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Ralph J Frascone

Publications and source records attributed to Ralph J Frascone.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Implementing emergency research requiring exception from informed consent, community consultation, and public disclosure.

Conducting emergency research in the out-of-hospital and emergency department setting is a challenge because of the inability of patients to provide informed consent in many situations. Federal guidelines allowing research under an exception from informed consent for emergency research have been established (21 CRF 50.24). Community consultation and public disclosure, 2 required components of obtaining this exception, are seen by many as a barrier to resuscitation research. This article will provide a brief overview of the history of the exception from informed consent for emergency research and summarize our methods recently used to successfully complete community consultation and public disclosure for a trial evaluating 2 devices used during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a large metropolitan area.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed2004

Combination of active compression decompression cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the inspiratory impedance threshold device: state of the art.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Over the past decade, the combination of active compression decompression (ACD) cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and an impedance threshold device (ITD) has been shown to significantly increase vital organ perfusion pressures and survival rates in animals and humans. The purpose of this review article is to summarize the recent advances with this new technology. RECENT FINDINGS: Building upon animal studies that demonstrated the benefit of the ITD used with either ACD CPR or standard CPR (S-CPR), four prospective, randomized clinical trials with ACD/ITD CPR have been recently completed. One blinded, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest trial (n = 21 patients) demonstrated that systemic blood pressures and coronary perfusion pressures were markedly higher when ACD/ITD CPR was used when compared directly with ACD CPR alone. The second blinded trial demonstrated that the combination of ACD/ITD CPR was effective with both a facemask and an endotracheal tube (n = 15 patients). A third randomized clinical trial (n = 210 patients) demonstrated that 24-hour survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were more than 65% higher with ACD/ITD CPR than with S-CPR (P < 0.01). Neurologic function after cardiac arrest trended higher in patients with witnessed arrest who received ACD/ITD CPR than in those who received S-CPR(P < 0.07). In addition, when ACD/ITD CPR was applied later in the course of treatment, short-term survival rates were threefold higher in patients receiving ACD/ITD CPR (44%) than in those receiving S-CPR (14%)(P < 0.05). In that study, patients with the greatest chance for survival-those with witnessed cardiac arrest and an initial rhythm of ventricular fibrillation-had a 23% 24-hour survival rate with S-CPR versus a 58% 24-hour survival rate with ACD/ITD CPR (P < 0.01). It should be noted that this trial was performed in a city where an earlier study found no difference in outcomes between ACD CPR alone and S-CPR. The fourth clinical trial was a randomized, double-blinded study of 400 patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest treated by advanced life support personnel. All patients received ACD CPR: half were treated with a sham ITD and the other half were treated with an active ITD. Twenty-four hour survival, the primary endpoint, was 32% in the active ITD group versus 22% in the sham group (P < 0.05). SUMMARY: On the basis of the cumulative findings of these studies, it is concluded that ACD/ITD CPR provides superior vital organ blood flow and results in significantly higher short-term survival rates than do ACD CPR alone or S-CPR. Use of the ACD/ITD CPR technology optimizes perfusion of the heart and brain during cardiac arrest and results in the highest reported survival rates of any CPR device technology. Use of this technology should be encouraged while additional studies are under way to examine the potential long-term impact of this new technology.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

12-lead electrocardiograms during basic life support care.

OBJECTIVES: Prehospital 12-lead electrocardiograms (PTLs) decrease time to thrombolytics. Paramedics have performed them successfully for years, but emergency medical technicians (EMTs) have not typically performed them. To determine whether PTLs could be considered a basic life support (BLS) skill, the authors conducted a pilot study to determine whether scene times are lengthened when EMTs obtain PTLs, whether EMTs can appropriately select patients for PTLs, and what value physicians place on prehospital PTLs. METHODS: The authors prospectively evaluated PTL performance in four BLS agencies. EMTs provided standard cardiac care to patients on even days. On odd days, they additionally performed a PTL. Scene times of patients receiving a PTL (n=77) were compared with scene times of similar patients not receiving one (n=100). RESULTS: EMTs attempted to perform 101 PTLs, of which 77 were eligible for inclusion. The mean scene time [95% confidence interval] of patients on even days (no 12-lead) was 11.9 [11.0, 12.8] minutes, compared with 16.9 [15.8, 18.0] minutes for patients who received a PTL. Scene times increased by 5.0 [3.6, 6.4] minutes when a PTL was added to the evaluation. Physician feedback was received on 63 of 77 PTLs. Receiving physicians agreed that 59 of 63 (93.6%) patients needed the PTL and found them moderately helpful (3.56 on a 1 to 5 scale). CONCLUSION: When EMTs performed PTLs, scene times increased approximately 5 minutes. Most physicians agreed that the PTL was indicated. PTL acquisition by EMTs appears feasible with slightly lengthened scene times, but evaluation in other BLS agencies is necessary to validate this conclusion.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prehospital rapid-sequence intubation: a pilot training program.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a training program enabling paramedics to use sedation and paralytic medications to facilitate endotracheal intubation in patients who otherwise could not be successfully intubated. METHODS: Paramedics underwent a training program consisting of six hours of didactic education, two four-hour mannequin labs, one four-hour animal intubation lab, and operating room experience. Rapid-sequence intubation (RSI) runs were reviewed for appropriateness in patient selection and medication use. Non-RSI runs were reviewed to determine whether appropriate patients were being missed. Intubation success rates continue to be followed. Long-term quality assurance includes monthly run reviews, periodic quizzes, and unannounced on-site practical tests. RESULTS: 101 patients have been intubated using RSI, including medical, trauma, pediatric, and adult cases. Of all patients receiving RSI drugs, 100 of 101 were successfully intubated. There were no undetected esophageal intubations. Paramedics were able to demonstrate proper patient selection and appropriately administer RSI medications. The use of sheep labs was a critical component of this training because it permitted multiple intubations in a live model possessing an airway quite similar to that of the human. The gum elastic bougie was felt to be critical in the intubation of three patients. CONCLUSION: This RSI training model can serve as a template for other agencies seeking to implement RSI. Limitations of this model include the availability of live animal labs and the expense of conducting the training. Intense medical director involvement has been key to the success of this prehospital RSI program.

Airway Obstruction↗