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Schürmann J, Michael M, Picker O, Bieler D, Heitkötter K, Tremmel T, Schnäbelin B, Bernhard M. [Development of violence-associated penetrating trauma in the Düsseldorf metropolitan region over a 5-year period (GewPen study)]. DIE ANAESTHESIOLOGIE 2024; 73:444-453. [PMID: 38777920 PMCID: PMC11222214 DOI: 10.1007/s00101-024-01420-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Penetrating injuries are a rare but recurring emergency situation in the out-of-hospital and in-hospital emergency settings. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and characteristics of injuries associated with penetrating violence across a German metropolitan region over a 5-year period. MATERIAL AND METHODS In the retrospective study, a database query of the control center of the Düsseldorf rescue service area was used to identify and descriptively analyze all rescue service operations with penetrating violence-associated injuries in the years 2015, 2017, and 2019. For those patients who were transferred to the major trauma center, a further analysis of the in-hospital course was performed. RESULTS In the 3 years 2015, 2017 and 2019 a total of 266 patients (age: 33 ± 14 years, male: 79%) could be recorded (2015 vs. 2017 vs. 2019: n = 81 vs. n = 93 vs. n = 92, respectively). The most common age group involved had an age range of 15-34 years. A particularly higher frequency of emergency calls was found for the areas of Old Town, City Center, and one other district (Oberbilk). A high frequency of rescue missions was found in the nights from Saturday to Sunday between 20.00 p.m. and 04.00 a.m. Rescue missions with emergency physicians on board increased over the years (2015 vs. 2019: 27 vs. 42%, p = 0.04). The primary weapons used were knives (56%), broken glass bottles (18%) and broken glasses (6%). Out of all patients 71 (27%, injury severity score 11 ± 14) were admitted to the major trauma center. Among these patients, the proportion of immediate surgical care (2015 vs. 2019: 20% vs. 35%, p < 0.05) and positive alcohol detection increased over the years (2015 vs. 2019: 10% vs. 43%, p < 0.05). The 30-day mortality in the 3 years studied was 1.1% (n = 3). CONCLUSION Penetrating injuries associated with violence are relevant but rare rescue missions. Future care strategies should focus on deployment of rescue resources close to the scene of the incident ("old town guard", central station), and prevention strategies should focus on weapon prohibition zones. A control of alcohol consumption should be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jutta Schürmann
- Zentrale Notaufnahme, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
| | - Mark Michael
- Zentrale Notaufnahme, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
| | - Olaf Picker
- Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
| | - Dan Bieler
- Klinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
- Klinik für Unfallchirurgie und Orthopädie, Wiederherstellungs- und Handchirurgie, Verbrennungsmedizin, Bundeswehrzentralkrankenhaus Koblenz, Koblenz, Deutschland
| | | | | | - Bernd Schnäbelin
- Referat für Rettungswesen und Gesundheitlicher Bevölkerungsschutz, Ministerium für Arbeit, Gesundheit und Soziales des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
| | - Michael Bernhard
- Zentrale Notaufnahme, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Deutschland.
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Ulvin OE, Skjærseth EÅ, Krüger AJ, Thorsen K, Nordseth T, Haugland H. Can video communication in the emergency medical communication centre improve dispatch precision? A before-after study in Norwegian helicopter emergency medical services. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e077395. [PMID: 37899141 PMCID: PMC10618992 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Dispatching helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) to the patients with the greatest medical or logistical benefit remains challenging. The introduction of video calls (VC) in the emergency medical communication centres (EMCC) could provide additional information for EMCC operators and HEMS physicians when assessing the need for HEMS dispatch. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact from VC in the EMCC on HEMS dispatch precision. DESIGN An observational before-after study. SETTING The regional EMCC and one HEMS base in Mid-Norway. PARTICIPANTS EMCC operators and HEMS physicians at the EMCC and HEMS base in Trondheim, Norway. INTERVENTION In January 2022, VC became available in emergency calls in Trondheim EMCC. Data were collected from 2020 2021 (pre-intervention) and 2022 (post-intervention). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was the proportion of seriously ill or injured HEMS patients, defined as a National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) score between 4 and 7. The secondary outcome was the proportion of inappropriate dispatches, defined as missions with neither provision of additional competence nor any logistical contribution based on quality indicators for physician-staffed emergency medical services. RESULTS 811 and 402 HEMS missions with patient contact were included in the pre- and post-intervention group, respectively. The proportion of missions with NACA 4-7 was not significantly changed after the intervention (OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.61, p=0.17). There was no significant change in HEMS alarm times between the pre- and post-intervention groups (7.6 min vs 6.4 min, p=0.15). The proportion of missions with neither medical nor logistical benefit was significantly lower in the post-intervention group (28.4% vs 40.3%, p=0.007). CONCLUSION The results from this study indicate that VC is a promising, feasible and safe tool for EMCC operators in the complex HEMS dispatch process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ole Erik Ulvin
