INTRODUCTION: No widely accepted, specialized medical training exists for police officers confronted with medical emergencies while under conditions of active threat. The purpose of this study was to assess medical decision-making capabilities of law enforcement personnel under these circumstances. METHODS: Web-based surveys were administered to all sworn officers within the county jurisdiction. Thirty-eight key actions were predetermined for nine injured officer scenarios, with each correct action worth one point. Descriptive statistics and t-tests were used to analyze results. RESULTS: Ninety-seven officers (65.1% response rate) responded to the survey. The majority of officers (68.0%) were trained to the first-responder level. Overall mean score for the scenarios was 15.5 +/- 3.6 (range 7-25). A higher level of medical training (EMT-B/P versus first responder) was associated with a higher mean score (16.6 +/- 3.4, p = 0.05 vs. 15.0 +/- 3.6, p = 0.05). Tactical unit assignment was associated with a lower score compared with non-assigned officers (13.5 +/- 2.9 vs. 16.0 +/- 3.6, p = 0.0085). No difference was noted based upon previous military experience. Ninety-two percent of respondents expressed interest in a law enforcement-oriented advanced first-aid course. CONCLUSIONS: Tactical medical decision-making capability, as assessed through the nine scenarios, was sub-optimal. In this post 9/11 era, development of law enforcement-specific medical training appears appropriate.
INTRODUCTION: No widely accepted, specialized medical training exists for police officers confronted with medical emergencies while under conditions of active threat. The purpose of this study was to assess medical decision-making capabilities of law enforcement personnel under these circumstances. METHODS: Web-based surveys were administered to all sworn officers within the county jurisdiction. Thirty-eight key actions were predetermined for nine injured officer scenarios, with each correct action worth one point. Descriptive statistics and t-tests were used to analyze results. RESULTS: Ninety-seven officers (65.1% response rate) responded to the survey. The majority of officers (68.0%) were trained to the first-responder level. Overall mean score for the scenarios was 15.5 +/- 3.6 (range 7-25). A higher level of medical training (EMT-B/P versus first responder) was associated with a higher mean score (16.6 +/- 3.4, p = 0.05 vs. 15.0 +/- 3.6, p = 0.05). Tactical unit assignment was associated with a lower score compared with non-assigned officers (13.5 +/- 2.9 vs. 16.0 +/- 3.6, p = 0.0085). No difference was noted based upon previous military experience. Ninety-two percent of respondents expressed interest in a law enforcement-oriented advanced first-aid course. CONCLUSIONS: Tactical medical decision-making capability, as assessed through the nine scenarios, was sub-optimal. In this post 9/11 era, development of law enforcement-specific medical training appears appropriate.
Authors: Gift G Lukumay; Menti L Ndile; Anne H Outwater; Dickson A Mkoka; Mojgan Padyab; Britt-Inger Saveman; Susann Backteman-Erlanson Journal: BMC Emerg Med Date: 2018-11-20