The New England Journal of Medicine had an article this week regarding employing paramedics with advanced life support techniques for out-of-hospital patients suffering from respiratory distress.
The conclusion was that the rate of death among all patients (over 8,000 studied) decreased significantly from the basic-life-support phase to the advanced-life-support phase.
The study was performed in Canada and is part of the OPALS large multicenter clinical trial. The study was conducted in 15 cities in Ontario.
The advanced life support was given by primary care Paramedics who were trained to perform endotracheal intubation, insert IV lines, and administer IV medications.
Even though the Peoria Fire Department has Paramedics and Intermediates that are trained to do advanced life support, they are not allowed to use their skills unless Advanced Medical Transport in Peoria asks them for their help.
The study discusses the cost of training primary Paramedics to give advanced life support for patients in respiratory distress. In Peoria, we have Peoria Fire Department Paramedics that already are trained in these techniques.
An important issue in Peoria is the cost of pre hospital services versus the value of a human life. The study discusses the cost of training primary paramedics in Canada to give advanced life support for patients in respiratory distress. In Peoria, we have Peoria Fire Department Paramedics who are already trained in these techniques and, most of the time, are not allowed to use their skills.
With the conflict of interest in Peoria that gives the nod to Advanced Medical Transport, it is difficult for policy makers and physicians who control Emergency Medical Services to look at this issue objectively.
It is a shame that the Peoria Fire Department is not giving advanced life support to patients that call 9-1-1 with shortness of breath. The OPALS study indicates that advanced support for these patients may save their lives.
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