Demographic disparities in the incidence and case fatality of subarachnoid haemorrhage: an 18-year nationwide study from New Zealand.

Background: Although the incidence and case-fatality of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) vary within countries, few countries have reported nationwide rates, especially for multi-ethnic populations. We assessed the nationwide incidence and case-fatality of SAH in New Zealand (NZ) and explored variations by sex, district, ethnicity and time. Methods: We used administrative health data from the national hospital discharge and cause-of-death collections to identify hospitalised and fatal non-hospitalised aneurysmal SAHs in NZ between 2001 and 2018. For validation, we compared these administrative data to those of two prospective Auckland Regional Community Stroke Studies. We subsequently estimated the incidence and case-fatality of SAH and calculated adjusted rate ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals to assess differences between sub-populations. Findings: Over 78,187,500 cumulative person-years, we identified 5371 SAHs (95% sensitivity and 85% positive predictive values) resulting in an annual age-standardised nationwide incidence of 8.2/100,000. In total, 2452 (46%) patients died within 30 days after SAH. Compared to European/others, Maori had greater incidence (RR = 2.23 (2.08-2.39)) and case-fatality (RR = 1.14 (1.06-1.22)), whereas SAH incidence was also greater in Pacific peoples (RR = 1.40 (1.24-1.59)) but lesser in Asians (RR = 0.79 (0.71-0.89)). By domicile, age-standardised SAH incidence varied between 6.3-11.5/100,000 person-years and case fatality between 40 and 57%. Between 2001 and 2018, the SAH incidence of NZ decreased by 34% and the case fatality by 12%. Interpretation: Since the incidence and case-fatality of SAH varies considerably between regions and ethnic groups, caution is advised when generalising findings from focused geographical locations for public health planning, especially in multi-ethnic populations. Funding: NZ Health Research Council.

Pre-hospital transdermal glyceryl trinitrate in patients with stroke mimics: data from the RIGHT-2 randomised-controlled ambulance trial.

BACKGROUND: Prehospital stroke trials will inevitably recruit patients with non-stroke conditions, so called stroke mimics. We undertook a pre-specified analysis to determine outcomes in patients with mimics in the second Rapid Intervention with Glyceryl trinitrate in Hypertensive stroke Trial (RIGHT-2). METHODS: RIGHT-2 was a prospective, multicentre, paramedic-delivered, ambulance-based, sham-controlled, participant-and outcome-blinded, randomised-controlled trial of transdermal glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) in adults with ultra-acute presumed stroke in the UK. Final diagnosis (intracerebral haemorrhage, ischaemic stroke, transient ischaemic attack, mimic) was determined by the hospital investigator. This pre-specified subgroup analysis assessed the safety and efficacy of transdermal GTN (5 mg daily for 4 days) versus sham patch among stroke mimic patients. The primary outcome was the 7-level modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days. RESULTS: Among 1149 participants in RIGHT-2, 297 (26%) had a final diagnosis of mimic (GTN 134, sham 163). The mimic group were younger, mean age 67 (SD: 18) vs 75 (SD: 13) years, had a longer interval from symptom onset to randomisation, median 75 [95% CI: 47,126] vs 70 [95% CI:45,108] minutes, less atrial fibrillation and a lower systolic blood pressure and Face-Arm-Speech-Time tool score than the stroke group. The three most common mimic diagnoses were seizure (17%), migraine or primary headache disorder (17%) and functional disorders (14%). At 90 days, the GTN group had a better mRS score as compared to the sham group (adjusted common odds ratio 0.54; 95% confidence intervals 0.34, 0.85; p = 0.008), a difference that persisted at 365 days. There was no difference in the proportion of patients who died in hospital, were discharged to a residential care facility, or suffered a serious adverse event. CONCLUSIONS: One-quarter of patients suspected by paramedics to have an ultra-acute stroke were subsequently diagnosed with a non-stroke condition. GTN was associated with unexplained improved functional outcome observed at 90 days and one year, a finding that may represent an undetected baseline imbalance, chance, or real efficacy. GTN was not associated with harm. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial is registered with International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials Number ISRCTN 26986053 .

