS dispatch categories (N=62,989), most of which were calls for medical assistance from police or fire units. CONCLUSIONS MPDS was designed to detect cardiac arrest with high sensitivity, leading to a significant degree of mistriage. The number of dispatches for each cardiac arrest may be a useful way to quantify the degree of mistriage and optimize EMS dispatch. This large descriptive study revealed a low NOD-CA in most cardiac arrest MPDS determinants. We demonstrated significant variability in the NOD-CA among non-cardiac arrest MPDS determinants, and few cardiac arrests in non-MPDS dispatch categories.
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Masson CL, Sorensen JL, Grossman N, Sporer KA, Des Jarlais DC, Perlman DC. Organizational issues in the implementation of a hospital-based syringe exchange program. Subst Use Misuse 2010; 45:901-15. [PMID: 20397875 PMCID: PMC3378397 DOI: 10.3109/10826080903080631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Little published information exists to guide health care institutions in establishing syringe exchange program (SEP) services. To address this gap, this article discusses organizational issues encountered in the implementation of a hospital-based SEP in San Francisco, California (USA). Investigators collaborated with a community organization in implementing a county hospital-based SEP. SEP services integrated into a public hospital presented unique challenges directly related to their status as a health care institution. In the course of introducing SEP services into a hospital setting as part of a clinical trial, various ethical, legal, and logistical issues were raised. Based on these experiences, this paper provides guidance on how to integrate an SEP into a traditional health care institution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen L Masson
- Department of Psychiatry, San Francisco General Hospital Center, University of California, San Francisco, California 94110, USA.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Computer-aided dispatch systems are used to assess the severity of a 9-1-1 caller's complaint and then assign an appropriate level of emergency medical services (EMS) response. OBJECTIVE To evaluate a group of low-acuity codes (defined as requiring advanced life support [ALS] intervention in fewer than 10% of cases) that has been derived and validated in one community. METHODS All of the 9-1-1 medical calls assigned to these predetermined emergency medical dispatch codes between January 1, 2004, and July 1, 2004, were analyzed. ALS care was defined as receiving one or more of the following: pulse oximetry measurement, blood glucose measurement, cardiac defibrillation, administration of any medication, airway maneuvers, or the placement of an intravenous (IV) catheter. A more restrictive definition of ALS care (use of IV fluid bolus, medication administration, intubation, or defibrillation) was also calculated. RESULTS A total of 1,799 calls were assigned low-acuity dispatch codes, and 1,597 met inclusion criteria. None of the 26 dispatch codes were found to be low-acuity by the study definition. Fifty-six percent of these patients received ALS care. Placement of an IV-catheter was the ALS intervention used most frequently (45% of cases), followed by pulse oximetry measurement (32%), glucose measurement (22%), medication administration (11%), intubation (0.13%), and defibrillation (0%). The medication administered most frequent was morphine. When using the more restrictive definition of acuity, patients in 19 of the 28 categories received ALS intervention less than 10% of the time. Patients in the other seven categories were considered high-acuity 13% to 36% of the time. CONCLUSION Dispatch codes that had previously been determined to be low-acuity were found not to be so in this community. The variation in clinical practice is likely explained by a more precautionary approach to care in this EMS system and the increased use of analgesics. This study demonstrates the need to define the optimal subset of prehospital patients who would benefit from these treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glen E Michael
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Sporer KA, Youngblood GM, Rodriguez RM. The Ability of Emergency Medical Dispatch Codes of Medical Complaints to Predict ALS Prehospital Interventions. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2009; 11:192-8. [PMID: 17454806 DOI: 10.1080/10903120701205984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) is an emergency medical dispatch (EMD) system that is commonly used to triage 9-1-1 calls and optimize paramedic and EMT dispatch. The objective of this study was to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of selected MPDS dispatch codes to predict the need for ALS medication or procedures. METHODS Patients with selected MPDS codes between November 1, 2003, and October 31, 2005, from a suburban California county were matched with their electronic patient care record. The records of all transported patients were queried for prehospital interventions and matched to their MPDS classification [Basic Life Support (BLS) versus Advanced Life Support (ALS)]. Patients who received prehospital interventions or medications were considered ALS Intervention. With true positive = ALS by MPDS + ALS Intervention, true negative = BLS by MPDS + BLS Interventions, false positive = ALS by MPDS + BLS Interventions, and false negative = BLS by MPDS + ALS Interventions, the screening performance