Improvements in prehospital medication storage practices in response to research

Previously the authors showed that prehospital medications were stored outside their recommended temperature range. In response, the state office of emergency medical services (EMS) issued regulations regarding temperature control and monitoring of prehospital medications.

To determine the impact of previous research (on medication storage conditions) on current practices among the mobile intensive care units (MICUs) within the state.

A statewide, structured telephone survey of MICU directors was conducted between April and December 2000. Questions focused on changes in storage and monitoring practices (including modifications to vehicles, medication boxes, and the use of temperature monitoring devices) since the authors' previous research.

Thirty-three of 35 (94%) programs (100 vehicles) participated in the survey. Eighty-five percent changed their practices since the research five years ago. Of the five that did not change, three already had temperature control measures in place, while two have not made any changes. Twenty-one (63%) of the programs reported changing specifically because of state regulations. Eighty-one percent of the programs have taken some measure to control temperature. Currently, 63% of the 100 vehicles in use have both heating and cooling devices specifically for the medications, whereas 14% have only a heater and 23% have neither. Thirty-one (94%) MICUs monitor the temperature in some manner: 42% in the vehicle, 58% in the medication box. Of these, 68% are using 30-day electronic temperature data recorders, whereas 32% are using non-recording digital thermometers.

This survey demonstrates a positive impact from previous research. Most of the MICUs in the state have changed their practices in controlling and monitoring prehospital medication storage temperature.