Fascia iliaca compartment blocks by paramedics for suspected proximal femoral fracture in the prehospital setting: a rapid scoping review

Bray, J., Pritchard, C. ORCID: 0000-0002-1143-9751, Sumera, K. and Webster, C.A. ORCID: 0000-0002-9428-6833, 2024. Fascia iliaca compartment blocks by paramedics for suspected proximal femoral fracture in the prehospital setting: a rapid scoping review. Critical Care Innovations, 7 (3), pp. 35-47. ISSN 2545-2533

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Abstract

Introduction: Over 70,000 cases of Proximal Femoral Fracture (PFF) occur annually in the United Kingdom (UK), primarily affecting the elderly. These injuries are associated with high morbidity and mortality, and often see inadequate pain management in the prehospital setting. The Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block (FICB), a regional anaesthesia technique, is the gold standard of care in Emergency Departments (ED). This review aims to assess the literature on paramedic-performed FICB for suspected PFF in the prehospital setting, highlighting benefits and challenges to guide future practice and policy in the ambulance sector.

Materials and methods: A rapid scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology, with modifications for this project’s limitations. A systematic search of the databases CINHAL, PubMed, EMBASE, and Medline was performed. A synthesis matrix was created to extrapolate data from the included studies and allow for a coherent interpretation of results. Each included study was subject to a critical appraisal conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).

Results: Data was extracted from three studies and two reports which identified four key themes emerged: paramedic competency in performing FICB, patient perspectives, adverse events, and training and governance. Studies showed paramedics can competently perform FICBs in prehospital settings. Verbal pain scores were lower following an FICB compared to standard care with IV morphine, which required more supplementary morphine for break-out pain. Concern for causing harm was a consistent theme among the paramedics performing FICB, particularly in precipitating an adverse event sequela. Adverse events were more common in non-FICB groups, with only one case of local anaesthetic toxicity in the FICB group, which was correctly managed by the paramedic.

Conclusions: Paramedics can competently perform FICB in the prehospital setting, showing promising results in pain relief compared to intravenous morphine. However, higher-level research is needed for confirmation. Patients generally tolerated paramedic-led FICB well, with minimal concerns. Training and governance remain significant barriers to implementing FICB in local ambulance services.

Item Type: Journal article
Publication Title: Critical Care Innovations
Creators: Bray, J., Pritchard, C., Sumera, K. and Webster, C.A.
Publisher: Towarzystwo Pomocy Doraźnej
Date: 30 September 2024
Volume: 7
Number: 3
ISSN: 2545-2533
Identifiers:
NumberType
10.32114/CCI.2024.7.3.35.47DOI
2233608Other
Rights: © 2024 The Authors. This article is an Open Access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the CC BY-NC license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Divisions: Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by: Laura Ward
Date Added: 01 Oct 2024 08:22
Last Modified: 01 Oct 2024 08:22
URI: https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/52330

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