The Dalhousie University Division of EMS is proud to operate The Prehospital Evidence-based Practice (PEP) program. PEP is an online, freely accessible, repository of critically appraised evidence specific to paramedic-based Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems. It is a living review of EMS evidence updated every month with the help of our international team of evidence reviewers. We also acknowledge Nova Scotia Health and Emergency Health Services Nova Scotia for their generous support of PEP!
The purpose of PEP is to identify, catalog and critically appraise relevant studies. Following regular systematic searches of published, peer reviewed literature, two trained appraisers critically appraise included studies and assign a score on three-point Level of Evidence (LOE) and Direction of Evidence (DOE) scales. Each clinical intervention is plotted on a 3x3 (LOE x DOE) evidence matrix, which provides a summary recommendation.
PEP is the source for evidence-based practice in paramedicine
The PEP Program continues to be a leader in knowledge translation and synthesis. This year alone, PEP added 334 new studies to the website, appraised and ready to integrate into your practice. These studies have contributed to a total of 51 practice recommendation changes and 21 evidence gaps filled!
PEP evolves with the evidence, leading to 19 new interventions/sections added including: more diagnostic tools, an area for adrenal crisis care and evidence for more referral practices.
PEP is a Knowledge Synthesis Unit
The PEP Team has been hard at work on several knowledge synthesis projects. We have completed a rapid scoping review on clinical roles within the medical communications centre. This project was presented at PACE 2022 and Canadian Paramedic Research Day. We also have a large scoping review underway for Sepsis Canada on barriers and facilitators of sepsis care. Other recent knowledge synthesis work includes a review of extra-glottic airway devices, and conference abstracts on the state of the evidence for point of care lactate in sepsis care by paramedics. Stay tuned!
PEP is evolving
Progress continues on the path to update the PEP Web-Program’s user interface to make your PEP experience even more valuable! We have taken your feedback and incorporated it into our plan for PEP 2.0. Some of the innovations include search capability, an advanced search using “Build your own PICO” structure, the inclusion of more outcomes and outcomes categories for more ease of synthesis and much more!
How to get involved
