Research
Chest compression efficacy of child resuscitators
Background: Chest compression efficacy determines blood flow in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and relies on body mechanics, so resuscitator weight matters. Individuals of insufficient weight are incapable of generating a sufficient downward chest compression force using traditional methods. Aims: This study investigated how a resuscitator's weight affects chest compression efficacy, determined the minimum weight required to perform chest compressions and, for children and adults below...
Influence of time on the predictive value of the post-resuscitation ECG
Background: The reliability of the electrocardiogram (ECG) after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) is unclear. While its predictive value has previously been described, no studies have looked at the influence of time on the post-ROSC ECG. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the ECG immediately after ROSC and between 1 and 5 hours later to assess whether time influences its ability to accurately predict the need for percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods: A...
Racial disparities in emergency care for seizures in the United States
Background: Racial disparities exist regarding emergency medical services, and advanced life support (ALS) is superior to basic life support (BLS) for patients experiencing a seizure. Aims: This study aims to identify if there are racial disparities regarding access to ALS care for patients having a seizure. Methods: This study analysed 624 011 seizure cases regarding the provision of BLS rather than ALS care per racial group. Chi-square testing was used to check statistical significance...
Perceptions of ethical dilemmas in Australian paramedicine
Background: Paramedics experience a range of ethical dilemmas in the course of their work. To date, ethical dilemmas by Australian paramedics have not been documented. With the scope of practice becoming increasingly complex, paramedic education may not have evolved to meet holistic professional demands. Aim: To describe the ethical dilemmas experienced by contemporary Australian paramedics. Methods: An online survey, based on a previous instrument, was used to explore a range of ethical...
Where to look: sources of research in paramedicine
This article explains how to approach searching for paramedicine research, and the order in which you should consider types of sources, from synthesised sources to individual studies. Databases and sources for literature are covered and common issues about the search process are addressed, including when a search is complete and finding a gap in the literature.
Community paramedicine home visits: patient perceptions and experiences
Background: Community paramedicine (CP) is an emerging model of community-based healthcare delivered around the world by paramedics with additional skills, education and training. There is a lack of qualitative research on patient perceptions and experiences of this phenomenon. Aims: The study aimed to explore patient perceptions and experiences of CP home visits delivered by specialist paramedics (SPs) in a Scottish urban general practice home-visit setting. Patient acceptance and CP...
Mental health assessment and triage in an ambulance clinical contact centre
Background: With increasing numbers of emergency calls to ambulance services, exploration of the triage and management of mental health calls is valuable, given their volume and duration. Studies have explored these calls from patient and practitioner perspectives, but few have considered the perspective of the practitioners assessing patients over the phone in terms of clinical capability. Aim: This study aimed to explore the thoughts, feelings and educational requirements of paramedics and...
How it's done: search tools and techniques for major bibliographic databases
This article explains how to write an effective search plan using simple steps. The article takes you through the tools and techniques that are widely used in major bibliographic databases such as MEDLINE and CINAHL to conduct searches. These include Boolean logic, truncation and wildcards, in-field searching, proximity operators, limits and subject thesauri. Each process is illustrated with an example to help you apply them to your own searches. The process of using these tools and techniques...
Staff wellbeing: a matter for quality indicators or a concern in its own right?
Despite assurance measures being developed alongside expanding scopes of practice, poor NHS ambulance staff wellbeing means high-quality job performance and patient care are not guaranteed. The UK's service is struggling to cope with growing demand and is not fully adapting from its historical emergency response role to meet modern-day urgent care needs. This puts unnecessary pressures and risks of stress from exhausting, intense work on to its most valuable resource: staff. Detrimental...
