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Police Officer Response to the Injured Officer: A Survey-Based Analysis of Medical Care Decisions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Matthew D. Sztajnkrycer ,
David W. Callaway  and
Amado Alejandro Baez
Matthew D. Sztajnkrycer*
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
David W. Callaway
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Amado Alejandro Baez
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
*
Matthew Sztajnkrycer, MD, PhD Department of Emergency Medicine GEGR-G410Mayo Clinic200 First Street SWRochester MN 55901USA E-mail: sztajnkrycer.matthew@mayo.edu
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Abstract

Introduction:

No widely accepted, specialized medical training exists for police officers confronted with medical emergencies while under conditions of active threat. The purpose of this study was to assess medical decisionmaking capabilities of law enforcement personnel under these circumstances.

Methods:

Web-based surveys were administered to all sworn officers within the county jurisdiction.Thirty-eight key actions were predetermined for nine injured officer scenarios, with each correct action worth one point.Descriptive statistics and t-tests were used to analyze results.

Results:

Ninety-seven officers (65.1% response rate) responded to the survey. The majority of officers (68.0%) were trained to the first-responder level. Overall mean score for the scenarios was 15.5 ±3.6 (range 7–25). A higher level of medical training (EMT-B/P versus first responder) was associated with a higher mean score (16.6 ±3.4, p = 0.05 vs. 15.0 ±3.6, p = 0.05).Tactical unit assignment was associated with a lower score compared with nonassigned officers (13.5 ±2.9 vs. 16.0 ±3.6, p = 0.0085).No difference was noted based upon previous military experience. Ninety-two percent of respondents expressed interest in a law enforcement-oriented advanced first-aid course.

Conclusions:

Tactical medical decision-making capability, as assessed through the nine scenarios, was sub-optimal. In this post 9/11 era, development of law enforcement-specific medical training appears appropriate.

Keywords

combat lifesaverdecision-makinglaw enforcementmedicaltactical combat casualty care
Type
Brief Report
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 22 , Issue 4 , August 2007 , pp. 335 - 341
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2007

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