Prevalence of junctional ST-depression with tall symmetrical T-waves in a pre-hospital field triage system for STEMI patients.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of the junctional ST-depression with tall symmetrical T-waves in a field triage system for ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) is unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We prospectively collected all transmitted 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) from the STEMI field triage system in Amsterdam from 2011 to 2013. Electrocardiograms with junctional ST-depression with tall symmetrical T-waves were recognized and angiographic documentation and clinical follow up were collected. RESULTS: A total of 5588 patients with at least 1 transmitted field ECG were identified from the database. ST-elevation infarction was present on the field ECG in 1864 patients (33%) and 701 ECGs (12,5%) showed anterior infarction. In 11 patients, junctional ST-depression with tall symmetrical T-waves was identified (0,2% of total transmitted ECGs and 1,6% of anterior infarctions). The 11 angiograms invariably showed involvement of the proximal Left Anterior Descending (LAD) artery (segment 5,6 and 7). Mortality was 27% within the first week. CONCLUSIONS: An ECG with junctional ST-depression with tall symmetrical T-waves is an infrequent finding. Because this pattern of STEMI equivalent is associated with LAD occlusions, it is important to recognize this pattern, so patients can be transported to the catheterization laboratory without delay.

Epidemiology of Sepsis and Its Recognition by Emergency Medical Services Personnel in the Netherlands.

Little is known about the epidemiology of sepsis in the Netherlands. In addition, information regarding the ability of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel to recognize sepsis is lacking. The aim of this study is to determine epidemiological characteristics of sepsis and the recognition of sepsis by EMS personnel in an urban area in the Netherlands. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using transport information from EMS Amsterdam and admission diagnoses at the emergency department gathered through discharge data from two academic hospitals in Amsterdam for the year 2012. A total of 253 patients with sepsis were evaluated, of which 131 were transported by ambulance. The in-hospital mortality rate of the total population was 21% and a mean length of hospital stay was of 13.5 days. Sixty-seven patients (26.5%) were admitted to the intensive care unit. Almost half of the patients were assigned to the internal medicine ward (117; 46.2%). The most common site of infection was the urinary tract (30%). E. coli was the most frequent cause of infections. EMS staff recognized 18/131 (13.7%) transported patients with (severe) sepsis or septic shock. In 52 cases (39.7%) sepsis went unrecognized, probably due to an incomplete primary survey. In 60 cases (45.8%) sepsis went unrecognized, although enough systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria were present at initial presentation. Recognition of sepsis by EMS staff in the Netherlands is low, probably due to a lack of awareness of the syndrome and infrequent measurement of temperature and respiratory rate. As early initiation of treatment is crucial, the EMS staff, general practitioners, and other specialties could benefit from more education on this critical illness.

Criteria for cancelling helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) dispatches.

INTRODUCTION: In The Netherlands there is no consensus about criteria for cancelling helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) dispatches. This study assessed the ability of the primary HEMS dispatch criteria to identify major trauma patients. The predictive power of other early prehospital parameters was evaluated to design a safe triage model for HEMS dispatch cancellations. METHODS: All trauma-related dispatches of HEMS during a period of 6 months were included. Data concerning prehospital information and inhospital treatment were collected. Patients were divided into two groups (major and minor trauma) according to the following criteria: injury severity score 16 or greater, emergency intervention, intensive care unit admission, or inhospital death. Logistic regression analysis was used to design a prediction model for the early identification of major trauma patients. RESULTS: In total, 420 trauma-related dispatches were evaluated, of which 155 concerned major trauma patients. HEMS was more often cancelled for minor trauma patients than for major trauma patients (57.7% vs 20.6%). Overall, HEMS dispatch criteria had a sensitivity of 87.7% and a specificity of 45.3% for identifying major trauma patients. Significant differences were found for vital sign abnormalities, anatomical components and several parameters of the mechanism of injury. A triage model designed for cancelling HEMS correctly identified major trauma patients (sensitivity 99.4%). CONCLUSION: The accuracy of the current HEMS dispatch criteria is relatively low, resulting in high cancellation rates and low predictability for major trauma. The new HEMS cancellation triage model identified all major trauma patients with an acceptable overtriage and will probably reduce unjustified HEMS dispatches.

Recreational Drug Use During the Amsterdam Dance Event: Impact on Emergency Services.