- Department of Research and Development, Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Pre-hospital Services, St Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Eivinn Årdal Skjærseth
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Pre-hospital Services, St Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Andreas J Krüger
- Department of Research and Development, Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Pre-hospital Services, St Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Kjetil Thorsen
- Department of Research and Development, Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Oslo, Norway
| | - Trond Nordseth
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Research and Development, Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Helge Haugland
- Department of Research and Development, Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Pre-hospital Services, St Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
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Evaluation of the discriminative performance of the prehospital National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics score regarding 48-h mortality. Eur J Emerg Med 2020; 26:366-372. [PMID: 30308574 DOI: 10.1097/mej.0000000000000578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) score is used by many emergency medical services to assess the severity of prehospital patients. Little is known about its discriminative performance regarding short-term mortality. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS We retrospectively included adult missions between 2008 and 2014 in a Swiss ground and air-based emergency medical services. We excluded uninjured or dead-on-scene patients. Primary outcome was assessment of the discriminative performance of the NACA score to classify the 48-h vital status of patients. Overall discrimination was quantified using the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). We also explored the influence of epidemiological characteristics (age and sex), mechanism (trauma or nontrauma) and clinical parameters (respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, capillary refill time, and Glasgow Coma Scale) on its discriminative performance. We then assessed the incremental value of these variables in the classification accuracy of a rule based on these variables in addition to the NACA score. RESULTS We included 11 567 patients out of 11 639 (72 exclusions for missing data). Overall AUC was 0.86. The score was more discriminant for trauma (AUC = 0.95 vs. 0.83), and for younger patients (AUC = 0.91 for 16-59 vs. 0.78 for 84-104 years). Adding age, sex, mechanism, and clinical parameters resulted in a classification rule with higher discriminative performance than NACA score alone (AUC of 0.92 vs. 0.86; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The NACA score is an efficient way to discriminate victims regarding short-term mortality. Its performance can be enhanced by also integrating epidemiological and clinical parameters into an extended classification rule.
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Goedecke M, Kühn F, Stratos I, Vasan R, Pertschy A, Klar E. No need for surgery? Patterns and outcomes of blunt abdominal trauma. Innov Surg Sci 2019; 4:100-107. [PMID: 31709301 PMCID: PMC6817729 DOI: 10.1515/iss-2018-0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The management of a patient suffering from blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) remains a challenge for the emergency physician. Within the last few years, the standard therapy for hemodynamically stable patients with BAT has transitioned to a non-operative approach. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcome of patients with BAT and to determine the reasons for failure of non-operative management (NOM). Materials and methods Analysis of 176 consecutive patients treated for BAT was conducted in a German level 1 trauma center from 2004 to 2011. Abdominal injuries were classified according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST). Patients included were demonstrated to have objective abdominal trauma with either free fluid on focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) or computed tomography (CT), or proven organ injury. Results Patients, 142 of 176 (80.7%), with BAT were initially managed non-operatively, with a success rate of 90%. The rates of NOM success were higher among those with less severe injuries; 100% with Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) of 1. In total, 125 patients (71.0%) were managed non-operatively, and 51 (29.0%) required surgical intervention. NOM failure occurred in 9.2% of the patients, the most common reason being initially undiagnosed intestinal perforation (46.2%). Positive correlation was identified (r = 0.512; p < 0.001) between the ISS (injury severity score) and the NACA (National Advisory Committee of Aeronautics) score. The delay in operation in NOM failure was 6 h in patients with underlying hepatic or splenic rupture and 34 h with intestinal perforation. The overall mortality of 5.1% was attributed especially to old age (p = 0.016), high severity of injury (p < 0.001), and greater need for blood transfusion (p < 0.001). Conclusion NOM was successful for the vast majority of blunt abdominal trauma patients, especially those with less severe injuries. NOM failure and operative delay were most commonly due to occult hollow viscus injury (HVI), the detection of which was achieved by close clinical observation and abdominal ultrasound in conjunction with monitoring for rising markers of infection and by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) if additionally indicated. Based on this concept, the delay in operation in patients with NOM failure was short. This study underscores the feasibility and benefit of NOM in BAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Goedecke
- Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Transplantation Surgery, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universitätzu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Florian Kühn
