An evaluation of pre-hospital emergency medical systems for suspected ST-elevation myocardial infarction in Colorado.
OBJECTIVE
Patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) benefit from rapid cardiac reperfusion therapy. Emergency medical service (EMS) agencies can improve patient outcomes by calling STEMI alerts to the receiving facility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of pre-hospital activation systems for suspected ST-elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMI) throughout Colorado.


METHODS
A cross sectional, survey design was utilized to collect all data from EMS agencies in Colorado. A univariable logistic regression model was used to identify factors predictive of an agency reporting that they utilize a STEMI activation protocol.


RESULTS
84.5% [95% CI: 78.3 to 90.7%] of agencies included indicate that they utilize a STEMI activation protocol. Based on the logistic regression analysis, the number of EMT employees was significantly associated with whether or not an agency indicates that they utilize a STEMI activation protocol. For every 10% increase in the number of EMTs employed by an EMS agency, there was a 3.0 [95% CI: 1.5 to 6.0, p = 0.0012] fold increase in the odds of the agency indicating they utilize a STEMI activation protocol.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study provides evidence that larger agencies are more likely to utilize a STEMI activation protocol. In areas without a STEMI system of care, improvements in smaller agencies that cover more ground (with longer transport times) should be the focus for protocol implementation. Based on the current prevalence of such training, competency based training in reading ST-elevations on ECG should be considered by EMS agencies.
a College of Osteopathic Medicine , Rocky Vista University , Parker , CO , USA.
Glenn H
GH
Engelman
b Musculoskeletal Research Center , Department of Orthopedics, Children's Hospital Colorado , Aurora , CO , USA.
Patrick M
PM
Carry
a College of Osteopathic Medicine , Rocky Vista University , Parker , CO , USA.
Kyle M
KM
Kubes
a College of Osteopathic Medicine , Rocky Vista University , Parker , CO , USA.
Michael J
MJ
Gleason
D002983:Clinical Competence; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003120:Colorado; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D008297:Male; D000072657:ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy*
Myocardial infarction; cardiovascular disease; clinical protocols; electrocardiography; emergency medical technicians