EM residents are required to complete an EMS QA project.  Should the scope of the project be sufficient, and after approval by both the EMS Section Chief (Dr. Cheney) and Residency Director (Dr. McLaughlin), this project may also provide sufficient credit for a research, community, or the Emergency Medicine quality improvement project. The project can take many forms, but in general, it should arise from an area of interest or question generated during your EMS activities. Examples of past projects include:

• Identifying a specific training need and developing a training module to address that need.

• Chart review to address specific questions; e.g., presenting rhythms in out of hospital cardiac arrest; Whether protocol was followed for certain interventions/interactions, e.g., refusal of treatment and transport; Whether spinal immobilization criteria were met in trauma patients not back-boarded.

• Chart review to identify adequate vs. inadequate documentation for specific problems.

• Policy and protocol review and active participation in developing new protocols or procedural policies.

Once you have identified an area of interest or have formulated an avenue of inquiry, you should approach one of the EMS faculty members to oversee the project. (See List of EMS faculty members page 10)  Identification of the project should be made before the third year.

Required Reading:

1.   Kuehl, Chapter 30, 54.
Note: A copy of the "Prehospital Systems and Medical Oversight" by Kuehl that can be "checked out" from the Residency Office. Please contact Sandra Mirabal @ 272-6524, SMirabal@salud.unm.edu

Each resident is required to participate in at least one case review.  This will occur in an individual or small group format with an EMS section faculty member.  Participation in several is encouraged, but not required. Sources for the cases may be literature, ride-alongs, MCEP recording, or other sources as available.  You may then research the issue and re-assemble the EMS personnel for a de-briefing and educational session.  During this month, one case will be researched and presented at resident conference or noon conference. This case should be discussed and approved by the appropriate faculty member