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Emergency medical services (EMS) has existed in its modern form for over 50 years. EMS has become a critical public safety net and access point to the larger health care system. Mature EMS systems are in place in most urban areas. However, EMS systems are not as developed in wilderness areas. A barrier to further development of these systems is the lack of an agreed-upon standard of minimum competence and validation of specialized practice. A practice analysis was completed to create such standards. The practice analysis was completed using a multi-step process. A group of subject matter experts constructed a survey of tasks and knowledge needed for wilderness EMS (WEMS) specialty practice. The tasks and knowledge were validated through an industry survey. A total of 947 surveys were submitted for analysis. Of these, 196 were at least 55% complete and used for analysis. North America was heavily represented as a primary practice location with 177 (90.3%) responses out of the 196 total. Of these 177 responses, 164 (92.7%) were from the United States and 12 (6.8%) were from Canada. One hundred seven of the 116 tasks identified by the subject matter expert group were passed by the survey group, and 164 of the 175 knowledge statements were passed by the survey group. An index of agreement (IOA) was calculated and found to be greater than 0.9 for each task and knowledge statement across all subgroups. A content coverage rating was also calculated and the results indicate survey participants felt the content was "adequate" to "well" covered. The survey results were used to construct a pilot examination. Beta testing of the pilot examination was performed. The beta test results were analyzed and a cut score was determined using the Angoff method with a Beuk compromise. The final product of this process is a defensible exam that will certify candidates' cognitive knowledge of the specialty of WEMS. Completion of this practice analysis solidifies WEMS as distinct subspecialty of out-of-hospital medicine. Additionally, it establishes a consensus definition of wilderness paramedicine and standards that may be used by WEMS systems and regulatory entities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractUnruptured posterior communicating artery (PCOM) aneurysms can be difficult to diagnose, and when large (≥ 7mm), represent a substantial risk to the patient. While most unruptured PCOM aneurysms are asymptomatic, when symptoms do occur, clinical manifestations typically include severe headache (HA), visual acuity loss, and cranial nerve deficit. This case report describes an atypical initial presentation of a large unruptured PCOM aneurysm with symptoms mimicking trigeminal neuralgia, without other associated cranial nerve palsies or neurologic deficits. The patient returned to the Emergency Department (ED) four days later with a HA and a cranial nerve VIII palsy.  After appropriate imaging, she was found to have a large PCOM aneurysm which was treated with surgical clipping with significant improvement in patient’s symptoms.

Wilderness medicine classes are widely available to archaeologists and field scientists, but because wilderness medicine is an unregulated field, knowing what the various courses and products mean can be difficult. Based on the education chapter in the recently published textbook Wilderness EMS, this article—written by same two authors as the book—explores a number of topics relevant for the field scientist, program director, or administrator seeking to obtain wilderness medicine training for archaeologists. The article first explores the history of wilderness medicine products and certificates available to interested parties. It then differentiates between the various products available today along with their benefits and limitations for the end user. Products and trainings described include certifications (including Wilderness First Aid [WFA], Wilderness Advanced First Aid [WAFA], Advanced Wilderness First Aid [AWFA], and Wilderness First Responder [WFR]), as well as single use or continuing education trainings (including Stop the Bleed, CPR, conference courses, and field schools). Particular attention is paid to the specific and actionable needs of a field scientist in remote areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Point-of-care ultrasound has been shown to have a demonstrable impact in the austere/out-of-hospital environment. As ultrasounds become more affordable and portable, a myriad of uses in austere environments are becoming recognized. We present a case of a stranded hiker with an ultrasound-confirmed glenohumeral joint dislocation who underwent ultrasound-guided intra-articular lidocaine injection and ultrasound-confirmed reduction. This procedure allowed the patient to hike out under his own power, avoiding the potential dangers of extrication to both patient and rescuers. We believe this case demonstrates the feasibility and utility of ultrasound in the out-of-hospital environment both procedurally and diagnostically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Wilderness Medical Society convened a panel to review available evidence supporting practices for medical direction of search and rescue teams. This panel included of members of the Wilderness Medical Society Search and Rescue Committee, the National Association of EMS Physicians Wilderness Committee, and leadership of the Mountain Rescue Association. Literature about definitions and terminology, epidemiology, currently accepted best practices, and regulatory and legal considerations was reviewed. The panel graded available evidence supporting practices according to the American College of Chest Physicians criteria and then made recommendations based on that evidence. Recommendations were based on the panel's collective clinical experience and judgment when published evidence was lacking.

The Wilderness Medical Society reconvened an expert panel to update best practice guidelines for spinal cord protection during trauma management. This panel, with membership updated in 2023, was charged with the development of evidence-based guidelines for management of the injured or potentially injured spine in wilderness environments. Recommendations are made regarding several parameters related to spinal cord protection. These recommendations are graded based on the quality of supporting evidence and balance the benefits and risks/burdens for each parameter according to American College of Chest Physicians methodology. Key recommendations include the concept that interventions should be goal-oriented (spinal cord/column protection in the context of overall patient and provider safety) rather than technique-oriented (immobilization). An evidence-based, goal-oriented approach excludes the immobilization of suspected spinal injuries via rigid collars or backboards.