Factors Associated with Emergency Medical Service Reattendance in Low Acuity Patients Not Transported by Ambulance.

Background: The decision for emergency medical services (EMS) personnel not to transport a patient is challenging: there is a risk of subsequent deterioration but transportation of all patients to hospital would overburden emergency departments. The aim of this large-scale EMS study was to identify factors associated with an increased likelihood of ambulance reattendance within 48 hours in low acuity patients who were not transported by ambulance.Methods: We conducted a 2-year retrospective cohort study using data from the St John New Zealand EMS between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2018 to investigate demographic and clinical associations with ambulance reattendance.Results: In total, 83,171 low acuity patients not transported by ambulance were included, of whom 4,512 (5.4%) had an EMS ambulance reattend within 48 hours. There were significant associations between EMS reattendance and patient age, sex, ethnicity, deprivation, and event location. Patients aged 60-74 years old had the highest likelihood of ambulance recall (OR 2.87, 95% CI: 2.51-3.28). Males were more likely to have an EMS ambulance reattend within 48 hours (OR 1.17, 95% CI: 1.09-1.25). Maori and Pacific Peoples had a similar likelihood of EMS recall to European/Others; however, the Asian cohort showed a reduced likelihood of reattendance (OR 0.76, 95% CI: 0.62-0.93).There were significant associations between EMS reattendance and non-transport reason, time spent on scene, event type, clinical acuity level (status), and pain score. Shorter (<30 minutes) on scene times were associated with a decreased likelihood of ambulance reattendance, whereas longer scene times (>45 minutes) were associated with an increased likelihood. Medical events were more likely to require reattendance than accident-related events (OR 1.22, 95% CI: 1.13-1.32). Non-transported patients with a severe pain score (7-10/10) were at increased likelihood of requiring reattendance (OR 1.60, 95% CI: 1.33-1.92).Discussion: The overall low rate of EMS reattendance is encouraging. Further research is needed into the clinical presentation of patients requiring ambulance reattendance within 48 hours to determine if there are early warning signs indicative of subsequent deterioration.

Changes in demand for emergency ambulances during a nationwide lockdown that resulted in elimination of COVID-19: an observational study from New Zealand.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of a 5-week national lockdown on ambulance service demand during the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional, observational study. SETTING: High-quality data from ambulance electronic clinical records, New Zealand. PARTICIPANTS: Ambulance records were obtained from 588 690 attendances during pre-lockdown (prior to 17 February 2020) and from 36 238 records during the lockdown period (23 March to 26 April 2020). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ambulance service utilisation during lockdown was compared with pre-lockdown: (a) descriptive analyses of ambulance events and proportions of event types for each period, (b) absolute rates of ambulance attendance (event types/week) for each period. RESULTS: During lockdown, ambulance patients were more likely to be attended at home and less likely to be aged between 16 and 25 years. There was a significant increase in the proportion of lower acuity patients (Status 3 and Status 4) attended (p<0.001) and a corresponding increase in patients not transported from scene (p<0.001). Road traffic crashes (p<0.001) and alcohol-related incidents (p<0.001) significantly decreased. There was a decrease in the absolute number of weekly ambulance attendances (ratio (95% CI), 0.89 (0.87 to 0.91), p<0.001), attendances to respiratory conditions (0.74 (0.61 to 0.86), p=0.01), and trauma (0.81 (0.77 to 0.85), p<0.001). However, there was a significant increase in ambulance attendances for mental health conditions (1.37 (1.22 to 1.51), p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the relative absence of COVID-19 in the community during the 5-week nationwide lockdown, there were significant differences in ambulance utilisation during this period. The lockdown was associated with an increase in ambulance attendances for mental health conditions and is of concern. In considering future lockdowns, the potential implications on a population's mental well-being will need to be seriously considered against the benefits of elimination of virus transmission.

