Traumatic injury causes a significant number of deaths due to bleeding. Tranexamic acid (TXA), an antifibrinolytic agent, can reduce bleeding in traumatic injuries and potentially enhance outcomes. ...Previous reviews suggested potential TXA benefits but did not consider the latest trials.
A systematic review and bias-adjusted meta-analysis were performed to assess TXA’s effectiveness in emergency traumatic injury settings by pooling estimates from randomized controlled trials. Researchers searched Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central for randomized controlled trials comparing TXA’s effects to a placebo in emergency trauma cases. The primary endpoint was 1-month mortality. The methodological quality of the trials underwent assessment using the MASTER scale, and the meta-analysis applied the quality-effects method to adjust for methodological quality.
Seven randomized controlled trials met the set criteria. This meta-analysis indicated an 11% decrease in the death risk at 1 month after TXA use (odds ratio OR 0.89, 95% confidence interval CI 0.84 to 0.95) with a number needed to treat of 61 to avoid 1 additional death. The meta-analysis also revealed reduced 24-hour mortality (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.88) for TXA. No compelling evidence of increased vascular occlusive events emerged (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.27). Subgroup analyses highlighted TXA’s effectiveness in general trauma versus traumatic brain injury and survival advantages when administered out-of-hospital versus inhospital.
This synthesis demonstrates that TXA use for trauma in emergencies leads to a reduction in 1-month mortality, with no significant evidence of problematic vascular occlusive events. Administering TXA in the out-of-hospital setting is associated with reduced mortality compared to inhospital administration, and less mortality with TXA in systemic trauma is noted compared with traumatic brain injury specifically.
BackgroundParamedics are often first providers of care to patients experiencing non-traumatic low back pain (LBP), though their perspectives and experiences with managing these cases remain ...unclear.ObjectivesThis study explored paramedic views of the management of non-traumatic LBP including their role and experience with LBP management, barriers to referral and awareness of ambulance service guidelines.DesignQualitative study using semistructured interviews conducted between January and April 2023.SettingNew South Wales Ambulance service.ParticipantsA purposive sample of 30 paramedics of different specialities employed by New South Wales Ambulance were recruited.ResultsParamedic accounts demonstrated the complexity, challenge, frustration and reward associated with managing non-traumatic LBP. Paramedics perceived that their primary role focused on the assessment of LBP, and that calls to ambulance services were often driven by misconceptions surrounding the management of LBP, and a person’s pain severity. Access to health services, patient factors, defensive medicine, paramedic training and education and knowledge of guidelines influenced paramedic management of LBP.ConclusionParamedics often provide care to non-traumatic LBP cases yet depending on the type of paramedic speciality find these cases to be frustrating, challenging or rewarding to manage due to barriers to referral including access to health services, location, patient factors and uncertainty relating to litigation. Future research should explore patient perspectives towards ambulance service use for the management of their LBP.
Abstract Background Femoral (thigh) fractures are an important clinical problem commonly encountered by paramedics. These injuries are painful, and the need for extrication and transport adds ...complexity to the management of this condition. Whereas traditional analgesia involves parenteral opioids, regional nerve blockade for femoral fractures have been demonstrated to be effective when performed by physicians. Regional peripheral nerve blockade performed by paramedics may be suitable in the prehospital setting. Study Objectives To examine the efficacy and feasibility of paramedic-performed fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) for patients with suspected hip or femur fractures in the prehospital setting compared to intravenous morphine alone. Methods Prior to treatment allocation, all patients received a loading dose of morphine intravenously, then received either 1) FICB using lidocaine with epinephrine; or 2) standard care (further intravenous morphine only) in this nonblinded, randomized control trial. Participants rated their pain using a standard 11-point verbal numerical rating scale prior to and 15 min after receiving the allocated treatment. Secondary outcomes included effectiveness at other time points and incidence of adverse effects. Results We analyzed 11 and 13 patients in the FICB and standard care groups, respectively. Patients treated with FICB had a greater reduction in their median pain score than patients in the standard care group (50% vs. 22%, p = 0.025) after 15 min. In the FICB group, median pain scores decreased by 5 (interquartile range 4–6), compared to 2 (interquartile range 0–4) in the standard care group. The FICB procedure did not significantly impact on scene times. No immediately obvious adverse events were noted in the 11 participants who received FICB from paramedics. Conclusion The study suggests that FICB can be performed by trained paramedics for patients with suspected femoral fractures.
Heat stroke is an emergent condition characterized by hyperthermia (>40 °C/>104 °F) and nervous system dysregulation. There are two primary etiologies: exertional which occurs during physical ...activity and non-exertional which occurs during extreme heat events without physical exertion. Left untreated, both may lead to significant morbidity, are considered a special circumstance for cardiac arrest, and cause of mortality.
