Monitoring EMS protocol deviations: a useful quality assurance tool.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence, type, and outcome of protocol deviations in an emergency medical services (EMS) system.

DESIGN

Retrospective consecutive case series.

SETTING

Seven advanced life support ambulance services servicing five area hospital emergency departments.

PATIENTS

1,246 patients requiring advanced life support care.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Advanced life support ambulance runs during a two-month period were examined for protocol deviations. Of 1,246 runs examined, 16% had deviations. Approximately 55% of these deviations were minor, 38% were serious, and 7% were very serious in nature. The effects of the errors were evaluated using hospital records. Results showed that 89.5% of patients were unaffected, 5.0% improved, and 5.5% suffered complications from deviations. Emergency medical technicians committed 69% of the deviations without the consent of medical control, medical control committed an additional 18%, and both were responsible in 13% of cases. Incomplete histories were found in 8% of cases.

CONCLUSION

Protocol deviations committed in prehospital care do not usually cause direct harm to patients. On review of these deviations, however, several disturbing trends were uncovered, including misconceptions in the use of IV therapy, a number of serious deviations in advanced cardiac life support protocols, and lack of communication with medical control. This type of quality assurance study has the ability to identify areas of strength and weakness in an EMS system, allowing planning of ongoing educational efforts in the system.