Community Paramedics

BACKGROUND: Community Paramedics (CPs) require access to timely blood analysis in the field to guide treatment and transport decisions. Point of care testing (POCT), as opposed to laboratory analysis, may offer a solution, but limited research exists on CP POCT. The purpose of this study was to compare the validity of two devices (Abbott i-STAT® and Alere epoc®) by CPs in the community. METHODS: In a CP programme responding to 6000 annual patient care events, a split sample validation of POCT against traditional laboratory analysis for seven analytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, creatinine, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and glucose) was conducted on a consecutive sample of patients...

BACKGROUND: There is currently minimal data regarding the demand placed on Emergency Medical Services in the wake of hurricanes and other natural disasters. This retrospective review provides an opportunity to analyze call volumes to EMS and their distribution before, during, and after Hurricane Harvey in one area on the Texas Gulf Coast. OBJECTIVES: Call volumes from Galveston Area Ambulance Authority were reviewed to provide insights for allocation of resources during natural disasters, identifying weaknesses in the current EMS system, and recommending proactive changes for future disasters...

BACKGROUND: After on-scene examination and /or treatment, emergency medical services (EMS) nurses must decide whether the patient requires further assessment or treatment, most frequently in a hospital. The primary objective of this study was to assess the reliability of the current EMS protocol by determining whether the decision not to transport the patient to a care provider was correct or not. METHODS: Adults receiving on-scene medical care by an EMS rapid responder or full team without transport to the hospital were included in this prospective observational study...

INTRODUCTION: Frequent users of emergency medical services (EMS) have disproportionately high 9-1-1 call frequency. Evidence suggests that this small group burdens the health care system, leading to misallocation of already-limited health resources. AIM: To understand frequent users' perceptions and experiences regarding EMS, as well as the driving factors underlying their frequent use. METHOD: A grounded theory approach guided our qualitative research process...

This short essay supports the growing role of paramedics in the clinical and academic workforce. We present a commentary of recent draft consultations by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in England that set out how the role of paramedics may be evolving to assist with the changing demands on the clinical workforce. Using these consultations as a basis, we extend their recommendations and suggest that the profession should also lead the academically driven evaluation of these new roles.

BACKGROUND: Community paramedicine (CP) models have been applied across rural and urban communities in support of healthcare delivery systems for nearly two decades. However, there is still insufficient information regarding the development of sustainable CP programmes. This study explores the strategies used by active CP programmes and investigates their operational statuses, community demographics, financial models and challenges for programme development. METHODS: A series of interviews was conducted with four CP programmes in Pennsylvania, USA, which are affiliated with a local government, a health system, an ambulance service and an emergency medical service, respectively...