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State emergency medical services guidance and protocol changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: A national investigation
Owusu-Ansah, Sylvia Harris, Matthew Fishe, Jennifer N. Adelgais, Kathleen Pachal, Ashish Lyng, John McCans, Kerry Alter, Racher Perry, Amanda Cerocone, Angelica
Owusu-Ansah, Sylvia
Harris, Matthew
Fishe, Jennifer N.
Adelgais, Kathleen
Pachal, Ashish
Lyng, John
McCans, Kerry
Alter, Racher
Perry, Amanda
Cerocone, Angelica
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Journal article
Date
2022-02-28
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Emergency Medicine
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DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/emp2.12687
Abstract
Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on emergency medical services (EMS) and its guidelines, which aid in patient care. This study characterizes state and territory EMS office recommendations to EMS statewide operational and clinical guidelines and describes the mechanisms of distribution and implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted in 2 phases. In phase 1, changes and development of COVID-19 guidance and protocols for EMS clinical management and operations were identified among 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 5 territories in publicly available online documents and information. In phase 2, structured interviews were conducted with state/territory EMS officials to confirm the protocol changes or guidance and assess dissemination and implementation strategies for COVID-19. Results: In phase 1, publicly available online documents for 52 states/territories regarding EMS protocols and COVID-19 guidance were identified and reviewed. Of 52 (33/52) states/territories, 33 had either formal protocol changes or specific guidance for the pandemic. In phase 2, 2 state and territory EMS officials were interviewed regarding their protocols or guidance for COVID-19 and the dissemination and implementation practices they used to reach EMS agencies (response rate = 65%). Of the 34 state/territory officials interviewed, 22 had publicly available online COVID-19 protocols or guidance. Of the 22 officials with online COVID-19 protocols, all reported providing operational direction, and 19 of 22 officials reported providing clinical direction. Conclusions: Most states provided guidance to EMS agencies and/or updated protocols in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Citation
Owusu-Ansah, S, Harris, M, Fishe, JN, et al. State emergency medical services guidance and protocol changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: A national investigation. JACEP Open. 2022; 3:e12687. https://doi.org/10.1002/emp2.12687
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Wiley Open Access
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Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open (JACEP Open), Vol. 3, Iss. 2
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