Abstract
This study evaluated emergency medical services (EMS) providers’ knowledge of exertional heat stroke (EHS) and assessed current EMS capabilities for recognizing and managing EHS. EMS providers currently practicing in the United States were recruited to complete a 25-item questionnaire. There were 216 questionnaire responses (183 complete) representing 28 states. On average, respondents were 42.0 ± 13.0 years old, male (n = 163, 75.5%), and white (n = 176, 81.5%). Most respondents were Paramedics (n = 110, 50.9%) and had ≥16 years of experience (n = 109/214, 50.9%) working in EMS. Fifty-five percent (n = 99/180) of respondents had previously treated a patient with EHS. The average number of correct answers on the knowledge assessment was 2.6 ± 1.2 out of 7 (~37% correct). Temporal (n = 79), tympanic (n = 76), and oral (n = 68) thermometers were the most prevalent methods of temperature assessment available. Chemical cold packs (n = 164) and air conditioning (n = 134) were the most prevalent cooling methods available. Respondents demonstrated poor knowledge regarding EHS despite years of experience, and over half stating they had previously treated EHS in the field. Few EMS providers reported having access to an appropriate method of assessing or cooling a patient with EHS. Updated, evidence-based training needs to be provided and stakeholders should ensure their EMS providers have access to appropriate equipment.
Highlights
Heat stroke is the most severe heat-related illness
Heat stroke is characterized by central nervous system dysfunction and elevated core body temperature (>40 ◦ C or 104 ◦ F), and can be categorized as classic or exertional in nature [1,2,3]
Exertional heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses are prevalent among athletes [4,5,6,7], warfighters [8,9,10,11], occupational workers [12] and individuals presenting to emergency departments [13]
Summary
Heat stroke is the most severe heat-related illness. Classic heat stroke typically occurs as a passive process where an individual is exposed to a hot environment for a prolonged period of time and is unable to compensate [1]. Exertional heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses are prevalent among athletes [4,5,6,7], warfighters [8,9,10,11], occupational workers [12] and individuals presenting to emergency departments [13]. There were 34,814 EMS activations for heat-related illnesses in the United States between 2017 and 2018, with 79% documented as heat exhaustion and 17% as heat stroke [14]. The actual proportion of heat stroke cases may be higher, with research reporting approximately 30%
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
