IS ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT APPROPRIATE FOR VICTIMS OF MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS: THE SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY TRAUMA PROJECT
There is continuing controversy over the use of Advanced Life Support (ALS) in the treatment of multisystem injury. In this study, performed to define the role of ALS in the management of motor vehicle accidents (MVA), 538 ambulance run reports (ARR) and hospital records of patients involved in MVA in South Carolina for 1983 were examined. Of these, 248 were reviewed in depth by a trauma review committee (TRC). Paramedics were present in 81% (93% urban, 80% rural) of cases. ALS crews averaged 24.8 minutes on the scene compared to 18.1 minutes for Basic Life Support (BLS). It took 6 minutes longer to transport rural patients than urban patients (15.7 vs. 9.6 min). Total EMS time (response, on scene, transport) was 46 plus or minus 20 minutes. Extrication increased on-scene time from 20.5 to 31.1 minutes. Endotracheal intubation attempts were 67% successful and IV's were placed in 88% of attempts. 32% of ALS patients demonstrated an increased blood pressure en route compared to 12% of BLS patients. The TRC felt prehospital care was beneficial in 85% of cases, while 11.7% had inappropriate or inadequate care. Resuscitation and ALS in MVA appears to be beneficial in the treatment of multisystem trauma in a rural state.
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00225282
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Corporate Authors:
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
428 East Preston Street
Baltimore, MD United States 21202 -
Authors:
- Reines, H D
- Bartlett, R L
- Chudy, N E
- Kiragu, K R
- McKnew, M A
- Publication Date: 1988-5
Media Info
- Features: Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: p. 563-570
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Serial:
- Journal of Trauma, Injury, Infection and Critical Care
- Volume: 28
- Issue Number: 5
- Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
- ISSN: 0022-5282
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Crash victims; Data analysis; Injuries; Mathematical analysis; Measures of effectiveness; Resuscitation; Rural areas; Traffic crashes; Urban areas
- Uncontrolled Terms: Effectiveness; Motor vehicle accidents
- Geographic Terms: South Carolina
- Old TRIS Terms: Advanced life support; Multisystem trauma
- Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I84: Personal Injuries;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00601356
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report/Paper Numbers: HS-040 649
- Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
- Created Date: Nov 30 1990 12:00AM