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Air Medical Journal 2024
Review
Topics: Air Ambulances; Humans; Emergency Medical Services; Transportation of Patients
PubMed: 38897687
DOI: 10.1016/j.amj.2024.05.004 -
Air Medical Journal 2024
Review
Topics: Humans; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance; Emergency Medical Services; Air Ambulances
PubMed: 38897686
DOI: 10.1016/j.amj.2024.05.007 -
Resuscitation Plus Jun 2024PARAMEDIC2 was a medicines trial comparing adrenaline with placebo in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). At the time, United Kingdom (UK) Emergency Medical Systems...
BACKGROUND
PARAMEDIC2 was a medicines trial comparing adrenaline with placebo in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). At the time, United Kingdom (UK) Emergency Medical Systems (EMS) were inexperienced in delivering such research.
AIM
To identify barriers and facilitators to delivery of the PARAMEDIC2 (Adrenaline) trial by five UK NHS EMS.
METHODS
This qualitative study took a grounded theory approach to thematic analysis of workshop data. Members of the trial teams from each service attended a workshop in November 2018 and discussed their experiences in answer to two prompt questions. Data were coded and themes presented.
RESULTS
Three main themes were identified: and . The study provided an opportunity for recruiting paramedics and research paramedics to demonstrate their . Research paramedics felt it was part of their professional duty to initiate discussions with the patient/family regarding the trial rather than leave this task to the hospital teams as would usually happen. was reflected by prioritising trial training and further development of research paramedics. By these means, research culture was developed. The such as geographical challenges were often addressed with technological solutions and through building relationships with internal teams.
CONCLUSION
Barriers to trial delivery included infrequent exposure to the condition of interest and lack of continuity in research paramedic roles. Facilitators identified included flexibility of the research protocol, and organisational investment in the development of research paramedics.Participating in PARAMEDIC2 was challenging for the EMS involved, but ultimately strengthened their research culture.
PubMed: 38894855
DOI: 10.1016/j.resplu.2024.100617 -
Journal of Korean Medical Science Jun 2024We performed a nationwide analysis to evaluate the impact of the early coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on emergency department (ED) visits by adult cancer...
Impact of the Early COVID-19 Pandemic on Emergency Department Visits of Adult Cancer Patients With Fever or Respiratory Symptoms: A Korean Nationwide Population-Based Study, 2016-2020.
BACKGROUND
We performed a nationwide analysis to evaluate the impact of the early coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on emergency department (ED) visits by adult cancer patients having COVID-like symptoms.
METHODS
We analyzed the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS) data on ED visits by adult cancer patients who presented with chief complaints of fever or respiratory symptoms (FRS) indicative of COVID-19, from 2016 to 2020. An interrupted time series analysis with a quasi-Poisson regression model was performed, adjusting for seasonality and time, to evaluate whether underlying trends for monthly ED visits and the in-hospital mortality rate (%) per month changed with the pandemic among these patients. We also estimated the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of in-hospital deaths among cancer patients using multivariable logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS
ED visits by cancer patients with FRS decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic (relative risk [RR] with 95% confidence interval [CI]: slope change, 0.99 [0.98-1.00] and step change, 0.84 [0.76-0.92]). However, the in-hospital mortality rate (%) for these patients was increased (slope change, 1.14 [1.04-1.25] and step change, 0.99 [0.98-1.01]). Factors such as urgent triage status, ambulance use, and treatment in hospitals with fewer than 300 staffed beds significantly contributed to increased aOR of in-hospital deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period.
CONCLUSION
Further studies are needed to highlight the importance of ED service preparation in planning and managing resources for cancer patients during future pandemics.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Emergency Service, Hospital; Neoplasms; Republic of Korea; Hospital Mortality; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Fever; Adult; SARS-CoV-2; Aged; Odds Ratio; Pandemics; Emergency Room Visits
PubMed: 38887201
DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e187 -
Emergency Medicine Journal : EMJ Jun 2024The outcomes of patients who call an ambulance but are discharged at scene reflect the safety and quality of emergency medical service (EMS) care. While previous studies...
BACKGROUND
The outcomes of patients who call an ambulance but are discharged at scene reflect the safety and quality of emergency medical service (EMS) care. While previous studies have examined the outcomes of patients discharged at scene, none have specifically focused on paramedic-initiated discharge. This study aims to describe the outcomes of adult patients discharged at scene by paramedics and identify factors associated with 72-hour outcomes.
