INTRODUCTION: It remains unclear which advanced airway device has better placement success and fewer adverse events in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the VBM laryngeal tube (LT) against the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in OHCAs managed by emergency ambulances in Singapore. METHODS: This was a real-world, prospective, cluster-randomised crossover study. All OHCA patients above 13 years of age who were suitable for resuscitation were randomised to receive either LT or LMA. The primary outcome was placement success. Per-protocol analysis was performed, and the association between outcomes and airway device group was compared using multivariate binomial logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 965 patients with OHCAs from March 2016 to January 2018, 905 met the inclusion criteria, of whom 502 (55.5%) were randomised to receive LT while 403 (44.5%) were randomised to receive LMA. Only 174 patients in the LT group actually received the device owing to noncompliance. Placement success rate for LT was lower than for LMA (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.31-0.90). Complications were more likely when using LT (OR 2.82,0 95% CI 1.64-4.86). Adjusted OR for prehospital return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was similar in both groups. A modified intention-to-treat analysis showed similar outcomes to the per-protocol analysis between the groups. CONCLUSION LT was associated with poorer placement success and higher complication rates than LMA. The likelihood of prehospital ROSC was similar between the two groups. Familiarity bias and a low compliance rate to LT were the main limitations of this study.
Allied Health Personnel ; Humans ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Laryngeal Masks ; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest/therapy* ; Prospective Studies ; Singapore

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to compare the outcome of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with AutoPulse and LUCAS in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients. METHODS: Between July 2017 and March 2018, a total of 152 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients were included for analysis. Included patients were divided into an AutoPulse group and LUCAS group. Patient's age, sex, bystander CPR, witness arrest, initial shockable rhythm, time from arrest to CPR, pre-hospital CPR duration, in-hospital CPR duration, automatic external defibrillator operation by paramedic, intubation by paramedic, intravenous line access by paramedic and target temperature management were reviewed retrospectively. In addition, blood pH, lactate level, white blood cell (WBC) count, and delta neutrophil index (DNI) were analyzed. Additionally, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, complications from chest compressions, and cerebral performance category (CPC) scale at discharge were analyzed. RESULTS: No differences in initial shockable rhythm, patient characteristics, management for patients and CPR duration were observed between the two groups. ROSC were significantly higher in the LUCAS group than the AutoPulse group (17.9 vs. 34.7%, P=0.025). However, hospital and ICU length of stay, CPC scale at discharge as clinical outcome and pH, lactate level, WBC count, and DNI as laboratory outcomes were not significantly different between the AutoPulse group and LUCAS group. Although the case numbers were scarce, complications from chest compressions were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: CPR using LUCAS showed better ROSC than CPR using AutoPulse. However, hospital and ICU length of stay and CPC scale at discharge did not differ between the two groups.
Allied Health Personnel ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Defibrillators ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Intensive Care Units ; Intubation ; Lactic Acid ; Length of Stay ; Leukocytes ; Neutrophils ; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest ; Retrospective Studies ; Thorax

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of i-gel blind intubation (IGI) as a rescue device for definitive airway management in ground intubation for pre-hospital trauma patients. METHODS: A prospective randomized crossover study was conducted with 18 paramedics to examine intubation performance of two blind intubation techniques through a supraglottic airway devices (IGI and laryngeal mask airway Fastrach), compared with use of a Macintosh laryngoscope (MCL). Each intubation was conducted at two levels of patient positions (ground- and stretcher-level). Primary outcomes were the intubation time and the success rate for intubation. RESULTS: The intubation time (sec) of each intubation technique was not significantly different between the two positions. In both patient positions, the intubation time of IGI was shortest among the three intubation techniques (17.9±5.2 at the ground-level and 16.9±3.8 at the stretcher-level). In the analysis of cumulative success rate and intubation time, IGI was the fastest to reach 100% success among the three intubation techniques regardless of patient position (all P < 0.017). The success of intubation was only affected by the intubation technique, and IGI achieved more success than MCL (odds ratio, 3.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 11.6; P=0.03). CONCLUSION: The patient position did not affect intubation performance. Additionally, the intubation time with blind intubation through supraglottic airway devices, especially with IGI, was significantly shorter than that with MCL.
Airway Management ; Allied Health Personnel ; Cross-Over Studies ; Emergency Medical Technicians ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Laryngeal Masks ; Laryngoscopes ; Prospective Studies ; Simulation Training

