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Implementing an Educational Model for Cardiac Arrest Patients During Interfacility Transfers
Michael J Burla1,2, Drew R York3, Jeanne S Wishengrad4
1Department of Emergency Medicine, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Biddeford, Biddeford, USA.
Cureus
|April 2, 2025
Summary
A pilot virtual curriculum improved emergency medical service personnel's knowledge of post-return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) care during interfacility transfers (IFTs). The feasible program showed potential for enhancing patient care in rural out-of-hospital cardiac arrest scenarios.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Cardiology
- Medical Education
Background:
- Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) presents challenges in rural areas, necessitating effective interfacility transfers (IFTs).
- Standardized education for post-return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) management during IFTs is lacking for emergency medical service (EMS) personnel in Maine.
- A virtual curriculum was developed to address this educational gap, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of implementing and distributing a virtual educational curriculum on post-ROSC care during IFTs.
- To assess changes in EMS personnel's confidence, anxiety, and knowledge regarding post-ROSC care using pre- and post-surveys.
- To determine the perceived impact of the curriculum on patient care.
Main Methods:
- A pilot virtual curriculum was delivered to two local EMS departments.
- Participants completed pre- and post-surveys assessing confidence, anxiety, and knowledge using a 5-point Likert scale.
- Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon paired signed rank test.
Main Results:
- 18 EMS personnel participated, with 10 completing both pre- and post-surveys.
- A mean improvement of 2.125 correct answers was observed in post-ROSC care knowledge (75% average score).
- No significant changes were found in confidence or anxiety levels (p > 0.9).
- 70% of participants agreed the curriculum would improve patient care.
Conclusions:
- The virtual curriculum is a feasible method for educating EMS personnel on post-ROSC care during IFTs.
- The program enhanced participants' knowledge, with a majority believing it would improve patient outcomes.
- Integration into local EMS education is recommended due to the critical role of ROSC management in IFTs.
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