METHODS
This was a retrospective data linkage study on consecutive adult EMS patients discharged at scene by paramedics in Victoria, Australia, between 1 January 2015 and 30 June 2019. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with EMS recontact, ED presentation, hospital admission and serious adverse events (death, cardiac arrest, category 1 triage or intensive care unit admission) within 72 hours of the initial emergency call.
RESULTS
There were 375 758 cases of adults discharged at scene following EMS attendance, of which 222 571 (59.2%) were paramedic-initiated decisions. Of these, 6.8% recontacted EMS, 5.0% presented to ED, 2.4% were admitted to hospital and 0.3% had a serious adverse event in the following 72 hours. The odds of EMS recontact were increased in cases related to mental health (adjusted OR (AOR) 1.41 (95% CI 1.33 to 1.49)), among low-income government concession holders (AOR 1.61 (95% CI 1.55 to 1.67)) and in areas of low socioeconomic advantage (AOR 1.19 (95% CI 1.13 to 1.25)). The odds of hospital admission were increased in cases related to infection (AOR 3.14 (95% CI 2.80 to 3.52)) and pain (AOR 1.93 (95% CI 1.75 to 2.14)). The strongest driver of serious adverse events was an abnormal vital sign (AOR 4.81 (95% CI 3.87 to 5.98)).
CONCLUSION
The occurrence of hospital admission and adverse events is rare in those discharged at scene, suggesting generally safe decision-making. However, increased attention to elderly, multimorbid patients or patients with infection and pain is recommended, as is further research examining the use of tools to aid paramedic recognition of potential for deterioration.
PubMed: 38886060
DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2023-213777 -
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992) Jun 2024This initial Norwegian study aimed to quantify the vibrations and sounds experienced by neonates when they were transported by helicopter in an incubator.
AIM
This initial Norwegian study aimed to quantify the vibrations and sounds experienced by neonates when they were transported by helicopter in an incubator.
METHODS
Two neonatal manikins weighing 500 and 2000 g were placed in a transport incubator and transported in an Airbus H145 D3 helicopter during standard flight profiles. The vibrations were measured on the mattress inside the incubator and the sound levels were measured inside and outside the incubator.
RESULTS
The highest vibration levels were recorded during standard flight profiles when the lighter manikin was used. These ranged 0.27-0.94 m/s, compared to 0.27-0.76 m/s for the heavier manikin. The measurements exceeded the action levels set by the European Union Vibration Directive for adult work environments. The sound levels inside the incubator ranged 84.6-86.3 A-weighted decibels, with a C-weighted peak level of 122 decibels. The sound levels inside the incubator were approximately 10 decibels lower than outside, but amplification was observed in the incubator at frequencies below 160 Hz.
CONCLUSION
Vibrations were highest for the lighter manikin. The sound levels during helicopter transport were higher than recommended for neonatal environments and sounds were amplified within the incubator at lower frequencies.
PubMed: 38884542
DOI: 10.1111/apa.17326 -
Research Square Jun 2024Accurate identification of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the prehospital sestting is important for timely treatments that reduce damage to the compromised myocardium....
Accurate identification of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the prehospital sestting is important for timely treatments that reduce damage to the compromised myocardium. Current machine learning approaches lack sufficient performance to safely rule-in or rule-out ACS. Our goal is to identify a method that bridges this gap. To do so, we retrospectively evaluate two promising approaches, an ensemble of gradient boosted decision trees (GBDT) and selective classification (SC) on consecutive patients transported by ambulance to the ED with chest pain and/or anginal equivalents. On the task of ACS classification with 23 prehospital covariates, we found the fusion of the two (GBDT+SC) improves the best reported sensitivity and specificity by 8% and 23% respectively. Accordingly, GBDT+SC is safer than current machine learning approaches to rule-in and rule-out of ACS in the prehospital setting.
PubMed: 38883709
DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4437265/v1 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024The precise associations between temperature-related indices and mental and behavioral disorders (MBDs) have yet to be fully elucidated. Our study aims to ascertain the...
INTRODUCTION
The precise associations between temperature-related indices and mental and behavioral disorders (MBDs) have yet to be fully elucidated. Our study aims to ascertain the most effective temperature-related index and assess its immediate impact on emergency ambulance dispatches (EADs) due to MBDs in Shenzhen, China.
METHODS
EADs data and meteorological data from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2020, in Shenzhen were collected. Distributed lag non-linear models (DLNMs) were utilized to examine the non-linear and lagged effects of temperature-related indices on EADs due to MBDs. The Quasi Akaike Information criterion (QAIC) was used to determine the optimal index after standardizing temperature-related indices. After adjusting for confounding factors in the model, we estimated the immediate and cumulative effects of temperature on EADs due to MBDs.