- Department of General, Thoracic, Vascular and Transplantation Surgery, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ioannis Stratos
- Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Robin Vasan
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Annette Pertschy
- Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Transplantation Surgery, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Ernst Klar
- Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Transplantation Surgery, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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Weinlich M, Martus P, Blau MB, Wyen H, Walcher F, Piatek S, Schüttrumpf JP. Competitive advantage gained from the use of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) for trauma patients: Evaluation of 1724 patients. Injury 2019; 50:1028-1035. [PMID: 30591228 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2018.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to analyze helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) in comparison to EMS, in respect to patient's mortality and morbidity. DESIGN From a cohort of traumatized patients (n = 1724) prospectively enrolled in the German trauma registry (DGU-R) at Frankfurt University Hospital from 2009 to 2013, 1646 could be analyzed for in-hospital mortality and short-term outcome (GOS) at discharge and compared between HEMS and EMS. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS 129 patients (7.8%) died in the hospital. Unadjusted mortality was significantly lower in the HEMS group compared to EMS (p = 0.001). In a multiple logistic regression analysis after adjustment of variables including reanimation and age as the strongest predictors, in-hospital mortality was significantly reduced in HEMS (p = 0.014, OR = 0.21). Further predictors in the multiple logistic regression analysis were GCS > = 8 (p = 0.001), RRsys (p < 0.001), ISS at Head/Neck > = 3 (p = 0.003), and total ISS > = 9 (p < 0.001). Total rescue time and on scene time were associated with mortality (p < 0.001) but not included in the multiple logistic regression model. Without adjustment, short-term outcome (GOS) was significantly improved (p = 0.014). In a linear model, after adjusting for multiple variables including age, ISS Head/Neck > = 3, ISS Extremities > = 3, GCS > = 8, and RRsys as the strongest predictors (p < 0.001), the association remained significant (p = 0.043). Further predictors in the multiple linear regression analysis were total ISS > = 9 (p = 0.002), ISS abdomen (p = 0.001), and ISS Chest (p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS A significant improvement for in-hospital survival for HEMS could be demonstrated. Especially in Germany, with a high number of secondary call outs (about 44%) after EMS has already reached the traumatized patient, HEMS must be the first choice for severely injured trauma patients. Dispatch criteria for immediate alarm of HEMS are recommended under practical considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Weinlich
- University of Magdeburg, Dept. of Trauma Surgery, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - P Martus
- University of Tübingen, Medical Center, Otfried-Müller Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - M B Blau
- University of Tübingen, Medical Center, Otfried-Müller Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - H Wyen
- University of Frankfurt, Dept. of Traumatology, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - F Walcher
- University of Magdeburg, Dept. of Trauma Surgery, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - S Piatek
- University of Magdeburg, Dept. of Trauma Surgery, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - J P Schüttrumpf
- University of Magdeburg, Dept. of Trauma Surgery, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
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Pietsch U, Strapazzon G, Ambühl D, Lischke V, Rauch S, Knapp J. Challenges of helicopter mountain rescue missions by human external cargo: need for physicians onsite and comprehensive training. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2019; 27:17. [PMID: 30760298 PMCID: PMC6374883 DOI: 10.1186/s13049-019-0598-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Human external cargo (HEC) extrication during helicopter rescue missions is commonly used in mountain emergency medical services. Furthermore, longline or winch operations offer the opportunity to deliver professional medical care onsite. As the safety and quality of emergency medical care depends on training and experience, we aimed to investigate characteristics of mountain rescue missions with HEC. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all rescue missions conducted by Air Zermatt (a commercial rescue service in the high-alpine region of Switzerland) from January 2010 to September 2016. Results Out of 11,078 rescue missions 1137 (10%) required a HEC rescue. In 3% (n = 29) rapid sequence induction and endotracheal intubation, in 2% (n = 14) cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and in 0.4% (n = 3) a chest tube insertion had to be performed onsite prior to HEC extraction. The most common medical intervention onsite is analgesia or analgosedation, in 17% (n = 142) fentanyl or ketamine was used in doses of ≥ 0.2 mg or ≥ 50 mg, respectively. Conclusions As these interventions have to be performed in challenging terrain, with reduced personnel resources, and limited monitoring, our results point out the need for physicians onsite who are clinically experienced in these procedures and specially and intensively trained for the specific characteristics and challenges of HEC rescue missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urs Pietsch
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Rorschacher Strasse 95, 9007, St. Gallen, Switzerland. .,Air Zermatt, Emergency Medical Service, 3920, Zermatt, Switzerland. .,Bergwacht Schwarzwald, Hessen, Bayern, Germany.
| | - Giacomo Strapazzon
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bozen, Italy.,CNSAS Italian Mountain Rescue, Milan, Italy
| | - Dimitri Ambühl
- Medical School, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Volker Lischke
- Air Zermatt, Emergency Medical Service, 3920, Zermatt, Switzerland.,Bergwacht Schwarzwald, Hessen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Simon Rauch
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bozen, Italy.,Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Jürgen Knapp
- Air Zermatt, Emergency Medical Service, 3920, Zermatt, Switzerland.,Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
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Pannatier M, Delhumeau C, Walder B. Comparison of two prehospital predictive models for mortality and impaired consciousness after severe traumatic brain injury. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2019; 63:74-85. [PMID: 30117150 DOI: 10.1111/aas.13229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The primary aim was to investigate the performance of a National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics based predictive model (NACA-BM) for mortality at 14 days and a reference model using motor GCS (GCS-RM). The secondary aim was to compare the models for impaired consciousness of survivors at 14 days (IC-14; GCS ≤ 13). METHODS Patients ≥16 years having sustained TBI with an abbreviated injury scale score of head region (HAIS) of >3 were included. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to test models for death and IC-14. The discrimination was assessed using area under the receiver-operating curves (AUROCs); noninferiority margin was -5% between the AUROCs. Calibration was assessed using the Hosmer Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test. RESULTS Six hundred and seventy seven patients were included. The median age was 54 (IQR 32-71). The mortality rate was 31.6%; 99 of 438 surviving patients (22.6%) had an IC-14. Discrimination of mortality was 0.835 (95%CI 0.803-0.867) for the NACA-BM and 0.839 (0.807-0.872) for the GCS-RM; the difference of the discriminative ability was -0.4% (-2.3% to +1.7%). Calibration was appropriate for the NACA-BM (χ2 8.42; P = 0. 393) and for the GCS-RM (χ2 3.90; P = 0. 866). Discrimination of IC-14 was 0.757 (0.706-0.808) for the NACA-BM and 0.784 (0.734-0.835) for the GCS-RM; the difference of the discriminative ability was -2.5% (-7.8% to +2.6%). Calibration was appropriate for the NACA-BM (χ2 10.61; P = 0.225) and for the GCS-RM (χ2 6.26; P = 0.618). CONCLUSIONS Prehospital prediction of mortality after TBI was good with both models, and the NACA-BM was not inferior to the GCS-RM. Prediction of IC-14 was moderate in both models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Pannatier
- Division of Anaesthesiology; University Hospitals of Geneva; Geneva Switzerland
| | - Cécile Delhumeau
- Division of Anaesthesiology; University Hospitals of Geneva; Geneva Switzerland
| | - Bernhard Walder
- Division of Anaesthesiology; University Hospitals of Geneva; Geneva Switzerland
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Resuscitation room management of critically ill nontraumatic patients in a German emergency department (OBSERvE-study). Eur J Emerg Med 2018; 25:e9-e17. [PMID: 29406398 DOI: 10.1097/mej.0000000000000543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Management of critically ill nontrauma (CINT) patients in the resuscitation room (RR) of the emergency department (ED) is very challenging. Detailed data describing the characteristics and management of this population are lacking. This observational study describes the epidemiology, management and outcome in CINT ED patients in the RR. PATIENTS AND METHODS From September 2014 to August 2015, data were collected prospectively on adult CINT patients admitted to the RR of a single German University ED. Patient characteristics, out-of-hospital/in-hospital treatment, admission-related diseases, time intervals for diagnostics and interventions plus outcome were recorded using a self-developed questionnaire. RESULTS A total of 34 303 patients were admitted to the ED; of these 21 074 patients were admitted for nontrauma emergencies and because of acute life-threatening problems. Five hundred and thirty-two CINT patients were admitted to the RR (median age: 71 years, 58.3% men). The main problems on admission were obstructed airway (3.8%, A), respiratory insufficiency (26.5%, B), shock (35.5%, C), unconsciousness (33.3%, D) or other (0.9%, E). Out-of-hospital and in-hospital management included intravenous access (96.8 vs. 76.9%), 12-lead ECG (50.0 vs. 86.5%), invasive airway management (30.1 vs. 27.1%), noninvasive and invasive ventilation (7.0 vs. 16.4% and 30.1 vs. 57.2%), catecholamines (16.2 vs. 24.1%), arterial line (0.2 vs. 58.1%) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (18.4 vs. 12.2%). The mean length of stay was 34±24 min. At day 30, all-cause mortality was 34.2% (patients with and without cardiopulmonary resuscitation: 72.7 vs. 24.0%, P<0.001). CONCLUSION Observation of critically ill patients in the resuscitation room of the Emergency Department shows the challenge of care for CINT patients in the ED. With high levels of mortality, there is an urgent need for structured ED management guidelines.
