Can paramedics accurately identify abnormal heart sounds?
Date First Published:
May 21, 2015
Last Updated:
May 29, 2015
Report by:
Tom Mallinson, Doctor, Paramedic (College of Paramedics)
Three-Part Question:
Can [paramedics] accurately [identify abnormal heart sounds] in [adult patients]?
Clinical Scenario:
You are a paramedic assessing a patient with difficulty in breathing. On auscultation you think you hear a third heart sound. You wonder how accurate paramedics are at identifying abnormal heart sounds.
Search Strategy:
Ovid MEDLINE(R) In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations May 26, 2015 & Database Field Guide Ovid MEDLINE(R) 1946 to May Week 3 2015 & Database Field Guide Ovid OLDMEDLINE(R) 1946 to 1965.
Search Details:
(paramedic.mp. OR exp Allied Health Personnel/ OR exp Emergency Medical Services/ OR prehospital.mp. OR pre-hospital.mp.) AND (cardiac auscultation.mp. OR exp Heart Auscultation/)
Outcome:
This strategy N=20.
Removal of non-english n=19.
After review of abstracts for relevance n=10.
Removal of non-english n=19.
After review of abstracts for relevance n=10.