RESULTS
The analysis of short-term temperature effects on EADs due to MBDs revealed Humidex as the most suitable index. Referring to the optimal Humidex (3.2 percentile, 12.00°C), we observed a significant effect of Humidex over the threshold (34.6 percentile, 26.80°C) on EADs due to MBDs at lag 0-5. The cumulative relative risks for high temperature (90 percentile, 41.90°C) and extreme high temperature (99 percentile, 44.20°C) at lag 0-5 were 1.318 (95% CI: 1.159-1.499) and 1.338 (95% CI: 1.153-1.553), respectively. No significant cold effect was observed on EADs due to MBDs.
CONCLUSION
High Humidex was associated with more EADs due to MBDs in subtropical regions. Health authorities should implement effective measures to raise public awareness of risks related to high temperature and protect vulnerable populations.
Topics: Humans; China; Ambulances; Mental Disorders; Temperature; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Emergency Medical Dispatch
PubMed: 38883192
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1343550 -
Heliyon Jun 2024The burden of emergency medical conditions is borne mostly by poorer nations, with a 6 % increase in deaths of adults and children due to emergency conditions between...
BACKGROUND
The burden of emergency medical conditions is borne mostly by poorer nations, with a 6 % increase in deaths of adults and children due to emergency conditions between 1990 and 2015. Emergency medical service is crucial to improve outcomes of those injuries and other time-sensitive illnesses. However, access to emergency medical services in Hawassa City is still limited and its' utilization is influenced by different factors.
METHODS
A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 randomly selected clients who visited the emergency service in public hospitals of Hawassa City. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted by reviewing previous literature was used. The collected data by using the Kobo toolbox was exported into a statical package for social science software for analysis. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were used. A binary logistic regression model at a 95 % confidence interval was used to declare an association between dependent and independent variables using the odds ratio.
RESULTS
All 422 participants completed the interview with a response rate of 100 %. The mean age of the study participants was 33.73 years with a 14.67 standard deviation. One quarter (24.9 % (95 % CI: 21.1-29.4)) of the study participants have utilized emergency medical services. Urban residence (AOR = 3.48, 95 % CI: 1.69-7.16), ever utilized ambulance service (AOR = 2.37, 95%CI: 1.21-4.67), having Red Cross Association ambulance number (AOR = 2.64, 95%CI: 1.20-5.83) and awareness on presence of free government ambulance (AOR = 3.74, 95%CI: 1.46-9.59) were the predictors of the outcome variable.
CONCLUSION
utilization of emergency medical services in the study area was relatively low when compared with other studies. urban residence, ever utilization of ambulance service, awareness of the presence of free government ambulances, and having a Red Cross Association ambulance number were predictors of utilization of emergency medical service.
PubMed: 38882288
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31906 -
Resuscitation Plus Sep 2024To explore predictors of bystander CPR (i.e. any CPR performed prior to EMS arrival) in Ireland over the period 2012-2020. To examine the relationship between bystander...
AIMS
To explore predictors of bystander CPR (i.e. any CPR performed prior to EMS arrival) in Ireland over the period 2012-2020. To examine the relationship between bystander CPR and key health system developments during this period.
METHODS
National level out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) registry data relating to unwitnessed, and bystander witnessed OHCA were interrogated. Logistic regression models were built, then refined by fitting predictors, performing stepwise variable selection and by adding pairwise interactions that improved fit. Missing data sensitivity analyses were conducted using multiple imputation.
RESULTS
The data included 18,177 OHCA resuscitation attempts of whom 77% had bystander CPR. The final model included ten variables. Four variables (aetiology, incident location, time of day, and who witnessed collapse) were involved in interactions. The COVID-19 period was associated with reduced adjusted odds of bystander CPR (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.65, 0.92), as were increasing age in years (OR 0.992, 95% CI 0.989, 0.994) and urban location (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.47, 0.57). Increasing year over time (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.16, 1.29), and an increased call response interval in minutes (OR 1.017, 95% CI 1.012, 1.022) were associated with increased adjusted odds of bystander CPR.
CONCLUSIONS
Bystander CPR increased over the study period, and it is likely that health system developments contributed to the yearly increases observed. However, COVID-19 appeared to disrupt this positive trend. Urban OHCA location was associated with markedly decreased odds of bystander CPR compared to rural location. Given its importance bystander CPR in urban areas should be an immediate target for intervention.
PubMed: 38881596
DOI: 10.1016/j.resplu.2024.100671