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Needle Thoracostomy: Does Changing Needle Length and Location Change Patient Outcome?
- Lori A. Weichenthal, Scott Owen, Geoffory Stroh, John Ramos
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- Journal:
- Prehospital and Disaster Medicine / Volume 33 / Issue 3 / June 2018
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 April 2018, pp. 237-244
- Print publication:
- June 2018
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Background
Needle thoracostomy (NT) is a common prehospital intervention for patients in extremis or cardiac arrest due to trauma. The purpose of this study is to compare outcomes, efficacy, and complications after a change in policy related to NT in a four-county Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system with a catchment area of greater than 1.6 million people.
MethodsThis is a before and after observational study of all patients who had NT performed in the Central California (USA) EMS system. The before, anterior midclavicular line (MCL) group consisted of all patients who underwent NT from May 7, 2007 through February 28, 2013. The after, midaxillary line (MAL) axillary group consisted of all patients who underwent NT from March 1, 2013 through January 30, 2016, after policy revisions changed the timing, needle size, and placement location for NT. All prehospital and hospital records where NT was performed were queried for demographics, mechanism of injury, initial status and post-NT clinical change, reported complications, and final outcome. The trauma registry was accessed to obtain Injury Severity Scores (ISS). Information was manually abstracted by study investigators and examined utilizing univariate and multivariate analyses.
ResultsThree-hundred and five trauma patients treated with NT were included in this study, of which, 169 patients (the MCL group) were treated with a 14-guage intravenous (IV) catheter at least 5.0-cm long at the second intercostal space (ICS), MCL after being placed in the ambulance; and 136 patients (the MAL group) were treated with a 10-guage IV catheter at least 9.5-cm long at the fifth ICS, MAL on scene. The mean ISS was lower in the MAL cohort (64.5 versus 69.2; P=.007). The mortality rate was 79% in both groups. The multivariate model with regard to survival supported that a lower ISS (P<.001) and reported clinical change after NT (P=.003) were significant indicators of survival. No complications from NT were reported.
ConclusionsChanging the timing, length of needle, and location of placement did not change mortality in patients requiring NT. Needle thoracostomy was used more frequently after the change in policy, and the MAL cohort was less injured. No increase in reported complications was noted.
,Weichenthal LA ,Owen S ,Stroh G .Ramos J Needle Thoracostomy: Does Changing Needle Length and Location Change Patient Outcome? Prehosp Disaster Med.2018 ;33 (3 ):237 –244 .
Needle Thoracostomy for Patients with Prolonged Transport Times: A Case-control Study
- Lori Weichenthal, Desiree Hansen Crane, Luke Rond, Conal Roche
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- Journal:
- Prehospital and Disaster Medicine / Volume 30 / Issue 4 / August 2015
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 08 July 2015, pp. 397-401
- Print publication:
- August 2015
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Introduction
The use of prehospital needle thoracostomy (NT) is controversial. Some studies support its use; however, concerns exist regarding misplacement, inappropriate patient selection, and iatrogenic injury. Even less is known about its efficacy in situations where there is a delay to definitive care.
Hypothesis/AimTo determine any differences in survival of patients who underwent NT in the setting of prolonged versus short transport times, and to describe differences in mechanisms and complications between the two groups.
MethodsThis was a retrospective, matched, case-control study of trauma patients in a four county Emergency Medical Service (EMS) system from April 1, 2007 through April 1, 2013. This system serves an urban, rural, and wilderness catchment area. A prehospital database was queried for all patients in whom NT was performed, identifying 182 patients. When these calls were limited to those with prolonged transport times, the search was narrowed to 32 cases. A matched control group, based on age and gender, with short transport times was then created as a comparison. Data collected from prehospital and hospital records included: demographics; mechanism of injury; call status; response to NT; and final outcome. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted, as appropriate, to assess the primary outcome of survival and to further elucidate the descriptive data.
ResultsThere was no difference in survival between the case and control groups, either when evaluated with univariate (34% vs 25%; P=.41) or multivariate (odds ratio=0.99; 95% CI, 0.96-1.02; P=.57) analyses. Blunt trauma was the most common mechanism in both groups, but penetrating trauma was more common in the control group (30% vs 9%; P=.003). Patients in the control group were also more likely to have no vital signs on initial assessment (62% vs 31%; P=.003). More patients in the case group were described as having clinical improvement after NT (34% vs 19%; P=.03). No complications of NT were reported in either group.
ConclusionsThere was no significant difference in survival between patients with prolonged versus short transport times who underwent NT. Patients with prolonged transport times were more likely to have sustained blunt trauma, have vital signs on EMS arrival, and to have clinical improvement after NT.
,Weichenthal L ,Crane DH ,Rond L .Roche C Needle Thoracostomy for Patients with Prolonged Transport Times: A Case-control Study . Prehosp Disaster Med.2015 ;30 (4 ):1 –5 .
Motion Sickness: Comparison of Metoclopramide and Diphenhydramine to Placebo
- Stephanie Rubio, Lori Weichenthal, Jim Andrews
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- Journal:
- Prehospital and Disaster Medicine / Volume 26 / Issue 4 / August 2011
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 11 October 2011, pp. 305-309
- Print publication:
- August 2011
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Objectives: This is an evaluation of the efficacy of metoclopramide (MTCP) or diphenhydramine (DPH) to relieve symptoms of motion sickness in patients being transported via ambulance in a mountainous setting.
Methods: This is a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of patients transported by ambulance in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Fresno County. Consenting patients who met the inclusion criteria were asked to rate their motion sickness every five minutes using a visual analog scale (VAS) during transport. If motion sickness occurred, they were randomized to receive MTCP (20 mg IV), DPH (50 mg IV), or placebo (normal saline), and remaining symptoms were recorded every five minutes. If signs and symptoms of motion sickness persisted after 15 minutes, a rescue dose of MTCP was offered.
Results: Twenty-six patients were enrolled in the study. Twenty-two (84.6%) developed motion sickness and were randomized to MTCP, DPH, or placebo. Eight patients received MTCP, seven received DPH, and seven received placebo. The MTCP group showed a statistically significant decrease in the mean VAS score at 15 minutes compared to the DPH and placebo groups. There was no significant difference in the decrease in VAS score between the placebo and the DPH group. Twelve out of 22 patients requested a rescue dose of MTCP after 15 minutes. At 25 minutes, there was no significant difference in the VAS score between the three groups.
Conclusion: During ambulance transport in a mountainous setting, the administration of MTCP is superior to both DPH and placebo in the treatment of motion sickness. Diphenhydramine is not superior to placebo.