Measuring stroke and transient ischemic attack burden in New Zealand: Protocol for the fifth Auckland Regional Community Stroke Study (ARCOS V).

Aim: The goal of this paper is to provide a protocol for conducting a fifth population-based Auckland Regional Community Stroke study (ARCOS V) in New Zealand. Methods and Discussion: In this study, for the first time globally, (1) stroke and TIA burden will be determined using the currently used clinical and tissue-based definition of stroke, in addition to the WHO clinical classifications of stroke used in all previous ARCOS studies, as well as more advanced criteria recently suggested for an "ideal" population-based stroke incidence and outcomes study; and (2) age, sex, and ethnic-specific trends in stroke incidence and outcomes will be determined over the last four decades, including changes in the incidence of acute cerebrovascular events over the last decade. Furthermore, information at four time points over a 40-year period will allow the assessment of effects of recent changes such as implementation of the FAST campaign, ambulance pre-notification, and endovascular treatment. This will enable more accurate projections for health service planning and delivery. Conclusion: The methods of this study will provide a foundation for future similar population-based studies in other countries and populations.

Community Knowledge and Awareness of Stroke in New Zealand.

INTRODUCTION: Community knowledge and stroke awareness is crucial for primary prevention of stroke and timely access to stroke treatments including acute reperfusion therapies. We conducted a national telephone survey to quantify the level of community stroke awareness. METHODS: A random sample of 400 adults in New Zealand (NZ), stratified by the 4 main ethnic groups, was surveyed. Eligible participants answered stroke awareness questions using both unprompted (open-ended) and prompted questions (using a list). Proportional odds logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with stroke awareness. RESULTS: Only 1.5% of participants named stroke as a major cause of death. The stroke signs and symptoms most frequently identified from a list were sudden speech difficulty (94%) and sudden 1-sided weakness (92%). Without prompting, 78% of participants correctly identified at least 1 risk factor, 62% identified at least 2, and 35% identified 3 or more. When prompted with the list, scores increased 10-fold compared with unprompted responses. Ethnic disparities were observed, with Pacific peoples having the lowest level of awareness among the 4 ethnic groups. Higher education level, higher income, and personal experience of stroke were predictive of greater awareness (P ≤ .05). CONCLUSIONS: Stroke was not recognized as a major cause of death. Although identification of stroke risk factors was high with prompting, awareness was low without prompting, particularly among those with lower education and income. Nationwide, culturally tailored public awareness campaigns are necessary to improve knowledge of stroke risk factors, recognition of stroke in the community and appropriate actions to take in cases of suspected stroke.

Ethnic disparities in the incidence and outcome from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A New Zealand observational study.

BACKGROUND: New Zealand (NZ) has an ethnically diverse population. International studies have demonstrated significant differences in health equity by ethnicity; however, there is limited evidence in the context of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in NZ. We investigated whether heath disparities in incidence and outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest exist between NZ ethnic groups. METHOD: A retrospective observational study was conducted using NZ cardiac arrest registry data for a 2-year period. Ethnic cohorts investigated were the indigenous Maori population, Pacific Peoples and European/Others. Incidence rates, population characteristics and outcomes (Return of Spontaneous Circulation sustained to hospital handover and thirty-day survival) were compared. RESULTS: Age-adjusted incidence rates per 100,000 person-years were higher in Maori (144.4) and Pacific Peoples (113.5) compared to European/Others (93.8). Return of spontaneous circulation sustained to hospital handover was significantly lower in Maori (adjusted OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.64-0.87, p < 0.001). Survival to thirty-days was lower for both Maori (adjusted OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.48-0.78, p < 0.001) and Pacific Peoples (adjusted OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.37-0.72, p < 0.001). A higher proportion of events occurred in all age groups below 65 years old in Maori and Pacific Peoples (p < 0.001), and a higher proportion of events occurred among women in Maori and Pacific Peoples (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There are significant differences in health equity by ethnicity. Both Maori and Pacific Peoples have higher incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and at a younger age. Maori and Pacific Peoples have lower rates of survival to thirty-days. Our results provide impetus for targeted health strategies for at-risk ethnic populations.

