Emergency Data Management - Overcoming (Information) Borders.

BACKGROUND: In order to improve access to critical patient data in case of emergency, many countries have begun or intend to implement emergency datasets. In Germany, the German Medical Association developed a medical emergency dataset (MED), which provides the possibility to store information on prior diagnoses, medications, allergies and other emergency-relevant information on the German Electronic Health Card. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to evaluate how the MED can be used internationally. METHODS: A total of 64 paper-based emergency data sets were completed by primary care physicians in Germany, and were then evaluated by German clinicians, emergency physicians, and paramedics on the basis of fictitious emergency scenarios. Thirty randomly selected MEDs were then translated into English and will be evaluated by international emergency physicians and paramedics. RESULTS: In Germany, clinicians, emergency physicians and paramedics rated the emergency data set as very useful or useful in more than 70% of the reviewed cases. The international evaluation will start in September 2016, so these results are pending at this time. CONCLUSION: The first study results from Germany indicate high potential benefits of the emergency data set in real patient care situations. The subsequent tests will show whether the MED is also suitable for international use.

In Case of Emergency - Are ICD-10 Codes Enough?

In an acute emergency, the knowledge of the patient's medical history, allergies, implants, and medication can be crucial. ICD-10 code to document medical diagnoses alone often does not contain enough information. Our comparison of 388 documented diagnoses (ICD-10 codes as well as free text) showed that almost 20% of all coded ICD-10 codes contained less information than the documented free text. Thus, if using ICD-10 codes, free text diagnoses must be a necessary item in the upcoming German Medical Emergency DataSet.

The emergency data set for the German Electronic Health Card--which benefits can be expected?

BACKGROUND: In order to improve access to pre-existing patient information in case of emergency, the German Electronic Health Card (EHC) is supposed to hold emergency data. As a basis, the German Medical Association developed an emergency data set, which provides the possibility to store information on prior diagnoses, medications, allergies and other emergency-relevant information. OBJECTIVES: One main objective of the study is to evaluate the usefulness of the emergency data in specific emergency situations. METHODS: Within a two-phase exploratory study, a total of 64 paper-based emergency data sets were completed by primary care physicians, and then were evaluated by clinicians, emergency physicians, and paramedics. RESULTS: Clinicians, emergency physicians as well as paramedics rated the emergency data set in more than 70% of the reviewed cases as very useful or useful. The greatest benefit was attributed to the information on diagnoses and medication. CONCLUSION: The implementation of an emergency data on the EHC has the potential to improve safety, quality and efficiency of emergency care.