We searched Medline, Embase, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus. We used Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methods and risk of bias assessments to determine the certainty and quality of evidence. We included randomized controlled trials, non-randomized trials, cohort studies and case series of five or more patients that evaluated adults and children with non-exertional or exertional heat stroke or exertional hyperthermia, and any cooling technique applicable to first aid and prehospital settings. Outcomes included: cooling rate, mortality, neurological dysfunction, adverse effects and hospital length of stay.
We included 63 studies, of which 37 were controlled studies, two were cohort studies and 24 were case series of heat stroke patients. Water immersion of adults with exertional hyperthermia cold water (14–17 °C/57.2–62.6 °F), colder water (8–12 °C/48.2–53.6 °F) and ice water (1–5 °C/33.8–41 °F) resulted in faster cooling rates when compared to passive cooling. No single water temperature range was found to be associated with a quicker core temperature reduction than another (cold, colder or ice).
Water immersion techniques (using 1–17 °C water) more effectively lowered core body temperatures when compared with passive cooling, in hyperthermic adults. The available evidence suggests water immersion can rapidly reduce core body temperature in settings where it is feasible.
•Females were less likely to receive bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)•In public locations, lower arrest recognition partly explained the sex difference.•Reasons for the observed ...differences should be investigated, and public education and training should address this issue.•Bystander AED use was lower in females, mostly explained by fewer female arrests in a public location.
To assess whether bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) differed by patient sex among bystander-witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA).
This study is a retrospective analysis of paramedic-attended OHCA in New South Wales (NSW) between January 2017 to December 2019 (restricted to bystander-witnessed cases). Exclusions included OHCA in aged care, medical facilities, with advance care directives, from non-medical causes. Multivariate logistic regression examined the association of patient sex with bystander CPR. Secondary outcomes were OHCA recognition, bystander AED application, initial shockable rhythm, and survival outcomes.
Of 4,491cases, females were less likely to receive bystander CPR in private residential (Adjusted Odds ratio AOR: 0.82, 95%CI: 0.70–0.95) and public locations (AOR: 0.58, 95%CI:0.39–0.88). OHCA recognition during the emergency call was lower for females arresting in public locations (84.6% vs 91.6%, p = 0.002) and this partially explained the association of sex with bystander CPR (∼44%). This difference in recognition was not observed in private residential locations (p = 0.2). Bystander AED use was lower for females (4.8% vs 9.6%, p < 0.001); however, after adjustment for location and other covariates, this relationship was no longer significant (AOR: 0.83, 95%CI: 0.60–1.12). Females were less likely to be in an initial shockable rhythm (AOR: 0.52, 95%CI: 0.44–0.61), but more likely to survive the event (AOR: 1.34, 95%CI: 1.15–1.56). There was no sex difference in survival to hospital discharge (AOR: 0.96, 95%CI: 0.77–1.19).
OHCA recognition and bystander CPR differ by patient sex in NSW. Research is needed to understand why this difference occurs and to raise public awareness of this issue.
This is the summary publication of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation’s 2020 International Consensus on First Aid Science With Treatment Recommendations. It addresses the most ...recent published evidence reviewed by the First Aid Task Force science experts. This summary addresses the topics of first aid methods of glucose administration for hypoglycemia; techniques for cooling of exertional hyperthermia and heatstroke; recognition of acute stroke; the use of supplementary oxygen in acute stroke; early or first aid use of aspirin for chest pain; control of life- threatening bleeding through the use of tourniquets, haemostatic dressings, direct pressure, or pressure devices; the use of a compression wrap for closed extremity joint injuries; and temporary storage of an avulsed tooth. Additional summaries of scoping reviews are presented for the use of a recovery position, recognition of a concussion, and 6 other first aid topics. The First Aid Task Force has assessed, discussed, and debated the certainty of evidence on the basis of Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria and present their consensus treatment recommendations with evidence-to-decision highlights and identified priority knowledge gaps for future research.
The 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) Science With Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR) is the fourth in a series of annual summary publications from the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). This 2020 CoSTR for first aid includes new topics addressed by systematic reviews performed within the past 12 months. It also includes updates of the first aid treatment recommendations published from 2010 through 2019 that are based on additional evidence evaluations and updates. As a result, this 2020 CoSTR for first aid represents the most comprehensive update since 2010.
Older fallers constitute a large proportion of ambulance work, and as many as 25% are not transported to hospital following paramedic assessment. The objective of this study was to explore the ...decision making process used by paramedics when caring for older fallers.
