Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic's Role in Prehospital Drug Delivery

Abstract

Objective:

To describe the role of the medical technician/paramedic and review 2 types of drug storage: the emergency department and prehospital emergency medical services (EMS).

Data Sources:

Information was obtained from personal experience, personal communication with hospitals, prehospital healthcare providers, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacists. Searches of the Internet were conducted for sites reviewing traditional drug storage systems, as well as those utilized specifically for prehospital EMS. Key words used were advanced cardiac life support, crash cart, drug security, drug storage, emergency department, and emergency medical services.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

All articles identified from the data sources were evaluated and all information deemed relevant was included for this review.

Data Synthesis:

Emergency departments traditionally utilize crash carts for their ease of maneuverability over tiled floors and massive storage capabilities. Prehospital EMS are unable to use crash carts for drug storage and transport. Smaller, more compact types of securable and transportable drug storage units are required for prehospital EMS.

Conclusions:

The concept of bringing the emergency department to the injured is still a relatively young science. With time and experience come innovations that tailor themselves to the needed specialties. The drug box used by the emergency medical technicians/paramedics bridges that gap between the emergency department and the street.