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The impact of the patient's initial NACA score on subjective and physiological indicators of workload during pre-hospital emergency care. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0202215. [PMID: 30092090 PMCID: PMC6084954 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Excessive workload may impair patient safety. However, little is known about emergency care providers' workload during the treatment of life-threatening cases including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that subjective and physiological indicators of workload are associated with the patient's initial NACA score and that workload is particularly high during CPR. METHODS NASA task load index (NASA-tlx) and alarm codes were obtained for 216 sorties of pre-hospital emergency medical care. Furthermore, initial NACA scores of 140 patients were extracted from the physicians' protocols. The physiological workload indicators mean heart rate (HR) and permutation entropy (PeEn) were calculated for 51 sorties of primary care. General linear mixed models were used to analyze the association of NACA scores with subjective (NASA-tlx) and physiological (mean HR, PeEn) measures of workload. RESULTS In contrast to the physiological variables PeEn (p = 0.10) and HR (p = 0.19), the mental (p<0.001) and temporal demands (p<0.001) as well as the effort (p<0.001) and frustration (p = 0.04) subscale of the NASA-tlx were significantly associated with initial NACA scores. Compared to NACA = I, an initial NACA score of VI (representing CPR) increased workload by a mean of 389.5% (p = 0.001) in the mental and 345.9% (p<0.001) in the temporal demands, effort by a mean of 446,8% (p = 0.002) and frustration by 190.0% (p = 0.03). In line with the increase in NASA-tlx, PeEn increased by 20.6% (p = 0.01) and HR by 6.4% (p = 0.57). CONCLUSIONS Patients' initial NACA scores are associated with subjective workload. Workload was highest during CPR.
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Gestalt for shock and mortality in the emergency department: A prospective study. Am J Emerg Med 2018; 36:988-992. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2017.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 10/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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Raatiniemi L, Liisanantti J, Tommila M, Moilanen S, Ohtonen P, Martikainen M, Voipio V, Reitala J, Iirola T. Evaluating helicopter emergency medical missions: a reliability study of the HEMS benefit and NACA scores. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2017; 61:557-565. [PMID: 28317095 DOI: 10.1111/aas.12881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The benefits of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) and dispatch accuracy are continuously debated, and a widely accepted score to measure the benefits of the mission is lacking. The HEMS Benefit Score (HBS) has been used in Finnish helicopter emergency medical services, but studies are lacking. The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) score is widely used to measure the severity of illness or injury in the pre-hospital setting, but it has many critics due to its subjectivity. We investigated the inter-rater and rater-against-reference reliability of these scores. METHODS Twenty-five fictional HEMS missions were created by an expert panel. A total of 22 pre-hospital physicians were recruited to participate in the study from two different HEMS bases. The participants received written instructions on the use of the scores. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and mean differences between rater-against-reference values were calculated. RESULTS A total of 17 physicians participated in the study. The ICC was 0.70 (95% CI 0.57-0.83) for the HBS and 0.65 (95% CI 0.51-0.79) for the NACA score. Mean differences between references and raters were -0.09 (SD 0.72) for the HBS and 0.28 (SD 0.61) for the NACA score, indicating that raters scored some lower NACA values than reference values formed by an expert panel. CONCLUSION The HBS and NACA score had substantial inter-rater reliability. In addition, the rater-against-reference values were acceptable, though large differences were observed between individual raters and references in some clinical cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Raatiniemi
- Centre for Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center, Research Group of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Oulu University, Oulu, Finland
| | - J Liisanantti
- Medical Research Center, Research Group of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Oulu University, Oulu, Finland
- Oulu University Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Intensive Care Medicine, Oulu, Finland
| | - M Tommila
- Emergency Medical Services, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - S Moilanen
- Faculty of Medicine, Oulu University, Oulu, Finland
| | - P Ohtonen
- Division of Operative Care, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - M Martikainen
- Centre for Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center, Research Group of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Oulu University, Oulu, Finland
| | - V Voipio
