title: Emergency Physicians as Good Samaritans: Survey of Frequency, Locations, Supplies and Medications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about the frequency and locations in which emergency physicians (EPs) are bystanders to an accident or emergency; equally uncertain is which contents of an "emergency kit" may be useful during such events. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency and locations of Good Samaritan acts by EPs and also determine which emergency kit supplies and medications were most commonly used by Good Samaritans.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted an electronic survey among a convenience sample of EPs in Colorado.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Respondents reported a median frequency of 2.0 Good Samaritan acts per five years of practice, with the most common locations being sports and entertainment events (25%), road traffic accidents (21%), and wilderness settings (19%). Of those who had acted as Good Samaritans, 86% reported that at least one supply would have been useful during the most recent event, and 66% reported at least one medication would have been useful. The most useful supplies were gloves (54%), dressings (34%), and a stethoscope (20%), while the most useful medications were oxygen (19%), intravenous fluids (17%), and epinephrine (14%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of EPs can expect to provide Good Samaritan care during their careers and would be better prepared by carrying a kit with common supplies and medications where they are most likely to use them.
authors.affiliation: Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Department of Emergency Medicine, Denver, Colorado.
authors.forename: Taylor W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Burkholder
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Aurora, Colorado.
authors.forename: Renee A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D000533:Altruism; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003120:Colorado; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D004630:Emergencies; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008020:Life Support Care; D019026:Medicine Chests / Q000600:supply & distribution; D010819:Physician's Role; D000078329:Workforce
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