of the San Mateo County EMD system was determined for selected complaint categories (abdominal pain, breathing problems chest pain, sick person, seizures, and unconscious/fainting). RESULTS There were a total of 64,647 medical calls, and 42,651 went through the EMD process; 31,187 went through the EMD process and were transported; 22,243 of these were matched to a patient care record. The sensitivity and specificity with 95% confidence intervals in () were as follows: all EMD calls 84 (83-85), 36 (35-36); abdominal pain, 53 (41-65), 47 (43-51); chest pain 99 (99-100), 2 (1-3); seizure 83 (77-88), 20 (17-23), sick 59 (53-64), 51 (49-54), and unconscious/fainting 99 (98-100), 2 (2-3). CONCLUSION In our EMS system, MPDS coding for all medical calls had high sensitivity and low specificity for the prediction of calls that required ALS intervention. Chest pain and unconscious/fainting calls were screened with very high sensitivity but very low specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl A Sporer
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
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Sporer KA, Johnson NJ, Yeh CC, Youngblood GM. Can emergency medical dispatch codes predict prehospital interventions for common 9-1-1 call types? PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2009; 12:470-8. [PMID: 18924011 DOI: 10.1080/10903120802290877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Medical Priority Dispatch System is an emergency medical dispatch (EMD) system that is widely used to categorize 9-1-1 calls and optimize resource allocation. This study evaluates the ability of EMD and non-EMD codes (calls not processed by EMD) to predict prehospital use of medications and procedures. METHODS All transported prehospital patients placed in an EMD or non-EMD category that exceeded 500 total calls from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2006, in a suburban California county were matched with their prehospital electronic patient care record. These records (N = 69,541) were queried for the following prehospital interventions: basic life support (BLS) care only, intravenous line placement only, medication given, and procedures. Advanced life support (ALS) interventions were defined as the administration of a medications or a procedure. The numbers of medications and procedures that were performed on patients in each EMD code were measured. RESULTS Thirty-one of 141 EMD and non-EMD codes met inclusion criteria and comprised 73% of all calls during the study period. Non-EMD codes accounted for 48% of all calls in this study. Patients with shortness of breath, chest pain, diabetic problems, and altered mental status received the most medications. High rates of medication administration were also seen in the following codes: 17A (fall, 27%), 17B (fall, 14%), EMDX (unable to complete EMD process, 22%), MED (medical aid requested--details to follow, 26%), and MED3 (medical aid requested by police--code 3, 18%). Procedures were performed on only 0.9% of all calls, of which 75% were related to advanced airways. Higher rates of ALS interventions in higher-acuity categories (Alpha, Bravo, etc.) were seen in a number of EMD categories, including seizure, laceration/hemorrhage, sick, and traffic accident, but not seen in many categories, including abdominal pain, falls, and chest pain. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated only a modest ability of the EMD system to predict which patients would require ALS intervention. There were limited differences noted in the ALS rates between the different codes (Alpha, Bravo, etc.) in the same complaint category, bringing into question the utility of the multiple subgroups. Non-EMD codes made up a large portion of calls (48%) and should be included in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl A Sporer
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
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Michael GE, Sporer KA, Youngblood GM. Women are less likely than men to receive prehospital analgesia for isolated extremity injuries. Am J Emerg Med 2007; 25:901-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2007.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2007] [Revised: 01/25/2007] [Accepted: 02/04/2007] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Rosenson J, Smollin C, Sporer KA, Blanc P, Olson KR. Patterns of Ecstasy-Associated Hyponatremia in California. Ann Emerg Med 2007; 49:164-71, 171.e1. [PMID: 17084942 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2006.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2006] [Revised: 09/12/2006] [Accepted: 09/21/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE We describe the clinical characteristics of patients with ecstasy- (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA]) associated hyponatremia (serum sodium level <130 mmol/L) reported to the California Poison Control System during a 5-year period and determine whether a sex difference exists among patients with ecstasy-associated hyponatremia and hyponatremia-associated adverse outcomes. METHODS We performed a retrospective review of cases involving ecstasy intoxication reported to the California Poison Control System and recorded in its computerized database from January 1, 2000, through October 9, 2005. We excluded cases that did not involve MDMA exposure or in which there were no symptoms or were minimal effects only. Confirmation of exposure to MDMA was based on history of use and, when available, urine toxicology