246 Are paramedics situationally aware? A cross-sectional study during emergency calls for service. (1st May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hunter, J; Porter, M; Cody, P; Williams, B
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 12(2022)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A5
• Page End: A5
• Publication Date: 2022-05-01
• Subjects: Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-EMS.11
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Previous studies have suggested that paramedics are not situationally aware during their initial prehospital education nor during online simulation. No known research has measured situational awareness (SA) of paramedics during actual emergency calls for service. Method: An observational cross section study of paramedics in a busy 911 system during emergency calls for service. Utilizing the situational awareness global assessment technique (SAGAT) paramedics were asked a short series of questions during periodic stops during the emergency calls by trained observers. The questions were based on a previously proven theoretical framework of SA for paramedicine focusing on the paramedic's ability to properly recognize events, interpret their meaning, and then predict how they may unfold in the future. Results: While observing 10 licensed paramedics, a total of 67 emergency calls for service were observed over a 4-week period. During those calls, 387 queries were asked of the paramedics during the actual emergency. Paramedics successfully answer 24% of the recognition questions, 32% of the interpretation questions, and 45% of the prediction questions. Overall SA was 34%. Conclusion: Paramedics were not situationally aware. They struggled the most with recognition questions, possibly due to high levels of stress and tunnel vision while on scene with patients. Of the events that they were able to recognize, they performed better at properly interpreting what those events meant and how those events may unfold in the future. Future studies are needed to determine if a targeted educational approach may improve SA and then, possibly, patient outcomes. Conflict of interest: None. Funding: None.