RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Inconsistent regulations and laws can lead to misunderstandings and incorrect procedures. In this study we would like to evaluate the heterogeneity of the different processes of postmortem examination and death certification in the German emergency medical services. METHODS: An e-mail with a survey link was sent to 212 medical directors of emergency services. The questions were answered online. RESULTS: The response rate was 47%. Regulated procedures were evident in 58% of the cases. Issue of provisional death certificate comprised 64%, postmortem examination 45%; 19.4% of emergency physicians were required to do the final post-mortem. In 41% of the cases, the application protocol was considered sufficient as a form of documentation. 45% of the participants evaluated the respective legal regulation as sufficient. Questions and concerns arose, especially when medical directors of EMS believed that the state-specific regulations were not sufficient (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results show that the obligatory post-mortem examination in Germany is heterogeneous in its processing procedures. More than half of the participants rate the existing legal regulations as inadequate. As a result, it is not uncommon for queries and complaints to arise, but above all for uncertainties to arise in everyday practice. Our results suggest that uniform legislation and clearly defined processes are desirable.
Assuntos
Atestado de Óbito , Serviços Médicos de Emergência , Autopsia , Alemanha , Humanos , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has also significantly burdened and challenged the German emergency medical services (EMS). In this regard, the personal protective equipment (PPE) and rules like wear a mask, stay 6 feet away from others, avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, wash your hands often (called AHAL rules in Germany) play an important role in reducing the spread of COVID-19 infections. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the acceptance and compliance of PPE and protective measures among rescue service personnel in Germany during pandemic periods. METHOD: More than 270 medical directors of EMS were contacted. They were asked to forward a web-based online survey to the rescue stations. Participants were asked about acceptance and compliance in everyday life, in the rescue station, during missions without COVID-19, during missions with COVID-19. RESULTS: There were nâ¯= 1295 participants. Overall acceptance and compliance of PPE and protective measures is high. The lowest acceptance and compliance is found in the questions acceptance (meanâ¯= 4.16; ±1.01) and compliance (meanâ¯= 4.26; ±0.89) in the rescue station. CONCLUSION: We recommend targeted training regarding PPE in pandemics and the provision of appropriate premises for conflict-free compliance with AHAL rules.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the COVID-19 vaccination acceptance of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel as front-line health care workers (HCW) in Germany. Several studies have shown low willingness for vaccination (e.g., seasonal influenza) among HCWs and EMS personnel. METHODS: We created a web-based survey. The questions were closed and standardized. Demographic data were collected (age, sex, federal state, profession). Experience with own COVID-19 infection, or infection in personal environment (family, friends) as well as willingness to vaccinate was queried. RESULTS: The sample includes n = 1296 participants. A willingness to be vaccinated exists in 57%, 27.6% participants were undecided. Our results show a higher propensity to vaccinate among the following groups: male gender, higher medical education level, older age, own burden caused by the pandemic (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Due to the low overall acceptance of vaccination by HCWs, we recommend that the groups with vaccination hesitancy, in particular, be recruited for vaccination through interventions such as continuing education and awareness campaigns.
