Seizures are a common call for EMS systems. Often the physical manifestations of the seizure activity is over by the time we arrive; rarely do we have to manage the more serious condition of status epilepticus.
Because of its commonality, we might not consider the impact that seizures can have upon the patient, long after we managed their acute condition.
An advance like this has the potential to dramatically improve the overall health of the individual, and possibly reduce the need for emergency services.
There are also implications for EMS providers as well. It can be a challenge to administer an intravenous benzodiazepine when the patient is actively seizing.
Being able to use an auto injector can simplify the procedure and speed up the delivery time. It might also mean that terminating an active seizure might become a basic life support procedure. This can improve a system’s overall ability to respond to these common calls.
That time might be some ways off. However, it’s another interesting development in our business that benefits both patients and providers alike
