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Cardiac (non-arrest)

EMS protocols rarely guide pads in STEMI

EMS protocol gaps for defibrillator pad placement in prehospital STEMI care
The American Journal of Emergency Medicine · Added 23 May 2026

They reviewed whether EMS protocols adequately address defibrillator pad placement in prehospital STEMI care, and found significant variability and gaps that may compromise monitoring and pacing capability during transport.

Study type

Cross-sectional

Design

Cross-sectional review of state-wide EMS protocols

Participants

30 U.S. state-wide EMS protocols

Main finding

Only 13% of protocols advised placing defibrillator pads on STEMI patients during transport, 17% suggested considering it, and 70% gave no guidance; 33% specified ECG acquisition timing and 67% emphasised early hospital notification.

Caveat

US protocols only, descriptive review without patient outcome data

Bottom line

Hypothesis-generating

Learning goal

Update my practice on proactive defibrillator pad placement for suspected STEMI patients during transport.

More

• Topic: Cardiac (non-arrest)
• Daily scan: 23 May 2026

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