Training paramedics: emergency care for children with special health care needs.

TitleTraining paramedics: emergency care for children with special health care needs.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2000
AuthorsSpaite DW, Karriker KJ, Seng M, Conroy C, Battaglia N, Tibbitts M, Salik RM
JournalPrehosp Emerg Care
Volume4
Issue2
Pagination178-85
Date Published2000 Apr-Jun
ISSN Number1090-3127
KeywordsChild, Child, Preschool, Curriculum, Developmental Disabilities, Education, Continuing, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Medical Technicians, Health Planning, Humans, Infant, Program Evaluation
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To enhance knowledge and comfort related to the emergency care of children with special health care needs (CSHCN) through an innovative continuing education program for paramedics.

METHODS: A self-study program presenting in-depth information about common problems that affect the assessment and management of a child's airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and environment (ABCDEs), regardless of the child's diagnosis, was developed. This program used a manual, a video, practice mannequins, and skills evaluations to teach skills to paramedics employed at a municipal fire department.

RESULTS: Pre- and posttraining surveys found that the paramedics were significantly more comfortable with the assessment and management of CSHCN after the completion of the self-study program, with a pretraining average of 2.83 and posttraining average of 4.20 on a five-point Likert-type scale, t(37) = 12.87, p < 0.001. A skills evaluation showed that skills performance varied widely across 21 skills, ranging from skills mastery to low skills knowledge. On the posttraining survey, between 74% and 94% of the paramedics rated each topic (tracheostomies, indwelling central venous catheters, cerebrospinal fluid shunts, gastrostomies, child abuse, and latex allergy) as applicable to their practices as paramedics.

CONCLUSION: Given the growing population of CSHCN, it is important to provide specialized education to increase an EMS provider's preparedness to respond to emergency situations involving children with special health care needs.

Alternate JournalPrehosp Emerg Care
PubMed ID10782609
Faculty Reference: 
Daniel W. Spaite, MD