Background: Recreational drug use is common at large-scale dance events such as the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) and severe drug-related complications and deaths occur. Increasing concentrations of cocaine, amphetamine and MDMA have been observed in samples from dance events. Therefore, large dance events are expected to cause an increasing amount of recreational drug related complaints (RDRC) and an increased demand on emergency medical services. Aim: To evaluate the impact of recreational drug related complaints (RDRC) during ADE 2016, compared to regular weeks, and to evaluate the requirement for additional medical personnel. Methods: For this prospective, observational cohort study, patients >12 years old presenting with RDRC at first aid stations (FAS), ambulance service (AA) and ED during ADE, between October 19th and October 24th 2016 were included. From 2 EDs and AA, the RDRC 2 weeks before and after ADE were also collected. Results: An estimated 375.000 people attended ADE. The number of patients with RDRC was 459 at the FAS, 113 at AA and 81 at the ED, and increased significantly during ADE with 225% at AA and with 236% at OLVG ED. Eight patients were admitted. A higher percentage of poly-drug use among ED patients (58%) was found, compared to FAS patients (25%). Also, the proportion of tourists in ED's (51%) was higher compared to FAS (30%). Conclusions: During ADE 2016, the number of intoxicated patients increased significantly. Eight patients were admitted to the hospital, without any deaths. The absolute number of patients stayed within normal range of emergency medical services capacity.

Cancellations of (helicopter-transported) mobile medical team dispatches in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: The trauma centre of the Trauma Center Region North-West Netherlands (TRNWN) has consensus criteria for Mobile Medical Team (MMT) scene dispatch. The MMT can be dispatched by the EMS-dispatch centre or by the on-scene ambulance crew and is transported by helicopter or ground transport. Although much attention has been paid to improve the dispatch criteria, the MMT is often cancelled after being dispatched. The aim of this study was to assess the cancellation rate and the noncompliant dispatches of our MMT and to identify factors associated with this form of primary overtriage. METHODS: By retrospective analysis of all MMT dispatches in the period from 1 July 2006 till 31 December 2006 using chart review, we conducted a consecutive case review of 605 dispatches. Four hundred and sixty seven of these were included for our study, collecting data related to prehospital triage, patient's condition on-scene and hospital course. RESULTS: Average age was 35.9 years; the majority of the patients were male (65.3%). Four hundred and thirty patients were victims of trauma, sustaining injuries in most cases from blunt trauma (89.3%). After being dispatched, the MMT was cancelled 203 times (43.5%). Statistically significant differences between assists and cancellations were found for overall mortality, mean RTS, GCS and ISS, mean hospitalization, length and amount of ICU admissions (p < 0.001). All dispatches were evaluated by using the MMT-dispatch criteria and mission appropriateness criteria. Almost 26% of all dispatches were neither appropriate, nor met the dispatch criteria. Fourteen missions were appropriate, but did not meet the dispatch criteria. The remaining 318 dispatches had met the dispatch criteria, of which 135 (30.3%) were also appropriate. The calculated additional costs of the cancelled dispatches summed up to a total of 34,448 euro, amounting to 2.2% of the total MMT costs during the study period. CONCLUSION: In our trauma system, the MMT dispatches are involved with high rates of overtriage. After being dispatched, the MMT is cancelled in almost 50% of all cases. We found an undertriage rate of 4%, which we think is acceptable. All cancellations were justified. The additional costs of the cancelled missions were within an acceptable range. According to this study, it seems to be possible to reduce the overtriage rate of the MMT dispatches, without increasing the undertriage rate to non-acceptable levels.

The association of mobile medical team involvement on on-scene times and mortality in trauma patients.

OBJECTIVES: Mobile medical teams (MMTs) provide specialized care on-scene with the purpose to improve outcome. However, this additional care could prolong the on-scene time (OST), which is related to mortality. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of MMT involvement on the mortality rate and on the OST, in a Dutch consecutive cohort of Level I trauma patients. METHODS: All patients who required presentation in the trauma resuscitation room in an urban Level I trauma center were included in this prospective study during the period of November 2005 till November 2007. For data collection, we used both pre- and in-hospital registration systems. Outcome measures were 30-day mortality and OST. RESULTS: In total, 1,054 patients were analyzed. In 172 (16%) patients, the MMT was involved. Mortality was significantly higher in the MMT group compared with patients treated without MMT involvement; 9.9% versus 2.7%, respectively (p < 0.001). Significantly higher Injury Severity Scores, intervention rates, and a significantly lower Triage Revised Trauma Score were found in patients treated by MMT. After adjustment for patient and injury characteristics, no association could be found between MMT involvement and higher mortality (95% CI, 0.581-3.979; p = 0.394). In patients with severe traumatic brain injury (GCS score ≤ 8) in whom a MMT was involved, the mortality was 25.5%, compared with 32.7% in those without MMT involvement (p = 0.442). The mean OST was prolonged (2.7 minutes) when MMT was involved (26.1 vs. 23.4 minutes; p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, OSTs were long compared with PHTLS recommendations. MMT involvement slightly prolonged the OST. Trauma patients with MMT involvement had a high mortality, but after correction for patient and injury characteristics, the mortality rate did not significantly differ from patients without MMT involvement.

