Intraosseous infusion: success of a standardized regional training program for prehospital advanced life support providers.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a standardized training program in intraosseous (IO) infusion for prehospital providers.


METHODS
Prospective multicenter 24-month study.


METHODS
IO infusions were performed by prehospital providers from eight advanced life support units serving 14 hospitals within nine counties.


METHODS
Field advanced life support providers (paramedics and registered nurses).


METHODS
All providers participated in a one-hour standardized training session and supervised hands-on simulation. Providers completed a data sheet on all IO infusions performed. Data sheets were collected and summarized.


RESULTS
One hundred thirty-four prehospital providers completed the training session and were approved to perform the procedure. Fifteen patients requiring IO infusion were encountered during the study period. Thirteen (87%) had IO infusion completed successfully. Clinical indications included 11 patients in cardiac arrest, two trauma resuscitations, one seizure, and one toxic ingestion. Patient ages ranged from 1 to 24 months. Seven patients were initially resuscitated. Four survived to hospital discharge. Procedural complications included one incidence of local fluid extravasation and one IO line that became dislodged en route. There were no complications at time of discharge in the four survivors. All procedures were performed in less than two minutes.


CONCLUSIONS
A one-hour standardized training session was successfully used to train prehospital providers in the procedure of IO infusion. IO infusion then was implemented into their clinical practice with a satisfactory success rate and few complications.
Anderson
T E
TE
Departments of Emergency Medicine, Chambersburg Hospital, PA.
Arthur
K
K
Kleinman
M
M
Drawbaugh
R
R
Eitel
D R
DR
Ogden
C S
CS
Baker
D
D
D002675:Child, Preschool; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians / Q000193:education*; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000193:education*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D017148:Infusions, Intraosseous; D007318:Inservice Training; D008020:Life Support Care; D010414:Pennsylvania; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012041:Regional Medical Programs