- Centre for Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - J Reitala
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - T Iirola
- Emergency Medical Services, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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Merger of two dispatch centres: does it improve quality and patient safety? Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2017; 25:40. [PMID: 28407809 PMCID: PMC5390381 DOI: 10.1186/s13049-017-0383-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2016] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dispatch centres (DCs) are considered an essential but expensive component of many highly developed healthcare systems. The number of DCs in a country, region, or state is usually based on local history and often related to highly decentralised healthcare systems. Today, current technology (Global Positioning System or Internet access) abolishes the need for closeness between DCs and the population. Switzerland went from 22 DCs in 2006 to 17 today. This study describes from a quality and patient safety point of view the merger of two DCs. Methods The study analysed the performance (over and under-triage) of two medical DCs for 12 months prior to merging and for 12 months again after the merger in 2015. Performance was measured comparing the priority level chosen by dispatcher and the severity of cases assessed by paramedics on site using the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) score. We ruled that NACA score > 3 (injuries/diseases which can possibly lead to deterioration of vital signs) to 7 (lethal injuries/diseases) should require a priority dispatch with lights and siren (L&S). While NACA score < 4 should require a priority dispatch without L&S. Over-triage was defined as the proportion of L&S dispatches with a NACA score < 4, and under-triage as the proportion of dispatches without L&S with a NACA > 3. Results Prior to merging, Dispatch A had a sensitivity/specificity regarding the use of lights and sirens and severity of cases of 86%/48% with over- and under-triage rates of 78% and 5%, respectively. Dispatch B had sensitivity and specificity of 92%/20% and over- and under-triage rates of 84% and 7%, respectively. After they merged, global sensitivity/specificity reached 87%/67%, and over- and under-triage rates were 71% and 3%, respectively Conclusions A part the potential cost advantage achieved by the merger of two DCs, it can improve the quality of services to the population, reducing over- and under-triage and the use of lights and sirens and therefore, the risk of accidents. This is especially the case when a DC with poor triage performance merges with a high-performing DC.
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Dami F, Golay C, Pasquier M, Fuchs V, Carron PN, Hugli O. Prehospital triage accuracy in a criteria based dispatch centre. BMC Emerg Med 2015; 15:32. [PMID: 26507648 PMCID: PMC4624668 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-015-0058-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Priority dispatch accuracy is a key issue in optimizing the match between patients' medical needs and pre-hospital resources. This study measures the accuracy of a Criteria Based Dispatch (CBD) system, by evaluating discrepancies between dispatch priorities and ambulance crews' severity evaluations. METHODS This is a retrospective study conducted from January 2011 to December 2011. We ruled that a National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) score > 3 (injuries/diseases which can possibly lead to deterioration of vital signs) to 7 (lethal injuries/ diseases) should require a priority dispatch with lights and siren (L&S), while NACA scores < 4 should require a priority dispatch without L&S. Over triage was defined as the proportion of L&S dispatches with a NACA score < 4, and under triage as the proportion of dispatches without L&S with a NACA score > 3. RESULTS There were 29,008 primary missions in 2011, 1122 were excluded. Of the 15,749 L&S missions, 12,333 patients had a NACA score < 4, leading to an over triage rate of 78 %; 561 missions out of 12,137 missions without L&S had a NACA score > 3, leading to an under triage rate of 4.6 %. Sensitivity was 86 % (95 % confidence interval: 85.6-86.4 %), specificity 48 % (47.4-48.6 %), positive predictive value 21.7 % (21.2-22.2 %), and negative predictive value 95.4 % (95.2-95.6 %). CONCLUSION The rates of over triage and under triage in our CBD are 78 and 4.6 % respectively. The lack of consistent or universal metrics is perhaps the most important limitation in dispatch accuracy research. This is mainly due to the large heterogeneity of dispatch systems and prehospital emergency system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrice Dami
- Dispatch centre, State of Vaud (Fondation Urgences-Santé), César-Roux 31, 1005, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospital Center (CHUV), Bugnon 46, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Christel Golay
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Mathieu Pasquier
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospital Center (CHUV), Bugnon 46, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Vincent Fuchs
- Dispatch centre, State of Vaud (Fondation Urgences-Santé), César-Roux 31, 1005, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Pierre-Nicolas Carron
