European standard internal telephone number 2222 for in-hospital emergency calls: A national survey in all French military training hospitals

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A broad heterogeneity persists in alert system: six different phone numbers were found to call for help in in the different French military training hospital.

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The European standard phone number “2222” for in-hospital emergencies was first launched in France in two French military training hospital.

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Worldwide diffusion of a standard phone number for in-hospital emergencies could improve quality and efficiency of care.

Background

In 2016, three European scientific societies called for standardization to the “2222” as a European unique phone number in case of in-hospital emergencies. This study describes the management of in-hospital emergency calls in all French military training hospitals and aims to detail their original transition, for the first time in France, to the “2222”.

Methods

An electronic standardized questionnaire was emailed to heads of rapid response teams in the eight French military training hospitals.

Results

All participants answered the questionnaire (100%). The eight French military training hospitals had a specific procedure for management of in-hospital emergencies. Six hospitals already used a unique phone number for in-hospital emergencies, but none of them were using the 2222 in March 2019. Two hospitals still used several phone numbers for in-hospital emergencies, mainly due to historical and local arrangements. Rapid response teams included at least a physician and a nurse. There was a discussion to switch to “2222” as the unique phone number for in-hospital emergencies in two hospitals. In both, the discussions involved hospital executive officers, medical teams, rapid response teams and technical teams leading to a step-by-step transition. Finally, in October 2019, these two hospitals launched the “2222” procedure for in-hospital emergencies.

Conclusion

This study found a large disparity in the eight French military training hospitals, concerning in-hospital emergency protocols. Two French military training hospitals launched the “2222” procedure for the first time in France. Further efforts are still needed to continue to promote the use of the 2222 as a European unique phone number for in-hospital emergencies.

[The treatment of combat casualties today]

Most soldiers are wounded by an explosion and haemorrhaging is the main cause of death. From the first aid provided on the field of combat to repatriation to France, every stage in the treatment of injured soldiers is meticulously organised in order to save as many lives as possible.