The paramedic ambulance: a Canadian experience.
Prehospital critical care provided by specially trained ambulance attendants in New Westminster, BC during a 27-month period was studied. Although the most important benefit of the improved care was the prevention of sudden death in a large proportion of persons with crises due to coronary artery disease, the skills learned to provide basic life support are applicable to a wide variety of other disorders that can result in death before the patient reaches hospital.
D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000552:Ambulances; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000628:therapy; D001955:British Columbia; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000628:therapy; D003422:Critical Care; D003645:Death, Sudden; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy; D006745:Hospital Bed Capacity, 300 to 499; D006801:Humans; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D012151:Resuscitation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014505:Urban Population; D000078329:Workforce