Leon County EMS Published In National Study

Leon County EMS Published In National Study

Research Informs Emergency Medical Protocols 

Recently, Leon County Emergency Medical Services (LCEMS) presented new research on resuscitation techniques to medical experts from across the United States at the National Association of EMS Physicians annual meeting in San Diego, California. 

Conducted by Leon County EMS in partnership with the Florida State University College of Medicine, the research concluded that in vein injection compared to injection directly into the bone was associated with higher rates of successful resuscitation. 

“Our County team continues to not only exceed expectations with live-saving procedures, but sets the bar high for health care standards nationally," said Leon County Commission Chairman Nick Maddox. "The publication of this study could help save lives in Leon County and nationwide.” 

Approved by the FSU Institutional Review Board, the retrospective review study covered four years of data from Leon County EMS cardiac arrest calls, and took nearly two years to complete. 

"We are proud that Leon County Emergency Medical Services was able to contribute to published research of this magnitude on the national level," said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. "This accomplishment is a testament to members of the team who conducted the research, and the entire Leon County Emergency Medical Services staff, who exemplify public service by caring for our citizens in their most critical moments." 

LCEMS Captain Steve Suarez worked closely with LCEMS Lieutenant Jessica Daniels, LCEMS Medical Director Dr. Kim Landry, and FSU College of Medicine faculty member Dr. Colby Redfield, to examine different delivery methods for medications delivered during cardiac arrest, and the effects of using the different methods on successful resuscitation. 

“We will continue to participate in research that gives us the best opportunities to save lives,” said Leon County Emergency Medical Services Chief Chad Abrams. “More research is being conducted to prove the accuracy of these findings and this is a huge first step, to present in front of the nation’s top medical experts sparks a conversation.” 

The initial research, titled “The Effect of IV versus IO access in Prehospital Cardiac Arrest ROSC Rates” appears in the January 2018 edition (Volume 22, Number 1) of Prehospital Emergency Care, the official scientific journal of the National Association of EMS Physicians, the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), the National Association of State EMS Officials, the National Association of EMS Educators, the National EMS Management Association, and the National Association of EMTs. 

A link to this journal can be found here: http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/ipec20/current 

For more information, contact Major Sally Davis, Leon County EMS, at (850) 606-2100 / DavisSal@LeonCountyFL.gov or Mathieu Cavell, Leon County Community and Media Relations, at (850) 606-5300 / cmr@LeonCountyFl.gov. 

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