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Rural emergency medical technician pre-hospital electrocardiogram transmission
A M Powell1, J M Halon2, J Nelson3
1Landsbaum Center for Health Education. apowell@uhhg.org.
Rural and Remote Health
|May 6, 2014
Summary
Implementing pre-hospital electrocardiogram (ECG) transmission by non-paramedic emergency medical technicians could reduce heart attack treatment times in rural areas. Further research is needed to assess feasibility, cost, and rural transmission capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Cardiology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Acute heart attack care is a focus for healthcare quality and cost reduction.
- Rural areas face disparities in door-to-balloon (D2B) times due to travel delays.
- Pre-hospital 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) protocols reduce D2B times in urban settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the risks and benefits of replicating ECG transmission protocols in rural emergency medical services staffed by non-paramedics.
- To assess the feasibility of pre-hospital ECG transmission by basic, advanced, and intermediate level emergency medical technicians.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing evidence on ECG transmission.
- Analysis of challenges in rural ECG transmission and outcomes by provider level.
Main Results:
- Limited evidence exists regarding ECG transmission by non-paramedic levels.
- Challenges include complexities of the transmission process and rural setting difficulties.
- Data on ECG transmission outcomes by provider level is scarce.
Conclusions:
- Additional research is required to determine the feasibility of non-paramedic ECG transmission.
- Key variables for investigation include equipment cost, utilization, and rural transmission capabilities.
- Pre-hospital ECG transmission and early cardiac catheterization lab activation are crucial for reducing D2B times.
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