J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2008 Dec;19(6):611-616.

Evaluation of the Effect of the Education on Prehospital Drill Type Intraosseous Access of Level 1 Emergency Medical Technicians

• Ahn KO
• Jung JH
• Kim DK
• Shin SD

Abstract

PURPOSE: Intraosseous (IO) is an alternative vascular access method for critically ill patients, especially pediatric arrest patients. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of the education on pre-hospital IO Access of Level 1 Emergency Medical Technicians (Level-1 EMTs).
METHODS
Forty four Level-1 EMTs participated in the IO educational program at Seoul Fire Academy. The IO educational program was consisted of a one-hour lecture followed by a one-hour practical training about the use of the powered device (EZ-IO) to artificial bones. Before and after the program, the knowledge and attitude about IO access were measured with 5 points-scale (1 in lowest and 5 in highest positive response) by the structured questionnaire. After the program, the participants were tested on skill performance (success rate of insertion and procedural time) of IO access.
RESULTS
The mean working time and age of participants was 7.6+/-2.4 years and 32.1+/-4.2 years, respectively. Median score (5%~95%) of knowledge about indication of IO access was increased from 2(1-4) to 4(3-5) (p<0.01). Median score (5%~95%) on attitude was improved from 2(1-4) to 4(2-5) (p<0.01). Twelve EMTs (30.7%) showed negative response on IO access in the prehospital area. The success rate of insertion at first time was 84.1% and the mean time to success was 45.5+/-9.4 seconds.
CONCLUSION
After 2 hour educational program for Level-1 EMTs, the knowledge and attitude of IO access improved significantly and skill performance was very excellent. We can consider the prehospital IO access of level-1 EMTs in Korea.

Keyword

Infusion; Intraosseous; Emergency medical technicians; Emergency Medical Services

MeSH Terms

Critical Illness
Emergencies
Emergency Medical Services
Emergency Medical Technicians
Fires
Humans
Mandrillus
Surveys and Questionnaires