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. 2024 Jul;40(4):412-420.
doi: 10.6515/ACS.202407_40(4).20240401B.

Performance of Prehospital ECG and Impact on Prehospital Service Time: Comparison between EMT-II and EMT-P Teams

Zhi-Jia Wu  1   2 , Bin-Chow Lee  3 , Ying-Ju Chen  4 , Ming-Chi Tsai  5 , Chien-Kai Chiu  5 , Yu-Chun Chien  6 , Ming-Ju Hsieh  7 , Wen-Chiu Chiang  7   8 , Lee-Wei Chen  1 , Wei-Tien Chang  7   9 , Chien-Hua Huang  7   9 , Wen-Jone Chen  7   9   10 , Matthew Huei-Ming Ma  7   8   9
Affiliations

Performance of Prehospital ECG and Impact on Prehospital Service Time: Comparison between EMT-II and EMT-P Teams

Zhi-Jia Wu et al. Acta Cardiol Sin. 2024 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Prehospital electrocardiogram (PHECG) shortens door-to-balloon time in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction. However, it may increase the prehospital service time, thus offsetting the benefits gained. The performance of PHECG could be influenced by the proficiency of the emergency medical technicians (EMTs).

Objectives: To investigate whether there are differences in the performance of PHECG between EMT-II and EMT-paramedics (EMT-P).

Methods: This prospectively designed, retrospectively analyzed study of PHECG was conducted in Taipei from February 2019 to April 2021. Comparisons were made between EMT-II and EMT-P teams. The primary outcomes were the acceptance of PHECG suggestions and prehospital service time. The secondary outcomes were gender disparities in the primary outcomes.

Results: A total of 2,991 patients were included, of whom 2,617 received PHECG. For the primary outcomes, the acceptance of PHECG was higher in those approached by EMT-P (99.6% vs. 71.5%, p < 0.001). The scene time and scene-to-hospital time showed no significant differences. For gender disparities, the acceptance of PHECG in female patients was significantly lower in those approached by EMT-II (59.3% vs. 99.2%, p < 0.001). The scene time and scene-to-hospital time were generally longer in the female patients, especially in the younger and middle age groups. Compared to EMT-P, both were significantly longer in the female patients approached by EMT-II.

Conclusions: The acceptance of PHECG was lower in those approached by EMT-II, especially in females. Although there were generally no significant differences between EMT-II and EMT-P, the scene time and scene-to-hospital time were significantly longer in female patients, especially in those aged < 75 years approached by EMT-II.

Keywords: Electrocardiogram; Emergency medical technician; Female; Gender; Prehospital.

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Conflict of interest statement

All the authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The process of prehospital care for chest pain patients in the emergency medical services system. EMT, emergency medical technician; PHECG, prehospital electrocardiogram.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The patient included in the study period from February 2019 to April 2021. ECG, electrocardiogram; EMT, emergency medical technician; EMT-P, EMT-paramedics.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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