2017 Volume 20 Issue 6 Pages 703-711
Background: The acquisition of pre-hospital 12 lead Electrocardiogram (PH-ECG) is effective to reduce the Door to Balloon Time (DBT) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. However, it is unknown whether PH-ECG is in widespread use all over Japan and the ways of utilization.
Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the usage rate of PH-ECG and dissemination of its education.
Method: A questionnaire was sent to 104 Fire Departments and a survey to 38 private paramedic schools.
Result: The usage rate of PH-ECG in the prehospital setting was 49.3%, the rate of providing PH-ECG education in private paramedic schools was 18.2%. The usage rate of PH-ECG was increased from 10 in 2010 to 40 in 2016. For reasons of using PH-ECG, the differential diagnosis of ACS was the most common (34/34), and recommended regional medical control was the lowest (13/34).
Conclusion: Compared with the increase in the usage rate of PH-ECG in the pre-hospital setting, its dissemination to educational facilities was not sufficient. It is essential to construct a system for using PH-ECG in each area and its educational program.