testing results positive for MDMA or amphetamine derivatives. Hyponatremia was defined as a measured serum sodium level less than 130 mmol/L. RESULTS A total of 1,436 cases potentially involving ecstasy were reported to the California Poison Control System during the 5-year study period, of which 891 were excluded according to the criteria described above. Of the 545 cases that met inclusion criteria, 296 (54.3%) were women and 249 (45.7%) were men. There were 188 cases (34.5%) with a documented serum sodium level, of which 73 (38.8%) reported hyponatremia (Na <130 mmol/L). Of the 73 subjects with hyponatremia, 55 (75.3%) were women and 18 (24.7%) men; of the 115 nonhyponatremic subjects, 50 (43.5%) were women and 65 (56.5%) were men. Among patients with a documented serum sodium level, female sex was associated with increased odds of hyponatremia (odds ratio [OR] 4.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1 to 7.6). Among women, those with hyponatremia demonstrated increased odds of coma (OR 3.9; 95% CI 1.2 to 12.9), whereas among men, no increased odds of hyponatremia-associated coma were observed (OR 0.8; 95% CI 0.15 to 4.0). CONCLUSION Female sex was associated with increased odds of hyponatremia and increased odds of hyponatremia-associated coma among persons with ecstasy intoxication and a documented serum sodium level reported to the California Poison Control System from 2000 to 2005. Multiple potential confounders, including spectrum bias, incomplete laboratory data, and individual differences in study subject characteristics, prevent determination of causality about sex differences in the incidence of ecstasy-associated hyponatremia and its complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Rosenson
- Alameda County Medical Center/Highland General Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Oakland, CA 94602, USA.
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Sporer KA, Kral AH. Prescription naloxone: a novel approach to heroin overdose prevention. Ann Emerg Med 2006; 49:172-7. [PMID: 17141138 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2006.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2006] [Revised: 04/25/2006] [Accepted: 05/23/2006] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The mortality and morbidity from heroin overdose have increased in the United States and internationally in the last decade. The lipid solubility allows the rapid deposition of heroin and its metabolites into the central nervous system and accounts for the "rush" experienced by users and for the toxicity. Risk factors for fatal and nonfatal heroin overdoses such as recent abstinence, decreased opiate tolerance, and polydrug use have been identified. Opiate substitution treatment such as methadone or buprenorphine is the only proven method of heroin overdose prevention. Death from a heroin overdose most commonly occurs 1 to 3 hours after injection at home in the company of other people. Numerous communities have taken advantage of this opportunity for treatment by implementing overdose prevention education to active heroin users, as well as prescribing naloxone for home use. Naloxone is a specific opiate antagonist without agonist properties or potential for abuse. It is inexpensive and nonscheduled and readily reverses the respiratory depression and sedation caused by heroin, as well as causing transient withdrawal symptoms. Program implementation considerations, legal ramifications, and research needs for prescription naloxone are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl A Sporer
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Medicine, Section of Emergency Medicine, and the Treatment Research Center, USA.
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Sporer KA, Tabas JA, Tam RK, Sellers KL, Rosenson J, Barton CW, Pletcher MJ. Do medications affect vital signs in the prehospital treatment of acute decompensated heart failure? PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2006; 10:41-5. [PMID: 16418090 DOI: 10.1080/10903120500366938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prehospital treatment of patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) has been shown to decrease mortality and morbidity. Vital sign changes have been proposed as clinical endpoints in the evaluation of prehospital treatment for this condition. OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of prehospital treatments on vital signs among patients with ADHF. METHODS Records of an urban emergency medical services system from September 1, 2002, through September 1, 2003, were queried for patients who had a paramedic impression of shortness of breath or respiratory distress and had received nitroglycerin and/or furosemide. Demographics, initial and repeat vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation), and medications and doses were collected. RESULTS Three hundred nineteen patients were included; the average age was 77 (+/-12) years and 47% were male. Treatments administered to these patients included nitroglycerin, 296 (93%); furosemide, 194 (61%); albuterol, 189 (59%); aspirin, 57 (18%); morphine, 20 (6%); and prehospital intubation, 15 (5%). Patients were initially hypertensive [mean +/- standard deviation of systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 167 +/-37 mm Hg], tachycardic (heart rate 106 +/- 24 beats/min), tachypneic (respiratory rate 33 +/- 7 breaths/min), and hypoxic (pulse oximetry 88% +/- 9.5%). After treatment, mean changes included decreases (95% confidence interval) in (SBP), -10.6 mm Hg (-14.1 to -7.1), heart rate, -2.3 beats/min (-4.0 to -0.7), and respiratory rate, -3.0 (-3.6 to -2.3), and an increase in oxygen saturation, +8.2 (7.1 to 9.3). Changes in blood pressure and oxygen saturation after treatment correlated with initial values. There was no independent association of either nitroglycerin, furosemide, albuterol, or morphine with improvement in vital signs. CONCLUSION Prehospital patients with ADHF are a heterogeneous group of patients with significant variability in vital signs. The change in systolic blood pressure or oxygen saturation after treatment depends greatly on the patient's starting point. There was no association of either nitroglycerin or other medications with the improvement in vital signs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl A Sporer
- Albert Einstein School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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Abstract
The recent approval of office-based treatment for opioid addiction and US Food and Drug Administration approval of buprenorphine will expand treatment options for opioid addiction. Buprenorphine is classified as a partial micro opioid agonist and a weak kappa antagonist. It has a high affinity for the micro receptor, with slow dissociation resulting in a long duration of action and an analgesic potency 25 to 40 times more potent than morphine. At higher doses, its agonist effects plateau and it begins to behave more like an antagonist, limiting the maximal analgesic effect and respiratory depression. This "ceiling effect" confers a high safety profile clinically, a low level of physical dependence, and only mild withdrawal symptoms on cessation after prolonged administration. Suboxone contains a mixture of buprenorphine and naloxone. The naloxone is poorly absorbed sublingually and is designed to discourage intravenous use. Subutex, buprenorphine only, will also be available primarily as an initial test dose. Clinicians will be using this drug for detoxification or for maintenance of opioid addiction. Patients with recent illicit opioid use may develop a mild precipitated withdrawal syndrome with the induction of buprenorphine. Acute buprenorphine intoxication may present with some diffuse mild mental status changes, mild to minimal respiratory depression, small but not pinpoint pupils, and relatively normal vital signs. Naloxone may improve respiratory depression but will have limited effect on other symptoms. Patients with significant symptoms related to buprenorphine should be admitted to the hospital for observation because symptoms will persist for 12 to 24 hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl A Sporer
- Department of Emergency Services, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA.
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Sporer KA, Tabas JA, Tam RK, Rosenson J, Sellers K, Barton CW. M EDICATIONE FFECTS OFP REHOSPITALT REATMENT OFP ATIENTS WITHA CUTEC ARDIOGENICP ULMONARYE DEMA. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2004. [DOI: 10.1080/312703003320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE We discuss a prospective case series of patients who present with a severe gamma-hydroxybutyrate intoxication with confirmatory serum and urine gamma-hydroxybutyrate levels. METHODS Patients with a clinical suspicion of gamma-hydroxybutyrate-like drug overdoses and a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8 or lower were identified from July 1998 through January 1999. Serial serum specimens and a single urine specimen were collected. The levels of gamma-hydroxybutyrate were performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS All 16 suspected severe gamma-hydroxybutyrate overdose patients had significant serum or urine levels of gamma-hydroxybutyrate. Serum levels ranged from 45 to 295 mg/L, with a median of 180 mg/L (interquartile range [IQR] 235 to 118 mg/L). Patients who developed a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3 had serum levels that ranged from 72 to 300 mg/L, with a median of 193 mg/L (IQR 242 to 124 mg/L). The time of awakening ranged from 30 minutes to 190 minutes, with a median of 120 minutes (IQR 150 to 83 minutes). Quantitative serum gamma-hydroxybutyrate levels did not correlate with the degree of coma or the time to awakening. Urine levels ranged from 432 to 2,407 mg/L, with a median of 1,263 mg/L (IQR 1,550 to 796 mg/L). Mild transitory hypoventilation occurred in 5 of the 16 patients. CONCLUSION All of our patients with clinically suspected severe gamma-hydroxybutyrate overdose were confirmed to have significant serum and urine levels of exogenous gamma-hydroxybutyrate. They presented with severe coma that lasted 1 to 2 hours. Transient hypoventilation occurred in one third of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl A Sporer
- Department of Emergency Services, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California-San Francisco, 1001 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl A Sporer
