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Assessing EMS Scope of Practice for Utility and Risk: the New Mexico EMS Interventions Assessment Project, Phase One Results

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 August 2012

Marc-David Munk ,
Lynne Fullerton ,
Laura Banks ,
Sarah Morley ,
Robert McDaniels ,
Stuart Castle ,
Kyle Thornton  and
Michael E. Richards
Marc-David Munk*
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico USA
Lynne Fullerton
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico USA
Laura Banks
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico USA
Sarah Morley
Affiliation:
Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico USA
Robert McDaniels
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico USA
Stuart Castle
Affiliation:
Bureau of Emergency Medical Systems, New Mexico Department of Health, Santa Fe, New Mexico USA
Kyle Thornton
Affiliation:
Bureau of Emergency Medical Systems, New Mexico Department of Health, Santa Fe, New Mexico USA
Michael E. Richards
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico USA
*
Correspondence: Marc-David Munk, MD, MPH, MHCMUniversity of New Mexico Hospitals Office of Quality and Patient Safety 2211 Lomas Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87106 USA E-mail mmunk@salud.unm.edu
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Abstract

Introduction

Few emergency medical services (EMS) interventions in New Mexico have been assessed for efficacy, potential harm, or potential benefit. There is concern that many interventions added over the years may be outdated, harmful, or ineffective in the EMS setting. A formal process for reviewing the state EMS scope of practice using literature review and expert consensus is discussed. In Phase One of the project, interventions in the New Mexico EMS scope of practice were prioritized for further review by surveying a national cadre of EMS experts to evaluate EMS interventions using a utilitarian harm/benefit metric.

Methods

An electronic survey based on the 2010 New Mexico EMS Scope of Practice statute was administered from March through June, 2011. A national cadre of 104 respondents was identified. Respondents were either State EMS medical directors or EMS fellowship directors. Respondents were asked to rate the potential harm and the potential benefit of specific EMS interventions on a 5-point ordinal scale. Median harm and benefit scores were calculated.

Results

A total of 88 completed surveys were received following 208 emailed invitations to 104 respondents (43% response rate). Twenty-two (22) highest-priority interventions (those with a harm/benefit median score ratio of >1) were identified. Seven additional second-priority interventions were also identified. These interventions will be advanced for formal literature review and expert consensus.

Conclusions

The New Mexico EMS Interventions Project offers a novel model for assessing a prehospital scope of practice.

MunkMD, FullertonL, BanksL, MorleyS, McDanielsR, CastleS, ThorntonK, RichardsME. Assessing EMS Scope of Practice for Utility and Risk: the New Mexico EMS Interventions Assessment Project, Phase One Results. Prehosp Disaster Med.2012;27(5):1-6.

Keywords

allied health occupationsemergency medical servicesevaluation methodologyhealth carequality assurance
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 27 , Issue 5 , October 2012 , pp. 452 - 457
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2012

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