Impact of secondary transfer on patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Within a trauma network in the Netherlands, neurosurgical facilities are usually limited to Level I hospitals. Initial transport to a district hospital of patients who are later found to require neurosurgical intervention may cause delay. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence on outcome and time intervals of secondary transfer in trauma patients requiring emergency neurosurgical intervention. METHODS: In a 3-year period, all patients who sustained a severe traumatic brain injury and underwent a neurosurgical intervention within 6 hours after admission to a Level I trauma center were included. Patients were classified into two groups: direct presentation to the Level I trauma center (TC) group or requiring secondary transport after having been diagnosed for neurosurgical intervention in other hospitals (transfer group). RESULTS: Eighty patients were included for analyses. Twenty-four patients in the transfer group had a better Glasgow Coma Scale on-scene but a higher 30-day mortality compared with patients who were primarily presented to the Level I trauma center (33% vs. 27%; p = 0.553). In the transfer group, time to operation was 304 minutes compared with 151 minutes in the TC group (p < 0.001). Most delay occurred during the initial trauma evaluation and the interval between the first computed tomography and the transfer ambulance departure at the referring hospital. CONCLUSION: Patients requiring an emergency neurosurgical intervention appear to have a clinically relevant worse outcome after secondary transfer to a neurosurgical service. Therefore, patient care can probably be improved by better triage on-scene and standardized procedures in case of a secondary transfer.

Is a maximum Revised Trauma Score a safe triage tool for Helicopter Emergency Medical Services cancellations?

INTRODUCTION: The Revised Trauma Score is used worldwide in the prehospital setting and provides a snapshot of patient's physiological state. Several studies have shown that the reliability of the RTS is high in trauma outcomes. In the Netherlands, Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) are mostly used for delivery of specialized trauma teams on-scene and occasionally for patient transportation. In our trauma system, the Emergency Medical Services crew performs triage after arrival on-scene and cancels the HEMS-dispatch if deemed unnecessary. In this study we assessed the ability of a maximum on-scene Revised Trauma Score (RTS=12) to be used as a triage tool for HEMS cancellation. METHODS: All patients with a maximum on-scene RTS after blunt trauma (with or without receiving HEMS care) who were presented in the trauma resuscitation room of two Level-1 trauma centers during a period of 6 months, were included. Information concerning prehospital and in-hospital vital parameters, severity and localization of the injuries, and the in-hospital course were analyzed. Major trauma patients were classified using the following parameters: Injury Severity Score of at least 16, emergency intervention, Intensive Care Unit admission, and in-hospital death. RESULTS: Four-hundred and forty blunt trauma patients having a maximum RTS were included between 1 July and 31 December 2006. Eighty patients received on-scene HEMS care. Almost 16% of the total population concerned major trauma patients, of which only 25 (36%) received HEMS care. In 17 patients (3.9%), the RTS deteriorated during transportation. Major trauma patients sustained more injuries to the chest, abdomen, and lower extremities. CONCLUSION: The RTS alone is not a reliable triage tool for HEMS cancellations in our trauma system and will lead to a considerable rate of undertriage with one in every six cancellations being incorrect. Other criteria based on patient's vital signs, combined with anatomical and mechanism of injury parameters should be developed to safely minimize triage errors.

Implementation of a prehospital triage system for patients with chest pain and logistics for primary percutaneous coronary intervention in the region of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

We aimed to describe the logistics of a prehospital triage system for patients with acute chest pain in the region of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Ambulance electrocardiograms (ECGs) were evaluated immediately in 1 of the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-capable centers. Patients accepted for primary PCI (PPCI) were directly transferred to the catheterization laboratory. Two thousand three hundred fifty ECGs of 2,192 patients were transmitted to the region's intervention centers. Median duration of chest complaints before ambulance dispatch was 67 minutes; ambulance crews recorded the first ECG within 7 minutes after arrival. Actual transmission of the ECG took an additional (median) 10 minutes. Seven hundred eleven patients (32.4%) were transported to the catheter laboratory and were treated with PPCI. Time between first prehospital ECG and start of PPCI procedure was 66 minutes. The PPCI procedure started 36 minutes after ambulance arrival at the hospital. In conclusion, the results of this study compare favorably to other reported performances of prehospital triage systems of PPCI for ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction and demonstrate that the European Society of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines for treatment of patients with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction can be met.