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Description:
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ICE stands for in case of emergency . The ICE concept is simply to have people program their emergency contact information into their cell phone contact list under the acronym ICE . In this way rescuers on a scene can , if necessary , use the victims own phone to call for needed information or consent . But even if members of the public program their phones accordingly , the concept has no value if EMS providers do not utilize it . The purpose of this research project was to survey local EMS providers about their awareness , attitudes and usage of the ICE concept . After a brief presentation about the ICE program , a single -page anonymous survey was distributed to Galveston County EMS personnel during their periodic in -service training meetings . The survey asked each rescuer about his or her familiarity and experience with the ICE concept . Opinions about its utility were sought in a neutral manner . The data were collated and analyzed for trends . Overall , roughly half of rescuers surveyed were familiar with ICE , and almost all had positive attitudes towards using it in the field . Contrary to the intuitive sense that a high -tech procedure would appeal more to the young , ICE was significantly more well -received by older and more experienced rescuers . However , only one third of the personnel who knew of ICE had it programmed into their own cell phones , and fewer than 10 % had ever utilized it on an emergency call . This discrepancy illustrates the gap between knowledge and action with respect to health behaviors as described by Diffusion of Innovations Theory . Only when ICE becomes an accepted standard , much like the medic alert bracelet , will the necessary collaboration between the public and EMS providers be established . The broader purpose of this study was to restart the conversation about ICE , either positive or negative , among service providers by putting forth the example from our small corner of the world . Once a consensus about the utility of ICE is reached among rescue personnel nationwide , a more informed choice can be made about whether or not it is worthwhile to further promote the concept to the public . |