Implementation of guidelines reduced futile transports for patients after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Transportation of patients after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest uses substantial resources, especially in rural settings, and should be avoided when futile. The Universal Termination of Resuscitation (TOR) guideline suggests that resuscitation should be terminated by emergency medical services (EMS) if, after at least four 2-minute intervals of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, three criteria are met: (1) the arrest was not witnessed by EMS, (2) there has been no return of spontaneous circulation, and (3) no shocks were delivered (NEJM JW Emerg Med Feb 2017 and Resuscitation 2017; 111:96).
The TOR guidelines were implemented in a rural EMS system in northwestern Vermont with a mix of career and volunteer providers (paramedics and emergency medi…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresRoyaltiesUpToDate
Grant/Research SupportEunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; MINDSOURCE
Editorial BoardsThe Quarterly Update: Reviews of Current Child Abuse Medical Research; Child Abuse & Neglect: The International Journal
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesThe Helfer Society (Executive Committee Member)
DisclosuresRoyaltiesUpToDate
Grant/Research SupportEunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; MINDSOURCE
Editorial BoardsThe Quarterly Update: Reviews of Current Child Abuse Medical Research; Child Abuse & Neglect: The International Journal
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesThe Helfer Society (Executive Committee Member)