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The Prehospital Use of Albuterol Inhalation Treatments

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Eric A. Vonderohe ,
James H. Jones ,
Roland B. McGrath  and
Leon H. Bell
Eric A. Vonderohe
Affiliation:
Wright State University School of Medicine, Affiliated Residency in Emergency Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, USA
James H. Jones
Affiliation:
Wright State University School of Medicine, Affiliated Residency in Emergency Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, USA
Roland B. McGrath*
Affiliation:
Wright State University School of Medicine, Affiliated Residency in Emergency Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, USA
Leon H. Bell
Affiliation:
Wright State University School of Medicine, Affiliated Residency in Emergency Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, USA
*
Wright State University School of Medicine, Emergency Medicine Department, PO Box 927, Dayton OH 5401-0927 USA
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Abstract

The use of bronch odilators in the prehospital EMS setting is common. This study examined the safety of the administration of 2.5 mg albuterol using a hand-held nebulizer for the treatment of such patients.

A total of 55 patients were included. Following treatment, peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) increased a mean of 27 L/min, ventilatory rate decreased four breaths/min, heart rate decreased slightly, and systolic blood pressure increased 10 mmHg. Five of the 53 patients in whom cardiac rhythm was monitored, had premature ventricular complexes prior to treatment; only one did following therapy. Breath sounds improved in 61% and were unchanged in 39%. Breathing was reported by the patient as improved in 51 of the 53 (93%) and only one felt worse. Adverse reactions were reported in 15%, but none were severe. This study shows that albuterol (2.5 mg) administration by hand-held nebulizer is both safe and efficacious in the prehospital setting.

Type
Brief Report
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 6 , Issue 3 , September 1991 , pp. 327 - 330
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 1991

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