King County (Wash.) EMS Saves $334,000 Annually by Switching to IM Delivery of epi by EMTs

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction to an allergen, which can become life-threatening if not treated immediately with epinephrine. Epinephrine acts as a bronchodilator and vasoconstrictor to reduce the symptoms of anaphylaxis and maintain blood pressure. Patients with known anaphylaxis are typically prescribed epinephrine automatic injectors (EAIs) for personal use in the case of an anaphylactic reaction. Due to the need for rapid treatment, and because of the ease of administration, virtually all states authorize administration of epinephrine via auto-injections as part of emergency medical technician (EMT) scope of practice.1 In 1999, the Washington state legislature passed the Christine Castner Act requiring that all EMTs be trained and equipped to administer epinephrine with EAIs. Advantages of using a Check and Inject epinephrine kit (vs. an auto-injector) is that a single vial can be used for both adult and pediatric patients and repeat doses can be administered from the same vial. In 2004, King County EMS published the results of our initial three-year experience with EMT administration of EAIs.2 In 2009, partly in response to rising medication cost, the Washington state legislature allowed county medical directors to decide whether to use EAIs or to draw up 1:1000 epinephrine to administer intramuscularly (IM). In early 2014, King County began a program authorizing EMTs to draw the correct dose from a vial of epinephrine with a needle and syringe and administer...
Source: JEMS Operations - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Patient Care Operations Source Type: news