Jurnal Internasional Afrika vol. 9 issue 2 2019
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Waveform capnography in a South African prehospital service: Knowledge assessment of paramedics
Dublin Core
Title
Jurnal Internasional Afrika vol. 9 issue 2 2019
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Waveform capnography in a South African prehospital service: Knowledge assessment of paramedics
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Waveform capnography in a South African prehospital service: Knowledge assessment of paramedics
Subject
Waveform capnography
Paramedics
Emergency medical services
South Africa
Paramedics
Emergency medical services
South Africa
Description
Background: Waveform capnography has proven to be of great value in the provision of safe patient care
especially in the intubated patient. Although seldom available, or used in African contexts, capnography has
become standard practice in well-resourced out-of-hospital services for confirmation of intubation, and optimization
of resuscitation and ventilation. To date there has been little research into the knowledge of out-ofhospital
staff, both local and internationally, utilising capnography. This study describes the knowledge of
paramedics who use waveform capnography in the out-of-hospital environment.
Methods: A cohort of advanced life support qualified paramedics in a private ambulance service in South Africa
undertook a web-based survey around their background, training and use of capnography. Participants’
knowledge was assessed by exploring their interpretation of waveform capnography and establishing attitudes
pertaining to training and constraints of availability of capnography.
Results: Seventy eight paramedics responded, and most (91%) indicated they were likely to use capnography
when the tool was available. The majority of training in capnography had been during their primary qualification
(85%). Most participants indicated that they would like further training (91%). Use of capnography for
confirmation of endotracheal tube placement and quality of compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation
was well understood (correct in 94% and 84% respectively), while more complicated knowledge such as waveform
changes during ventilation (66%) and the effect of hypovolaemia (48%) on capnography were lacking.
Conclusion: Paramedics report using waveform capnography extensively when it is available in the South
African out-of-hospital environment. Although the knowledge around capnography and its usage was found to
be good in most areas, more complicated scenarios exposed flaws in the knowledge of many paramedics and
suggest the need for improved and ongoing training, as well as incorporation into curricula as the field develops
across the continent.
especially in the intubated patient. Although seldom available, or used in African contexts, capnography has
become standard practice in well-resourced out-of-hospital services for confirmation of intubation, and optimization
of resuscitation and ventilation. To date there has been little research into the knowledge of out-ofhospital
staff, both local and internationally, utilising capnography. This study describes the knowledge of
paramedics who use waveform capnography in the out-of-hospital environment.
Methods: A cohort of advanced life support qualified paramedics in a private ambulance service in South Africa
undertook a web-based survey around their background, training and use of capnography. Participants’
knowledge was assessed by exploring their interpretation of waveform capnography and establishing attitudes
pertaining to training and constraints of availability of capnography.
Results: Seventy eight paramedics responded, and most (91%) indicated they were likely to use capnography
when the tool was available. The majority of training in capnography had been during their primary qualification
(85%). Most participants indicated that they would like further training (91%). Use of capnography for
confirmation of endotracheal tube placement and quality of compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation
was well understood (correct in 94% and 84% respectively), while more complicated knowledge such as waveform
changes during ventilation (66%) and the effect of hypovolaemia (48%) on capnography were lacking.
Conclusion: Paramedics report using waveform capnography extensively when it is available in the South
African out-of-hospital environment. Although the knowledge around capnography and its usage was found to
be good in most areas, more complicated scenarios exposed flaws in the knowledge of many paramedics and
suggest the need for improved and ongoing training, as well as incorporation into curricula as the field develops
across the continent.
Creator
Craig Wylie, Tyson Welzel, Peter Hodkinson
Source
www.elsevier.com/locate/afjem
Publisher
afem
Date
14 January 2019
Contributor
peri irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Citation
Craig Wylie, Tyson Welzel, Peter Hodkinson, “Jurnal Internasional Afrika vol. 9 issue 2 2019
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Waveform capnography in a South African prehospital service: Knowledge assessment of paramedics,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 5, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/2396.
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Waveform capnography in a South African prehospital service: Knowledge assessment of paramedics,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 5, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/2396.