[Introduction of advanced care to pre-hospital services in Quebec]

Banken R, Cote B, de Champlain F, Lavoie A
Record ID 32005000417
French
Original Title: Introduction des soins médicaux avancés dans les services préhospitaliers d’urgence au Québec
Authors' objectives: In the fall of 2004, several Quebec emergency medical technicians obtained Ontario certification in advanced paramedic care and asked for authorization to apply their training here. It was in this context that the Minister of Health and Social Services asked AETMIS in November 2004 to prepare a report on the role of advanced care, also known as advanced life support (ALS), in the organization of pre-hospital emergency services in Quebec.
Authors' results and conclusions: Examination of scientific data led to four major findings. First, there is not enough solid evidence to warrant the generalized introduction of advanced pre-hospital care throughout Quebec. Second, some preliminary evidence shows that advanced care could be beneficial, especially in the case of respiratory distress or cardiac chest pain. Third, the limited amount of available evidence indicates that advanced care is neither beneficial nor detrimental in terms of mortality or morbidity in patients experiencing non-traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest, although the hypothesis that this type of care may be beneficial remains plausible. Finally, evidence reveals that advanced care is associated with adverse effects in certain circumstances, such as the endotracheal intubation of young children and the treatment of trauma.
Authors' recommendations: In light of these findings, current developments and Quebec's particular context, AETMIS recommends that, for the time being, Quebec limit the use of advanced care to duly evaluated pilot projects, with priority being given to the treatment of respiratory distress, chest pain and cardiopulmonary arrest. AETMIS also recommends implementing a series of measures designed to optimize both primary pre-hospital care and the chain of survival throughout Quebec, chiefly by enhancing the training provided to emergency medical technicians.
Authors' methods: Overview
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 2005
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Other
Country: Canada
Province: Quebec
MeSH Terms
  • Emergency Medical Technicians
  • Hospitalization
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Emergency Responders
Contact
Organisation Name: Agence d'évaluation des technologies et des modes d'intervention en santé
Contact Address: 2021, avenue Union, Bureau 10.083,Montreal, Quebec H3A S29, Canada.Tel: +1 514 873 2563; Fax: +1 514 873 1369
Contact Name: demande@inesss.qc.ca
Contact Email: demande@inesss.qc.ca
Copyright: Agence d'Evaluation des Technologies et des Modes d'Intervention en Sante (AETMIS)
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.