Direct transport to PCI-capable hospitals after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in New Zealand: Inequities and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: It is widely accepted that survival from OHCA may be improved through direct transfer of patients to hospitals with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) capability. However, within the New Zealand healthcare system there is limited evidence available to support this. We aimed to compare patient characteristics and outcomes following an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest between those patients transported to hospitals with or without PCI-capability within New Zealand. METHOD: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the St John New Zealand OHCA registry for adults treated for an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of presumed cardiac aetiology between 1 October 2013 and 31 October 2018. Population characteristics were investigated using a Chi-Square analysis. Binary logistic regression modelling was used to investigate outcome differences in survival at 30 days post-event according to receiving hospital PCI-capability. RESULTS: The study included 1750 patients who were transported to hospital following an OHCA. A significantly lower proportion of patients over 65 years (49.9%) were conveyed to hospitals with PCI-capability compared to younger aged patients (15-44 years (52.1%) and 45-64 years (59.7%) (p < 0.001). When ethnic groups were compared, Maori (32.9%) had the lowest proportion transported to PCI-capable hospitals, followed by European (55.6%) then Pacific Peoples (86.2%) (p < 0.001). A lower proportion of patients located rurally (34.7%) were transported to hospitals with PCI-capability compared to patients in an urban location (59.1%) (p < 0.001). Thirty-day survival was higher in patients transported to hospitals with PCI-capability (adjusted OR 1.285, 95%CI (1.01-1.63), p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Patient characteristic differences indicate that inequities in healthcare may exist in New Zealand related to age, ethnic group, and rurality. Thirty-day survival was significantly increased in patients conveyed directly to a hospital with PCI-capability.

Regulating our emergency care paramedics.

Ambulance paramedics administering emergency care to patients are delivering a health service as defined in the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act, 2003. Paramedics practice a wide range of skills without direct supervision and these can potentially put the public at risk if the paramedic is not competent. Paramedic practice is also rapidly expanding beyond the traditional ambulance role. However, this emerging profession falls outside the Act and paramedics remain unregistered. In this paper we state the case for extending regulation to these frontline healthcare professionals.

The 12-lead ECG in the emergency medical service setting: how electrode placement and paramedic gender are experienced by women.

AIM: The aim of this study was to explore women's attitudes to precordial electrode placement and 12-lead ECG acquisition in the emergency medical service setting. METHOD: Fifty participants were recruited from university campuses. Demographic data were collected and two ECGs were recorded: one with precordial electrodes positioned on the breast and one with the electrodes under the breast. Participants' attitudes to electrode placement and ECG acquisition were explored in a second questionnaire. RESULTS: Twenty-six participants (52%) preferred to have the electrodes placed on their breast, 19 (38%) were indifferent between the two placements and 5 (10%) preferred siting under the breast. 94% of the participants stated they would consent to a prehospital ECG irrespective of the gender of the paramedic crew, and all reported they would have the investigation if it facilitated definitive treatment, even if the paramedic was male. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of participants preferred electrode placement on the breast and would consent to ECG acquisition irrespective of the gender of the operator. It is possible that paramedics are more concerned with the acceptability of acquiring an ECG than women are themselves.

NHS and charitable funding for children and young people with cancer in England and Wales.

In 2005 the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Guidance on Cancer Services: Improving Outcomes in Children and Young People with Cancer, identified the need to quantify the substantial contribution made by charities to NHS provision to this group of patients. This article quantifies the contribution in England and Wales. It identifies 51 charities established specifically to assist this patient group, estimates that 340 charities made some financial contribution and 28 organizations administered charitable funds for hospices. The financial contribution to services by charities was estimated to be between pound25 million and pound38 million in 2003, representing between one-third and a half of the total resources directed to the treatment and support of children and young people with cancer in specialist centres across England and Wales. Reliance on the substantial charitable funding of health care in England and Wales raises concerns over government responsibility, and the potential misalignment between NHS priorities and those of the charities.