Impact of Emergency Medical Services Activation of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and a 24-Hour/Day In-Hospital Interventional Cardiology Team on Treatment Times (Door to Balloon and Medical Contact to Balloon) for ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

The incremental benefit of emergency medical services (EMS) activation of the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the setting of an established in-house interventional team (IHIT) is uncertain. We evaluated the impact of EMS activation on door-to-balloon (D2B) time and first medical contact-to-balloon (FMC2B) time for STEMI when coupled with a 24-hour/day IHIT. All patients presenting with STEMI to Loyola University Medical Center had demographic, procedural, and outcome data consecutively entered in a STEMI Data Registry. From 223 consecutive patients presenting between April 2009 and December 2015, a retrospective analysis was performed on 190 patients. Patients were divided into 2 groups depending on CCL activation mode (EMS activation or emergency department activation) and STEMI treatment process times were compared. The primary end point was D2B process times. The secondary end point was FMC2B process times in a subgroup analysis of EMS-transported patients. D2B times were shorter (37 ± 14 minutes vs 57 ± 27 minutes, p < 0.001) with EMS activation. Subgroup analysis of EMS-transported patients demonstrated shorter FMC2B times with EMS activation (52 ± 17 minutes vs 67 ± 32 minutes, p = 0.002). EMS activation was the only predictor of D2B ≤60 minutes in multivariable analysis of EMS-transported patients (odds ratio 9.4; 95% confidence interval 2.1 to 43.0; p = 0.04). In conclusion, EMS activation of the CCL in STEMI was associated with significant improvements in already excellent D2B and FMC2B times even in the setting of a 24-hour/day IHIT.

Comparison of primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction during and prior to availability of an in-house STEMI system: early experience and intermediate outcomes of the HARRT program for achieving routine D2B times <60 minutes.

BACKGROUND: Over the last decade, significant advances in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) workflow have resulted in most hospitals reporting door-to-balloon (D2B) times within the 90 min standard. Few programs have been enacted to systematically attempt to achieve routine D2B within 60 min. We sought to determine whether 24-hr in-house catheterization laboratory coverage via an In-House Interventional Team Program (IHIT) could achieve D2B times below 60 min for STEMI and to compare the results to the standard primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) approach. METHODS: An IHIT program was established consisting of an attending interventional cardiologist, and a catheterization laboratory team present in-hospital 24 hr/day. For all consecutive STEMI patients, we compared the standard primary PCI approach during the two years prior to the program (group A) to the initial 20 months of the IHIT program (group B), and repeated this analysis for only CMS-reportable patients. The D2B process was analyzed by calculating workflow intervals. The primary endpoint was D2B process times, and secondary endpoints included in-hospital and 6-month cardiovascular outcomes and resource utilization. RESULTS: An IHIT program for STEMI resulted in significant reductions across all treatment intervals with an overall 57% reduction in D2B time, and an absolute reduction in mean D2B time of 71 min. There were no differences pre- and post-program implementation in regard to individual or composite components of in-hospital cardiovascular outcomes; however at 6 months, there was a reduction in cardiovascular rehospitalization after program implementation (30 vs. 5%, P < 0.01). The IHIT program resulted in a significant reduction in length-of-stay (LOS) (90 ± 102 vs. 197 ± 303 hr, P = 0.02), and critical care time (54 ± 97 vs. 149 ± 299 hr, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Availability of an in-house 24-hr STEMI team significantly decreased reperfusion time and led to improved clinical outcomes and a shorter LOS for PCI-treated STEMI patients.

Assessment of using fingerstick blood sample with i-STAT point-of-care device for cardiac troponin I assay.

