Pharmacologic intervention in prehospital care: a critical appraisal.
In more than 15 years of paramedic operation, fewer than 15 prehospital studies have been undertaken on the pharmacologic intervention by paramedics. Many of these studies suffer from inadequate sample size or deficient study design. There is no evidence that any medication given by the prehospital care provider is beneficial or cannot safely be delayed until arrival at hospital. Multicenter trials must be designed and implemented if we are to provide the evidence necessary to evaluate our current practice.
Shuster
M
M
Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Chedoke-McMaster Hospitals, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Chong
J
J
D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000188:drug therapy*
D008012:Lidocaine