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospital Center (CHUV), Bugnon 46, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Olivier Hugli
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospital Center (CHUV), Bugnon 46, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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[Prediction of further hospital treatment for emergency patients by emergency medical service physicians]. Anaesthesist 2014; 63:394-400. [PMID: 24691947 DOI: 10.1007/s00101-014-2313-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2013] [Revised: 01/05/2014] [Accepted: 02/15/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prehospital assessment of illness and injury severity with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) score and hospital pre-arrival notification of a patient who is likely to need intensive care unit (ICU) or intermediate care unit (IMC) admission are both common in Germany's physician-staffed emergency medical services (EMS) system. AIM This study aimed at comparing the prehospital evaluation of severity of disease or injuries by EMS physicians and the subsequent clinical treatment in unselected emergency department (ED) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study involved a prospective observational analysis of patients transported to the ED of an academic level I hospital escorted by an EMS physician over a period of 6 months (February-July 2011). The physician's qualification and the patient's NACA score were documented and the EMS physician was asked to predict whether the patient would need hospital admission and, if so, to the general ward, IMC or ICU. After the ED treatment, discharge or admission, outcome and length of hospital and ICU or IMC stay were documented. RESULTS A total of 378 mostly non-trauma patients (88 %) treated by experienced EMS physicians could be enrolled. The number of patients discharged from the ED decreased, while the number of patients admitted to the ICU increased with higher NACA scores. Prehospital prediction of discharge or admission, IMC or ICU treatment by EMS physicians was accurate in 47 % of the patients. In 40 % of patients a lower level of care was sufficient while 12 % needed treatment on a higher level of care than that predicted by EMS physicians. Of the patients 39 % who were predicted to be discharged after ED treatment, were admitted to hospital and 48 % of patients predicted to be admitted to the IMC were admitted to the general ward. Patients predicted to be admitted to the ICU were admitted to the ICU in 75 %. Higher NACA scores were associated with increased mortality and a longer hospital IMC or ICU length of stay, but significant differences were only found between patients with NACA V versus VI scores or patients predicted to be treated on the IMC versus the ICU. CONCLUSIONS Prehospital NACA scores indicate the need for inpatient treatment, but neither hospital discharge or admission nor need of IMC or ICU admission after initial ED treatment could be sufficiently predicted by EMS physicians. Thus, hospital prenotification in order to predispose IMC or ICU capacities does not seem to be useful in cases where an ED can reassess admitted EMS patients.
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[Intraosseous infusion in the German Air Rescue Service : Guideline recommendations versus mission reality]. Anaesthesist 2013; 62:981-7. [PMID: 24201560 DOI: 10.1007/s00101-013-2262-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Revised: 10/15/2013] [Accepted: 10/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In emergency medicine intraosseous access (IOA) has been established as an alternative to conventional intravenous access. Originally the use of IOA was strictly limited to children up to 6 years of age and to adults for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. These limitations have been relaxed and the indications for IOA have been expanded. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective nationwide analysis of rescue missions by all helicopter emergency medical services of the German Automobile Club (ADAC) Air Rescue Service as well as the German Air Rescue (DRF) over a 7-year period was carried out. RESULTS A total of 466,813 patients were treated during the study period and an IOA was established in 1,498 (0.32 %) patients. There was a significant increase in using an IOA from 0.1-0.5 % (p < 0.05) from 2005 to 2011. Furthermore, there was an increase in using an IOA in elderly patients and in patients with lower degrees of severity according to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) scales (2005-2011): decreased use of IOA in patients up to 6 years of age from 92.4 % to 19.7 % (p < 0.05) and in patients with NACA grades VII/VI from 74.4 % to 46.6 % (p < 0.05) and temporarily limited increase of non-indicated IOA use in patients with NACA grade III between 2008 and 2010. Furthermore, there was an increase in the number of the different drug groups used for intraosseous infusion over the study period. CONCLUSION The current guidelines and recommendations for the use of IOA in the prehospital setting are reflected more and more in mission reality for helicopter emergency medical services.