PURPOSES: The purpose of this study is to compare fingerstick point-of-care (POC) testing for cardiac troponin I to conventional venipuncture POC testing using the i-STAT device. BASIC PROCEDURES: This study was conducted with institutional review board approval in the emergency department (ED) of a 535-bed suburban level I trauma center from June to August 2011. Fingerstick blood samples were collected from consenting patients for whom standard-of-care venipuncture POC troponin (POCT) testing had been ordered as part of their workup. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) assays were performed using the i-STAT 1 device (Abbott Point of Care, Princeton, NJ). The data were subjected to categorical comparison, linear regression, and Bland-Altman agreement analysis using SAS 9.2 software (SAS, Cary, NC). MAIN FINDINGS: Eighty-nine cTnI levels were measured by both fingerstick and standard venipuncture ED POC testing. Four resulted in cartridge error; the remaining 85 were analyzed. Fingerstick testing, compared with standard ED POCT, has a positive predictive value of 1.00 (0.48, 1.00), negative predictive value of 0.96 (0.89, 0.99), sensitivity of 0.625 (0.24, 0.91), and specificity of 1.00 (0.95, 1.00). The relationship between methods appears linear, with linear regression equation ED POCT level = 0.0062 + 1.3752 * fingerstick level (P < 0.0001). Bland-Altman agreement analysis yielded a mean difference between fingerstick and ED POCT of -0.0095 with limits of agreement of -0.0625 to 0.0435. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: Fingerstick cTnI testing using the i-STAT device is not accurate enough to determine the exact troponin level without the application of a corrective term. Fingerstick testing is, however, accurate in qualifying troponin levels as negative, borderline, or positive and is, therefore, capable of providing clinical information that may guide diagnostic and therapeutic decision making.

Prehospital point-of-care testing for troponin: are the results reliable?

BACKGROUND: Swift assessment of patients presenting with chest pain results in faster treatment and improved outcomes. Allowing ambulance crews to use point-of-care (POC) devices to measure cardiac troponin I levels during transport of patients to the emergency department (ED) may result in earlier diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, particularly in those patients without ST-segment elevation. The ability of POC devices to measure cardiac troponin I levels reliably in a moving ambulance has not previously been tested. Objective. This study was conducted to determine whether POC devices operated in a moving ambulance reliably duplicate the measurement of cardiac troponin I levels obtained by POC devices in the ED. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained in the ED and the hospital from patients reporting chest pain or other cardiac complaints. Troponin I assays were then performed in a moving ambulance using two POC devices. The POC devices were placed on flat surfaces in the rear of the ambulance. The ambulance driver was instructed to keep the ambulance moving in traffic while each assay was completed. A variety of routes were taken. Each set of two assays was completed entirely during a single simulated run. The results of the two assays performed in the moving ambulance were then compared with the results of the control assay, which was performed simultaneously in the ED on the same sample. RESULTS: Forty-two whole-blood samples underwent troponin I assays in a moving ambulance. Thirteen (30.9%) assays were positive. One (2.4%) was excluded because of cartridge error. Two (4.8%) were excluded because of interfering substance. No significant difference in whole-blood troponin results was found between the assays performed in the moving ambulance and those performed in the ED (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.997; 95% confidence interval 0.994 to 0.998; p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: When used in a moving ambulance, the POC device provided results of cardiac troponin I assays that were highly correlated to the results when the device was used in the ED. The feasibility, practicality, and clinical utility of prehospital use of POC devices must still be assessed. Key words: point-of-care systems; prehospital emergency care; troponin; reliability of results; ambulances; myocardial infarction; chest pain.

Feasibility of rapid polymerase chain reaction for detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization among emergency department patients with abscesses.

PURPOSE: In the era of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), clinicians face a difficult challenge when selecting antibiotics to treat abscesses. The lack of rapid diagnostics capable of identifying the causative organism often results in suboptimal antibiotic stewardship practices. Although not fully elucidated, the association between MRSA colonization and subsequent infection represents an opportunity to enhance antibiotic selectivity. Our primary objective was to examine the feasibility of utilizing a rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system (Cepheid's GeneXpert(®)) to detect MRSA colonization prior to patient discharge in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: This feasibility study was conducted at a tertiary care, urban, academic ED. Patients presenting with a chief complaint related to a potential abscess during daytime hours over an 18-week period were screened for eligibility. Subjects were enrolled into either the PCR swab protocol group (two-thirds) or traditional care group (one-third). PCR swabs were obtained from known MRSA carriage sites (nasal, pharyngeal) and the superficial aspect of the wound. RESULTS: The two groups were similar in terms of demographics, abscess location, and MRSA history. The PCR results were available prior to patient discharge in 100% of cases. The turnaround times in minutes for the PCR swabs were as follows: nasal 73 ± 7, pharyngeal 82 ± 14, and superficial wound 79 ± 17. No significant difference in length of stay was observed between the two groups. The observed ideal antibiotic selection rates improved by 45% in the PCR group, but this trend was not significant (P = 0.08). CONCLUSION: When collected in triage, PCR swabs demonstrated turnaround times that were effective for use in the ED setting. Utilizing a rapid PCR MRSA colonization detection assay for ED patients with abscesses did not adversely impact the length of stay. Real-time determination of MRSA colonization may represent an opportunity to improve antibiotic selectivity in the treatment of abscesses.

