Automatic transport ventilator versus bag valve in the EMS setting: a prospective, randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
The primary objective of this study was to compare Emergency Medical Technicians-Paramedics (EMT-P) perceptions of the usefulness of an automatic transport ventilator (ATV) compared with bag valve (BV) ventilation for intubated patients.


METHODS
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or assisted ventilation patients were randomly assigned by day to the ATV or BV arm of the study. Questionnaires were completed by the EMT-Ps at the conclusion of each patient enrollment. EMT-Ps were asked to rate the modality used (ATV versus BV) on ease of use, time of setup, expedition of transport, additional tasks completed, documentation, overall patient care, and patient comfort.


RESULTS
Twenty-eight patients were entered into the study, 14 in the BV arm and 14 in the ATV arm. There were significant differences in favor of the ATV in ability to accomplish additional tasks (P = 0.01), ability to document (P = 0.04), and ability to provide patient care (P = 0.03)


CONCLUSIONS
EMT-Ps were able to accomplish more tasks, document more completely, and provide better patient care with the use of the ATV.
Weiss
Steven J
SJ
University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-0001, USA. Sweiss52@aol.com
Ernst
Amy A
AA
Jones
Ray
R
Ong
Margaret
M
Filbrun
Todd
T
Augustin
Chad
C
Barnum
Mike
M
Nick
Todd G
TG
D000368:Aged; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical / Q000592:standards*
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen