Clinical Practice

Potential use of amiodarone to treat new-onset AF in the pre-hospital setting

AF is frequently associated with structural abnormalities in the heart or cardiac disease, or may result from damage to the heart tissue itself, from thoracic surgery or coronary artery bypass grafts...

Intranasal and buccal midazolam in the pre-hospital management of epileptic tonic-clonic seizures

Epilepsy is a homeostatic imbalance characterised by recurrent malfunctions in motor, sensory or psychological functions. These malfunctions are commonly described as a seizure (Tortora and...

The use of telemedicine technology to support in pre-hospital patient care

Before reviewing the available technology, it is worth briefly outlining the history of technology in medicine, referred to as ‘telemedicine’. Utilising technology for health care is actually an old...

A comparison of paramedic practice with that of an emergency care practitioner

These tables illustrate that whether paramedic or ECP, the average work load and patient demographics are relatively similar..

An insight into the demands and stressors experienced by Community First Responders

An online survey to measure the demands and stressors experienced during a typical and high-stress callout was distributed via e-mail to Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) CFRs (n=535). The covering...

Strategic Plan 2014: a five-year strategy for the College of Paramedics

‘The College of Paramedics’ Governing Council and Executive team have been working with Professor Barry Hunt to establish a strategy document that will lead the College's activities and effort...

Pulse oximetry in the pre-hospital setting

Oxygen transportation occurs when there is a diffusion of gases that move from higher concentrations to lower concentrations. The oxygen content of blood is bound to haemoglobin and is dissolved in...

An overview of the Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) in Afghanistan: a paramedic's perspective

Individuals are required to complete a programme of military and medical training prior to deployment to enhance individual and team skills necessary in the MERT role. Once individuals have conducted...

Essex and Herts Air Ambulance: a focused case series for pre-hospital practice Case 2: tension pneumothorax

A 55-year-old man lost control and was ejected from his motorcycle at approximately 60 miles per hour on a country road. The patient was wearing a helmet and full protective clothing. When the first...

Paramedic perceptions and attitudes to working with patients with alcohol-related injury or illness

Although intervention to reduce excessive drinking might usually be seen as the remit of other health professionals, particularly general practitioners (GPs), the modern paramedic has options for...

Application of the iTClamp™ in the clinical management of haemorrhage: a case study

A male patient was stabbed below the jaw line to the left side of the face/neck. The initial call suggested a catastrophic haemorrhage. On scene, the male patient had an obvious and considerable...

Using clinical decision making and reflection strategies to support practice

According to Sibson (2009), the theory and practice of reflective practice is increasing amongst paramedics, with a greater awareness of the benefits of reflection to everyday practice..