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES To examine the current clinical spectrum of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema (NCPE) related to heroin overdose. DESIGN Retrospective chart review of all identified patients from August 1994 through December 1998. SETTING Urban academic hospital. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS Heroin-related NCPE was defined as the syndrome in which a patient develops significant hypoxia (room air saturation < 90% with a respiratory rate > 12/min) within 24 h of a clinically apparent heroin overdose. This should be accompanied by radiographic evidence of diffuse pulmonary infiltrates not attributable to other causes, such as cardiac dysfunction, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, or bronchospasm, and which resolve clinically and radiographically within 48 h. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Twenty-seven patients were identified during this 53-month period, with a majority being male patients (85%; average age, 34 years). Twenty patients (74%) were hypoxic on emergency department arrival, and 6 patients (22%) had symptoms develop within the first hour. One patient had significant hypoxia develop within 4 h. Nine patients (33%) required mechanical ventilation, and all intubated patients but one were extubated within 24 h. Eighteen patients (66%) were treated with supplemental oxygen alone. Hypoxia resolved spontaneously within 24 h in 74% of patients, with the rest (22%) resolving within 48 h. Twenty patients (74%) had classical radiograph findings of bilateral fluffy infiltrates, but unilateral pulmonary edema occurred in four patients (15%) and more localized disease occurred in two patients (7%). CONCLUSION NCPE is an infrequent complication of a heroin overdose. The clinical symptoms of NCPE are clinically apparent either immediately or within 4 h of the overdose. Mechanical ventilation is necessary in only 39% of patients. The incidence of NCPE related to heroin overdose has decreased substantially in the last few decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Sporer
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco General Hospital, 94110, USA.
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Abstract
Acute heroin overdose is a common daily experience in the urban and suburban United States and accounts for many preventable deaths. Heroin acts as a pro-drug that allows rapid and complete central nervous system absorption; this accounts for the drug's euphoric and toxic effects. The heroin overdose syndrome (sensitivity for diagnosing heroin overdose, 92%; specificity, 76%) consists of abnormal mental status, substantially decreased respiration, and miotic pupils. The response of naloxone does not improve the sensitivity of this diagnosis. Most overdoses occur at home in the company of others and are more common in the setting of other drugs. Heroin-related deaths are strongly associated with use of alcohol or other drugs. Patients with clinically significant respiratory compromise need treatment, which includes airway management and intravenous or subcutaneous naloxone. Hospital observation for several hours is necessary for recurrence of hypoventilation or other complications. About 3% to 7% of treated patients require hospital admission for pneumonia, noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, or other complications. Methadone maintenance is an effective preventive measure, and others strategies should be studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Sporer
- Emergency Services, San Francisco General Hospital, CA 94110, USA
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Chin RL, Sporer KA, Cullison B, Dyer JE, Wu TD. Clinical course of gamma-hydroxybutyrate overdose. Ann Emerg Med 1998; 31:716-22. [PMID: 9624311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE To describe the clinical characteristics and course of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) overdose. METHODS We assembled a retrospective series of all cases of GHB ingestion see in an urban public-hospital emergency department and entered in a computerized database January 1993 through December 1996. From these cases we extracted demographic information, concurrent drug use, vital signs, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, laboratory values, and clinical course. RESULTS Sixty-one (69%) of the 88 patients were male. The mean age was 28 years. Thirty-four cases (39%) involved coingestion of ethanol, and 25 (28%) involved coingestion of another drug, most commonly amphetamines. Twenty-five cases (28%) had a GCS score of 3, and 28 (33%) had scores ranging from 4 through 8. The mean time to regained consciousness from initial presentation among nonintubated patients with an initial GCS of 13 or less was 146 minutes (range, 16-389). Twenty-two patients (31%) had an initial temperature of 35 degrees C or less. Thirty-two (36%) had asymptomatic bradycardia; in 29 of these cases, the initial GCS score was 8 or less. Ten patients (11%) presented with hypotension (systolic blood pressure < or = 90 mm Hg); 6 of these patients also demonstrated concurrent bradycardia. Arterial blood gases were measured in 30 patients; 21 had a PCO2 of 45 or greater, with pH ranging from 7.24 to 7.34, consistent with mild acute respiratory acidosis. Twenty-six patients (30%) had an episode of emesis; in 22 of these cases, the initial GCS was 8 or less. CONCLUSION In our study population, patients who overdosed on GHB presented with a markedly decreased level of consciousness. Coingestion of ethanol or other drugs is common, as are bradycardia, hypothermia, respiratory acidosis, and emesis. Hypotension occurs occasionally. Patients typically regain consciousness spontaneously within 5 hours of the ingestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- R L Chin
- Department of Emergency Services, San Francisco General Hospital, CA, USA.
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