Upregulation of microparticles in DIC and its impact on inflammatory processes.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) results in the catastrophic simultaneous activation of thrombotic and hemorrhagic processes. Its pathophysiology and the role of inflammation and microparticles (MPs) are not fully understood. Microparticles represent small phospholipid-expressing procoagulant vesicular fragments, released with cellular disruption and apoptosis. Functional MPs were measured in 100 random patients from a population of patients with DIC. Plasma samples from 30 normal male and female volunteers were used as control. Commercial Annexin trapping method was used to determine procoagulant activity of MPs. Mean ± SD concentration of MPs in the DIC group was 24.6 ± 14.2 nmol/L (range: 0.0-60.0 nmol/L), significantly higher than the control group: 8.5 ± 4.3 nmol/L (range: 1.3-17.4 nmol/L). Distribution curves and scattergrams showed that MPs concentration in the DIC samples was more widespread. This demonstrates that MPs are upregulated in patients with DIC and may mediate the hemostatic activation and inflammatory responses in this syndrome.

A statewide model program to improve emergency department readiness for pediatric care.

Pediatric emergency patients have unique needs, requiring specialized personnel, training, equipment, supplies, and medications. Deficiencies in these areas have resulted in historically poorer outcomes for pediatric patients versus adults. Since 1985, federally funded Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) programs in each state have been working to improve the quality of pediatric emergency care. The Health Resources and Services Administration now requires that all EMSC grantees report on specific performance measures. This includes implementation of a standardized system recognizing hospitals that are able to stabilize or manage pediatric medical emergencies and trauma cases. We describe the steps involved in implementing Illinois' 3-level facility recognition process to illustrate a model that other states might use to provide appropriate pediatric care and comply with new Health Resources and Services Administration performance measures.

Sowing the seeds. A study of employment expectations of EMT students reveals important info for EMS managers.

Although EMS recruitment and retention issues have been frequently discussed, little scientific research has been conducted to determine why people are entering and leaving the EMS field. To date no research has been done to analyze the demographics of people enrolling in EMT classes and determine what their attitudes and expectations are for employment.

Disaster training for prehospital providers.

OBJECTIVE: To survey prehospital providers to determine 1) the quantity and format of training recalled over the past year in chemical, biological, radiological/nuclear (CBRN), and other mass casualty events (MCEs); 2) preferred educational formats; 3) self-assessed preparedness for various CBRN/MCEs; and 4) perceived likelihood of occurrence for CBRN/MCEs. METHODS: A survey, consisting of 11 questions, was distributed to 1,010 prehospital providers in a system where no formal CBRN/mass casualty training was given. RESULTS: Surveys were completed by 640 (63%) prehospital providers. Twenty-two percent (22%) of prehospital providers recalled no training within the past year for CBRN or other MCEs, 19% reported 1-5 hours, 15% reported 6-10 hours, 24% reported 11-39 hours, and 7% reported receiving greater than 40 hours. Lectures and drills were the most common formats for prior education. On a five-point scale (1: "Never Helpful" through 5: "Always Helpful") regarding the helpfulness of training methods, median scores were the following: drills-5, lectures-4, self-study packets-3, Web-based learning-3, and other-4. On another five-point scale (1: "Totally Unprepared" through 5: "Strongly Prepared"), prehospital providers felt most prepared for MCEs-4, followed by chemical-4, biological-3, and radiation/nuclear-3. Over half (61%) felt MCEs were "Somewhat Likely" or "Very Likely" to occur, whereas chemical (42%), biological (38%), or radiation/nuclear (33%) rated lower. CONCLUSION: The amount of training in the past year reported for CBRN events varied greatly, with almost a quarter recalling no education. Drills and lectures were the most used and preferred formats for disaster training. Prehospital providers felt least prepared for a radiological;/nuclear event. Future studies should focus on the consistency and quality of education provided.