A qualitative study was conducted using constructivist grounded theory methodology. Purposive sampling was used to recruit paramedics to participate in semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Data analysis commenced with line-by-line coding, developing into formation of theoretical categories. Theoretical sampling was then used to clarify emerging theoretical concepts, with data collection and analysis continuing until theoretical saturation was achieved.
A total of 33 paramedics participated in 13 interviews and 4 focus groups. When caring for older fallers, paramedic decision making is profoundly affected by 'role perception', in which the individual paramedic's perception of what the role of a paramedic is determines the nature of the decision making process. Transport decisions are heavily influenced by a sense of 'personal protection', or their confidence in the ambulance service supporting their decisions. 'Education and training' impacts on decision making capacity, and the nature of that training subliminally contributes to role perception. Role perception influences the sense of legitimacy a paramedic attaches to cases involving older fallers, impacting on patient assessment routines and the quality of subsequent decisions.
Paramedic decision making processes when caring for older people who have fallen appear to be strongly influenced by their perception of what their role should be, and the perceived legitimacy of incidents involving older fallers as constituting 'real' paramedic work.
Background/Aim
It is crucial to store an avulsed tooth appropriately to preserve the viability of the periodontal ligament cells prior to replantation. The aim of this systematic review was to ...identify the best available evidence for the effectiveness of any technique available to laypeople for storing an avulsed tooth compared with storage in milk or saliva.
Methods
The following databases were searched (September 2019): Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and Embase. Two reviewers independently considered trial eligibility, then extracted and analyzed data, and assessed the risk of bias. The certainty of the body of evidence was appraised according to the GRADE methodology.
Results
Out of 4118 references, 33 studies were included and reported 23 comparisons of which 10 were synthesized in a meta‐analysis. The limited evidence available favors storing an avulsed tooth in Hank's balanced salt solution (pooled SMD 2.47, 95% CI 1.59;3.34, P < .00001), propolis solution (pooled SMD 1.73, 95% CI 1.12;2.33, P < .00001), oral rehydration salts (pooled SMD 4.16, 95% CI 2.10;6.23, P < .0001), rice water, and cling film compared with storage in milk. The cell viability rate was significantly lower in teeth stored in saline solutions (pooled SMD −4.35, 95% CI −7.55;−1.14, P = .008), tap water, buttermilk, castor oil, GC Tooth Mousse, and turmeric extract than those stored in milk. There is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against temporary storage of an avulsed tooth in saliva compared with alternative solutions. The certainty of evidence was considered low to very low due to limitations in study design, indirect study populations and outcome measures, and imprecision.
Conclusion
Although milk was shown to extend the periodontal ligament cell viability before replantation compared with saline or tap water, the following media have also demonstrated efficacy at preserving the cell viability: Hank's balanced salt solution, propolis, oral rehydration salts, rice water, and cling film.
AbstractObjective. To determine the differences in survival for out-of-hospital advanced airway intervention (AAI) compared with basic airway intervention (BAI) in cardiac arrest. Background. AAI is ...commonly utilized in cardiac arrest in the out-of-hospital setting as a means to secure the airway. Observational studies and clinical trials of AAI suggest that AAI is associated with worse outcomes in terms of survival. No controlled trials exist that compares AAI to BAI. Methods. We conducted a bias-adjusted meta-analysis on 17 observational studies. The outcomes were survival, short-term (return of spontaneous circulation and to hospital admission), and longer-term (to discharge, to one month survival). We undertook sensitivity analyses by analyzing patients separately: those who were 16 years and older, nontrauma only, and attempted versus successful AAI. Results. This meta-analysis included 388,878 patients. The short-term survival for AAI compared to BAI were overall OR 0.84(95% CI 0.62 to 1.13), for endotracheal intubation (ETI) OR 0.79 (95% CI 0.54 to 1.16), and for supraglottic airways (SGA) OR 0.59 (95% CI 0.39 to 0.89). Long-term survival for AAI were overall OR 0.49 (95% CI 0.37 to 0.65), for ETI OR 0.48 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.64), and for SGA OR 0.35 (95% CI 0.28 to 0.44). Sensitivity analyses shows that limiting analyses to adults, non-trauma victims, and instances where AAI was both attempted and successful did not alter results meaningfully. A third of all studies did not adjust for any other confounding factors that could impact on survival. Conclusions. This meta-analysis shows decreased survival for AAIs used out-of-hospital in cardiac arrest, but are likely biased due to confounding, especially confounding by indication. A properly conducted prospective study or a controlled trial is urgently needed and are possible to do.
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