Abstract
BackgroundSepsis is a medical emergency that requires prompt recognition and treatment. Multiple Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies across the United States have implemented sepsis protocols. In 2016, Maryland instituted its own state-wide EMS sepsis protocol which includes fluid resuscitation, vasopressor administration, and requires alerting the hospital of an incoming sepsis patient.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to quantify the perspectives of EMS medical directors in Maryland regarding prehospital sepsis care and to identify challenges encountered during the implementation of the statewide sepsis protocol.MethodsA 17-question survey was sent to all 24 jurisdictional medical directors in the state of Maryland.ResultsA total of 14 (58%) medical directors responded, representing four of the five EMS regions in the state. More than half (57%) stated sepsis alerting was a priority in their jurisdiction; however, in a listing of eight initiatives, sepsis was the least prioritized. Most (64%) respondents believed their clinicians had adequate training on sepsis. A majority (79%) of medical directors surveyed felt that core measures of sepsis management would be beneficial. The potentially most helpful core measures were the volume of IV fluid administration (92%), true positive sepsis alerts (83%), and cases of failure to activate a sepsis alert (75%). Engagement of field personnel was rated as the biggest challenge for the implementation of a sepsis protocol in general, and lack of a thermometer on EMS units (50%) was the largest hurdle specifically in the 2016 statewide sepsis protocol. Surveyed medical directors (86%) believe the most difficult obstacle to overcome for EMS clinicians in the treatment of sepsis are nonspecific signs and symptoms.ConclusionsPrehospital sepsis care was viewed to be important amongst the medical directors surveyed. However, significant challenges to implementation of a sepsis protocol and delivery of prehospital sepsis care are perceived by jurisdictional medical directors. Additional investment and dedication to sepsis care will advance prehospital sepsis treatment in Maryland.
Highlights
The rapid identification and treatment of sepsis is critical to reducing mortality [1,2]
A majority (79%) of medical directors surveyed felt that core measures of sepsis management would be beneficial
Engagement of field personnel was rated as the biggest challenge for the implementation of a sepsis protocol in general, and lack of a thermometer on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) units (50%) was the largest hurdle in the 2016 statewide sepsis protocol
Summary
The rapid identification and treatment of sepsis is critical to reducing mortality [1,2]. There is increasing recognition of the potential impact that EMS has on early identification of septic patients [4]. This is similar to other timesensitive diseases such as stroke or myocardial infarction [5,6]. Recognizing the success of these interventions, Maryland’s State EMS agency, Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services (MIEMSS), approved a statewide sepsis protocol in 2016. Multiple Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies across the United States have implemented sepsis protocols. In 2016, Maryland instituted its own state-wide EMS sepsis protocol which includes fluid resuscitation, vasopressor administration, and requires alerting the hospital of an incoming sepsis patient
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