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RAATINIEMI L, MIKKELSEN K, FREDRIKSEN K, WISBORG T. Do pre-hospital anaesthesiologists reliably predict mortality using the NACA severity score? A retrospective cohort study. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2013; 57:1253-9. [PMID: 24134443 PMCID: PMC4287201 DOI: 10.1111/aas.12208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics' (NACA) severity score is widely used in pre-hospital emergency medicine to grade the severity of illness or trauma in patient groups but is scarcely validated. The aim of this study was to assess the score's ability to predict mortality and need for advanced in-hospital interventions in a cohort from one anaesthesiologist-manned helicopter service in Northern Norway. METHODS All missions completed by one helicopter service during January 1999 to December 2009 were reviewed. One thousand eight hundred forty-one patients were assessed by the NACA score. Pre-hospital and in-hospital interventions were collected from patient records. The relationship between NACA score and the outcome measures was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS A total of 1533 patients were included in the analysis; uninjured and dead victims were excluded per protocol. Overall mortality rate of the patients with NACA score 1-6 was 5.2%. Trauma patients with NACA score 1-6 had overall mortality rate of 1.9% (12/625) and non-trauma patients 7.4% (67/908). The NACA score's ability to predict mortality was assessed by using ROC area under curve (AUC) and was 0.86 for all, 0.82 for non-trauma and 0.98 for trauma patients. The NACA score's ability to predict a need for respiratory therapy within 24 h revealed an AUC of 0.90 for all patients combined. CONCLUSION The NACA score had good discrimination for predicting mortality and need for respiratory therapy. It is thus useful as a tool to measure overall severity of the patient population in this kind of emergency medicine system.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. RAATINIEMI
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Hammerfest Hospital Finnmark Health Trust Hammerfest
- Department of Anaesthesiology Lapland Central Hospital Rovaniemi Finland
| | - K. MIKKELSEN
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Hammerfest Hospital Finnmark Health Trust Hammerfest
| | - K. FREDRIKSEN
- Division of Emergency Medical Services University Hospital of North Norway Tromsø Norway
- Anaesthesia and Critical Care Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Tromsø Tromsø Norway
| | - T. WISBORG
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Hammerfest Hospital Finnmark Health Trust Hammerfest
- Anaesthesia and Critical Care Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Tromsø Tromsø Norway
- Norwegian Trauma Competency Service Oslo University Hospital Oslo Norway
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[Use of intraosseus infusion in the German air rescue service : nationwide analysis in the time period 2005 to 2009]. Anaesthesist 2011; 60:1119-25. [PMID: 21881928 DOI: 10.1007/s00101-011-1937-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2011] [Revised: 08/03/2011] [Accepted: 08/10/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intraosseous infusion has become established as a fast and safe alternative to conventional vascular access in emergency situations. Originally the use of intraosseous access was limited to children up to 6 years of age and to adults for cardiopulmonary resuscitation but this limitation has now been removed. The aim of this study was to obtain data on mission reality regarding the use of intraosseous access in the prehospital setting against the background of the expanded recommendations on the use of the intraosseous infusion. METHODS An analysis of rescue missions by all rescue helicopters of the ADAC (German Automobile Club) Air Rescue as well as the German Air Rescue Service (58 helicopter emergency medical service bases) over a 4 year period from January 2005 to December 2008 was carried out. RESULTS A total of 247,454 rescue missions were carried out during the study period and in 525 patients (0.2% of the total study collective) an intraosseous access was established. There was a significant increase in the intraosseous infusion rate from 0.1% to 0.4% (p<0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant increase in its use in elderly patients and in patients with lower National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) scores (2005 vs. 2008): 92.4% vs. 42.9% of all intraosseous infusions in patients ≤ 6 years of age (p<0.05) and 74.4% vs. 42.9% of all intraosseous infusions in patients with NACA score VI/VII (p<0.05). The proportion of trauma patients in the total study collective was 33% and there was no significant change in the frequency of trauma cases over the study period but there was a remarkable increase of intraosseous infusions in trauma patients in the last year of the study period compared to the previous years (38% in 2008 vs. 27-30% in 2005-2007). Furthermore, there was an increase in the number of different drug groups used for intraosseous infusion over the study period. CONCLUSIONS The expanded indication recommendations for the use of intraosseous infusion in the prehospital setting enter more and more mission reality in air rescue services in Germany.
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Prähospitale geburtshilfliche Notfälle in einem bodengebundenen städtischen Notarztsystem. Anaesthesist 2009; 58:353-61. [DOI: 10.1007/s00101-009-1510-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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