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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 3 of 3 Research Studies DisplayedUrdaneta A, Fisk C, Tandel MD
Air medical transport for acute ischemic stroke patients: a retrospective cohort study of national trends over an 8-year period.
This study examined patterns of air transport for acute ischemic stroke patients over a period of 8 years (2007-2014). The authors abstracted a 20% national sample of Medicare data from patients ≥ 66 years of age hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke who presented to the emergency department by ambulance (air or ground). They analyzed data from 149,751 hospitalized stroke patients who had a mean age of 81.6 years (standard deviation = 8.0 years), 62.1% female (n = 93,007), and 86.3% White (n = 129,268). Of these, 3.7% used any form of air ambulance. Air ambulance use (2007: 2.5%, 2014: 4.9%) and arrival at certified stroke centers (2007: 40.3%, 2014: 63.2%) increased over time. Air ambulance use was less likely among older patients (76-85 years and >85 years vs. 66-75 years; odds ratio [OR] = 0.68 and OR = 0.34, respectively) and all racial minorities except American Natives (OR = 2.07) and more likely among sicker patients (Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥ 2 vs. 1, OR = 1.23) and rural residents (OR = 1.34). After adjustment for covariates, air ambulance use was associated with higher odds of thrombolysis (adjusted OR = 2.57).
AHRQ-funded; HS026207.
Citation: Urdaneta A, Fisk C, Tandel MD .
Air medical transport for acute ischemic stroke patients: a retrospective cohort study of national trends over an 8-year period.
Air Med J 2023 Nov-Dec; 42(6):423-28. doi: 10.1016/j.amj.2023.06.007..
Keywords: Stroke, Cardiovascular Conditions, Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Russell A, Jenkins JL, Zhang A
A review of infectious disease epidemiology in emergency medical service clinicians.
This review synthesized existing literature on the prevalence, incidence, and severity of infections in emergency medical service (EMS) workforce personnel. The majority of studies that met the inclusion criteria were focused on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection; prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Hepatitis C also featured in a small number of studies. In the studies that compared infection rates between EMS clinicians and firefighters, EMS clinicians had a higher chance of hospitalization or death from SAR-CoV-2, a higher prevalence of Hepatitis C, and no significant differences in MRSA colonization. The authors concluded that more research was needed to characterize the incidence and severity of occupationally acquired infections in the EMS workforce.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00003.
Citation: Russell A, Jenkins JL, Zhang A .
A review of infectious disease epidemiology in emergency medical service clinicians.
Am J Infect Control 2023 Aug; 51(8):931-37. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2022.12.001..
Keywords: Infectious Diseases, Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Kman NE, Price A, Berezina-Blackburn V
First Responder Virtual Reality Simulator to train and assess emergency personnel for mass casualty response.
This paper describes the First Responder Virtual Reality Simulator, a high-fidelity, fully immersive, automated, programmable virtual reality (VR) simulation designed to train frontline responders to treat and triage victims of mass casualty incidents. First responder trainees wear a wireless VR head-mounted display linked to a compatible desktop computer. Autonomous, interactive victims who are programmed to simulate individuals with injuries consistent with an explosion in an underground space are used. The trainees are armed with a virtual medical kit, who are then tasked with triaging and treating the victims on the scene. Increased challenges can be added such as increasing the environmental chaos, adding patients, or increasing the acuity of patient injuries.
AHRQ-funded; HS025915.
Citation: Kman NE, Price A, Berezina-Blackburn V .
First Responder Virtual Reality Simulator to train and assess emergency personnel for mass casualty response.
J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open 2023 Feb;4(1):e12903. doi: 10.1002/emp2.12903.
Keywords: Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Simulation, Health Information Technology (HIT), Training, Emergency Preparedness