Indianapolis EMS is partnering for a study aimed at standardizing the process for paramedics to administer seizure medication to children. The results of this study could lead to substantial improvements in outcomes for childhood seizures.
Seizures are one of the most common reasons for people to call for an ambulance for a child, and those that don’t stop on their own can be life-threatening. Paramedics currently have medications available to treat seizures, but delays can occur due to having to calculate how much to administer or how to administer it. The Pediatric Dose Optimization for Seizures in EMS (PediDOSE) trial will evaluate if an age-based, calculation-free method of quickly giving the right medication dose improves outcomes in children. Participating agencies will replace the conventional methods for calculating the midazolam dose, the drug most commonly used to treat seizures, with a new standardized treatment plan. The study will focus on children six months to 13 years of age, who are experiencing seizures and being treated and transported by IEMS.
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“In medical emergencies, a paramedic is usually the very first contact with the patient and they are qualified to administer life-saving medications on scene,” said Nancy Glober, M.D., IEMS deputy medical director. “We are hopeful that the results of this PediDOSE study will provide new guidance to decrease the time needed to determine and administer the appropriate dose of midazolam needed to stop a pediatric seizure, therefore improving the chance of a positive outcome.”
IEMS is one of 20 EMS organizations across the country participating in this study, which will enroll patients for approximately four years. Participating EMS agencies will be randomly assigned a timeline for adopting the standardized treatment plan. This will allow researchers to compare the new standardized treatment plan to current methods and ensure safe implementation of the new standardized protocol.
“When seconds count, administering the appropriate medication or treatment quickly means everything,” said Gregory Faris, MD, IEMS pediatric medical director. “We are excited to be part of this important study, which could greatly impact our seizure treatment protocols.”
The official start date of the study in Marion County is still to be determined and participants will be enrolled under an exception from informed consent process that follows federal rules for emergency research.
