Search

This study aimed to examine the usability, feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of the information and communication technology for emergency medical services (ICT-EMS) systems to improve the transportation of emergency patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) (n = 229) employed at 7 fire stations operated by the North Chungcheong Fire Service Headquarters, South Korea were trained to use ICT-EMS devices prior to a 1-month implementation period. System Usability Scale (SUS), Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM), Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM), and Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM) questionnaires were conducted in the 4th week of the 1-month implementation period to assess the perceived usability, feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of the ICT-EMS systems.Among a total of 229 EMTs, 187 EMTs (81.7%) completed the survey. The overall SUS score was significantly low (score of 35.6) indicating an overall negative perception of the ICT-EMS systems. With regard to the feasibility, acceptability, and intervention appropriateness of ICT-EMS, roughly 50 (26.7%) participants agreed that ICT-EMS implementation was possible, appealing, and suitable.Many potential areas of improvement were identified within the ICT-EMS systems. System alterations regarding usability, feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness may be necessary to successfully implement the ICT-EMS systems.

Objectives: Vascular access is an important procedure for drug administration during the resuscitation of a patient with cardiac arrest; however, it can be challenging under emergent conditions. This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of ultrasound-guided internal jugular venous access using a midline catheter versus peripheral intravenous access during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Methods: This was a prospective single-center observational study among patients who received cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The primary outcomes were the success rate of first attempt and the time taken for vascular access via the internal jugular and peripheral veins. We also measured the diameter of the internal jugular and peripheral veins at the access point and the distance from the access point to the heart. Results: In all, 20 patients were included in the study. Internal jugular and peripheral venous access had a first-attempt success rate of 85% and 65%, respectively ( p = 0.152). The time to access the internal jugular and peripheral veins was 46.4 ± 40.5 s and 28.8 ± 14.7 s, respectively ( p = 0.081). The diameter of the internal jugular and peripheral veins was 10.8 ± 2.6 mm and 2.8 ± 0.8 mm, respectively ( p Conclusions: There was a trend toward higher success rates in the internal jugular vein rather than the peripheral intravenous approach, which was not statistically significant.

Sodium nitrite intoxication reportedly causes severe methemoglobinemia. Recent studies reported that most clinically significant cases resulted from intentional exposure in suicidal attempts. We describe 2 cases of severe methemoglobinemia secondary to intentional sodium nitrite intoxication in suicidal attempts.A 26-year-old man and 20-year-old woman attempted suicide by taking sodium nitrite, and were brought to the emergency department.The male patient collapsed at the scene. He ingested approximately 18 g of sodium nitrate, and his methemoglobin level was 90.3%. The female patient was conscious, but was cyanotic. She ingested approximately 12.5 g of sodium nitrite, and her methemoglobin level was 54.6%.The male patient received advanced cardiac life support in the emergency department. Methylene blue was immediately administered for the female patient.The male patient died despite aggressive resuscitation. The female patient's cyanosis resolved, and her methemoglobin level decreased to 1.2% 3 hours later.The immediate administration of methylene blue in severe methemoglobinemia patients prevented fatal consequences. The public should be informed about the accessibility and toxicity of sodium nitrite.