Can paramedics accurately recognize STEMI on prehospital ECGs to activate the cardiac catheterization laboratory?
Paramedic interpretation of prehospital ECGs has low sensitivity and specificity for STEMI, indicating it should not be solely relied upon for cath lab activation.
Despite training and a high level of confidence, the paramedics in our study were only able to identify an inferior STEMI and two normal ECGs. Given the paramedics' low sensitivity and specificity, we cannot rely solely on their ECG interpretation to activate the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Future research should involve the evaluation of training programs that include assessment, initial training, testing, feedback, and repeat training.
Mencl et al. (Tue,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: