Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in the Therapy of Cardiogenic Shock: Results of the ECMO-CS Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is increasingly being used for circulatory support in patients with cardiogenic shock, although the evidence supporting its use in this context remains insufficient. The ECMO-CS trial (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in the Therapy of Cardiogenic Shock) aimed to compare immediate implementation of VA-ECMO versus an initially conservative therapy (allowing downstream use of VA-ECMO) in patients with rapidly deteriorating or severe cardiogenic shock. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, investigator-initiated, academic clinical trial included patients with either rapidly deteriorating or severe cardiogenic shock. Patients were randomly assigned to immediate VA-ECMO or no immediate VA-ECMO. Other diagnostic and therapeutic procedures were performed as per current standards of care. In the early conservative group, VA-ECMO could be used downstream in case of worsening hemodynamic status. The primary end point was the composite of death from any cause, resuscitated circulatory arrest, and implementation of another mechanical circulatory support device at 30 days. RESULTS: A total of 122 patients were randomized; after excluding 5 patients because of the absence of informed consent, 117 subjects were included in the analysis, of whom 58 were randomized to immediate VA-ECMO and 59 to no immediate VA-ECMO. The composite primary end point occurred in 37 (63.8%) and 42 (71.2%) patients in the immediate VA-ECMO and the no early VA-ECMO groups, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.46-1.12]; P=0.21). VA-ECMO was used in 23 (39%) of no early VA-ECMO patients. The 30-day incidence of resuscitated cardiac arrest (10.3.% versus 13.6%; risk difference, -3.2 [95% CI, -15.0 to 8.5]), all-cause mortality (50.0% versus 47.5%; risk difference, 2.5 [95% CI, -15.6 to 20.7]), serious adverse events (60.3% versus 61.0%; risk difference, -0.7 [95% CI, -18.4 to 17.0]), sepsis, pneumonia, stroke, leg ischemia, and bleeding was not statistically different between the immediate VA-ECMO and the no immediate VA-ECMO groups. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate implementation of VA-ECMO in patients with rapidly deteriorating or severe cardiogenic shock did not improve clinical outcomes compared with an early conservative strategy that permitted downstream use of VA-ECMO in case of worsening hemodynamic status. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov; Unique identifier: NCT02301819.

Prehospital tracheal intubations by anaesthetist-staffed critical care teams: a prospective observational multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: Prehospital tracheal intubation is a potentially lifesaving intervention, but is associated with prolonged time on-scene. Some services strongly advocate performing the procedure outside of the ambulance or aircraft, while others also perform the procedure inside the vehicle. This study was designed as a non-inferiority trial registering the rate of successful tracheal intubation and incidence of complications performed by a critical care team either inside or outside an ambulance or helicopter. METHODS: This observational multicentre study was performed between March 2020 and September 2021 and involved 12 anaesthetist-staffed critical care teams providing emergency medical services by helicopter in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The primary outcome was first-pass successful tracheal intubations. RESULTS: Of the 422 drug-assisted tracheal intubations examined, 240 (57%) took place in the cabin of the ambulance or helicopter. The rate of first-pass success was 89.2% for intubations in-cabin vs 86.3% outside. This difference of 2.9% (confidence interval -2.4% to 8.2%) (two sided 10%, including 0, but not the non-inferiority limit Δ=-4.5) fulfils our criteria for non-inferiority, but not significant superiority. These results withstand after performing a propensity score analysis. The mean on-scene time associated with the helicopter in-cabin procedures (27 min) was significantly shorter than for outside the cabin (32 min, P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Both in-cabin and outside the cabin, prehospital tracheal intubation by anaesthetists was performed with a high success rate. The mean on-scene time was shorter in the in-cabin helicopter cohort. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04206566.

Establishing quality indicators for pre-hospital advanced airway management: a modified nominal group technique consensus process.

BACKGROUND: Pre-hospital advanced airway management is a complex intervention composed of numerous steps, interactions, and variables that can be delivered to a high standard in the pre-hospital setting. Standard research methods have struggled to evaluate this complex intervention because of considerable heterogeneity in patients, providers, and techniques. In this study, we aimed to develop a set of quality indicators to evaluate pre-hospital advanced airway management. METHODS: We used a modified nominal group technique consensus process comprising three email rounds and a consensus meeting among a group of 16 international experts. The final set of quality indicators was assessed for usability according to the National Quality Forum Measure Evaluation Criteria. RESULTS: Seventy-seven possible quality indicators were identified through a narrative literature review with a further 49 proposed by panel experts. A final set of 17 final quality indicators composed of three structure-, nine process-, and five outcome-related indicators, was identified through the consensus process. The quality indicators cover all steps of pre-hospital advanced airway management from preoxygenation and use of rapid sequence induction to the ventilatory state of the patient at hospital delivery, prior intubation experience of provider, success rates and complications. CONCLUSIONS: We identified a set of quality indicators for pre-hospital advanced airway management that represent a practical tool to measure, report, analyse, and monitor quality and performance of this complex intervention.

The introduction of a regional Norwegian HEMS coordinator: an assessment of the effects on response times, geographical service areas and severity scores.

BACKGROUND: Due to unwanted delays and suboptimal resource control of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), regional HEMS coordinators have recently been introduced in Norway. This may represent an unnecessary link in the alarm chain, which could cause delays in HEMS dispatch. Systematic evaluations of this intervention are lacking. We wanted to conduct this study to assess possible changes in HEMS response times, mission distribution patterns and patient characteristics within our region following this intervention. METHODS: We retrospectively collected timeline parameters, patient characteristics and GPS positions from HEMS missions executed by three regional HEMS bases in Mid-Norway during 2017-2018 (preintervention) and 2019 (postintervention). The mean regional response time in HEMS missions was assessed by an interrupted time series analysis (ITS). The geographical mission distribution between regional HEMS resources was assessed by a before-after study with a convex hull-based method. RESULTS: There was no significant change in the level (-0.13 min/month, p = 0.88) or slope (-0.13 min/month, p = 0.30) of the mean regional response time trend line pre- and postintervention. For one HEMS base, the service area was increased, and the median mission distance was significantly longer. For the two other bases, the service areas were reduced. Both the mean NACA score (4.13 ± SD 0.027 vs 3.98 ± SD 0.04, p < 0.01) and the proportion of patients with severe illness or injury (NACA 4-7, 68.2% vs 61.5%, p < 0.001) were higher in the postintervention group. CONCLUSION: The introduction of a regional HEMS coordinator in Mid-Norway did not cause prolonged response times in acute HEMS missions during the first year after implementation. Higher NACA scores in the patients treated postintervention suggest better selection of HEMS use.

Needs assessment of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in patients with major haemorrhage: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) can be used as an adjunct treatment in traumatic abdominopelvic haemorrhage, ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms, postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), gastrointestinal bleeding and iatrogenic injuries during surgery. This needs assessment study aims to determine the number of patients eligible for REBOA in a typical Norwegian population. METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study based on data obtained from blood bank registries and the Norwegian Trauma Registry for the years 2017-2018. Patients who received ≥4 units of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) within 6 hours and met the anatomical criteria for REBOA or patients with relevant Abbreviated Injury Scale codes with concurrent hypotension or transfusion of ≥4 units of PRBCs within 6 hours were identified. A detailed two-step chart review was performed to identify potentially eligible REBOA candidates. Descriptive data were collected and compared between subgroups using non-parametric tests for statistical significance. RESULTS: Of 804 patients eligible for inclusion, 53 patients were regarded as potentially REBOA eligible (corresponding to 5.7 per 100 000 adult population/year). Of these, 19 actually received REBOA. Among the identified eligible patients, 44 (83%) had a non-traumatic aetiology. Forty-two patients (79%) were treated at a tertiary care hospital. Fourteen (78%) of the REBOA procedures were due to PPH. CONCLUSION: The number of patients potentially eligible for REBOA after haemorrhage is low, and most cases are non-traumatic. Most patients were treated at a tertiary care hospital. The exclusion of non-traumatic patients results in a substantial underestimation of the number of potentially REBOA-eligible patients.

Acute Severe Heart Failure Reduces Heart Rate Variability: An Experimental Study in a Porcine Model.

There are substantial differences in autonomic nervous system activation among heart (cardiac) failure (CF) patients. The effect of acute CF on autonomic function has not been well explored. The aim of our study was to assess the effect of experimental acute CF on heart rate variability (HRV). Twenty-four female pigs with a mean body weight of 45 kg were used. Acute severe CF was induced by global myocardial hypoxia. In each subject, two 5-min electrocardiogram segments were analyzed and compared: before the induction of myocardial hypoxia and >60 min after the development of severe CF. HRV was assessed by time-domain, frequency-domain and nonlinear analytic methods. The induction of acute CF led to a significant decrease in cardiac output, left ventricular ejection fraction and an increase in heart rate. The development of acute CF was associated with a significant reduction in the standard deviation of intervals between normal beats (50.8 [20.5−88.1] ms versus 5.9 [2.4−11.7] ms, p < 0.001). Uniform HRV reduction was also observed in other time-domain and major nonlinear analytic methods. Similarly, frequency-domain HRV parameters were significantly changed. Acute severe CF induced by global myocardial hypoxia is associated with a significant reduction in HRV.

Changes in peripheral arterial blood pressure after resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in non-traumatic cardiac arrest patients.

BACKGROUND: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) may be an adjunct treatment to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Aortic occlusion may increase aortic pressure and increase the coronary perfusion pressure and the cerebral blood flow. Peripheral arterial blood pressure is often measured during or after CPR, however, changes in peripheral blood pressure after aortic occlusion is insufficiently described. This study aimed to assess changes in peripheral arterial blood pressure after REBOA in patients with out of hospital cardiac arrest. METHODS: A prospective observational study performed at the helicopter emergency medical service in Trondheim (Norway). Eligible patients received REBOA as adjunct treatment to advanced cardiac life support. Peripheral invasive arterial blood pressure and end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) was measured before and after aortic occlusion. Differences in arterial blood pressures and EtCO2 before and after occlusion was analysed with Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. RESULTS: Five patients were included to the study. The median REBOA procedural time was 11 min and median time from dispatch to aortic occlusion was 50 min. Two patients achieved return of spontaneous circulation. EtCO2 increased significantly 60 s after occlusion, by a mean of 1.16 kPa (p = 0.043). Before occlusion the arterial pressure in the compression phase were 43.2 (range 12-112) mmHg, the mean pressure 18.6 (range 4-27) mmHg and pressure in the relaxation phase 7.8 (range - 7 - 22) mmHg. After aortic occlusion the corresponding pressures were 114.8 (range 23-241) mmHg, 44.6 (range 15-87) mmHg and 14.8 (range 0-29) mmHg. The arterial pressures were significant different in the compression phase and as mean pressure (p = 0.043 and p = 0.043, respectively) and not significant in the relaxation phase (p = 0.223). CONCLUSION: This study is, to our knowledge, the first to assess the peripheral invasive arterial blood pressure response to aortic occlusion during CPR in the pre-hospital setting. REBOA application during CPR is associated with a significantly increase in peripheral artery pressures. This likely indicates improved central aortic blood pressure and warrants studies with simultaneous peripheral and central blood pressure measurement during aortic occlusion. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT03534011 ).

Improper monitoring and deviations from physiologic treatment goals in patients with brain injury in the early phases of emergency care.

Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and intracerebral- and subarachnoid hemorrhage (ICH/SAH) are conditions associated with high mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of obtaining continuous physiologic data and to identify possible harmful physiological deviations in these patients, in the early phases of emergency care. Patients with ICH/SAH, OHCA and severe TBI treated by the Physician-staffed Emergency Medical Service (P-EMS) between September and December 2016 were included. Physiological data were obtained from site of injury/illness, during transport, in the emergency department (ED) and until 3 h after admittance to the intensive care unit. Physiological deviations were based on predefined target values within each 5-min interval. 13 patients were included in the study, of which 38% survived. All patients experienced one or more episodes of hypoxia, 38% experienced episodes of hypercapnia and 46% experienced episodes of hypotension. The mean proportion of time without any monitoring in the pre-hospital phase was 29%, 47% and 56% for SpO2, end-tidal CO2 and systolic blood pressure, respectively. For the ED these proportions were 57%, 71% and 56%, respectively. Continuous physiological data was not possible to obtain in this study of critically ill and injured patients with brain injury. The patients had frequent deviations in blood pressure, SpO2 and end tidal CO2-levels, and measurements were frequently missing. There is a potential for improved monitoring as a tool for quality improvement in pre-hospital critical care.

Developing Quality Indicators for Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Coordination in Norwegian Emergency Medical Communication Centrals: A Consensus Process.

OBJECTIVE: Efforts to optimize the use, availability, and safety of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) is important. A lack of consistent and comprehensive flight dispatch procedures and a lack of use of safety technology are recurring safety problems. Reports after several major incidents pointed toward a possible gain by coordinating Norwegian HEMS from regional emergency medical communication centrals. Our objective was to develop and implement relevant quality indicators before such implementation in central Norway. METHODS: We recruited an expert panel of 24 persons representing Norwegian health authorities, emergency medical communication centrals, and HEMS bases and performed a 3-step e-mail-based Delphi process to develop relevant quality indicators. Each indicator was assessed according to their feasibility, rankability, actionability, and variability. To reach a consensus, a median score of 5 or more on a 6-point Likert scale in step 3 was needed. RESULTS: A total of 61 quality indicators were proposed. Of the 14 indicators that reached a consensus, 12 of these were considered process indicators, and 2 were bordering to outcome indicators. CONCLUSION: We applied a Delphi process method to develop quality indicators for HEMS coordination and flight following. An experienced and heterogeneous expert panel suggested and reached a consensus on which quality indicators should be applied.

Data quality of Glasgow Coma Scale and Systolic Blood Pressure in scientific studies involving physician-staffed emergency medical services: Systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Emergency physicians on-scene provide highly specialized care to severely sick or injured patients. High-quality research relies on the quality of data, but no commonly accepted definition of EMS data quality exits. Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) and Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) are core physiological variables, but little is known about the quality of these data when reported in p-EMS research. This systematic review aims to describe the quality of pre-hospital reporting of GCS and SBP data in studies where emergency physicians are present on-scene. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed using CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, Medline, Norart, Scopus, SweMed + and Web of Science, in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Reported data on accuracy of reporting, completeness and capture were extracted to describe the quality of documentation of GCS and SBP. External and internal validity assessment was performed by extracting a set of predefined variables. RESULTS: We included 137 articles describing data collection for GCS, SBP or both. Most studies (81%) were conducted in Europe and 59% of studies reported trauma cases. Reporting of GCS and SBP data were not uniform and may be improved to enable comparisons. Of the predefined external and internal validity data items, 26%-45% of data were possible to extract from the included papers. CONCLUSIONS: Reporting of GCS and SBP is variable in scientific papers. We recommend standardized reporting to enable comparisons of p-EMS.

Checklists in pre-hospital advanced airway management.

BACKGROUND: In pre-hospital care, pre-intubation checklists (PICL) are widely implemented as a safety measure and guidelines support their use. However, the true value of PICL among experienced airway providers is unknown. This study aims to explore possible benefits and disadvantages of PICL in the pre-hospital setting. METHODS: We performed a subgroup analysis of a prospective, observational, multicentre study on pre-hospital advanced airway management in the Nordic countries between May 2015 and November 2016. The original trial was designed to investigate the success rates of pre-hospital tracheal intubations and the incidence of complications. Our study limited inclusion to drug assisted intubations performed by anaesthesiologists. Intubation success rates and complication rates were plotted against checklist use. RESULTS: We analyzed 588 pre-hospital intubations for medical and traumatic emergencies. Overall, checklists were used in 60.5% of instances. Applying checklists was associated with increased success at first and second intubation attempts. There was no significant difference in the overall success rates (99.4% and 99.1%). Oesophageal misplacement was more common in the No-PICL group (2.2% vs 0.3%) but otherwise the incidence of airway related complications did not differ between the groups. Scene time was significantly shorter in the No-PICL group (23.6 vs 27.5 minutes). CONCLUSION: In this retrospective study, checklist use correlated with fewer attempts at intubation when securing the airway. Despite this, we found no association between checklist use and the overall TI success rate or the incidence of serious adverse events. Scene times were shorter without PICL.

Assignment of pre-event ASA physical status classification by pre-hospital physicians: a prospective inter-rater reliability study.

BACKGROUND: Individualized treatment is a common principle in hospitals. Treatment decisions are made based on the patient's condition, including comorbidities. This principle is equally relevant out-of-hospital. Furthermore, comorbidity is an important risk-adjustment factor when evaluating pre-hospital interventions and may aid therapeutic decisions and triage. The American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS) classification system is included in templates for reporting data in physician-staffed pre-hospital emergency medical services (p-EMS) but whether an adequate full pre-event ASA-PS can be assessed by pre-hospital physicians remains unknown. We aimed to explore whether pre-hospital physicians can score an adequate pre-event ASA-PS with the information available on-scene. METHODS: The study was an inter-rater reliability study consisting of two steps. Pre-event ASA-PS scores made by pre- and in-hospital physicians were compared. Pre-hospital physicians did not have access to patient records and scores were based on information obtainable on-scene. In-hospital physicians used the complete patient record (Step 1). To assess inter-rater reliability between pre- and in-hospital physicians when given equal amounts of information, pre-hospital physicians also assigned pre-event ASA-PS for 20 of the included patients by using the complete patient records (Step 2). Inter-rater reliability was analyzed using quadratic weighted Cohen's kappa (κw). RESULTS: For most scores (82%) inter-rater reliability between pre-and in-hospital physicians were moderate to substantial (κw 0,47-0,89). Inter-rater reliability was higher among the in-hospital physicians (κw 0,77 to 0.85). When all physicians had access to the same information, κw increased (κw 0,65 to 0,93). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-hospital physicians can score an adequate pre-event ASA-PS on-scene for most patients. To further increase inter-rater reliability, we recommend access to the full patient journal on-scene. We recommend application of the full ASA-PS classification system for reporting of comorbidity in p-EMS.

Prehospital Stressors: A Cross-sectional Study of Norwegian Helicopter Emergency Medical Physicians.

OBJECTIVE: Personnel working in helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) and search and rescue (SAR) are exposed to environmental stressors, which may impair performance. The aim of this survey was to study the extent HEMS and SAR physicians report the influence of specific danger-based and non-danger-based stressors. METHODS: The study was performed as a cross-sectional, anonymous, Web-based (Questback AS, Bogstadveien 54, 0366 Oslo, Norway) survey of Norwegian HEMS and SAR physicians between December 2, 2019, and February 25, 2020. RESULTS: Of the recipients, 119 (79.3%) responded. In helicopter operations, 33.6% (n = 40) reported involvement in a minor accident and 44.5% (n = 53) a near accident. In the rapid response car, 26.1% (n = 31) reported near accidents, whereas 26.9% (32) reported this in an ambulance. Of physicians, 20.2% (n = 24) received verbal abuse or threats during the last 12 months. When on call, 50.4% (n = 60) of physicians reported sometimes or often being influenced by fatigue. CONCLUSION: This study shows that Norwegian HEMS and SAR physicians are exposed to several stressors of both a danger-based and non-danger-based nature, especially regarding accidents, threatening patient behavior, and fatigue. Very serious incidents appear to be seldom, and job satisfaction is high.

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Kosovo, 2013-2016.

During 2013-2016, a total of 32 patients were treated for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Prishtina, Kosovo; 11 died. In the 11 patients who died, findings included viral loads >1 × 108.5/mL, lactate dehydrogenase >2,700 U/mL, bleeding, and impaired consciousness. Ribavirin therapy had no noticeable effect in this small patient sample.

Continual measurement of arterial dP/dtmax enables minimally invasive monitoring of left ventricular contractility in patients with acute heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Continuous, reliable evaluation of left ventricular (LV) contractile function in patients with advanced heart failure requiring intensive care remains challenging. Continual monitoring of dP/dtmax from the arterial line has recently become available in hemodynamic monitoring. However, the relationship between arterial dP/dtmax and LV dP/dtmax remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the relationship between arterial dP/dtmax and LV dP/dtmax assessed using echocardiography in patients with acute heart failure. METHODS: Forty-eight patients (mean age 70.4 years [65% male]) with acute heart failure requiring intensive care and hemodynamic monitoring were recruited. Hemodynamic variables, including arterial dP/dtmax, were continually monitored using arterial line pressure waveform analysis. LV dP/dtmax was assessed using continuous-wave Doppler analysis of mitral regurgitation flow. RESULTS: Values from continual arterial dP/dtmax monitoring were significantly correlated with LV dP/dtmax assessed using echocardiography (r = 0.70 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51-0.82]; P < 0.0001). Linear regression analysis revealed that LV dP/dtmax = 1.25 × (arterial dP/dtmax) (P < 0.0001). Arterial dP/dtmax was also significantly correlated with stroke volume (SV) (r = 0.63; P < 0.0001) and cardiac output (CO) (r = 0.42; P = 0.0289). In contrast, arterial dP/dtmax was not correlated with SV variation, dynamic arterial elastance, heart rate, systemic vascular resistance (SVR), or mean arterial pressure. Markedly stronger agreement between arterial and LV dP/dtmax was observed in subgroups with higher SVR (N = 28; r = 0.91; P <  0.0001), lower CO (N = 26; r = 0.81; P <  0.0001), and lower SV (N = 25; r = 0.60; P = 0.0014). A weak correlation was observed in the subjects with lower SVR (N = 20; r = 0.61; P = 0.0004); in the subgroups with higher CO (N = 22) and higher SV (N = 23), no significant correlation was found. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that in patients with acute heart failure requiring intensive care with an arterial line, continuous calculation of arterial dP/dtmax may be used for monitoring LV contractility, especially in those with higher SVR, lower CO, and lower SV, such as in patients experiencing cardiogenic shock. On the other hand, there was only a weak or no significant correlation in the subgroups with higher CO, higher SV, and lower SVR.

Collecting core data in physician-staffed pre-hospital helicopter emergency medical services using a consensus-based template: international multicentre feasibility study in Finland and Norway.

BACKGROUND: Comparison of services and identification of factors important for favourable patient outcomes in emergency medical services (EMS) is challenging due to different organization and quality of data. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of physician-staffed EMS (p-EMS) to collect patient and system level data by using a consensus-based template. METHODS: The study was an international multicentre observational study. Data were collected according to a template for uniform reporting of data from p-EMS using two different data collection methods; a standard and a focused data collection method. For the standard data collection, data were extracted retrospectively for one year from all FinnHEMS bases and for the focused data collection, data were collected prospectively for six weeks from four selected Norwegian p-EMS bases. Completeness rates for the two data collection methods were then compared and factors affecting completeness rates and template feasibility were evaluated. Standard Chi-Square, Fisher's Exact Test and Mann-Whitney U Test were used for group comparison of categorical and continuous data, respectively, and Kolomogorov-Smirnov test for comparison of distributional properties. RESULTS: All missions with patient encounters were included, leaving 4437 Finnish and 128 Norwegian missions eligible for analysis. Variable completeness rates indicated that physiological variables were least documented. Information on pain and respiratory rate were the most frequently missing variables with a standard data collection method and systolic blood pressure was the most missing variable with a focused data collection method. Completeness rates were similar or higher when patients were considered severely ill or injured but were lower for missions with short patient encounter. When a focused data collection method was used, completeness rates were higher compared to a standard data collection method. CONCLUSIONS: We found that a focused data collection method increased data capture compared to a standard data collection method. The concept of using a template for documentation of p-EMS data is feasible in physician-staffed services in Finland and Norway. The greatest deficiencies in completeness rates were evident for physiological parameters. Short missions were associated with lower completeness rates whereas severe illness or injury did not result in reduced data capture.

Quality measurement in physician-staffed emergency medical services: a systematic literature review.

PURPOSE: Quality measurement of physician-staffed emergency medical services (P-EMS) is necessary to improve service quality. Knowledge and consensus on this topic are scarce, making quality measurement of P-EMS a high-priority research area. The aim of this review was to identify, describe and evaluate studies of quality measurement in P-EMS. DATA SOURCES: The databases of MEDLINE and Embase were searched initially, followed by a search for included article citations in Scopus. STUDY SELECTION: The study eligibility criteria were: (1) articles describing the use of one quality indicator (QI) or more in P-EMS, (2) original manuscripts, (3) articles published from 1 January 1968 until 5 October 2016. The literature search identified 4699 records. 4543 were excluded after reviewing title and abstract. An additional 129 were excluded based on a full-text review. The remaining 27 papers were included in the analysis. Methodological quality was assessed using an adapted critical appraisal tool. DATA EXTRACTION: The description of used QIs and methods of quality measurement was extracted. Variables describing the involved P-EMSs were extracted as well. RESULTS OF DATA SYNTHESIS: In the included papers, a common understanding of which QIs to use in P-EMS did not exist. Fifteen papers used only a single QI. The most widely used QIs were 'Adherence to medical protocols', 'Provision of advanced interventions', 'Response time' and 'Adverse events'. CONCLUSION: The review demonstrated a lack of shared understanding of which QIs to use in P-EMS. Moreover, papers using only one QI dominated the literature, thus increasing the risk of a narrow perspective in quality measurement. Future quality measurement in P-EMS should rely on a set of consensus-based QIs, ensuring a comprehensive approach to quality measurement.

Search and Rescue and Remote Medical Evacuation in a Norwegian Setting: Comparison of Two Systems.

INTRODUCTION: Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) contribute to and complement other specialized search and rescue (SAR) services. Conversely, traditional SAR services perform medical evacuation (medevac), depending on crew, training, medical equipment, and procedures for interdisciplinary cooperation. We aim to describe and compare SAR and remote medevac mission characteristics in a military SAR helicopter system to a civilian HEMS operating in the same region. METHODS: Retrospective, observational study of SAR and remote medevac missions performed at a Norwegian military SAR helicopter and civilian HEMS base in the 5-y period from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2017. Descriptive statistics and median values with interquartile range (IQR) were applied where appropriate. Comparisons were performed with the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: We included 721 missions. The SAR service performed 359 (50%) missions, of which 237 (33%) were SAR and 122 (17%) were remote medevac missions. The HEMS service performed 85 (12%) SAR and 277 (38%) remote medevac missions. Median mission time for SAR missions was 152 (IQR 100-235) min for the SAR service and 57 (IQR 34-89) min for the HEMS service. Trauma was the dominating mechanism in 48% of patients, followed by medical conditions (21%) and psychiatric disorders (9%). Medevac patients in both services had a higher median National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics score of 3 (IQR 2-4) compared to 1 (IQR 0-3) in SAR missions (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both SAR and HEMS services perform SAR and remote medevac missions extensively and mission profiles vary.

First detection of Leishmania donovani in sand flies from Cameroon and its epidemiological implications.

OBJECTIVES: A sound knowledge of the vector-host-parasite transmission dynamics is a prerequisite for adequate control measures of vector-borne diseases. To achieve this, an entomological investigation was conducted in the cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) endemic focus of Mokolo District, northern Cameroon to identify the insect vector(s) of the disease. METHODS: Phlebotomine sand flies were collected in and around Mokolo using New Standard CDC Miniature Light Traps. Individual sand flies were used for morphological species identification, and the remainder of the body for DNA analysis. Sand flies were demonstrated to harbour Leishmania spp. parasites using ITS1 PCR. Mitochondrial vertebrate-specific Cytochrome b -PCR was used to identify blood meals ingested by female sand flies. PCR amplicons were sequenced for Leishmania and blood sources discrimination. RESULTS: This study revealed the presence of Leishmania donovani complex DNA (n = 1) in Phlebotomus duboscqi and of lizard-borne Leishmania tarentolae-like DNA (n = 3) in Sergentomyia spp. in 79 sand fly specimens from Mokolo district. CONCLUSIONS: The causative agent of CL could not be detected in potential vectors. Instead, we found evidence for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) parasites in Phlebotomus duboscqi as well as enzootic reptile parasites in the Mokolo area. We recommend that an epidemiological survey be carried out in the area to evaluate the prevalence and eventually describe the clinical manifestations of VL in the human population. Political instability in neighbouring countries and the resulting refugee migration are likely explanations for the emergence of VL in Mokolo.

Long-Term Outcomes After ICU Admission Triage in Octogenarians.

OBJECTIVE: To describe ICU admission triage and outcomes in octogenarians. DESIGN: Multicenter prospective observational study. SETTING: Three nonuniversity hospitals and three university hospitals in Norway. PATIENTS: Patients 80 years old or older who were referred for ICU admission from November 2013 to October 2014. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 355 included patients, 105 (29.6%) were refused ICU treatment. Risk factors for ICU refusal in patients considered "too ill/old" were advanced age and low functional status. Risk factors for ICU refusal in patients considered "too well" were advanced age, male sex, university hospital admission, comorbidity, and low Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3. Overall ICU survival was 71.6%. Hospital and 1-year survival were 56.0% and 40.0% in the ICU-admitted, 65.2% and 50.0% in the nonadmitted patients considered too well, and 32.7% and 11.5% in patients considered too ill/old, respectively. The adjusted Kaplan-Meier curves showed significantly lower survival for nonadmitted patients considered too ill/old than for ICU-admitted patients and nonadmitted patients considered too well. At follow-up, triage patients had lower health-related quality of life than an age- and sex-matched control group in the domains of self-care, usual care, and anxiety and depression, and a lower EuroQol visual analog scale scores. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, 29.6% of the patients were refused ICU treatment. The adjusted survival analyses showed a significantly higher survival for ICU-admitted octogenarians than for nonadmitted patients who were considered too ill/old, indicating a benefit of ICU admission. Overall, the follow-up of triage patients showed lower health-related quality of life than an age- and sex-matched control population.