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A Pilot Project Demonstrating that Combat Medics Can Safely Administer Parenteral Medications in the Emergency Department

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 August 2017

Steven G. Schauer ,
Cord W. Cunningham ,
Andrew D. Fisher  and
Robert A. DeLorenzo
Steven G. Schauer*
Affiliation:
US Army Institute of Surgical Research, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TexasUSA San Antonio Military Medical Center, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TexasUSA
Cord W. Cunningham
Affiliation:
1st Air Cavalry Brigade, Fort Hood, TexasUSA Carl R Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, TexasUSA
Andrew D. Fisher
Affiliation:
Texas A&M College of Medicine, Bryan, TexasUSA
Robert A. DeLorenzo
Affiliation:
University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, TexasUSA
*
Correspondence: Steven G. Schauer, DO, RDMS 3698 Chambers Pass Road Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234 USA E-mail: steven.g.schauer.mil@mail.mil
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Abstract

Introduction

Select units in the military have improved combat medic training by integrating their functions into routine clinical care activities with measurable improvements in battlefield care. This level of integration is currently limited to special operations units. It is unknown if regular Army units and combat medics can emulate these successes. The goal of this project was to determine whether US Army combat medics can be integrated into routine emergency department (ED) clinical care, specifically medication administration.

Project Design

This was a quality assurance project that monitored training of combat medics to administer parenteral medications and to ensure patient safety. Combat medics were provided training that included direct supervision during medication administration. Once proficiency was demonstrated, combat medics would prepare the medications under direct supervision, followed by indirect supervision during administration. As part of the quality assurance and safety processes, combat medics were required to document all medication administrations, supervising provider, and unexpected adverse events. Additional quality assurance follow-up occurred via complete chart review by the project lead.

Data

During the project period, the combat medics administered the following medications: ketamine (n=13), morphine (n=8), ketorolac (n=7), fentanyl (n=5), ondansetron (n=4), and other (n=6). No adverse events or patient safety events were reported by the combat medics or discovered during the quality assurance process.

Conclusions

In this limited case series, combat medics safely administered parenteral medications under indirect provider supervision. Future research is needed to further develop this training model for both the military and civilian setting.

SchauerSG, CunninghamCW, FisherAD, DeLorenzoRA. A Pilot Project Demonstrating that Combat Medics Can Safely Administer Parenteral Medications in the Emergency Department. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(6):679–681.

Keywords

administrationcombatemergencymedicmedication
Type
Brief Reports
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 32 , Issue 6 , December 2017 , pp. 679 - 681
Copyright
© World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2017 

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Footnotes

Conflicts of interest/disclaimer: Opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the US Department of the Air Force, the US Department of the Army, or the US Department of Defense. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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