Measuring quality in Emergency Medical Services (EMSs) systems is challenging. This paper reviews the current approaches to measuring quality in health care and EMS with a focus on currently used clinical performance indicators in EMS systems (US and international systems). The different types of performance indicators, the advantages and limitations of each type, and the evidence-based prehospital clinical bundles are discussed. This paper aims at introducing emergency physicians and health care providers to quality initiatives in EMS and serves as a reference for tools that EMS medical directors can use to launch new or modify existing quality control programs in their systems.

The largest non-nuclear blast in modern history took place on August 4, 2020, at 6:07 PM in Beirut, Lebanon, after an estimated 2750 tons of unsafely stored ammonium nitrate exploded. The physical and social impacts of this catastrophic event coinciding with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic were massive. This article describes the national and international emergency responses to this event and highlights the impact of the explosion on the health care sector in Lebanon. Challenges noted during this response with recommendations for improving response to future disasters are also described.

Injury severity score (ISS) is commonly used in trauma registries to describe injury severity and to predict outcomes in trauma patients regardless of injury mechanism. This study examined the correlation between ISS and mortality in adult trauma patients presenting to emergency departments in the United States with different mechanisms of injury. A retrospective observational study was conducted using the 2014 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample. Patients’ characteristics were stratified by mortality. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated for death against ISS for each mechanism of injury. A logistic regression model was conducted for each mechanism of injury to determine whether ISS (≥16 vs <16) is a predictor of mortality. The study sample consisted of 16,147,058 weighted adult trauma patients. Median age was 46 years. Slightly over half were females (51.9%). Falls, motor vehicle accidents and being struck by or against, were the most commonly reported mechanisms of injury (44.6%, 18.1%, and 15.3%, respectively). The overall mortality in the study population was 0.4%. The area under the ROC curve was highest in injuries sustained in accidents involving machinery (0.947; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.896-0.998), followed by motor vehicle traffic (MVA) (0.788; 95% CI, 0.775-0.801) and cutting or piercing (0.746; 95% CI, 0.701-0.791). Deceased patients were accurately identified by ISS 65.2% in injury by machinery, 47.7% in injury involving MVA, 39.7% in injury by firearm and 31.4% in injury by assault. After adjusting for confounders, the multivariate models in which ISS was the main independent factor performed best in predicting mortality from firearm and machinery mechanism of injuries. Although the ROC curve analysis demonstrated a moderate or high discriminatory ability to identify deceased patients in 6 out of twelve mechanisms, and the multivariate analysis revealed that ISS was a significant predictor of mortality in 9 out of 12 injury mechanisms, the sensitivities of all logistic regression models were poor. The ISS ≥ 16 threshold alone therefore should not be used to identify patients with high-mortality risk. The mortality risk assessment should be done individually and be based on clinical evaluation.

Imaging modalities in the prehospital setting are helpful in the evaluation and management of time-sensitive emergency conditions. Ultrasound is the main modality that has been applied by emergency medical services (EMS) providers in the field. This paper examines the clinical applications of ultrasound in the prehospital setting. Specific focus is on applications that provide essential information to guide triage and management of critical patients. Challenges of this modality are also described in terms of cost impact on EMS agencies, provider training, and skill maintenance in addition to challenges related to the technical aspect of ultrasound.

Out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Developing countries including Lebanon report low survival rates and poor neurologic outcomes in affected victims. Community involvement through early recognition and bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can improve OHCA survival. This study assesses knowledge and attitude of university students in Lebanon and identifies potential barriers and facilitators to learning and performing CPR. A cross-sectional survey was administered to university students. The questionnaire included questions regarding the following data elements: demographics, knowledge, and awareness about sudden cardiac arrest, CPR, automated external defibrillator (AED) use, prior CPR and AED training, ability to perform CPR or use AED, barriers to performing/learning CPR/AED, and preferred location for attending CPR/AED courses. Descriptive analysis followed by multivariate analysis was carried out to identify predictors and barriers to learning and performing CPR. A total of 948 students completed the survey. Participants’ mean age was 20.1 (±2.1) years with 53.1% women. Less than half of participants (42.9%) were able to identify all the presenting signs of cardiac arrest. Only 33.7% of participants felt able to perform CPR when witnessing a cardiac arrest. Fewer participants (20.3%) reported receiving previous CPR training. Several perceived barriers to learning and performing CPR were also reported. Significant predictors of willingness to perform CPR when faced with a cardiac arrest were: earning higher income, previous CPR training and feeling confident in one's ability to apply an AED, or perform CPR. Lacking enough expertise in performing CPR was a significant barrier to willingness to perform CPR. University students in Lebanon are familiar with the symptoms of cardiac arrest, however, they are not well trained in CPR and lack confidence to perform it. The attitude towards the importance of bystander CPR and the need to learn CPR is very positive. Interventions should focus on public awareness campaigns regarding the importance of initiating bystander CPR while activating emergency medical services (EMS) and on making CPR training more available.