| Emergency Medical Services Combitube Study | MICHIGAN |
|---|
PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
The 1991 NHTSA EMS assessment for Michigan indicated that while 80 percent of the state's
population lives within 10 minutes of either advanced life support (ALS) or limited advanced life
support (LALS), 70 percent of the state's land mass lacked both ALS and LALS.
Limited funds exist for training EMS personnel covering these large areas. Research shows that
EMS training positively impacts the outcome of patients injured in motor vehicle-related crashes
during the "golden hour" (the first hour following the crash).
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goal of this project was to provide more training in basic life-saving to EMS personnel in
order to save lives and reduce injuries. Objectives included:
STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
Ten medical control regions participated in the rural combitube/pulse oximetery study. Basic
emergency medical technicians were given advanced level training in airway maintenance and in
the use of the combitube. They were then tested with both a written and practical examination.
Data on patient outcome and information on the number of cases of combitube airway use were
collected. The study was reviewed and assessed by a physician.
Emergency Medical Services Combitube Study (cont'd)
RESULTS
Results indicate that adequately trained prehospital providers and emergency medical technicians
were able to provide enhanced medical care to patients. In nearly all cases, successful airway
maintenance and ventilation were provided. Other results show the combitube to be easy to use.
The EMS Division made this program available to all Medical Control Authorities in Michigan
as of January 1, 1996. Training for EMS instructors and coordinators was implemented and
continues. Combitube training has now been incorporated into the EMS Division basic
curriculum. This program received a 1996 NHTSA Administrator's Highway Safety Program of
Excellence award for being an outstanding Section 402 effort.
