Mobile Apps & Resources: EMS

To keep you updated on the go, our ‘app of the month’ highlights one free informational app every month!

Librarian reviewers consider the audience and purpose of the apps, as well as highlighting additional features:
 
  • In the ‘Evidence’ section, we assess how easily an app user can identify the app’s currency and support from the evidence
  • In the ‘Usability’ section, we assess the organization of information and other usability factors that may contribute to user experience

Our complete grading criteria for evidence and usability are embedded in the review.

Please note that the reviewers are not healthcare professionals, and so cannot appraise the quality of any recommendations within the app. The reviews are not endorsements.

View the AHS policy on Mobile Wireless Devices and Services.

 

EMS Medical Control Protocols

 

EMS Medical Control Protocols

Reviewers

Connie Winther & Rachel Zhao

Version reviewed

2.3.1

Device & OS used

iPad mini iOS 11.2

Date of review

December 07, 2017

 

 

Image Source: AHS EMS Medical Control Protocols, Apple App Store. ​Retrieved on December 22, 2017 from https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/ahs-ems-medical-control-protocols/id413312484?mt=8 

App developer

The Essential Talk Network Incorporation

Contact

Not Listed

Devices

iPhone, iPad and iPod touch 
iOS 5.1.1 or later

Country of origin

Canada

Size

1.7 MB

Specialties/
Disciplines

Health Emergency Medicine / Emergency Medical Responders 

Comments

Includes 
- First Medical Responder (completed training in Advanced first aid, 80 hours), able to use the MFR MCPs
- Emergency Medical Responder (registered with the Alberta College of Paramedics)

 

Stated Purpose

AHS EMS ground and air practitioners follow a set of evidence-based Medical Control Protocols when providing care to patients. These protocols ensure consistent standards of care are being provided province-wide.

Protocols are clearly defined clinical treatment pathways that EMS paramedical staff will follow when providing care. MCPs are NOT guidelines. They are protocols and must be followed.

The protocols were developed by a provincial committee comprised of EMS staff, physician leadership and Alberta Health and Wellness. All protocols are evidence-based and have been reviewed by specialty experts such as emergency physicians and pediatricians. Protocols are in compliance with the Emergency Health Services Regulation.

(from: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/ahs-ems-medical-control-protocols/id413312484?mt=8)

 

Notes

 

This app includes adult and pediatric algorithms as well as necessary reference material and pharmacology information, and contains more than 180 protocols and 75 medications including infusion charts, resource information, and provincial contacts.

The information contained in the AHS EMS Medical Control Protocols App is intended for use by emergency medical practitioners governed by Alberta Health Services or STARS.

The main features include:
(*) Quick navigation to critical information
(*) Search capability
(*) Portrait and landscape viewing
(*) No subscription required
(*) Ability to enter your own Notes on a Protocol
(*) Favorites
(*) Offline access

(from: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/ahs-ems-medical-control-protocols/id413312484?mt=8 )

 

 

Part 1: Editorial committee, content updates, and evidence grading

Entries are not dated. Author names are not provided. There is information about the app in the App Store or Google Play, but not in the app. Some contents have a reference section where the reference is graded. The grading is explained.

Part 2: Source and authorship information for 3 entries

There are three major categories. Evidence syntheses in two of them – Medical First Response Protocols and Critical Care MCPs (v2.0) don’t have citations. Syntheses in Medical Control Protocols (v2.3) have citation lists, but not in-text citations. 

No author information with any of the entries.

 

Organization of  information: 

Information organized according to type of emergency response (which also indicates appropriate user). Protocols  are shown first, additional information is according to tabs along the bottom. 

Navigation:

Not a great deal of options, but seems easy to navigate due to the simplicity of the function.

Internet connection required for use: No; Text search field: Yes; Browsable content: Yes; Advertisements: No; Pop-up advertisements: No; In-app purchases: No

 

 

None