Improvements in technology for delivering patient care and conducting medical procedures have strengthened Emergency Medical Services Technologies (EMSTs). As a result of globalization, innovations have spread to various parts of the globe, fostering the adoption of EMST. According to Bullock (15), medical professionals need technical devices that enable them to provide services quickly and effectively to restore patients' stable conditions. The risk of emergencies, such as natural disasters, infectious disease epidemics, and the lack of sufficient clinical responses, necessitates appropriate strategies for resolving the health issues that are likely to impact patients. Health professionals have voiced their concerns about the need to strengthen curative, preventive, and drug needs. This paper explains the concepts of EMST, the current technologies, and a research design, which will be used to conduct a study that examines the use of the technology in healthcare organizations.
Current Trends in EMTS
I-Gel Supraglottic Airway According to Graff, Gerald, Cathy Birkenstein, and Russel (3), there has been an increased need to determine the most suitable device that can be used to resuscitate patients in emergency. This has led to the innovation of i-gel supraglottic airway. This is an innovative supraglottic device that is placed in the airway and enables the performance of intersurgical operations. It constitutes a major development in the use of EMST since the creation of the laryngeal mask airway, resulting in a change in the manner in which airway management takes place and its use in promoting resuscitation. It is developed using thermoplastic elastomers and enables the creation of non-inflatable, anatomical protection of the pharyngeal, and perilarngeal structures in order to prevent trauma (Audrey et al). This technology has been implemented since 2007 after research and testing showed its viability in contributing to anesthetic impacts on patients who have seizures. The relevance of this technology during emergency is its ability to promote the resuscitation of patients who are in a coma so that further treatment can be provided (Hsieh). ROVER Kit ROVER Kit is an emergency response innovation which enables the provision of a number of services such as medication, prevention of hemorrhage, monitoring pulse rate, and improving the restoration of health of a patient in a remote area where access to quality medical services is not readily available. Its advantage is the fact that it contains a number of requirements for the provision of first aid to patients and it is easily portable (Graff et al. 14). It can be obtained in different configurations, but its basic loads include for major first aid equipment, such as a tool, a chest seal, a CAR tourniquet, a pair of shears, and a triage tag. It is also composed of military-style litters which enable rapid extrication of patients to an area of treatment and a module for managing the provision of care to patients and their disposition. The technology is regarded as being relevant in the provision of intricate patients care with life-threatening injuries, and those who are awaiting to receive the services of emergency medical teams before they are transferred to a safe environment where they can be provided with advanced care services. Tempus Pro According to Davis (8), there has been increased Research and Development to determine a mechanism of improving the effectiveness of vital functions of patient's organs. This has led to the innovation in Tempus Pro, which is a light and small touch-screen device that enables monitoring of diagnosis of patients in an emergency medical services environment. It represents a touch screen patient monitor which has the ability to pack a significant amount of capabilities in a compact device. Its major components are: a 4-lead or 12-lead ECG monitor, Et02 monitor, a blood pressure monitor, in-built video laryngoscopy, and ultrasound mechanism. Other types of Tempus pro have capabilities such as wireless network connectivity, full USB and pdf exporting functions, and video and image recording functions. Previously it was majorly used for the purpose of providing emergency medical services to the military but its functions have been diversified to include EMS services which address the needs of civilians during services at the back of the ambulance (Davis 10). It uses a battery with a functioning capacity of 10-plus hours for use in telemedicine functions. It is useful for the provision of paramedicine programs in the community and conducting discharge and follow-up assessments or patients monitoring. It is advantageous to use due to its low weight of only 3.2 kg and has a slender profile which enables the achievement of flexibility during its use. Ease of use is demonstrated by its characteristics such as: the existence of a large day-light readable color display which has a number of options for display of information, compatibility for night vision in hostile environments, and its intuitiveness for use by hand-held gloves (Hsieh). Research Methodology To conduct a study focusing on the research topic, a secondary study will be conducted that focuses on the current technological devices which enable the achievement of improved provision of medical services to patients. The study will incorporate a search in secondary materials of recent web-based articles which observe the current topic and technologies in EMS. The keywords to be used in research, include: emergency medical services and medical technologies. The study will examine the themes and ideas presented in the articles, and analyze using data analysis techniques, such as reliability and validity. Reliability of the study will be ensured by conducting a search in databases which provide the perspectives of different scholars which will be compared to determine the extent to which they answer the research topic. Internal validity analysis will be determined by establishing the extent to which standardized procedures have been used when collecting data from the articles and obtaining their arguments. External validity will be measured in terms of the applicability of the findings in real-life experiences such as the relevance of technologies in the provision of emergency services to target patients. Possible Research Questions The research questions the study will examine, are:
I. What are the current topics relating to EMS concerning the use of technological devices?
II. What latest technological devices can be used to provide emergency services to patients?
III. What advantages are likely to be achieved as a result of using technological devices in the provision of healthcare support to patients in emergency situation?
Topic for the Final Paper The likely research topic to be examined in the final paper: The latest topics and technologies that are in use to promote the quality of EMS in medical practice.
Work Cited
Audrey A. Reichard, Gamunu U. Wijetunge, Suzanne M. Marsh, Srinivas Konda, 2017. 5 Causes of High Injury Rate in EMS Providers, 2017, November [Online] Available at: https://www.ems1.com/injury-prevention/articles/359102048-5-causes-of-high-injury-rate-in-EMS-providers/ Accessed November 18, 2017.
Bullock, Richard. Little Seagull Handbook. S.l.: W W Norton, 2016.
Davis, J. 2016. 3 Innovative Products Showcased at EMS Today, 2016, March [Online] Available at: https://www.ems1.com/ems-products/medical-equipment/airway-management/articles/2117983-3-innovative-products-showcased-at-EMS-Today/ Accessed November 18, 2017.
Graff, Gerald, Cathy Birkenstein, and Russel K. Durst. They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, with Readings. Norton, W. W. & Company, 2017.
Hsieh, Arthur, 2016. 6 EMS Trends that Shaped 2016. EMS News in Focus, 2016, December [Online] Available at: https://www.ems1.com/ems-education/articles/153498048-6-EMS-trends-that-shaped-2016/ Accessed November 18, 2017.