OBJECTIVE: Various educational programs have been implemented to achieve skill, willingness and self-confidence in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Paramedic students usually participate in clinical practice in emergency department as one of their educational courses. We investigated the effects of hospital based clinical practice and participation in real cardiac arrest situation on paramedic students' CPR performance and recognition. METHODS: Eighty-one paramedic students from 10 different universities who received hospital based clinical practice for 3 or 4 weeks in a regional emergency medical center from December 2016 to August 2017 were enrolled in our study. Subjects were asked, using a questionnaire, about their confidence and willingness to perform CPR before and after clinical practice. We also objectively measured two minute-CPR performance using the Laerdal skill reporter before and after clinical practice. During clinical practice, students participated in real CPR situations and took several theoretical examinations; however, additional CPR practical training was not included. RESULTS: This study included 48.1% male volunteers and 70.4% respondents who had Basic Life Support provider certification. The average number of real CPR situations participated in was 8.35 times. Scores in confidence of CPR increased significantly (3.80 vs. 4.36, P < 0.001) after clinical practice; however, scores in willingness to conduct CPR were high in both groups (4.46 vs. 4.48, P=0.787). Average chest compression depth also increased significantly (51.3 mm vs. 55.5 mm, P < 0.001) after clinical practice, but average compression rate showed no difference (111 vs. 111, P=0.694). Correct hand positioning and chest recoil also showed no difference between groups. CONCLUSION: Hospital based clinical practice of paramedic students could provide extra confidence in student's ability to perform CPR and lead to adequate chest compression depth.
Allied Health Personnel* ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation* ; Certification ; Education ; Emergencies ; Emergency Medical Services ; Emergency Medical Technicians ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Hand ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Male ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Thorax ; Volunteers

PURPOSE: This study compared the outcomes of AutoPulseTM compression with manual compression provided by 119 paramedics in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients. METHODS: Between March and December 2016, a total of 221 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients were included for analysis. The patients included were categorized as the AutoPulseTM compression group and manual compression group. Patient's age, sex, pre-hospital intubation, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), initial cardiac rhythm, time from arrest to CPR and CPR duration were reviewed retrospectively. The initial pH, lactate level, white blood cell (WBC) count, delta neutrophil index (DNI), and targeted temperature management status were collected. As clinical outcomes, the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, survival rate, and cerebral performance category (CPC) scale at discharge were analyzed. RESULTS: The initial rhythm and CPR duration were similar in the two groups. On the other hand, the pre-hospital intubation rate and pre-hospital CPR duration were significantly higher in the AutoPulseTM group than the manual group (32.9% vs. 12.7%, p < 0.001; 15.2 vs. 11.9 minutes, p=0.002). The ROSC rate, hospital and ICU length of stay, CPC scale and survival rate at discharge as the clinical outcome were similar in the AutoPulseTM group and manual group. The pH was lower and the lactate level was significantly higher in the AutoPulseTM group than the manual group (6.91 vs. 6.96, p=0.007; 12.8 vs. 11.4 mmol/L, p=0.031), but the WBC and DNI were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION: The use of AutoPulseTM provided by 119 paramedics in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients is not associated with better clinical outcomes.
Allied Health Personnel ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Emergency Medical Technicians ; Hand ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Intensive Care Units ; Intubation ; Lactic Acid ; Length of Stay ; Leukocytes ; Neutrophils ; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest* ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: This study aims to examine the relationships among experiences of traumatic events, post-traumatic stress (PTS), and the needs for health promotion programs of 119 paramedics. METHODS: Experiences of traumatic events, PTS, and needs for health promotion programs were measured using a structured questionnaire. The subjects were 193 paramedics in Jeju Island. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test and χ2 test. RESULTS: The most experienced event out of the 16 different traumatic events was ‘retrieve a suicide's body.’ A high-risk classification of PTS was observed in 36.2% of the subjects. The rates of experiences were higher than those of the actual needs for all 26 health promotion programs. The programs reported as highly needed by respondents were stress management (75.5%) followed by exercise (74.6%) and PTS management (72.5%). Subjects with longer career periods, a fire sergeant, perceived obesity, numerous experiences of traumatic events, and in the PTS risk group had a higher need for a stress management program. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that a significant number of 119 paramedics experienced PTS. They also show that onsite strategic management is strongly required. In addition, implementation of health promotion programs based on the needs of 119 paramedics is highly needed.
Allied Health Personnel* ; Classification ; Fires ; Health Promotion* ; Humans ; Needs Assessment ; Obesity ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The use of mechanical compression devices may be considered as an alternative method to treat cardiac arrest. This study aimed to assess the influence of vertical location of cardiac arrest scene to survival rate. Furthermore, it set out to examine the effect of mechanical compression devices on the survival rate. METHODS: This is retrospective, observational study of cardiac arrest patients from Gangdong-gu, Seoul between September 2015 and February 2016. The data were collected by 119 rescue records and cardiac arrest summary list, and the resuscitation result variables were analyzed. We also conducted a survey on 119 paramedics regarding the subjective valuation and drawback of using mechanical compression devices. RESULTS: The odd ratio of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in vertical location of cardiac arrest scene was 0.40 (95% confidence interval, 0.17 to 0.98; p=0.044). The odd ratio of survival to admission comparing manual compression with mechanical compression was 0.73 (95% confidence interval, 0.26 to 1.99; p=0.532). A total of 54 paramedics completed the survey, and 46 (85.2%) of them answered that there was a decrease in the quality of chest compression if the scene was other than the 1st floor. Fifty-three (93.1%) replied that mechanical compression devices can be a counter-measure. CONCLUSION: Vertical location of cardiac arrest scene independently effects ROSC of out of hospital cardiac arrest. However, there was no difference in the survival rate between manual and mechanical compressions.
Allied Health Personnel ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation* ; Heart Arrest* ; Humans ; Methods ; Observational Study* ; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest* ; Resuscitation ; Retrospective Studies* ; Seoul ; Survival Rate ; Thorax

