Can EMS Providers Reliably Interpret or Communicate Prehospital ECGs?
Several studies have examined the feasibility of EMS providers identifying STEMI using prehospital ECGs with or without wireless transmission.20,36,50–58 The pros and cons for computer algorithm interpretation, paramedic interpretation, and wireless transmission for physician interpretation of prehospital ECGs are summarized in Table 1. There are no data to compare the effectiveness of these different approaches for diagnostic accuracy or quality of reperfusion therapy delivered to patients with STEMI. The choice of which option to use may also be limited by the specific resources available in the community or its local geography.