BACKGROUND: Previous research has shown that paramedics are exposed to risks in the form of injuries to the musculoskeletal system. In addition, there are studies showing that they are also at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and psychiatric diseases, which can partly be explained by their constant exposure to stress. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether the use of shoulder straps decreases physical effort in the form of decreased heart rate and cortisol concentration. METHODS: A stretcher with a dummy was carried by 20 participants for 400 m on two occasions, one with and one without the shoulder straps. Heart rate was monitored continuously and cortisol samples were taken at intervals of 0 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, and 60 minutes. Each participant was her or his own control. RESULTS: A significant decrease in heart rate and cortisol concentration was seen when shoulder straps were used. The median values for men (with shoulder straps) at 0 minutes was 78 bpm/21.1 nmol/L (heart rate/cortisol concentration), at 15 minutes was 85 bpm/16.9 nmol/L, and at 60 minutes was 76 bpm/15.7 nmol/L; for men without shoulder straps, these values were 78 bpm/21.9 nmol/L, 93 bpm/21.9 nmol/L, and 73 bpm/20.5 nmol/L. For women, the values were 85 bpm/23.3 nmol/L, 92 bpm/20.8 nmol/L, and 70 bpm/18.4 nmol/L and 84 bpm/32.4 nmol/L, 100 bpm/32.5 nmol/L, and 75 bpm/25.2 nmol/L, respectively. CONCLUSION: The use of shoulder straps decreases measurable physical stress and should therefore be implemented when heavy equipment or a stretcher needs to be carried. An easy way to ensure that staff use these or similar lifting aids is to provide them with personalized, well-adapted shoulder straps. Another better option would be to routinely sewn these straps into the staff's personal alarm jackets so they are always in place and ready to be used.
Allied Health Personnel ; Ambulances* ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Female ; Heart Rate* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone* ; Lifting ; Male ; Musculoskeletal System ; Physical Exertion ; Shoulder*

PURPOSE: Disposable one piece laryngoscope (DOL), which probably carries a lower risk of infection than conventional reusable ones, is the only device which has received approval by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug safety. In the current study, we evaluated the effectiveness and usefulness of the conventional Macintosh laryngoscope (MAC) and DOL in inexperienced personnel. METHODS: A randomized crossover trial was designed. Ninety seven participants (Medical students, Paramedic students) were enrolled and performed endotracheal intubation with MAC and DOL in Manikin (SimMan(R) Laedal Medical Corporation, Stravanger; Norway). Cormack-Lehane grade, the number of attempts, time required for intubation, and dental compression were measured to evaluate the effectiveness. The participants were given a questionnaire survey on the usefulness of laryngoscopes (easier to use, lightness, brightness, manageable to use, delivering power, safer for patients, intense to use). RESULTS: Regarding the aspect of effectiveness, a significant difference in dental compression was observed between DOL and MAC (p=0.011). Others showed no significant differences. Regarding the aspect of usefulness, DOL was superior to MAC except in delivering power. CONCLUSION: The DOL appears to be a reasonable device for use in emergency airway management. It should be verified for effectiveness and usefulness of newly developed equipment in emergency airway management because it is directly related to life.
Airway Management ; Allied Health Personnel ; Disposable Equipment ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Laryngoscopes* ; Manikins*

Several clinical practice guidelines related to the assessment and management of low back pain (LBP) have been published with varied scopes and methods. This paper summarises the first French occupational guidelines for management of work-related LBP (October 2013). There main originality is to treat all the three stages of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of work-related LBP. The guidelines were written by a multidisciplinary working group of 24 experts, according to the Clinical Practice Guidelines method proposed by French National Health Authority, and reviewed by a multidisciplinary peer review committee of 50 experts. Recommendations were based on a large systematic review of the literature carried out from 1990 to 2012 and rated as strong (Level A), moderate (B), limited (C) or based on expert consensus (D) according to their level of evidence. It is recommended to deliver reassuring and consistent information concerning LBP prognosis (Level B); to perform a clinical examination looking for medical signs of severity related to LBP (Level A), encourage continuation or resumption of physical activity (Level A), identify any changes in working conditions and evaluate the occupational impact of LBP (Level D). In case of persistent/recurrent LBP, assess prognostic factors likely to influence progression to chronic LBP, prolonged disability and delayed return to work (Level A). In case of prolonged/repeated sick leave, evaluate the pain, functional disability and their impact and main risk factors for prolonged work disability (Level A), promote return to work measures and inter professional coordination (Level D). These good practice guidelines are primarily intended for professionals of occupational health but also for treating physicians and paramedical personnel participating in the management of LBP, workers and employers.
Allied Health Personnel ; Consensus ; Humans ; Low Back Pain* ; Motor Activity ; Occupational Health ; Peer Review ; Prognosis ; Return to Work ; Risk Factors ; Sick Leave ; Tertiary Prevention