Indications and measures of medical emergency teams: a retrospective evaluation of in-hospital emergency operations of the German Resuscitation Register.

BACKGROUND: The present study examines characteristics and interventions of medical emergency teams (MET) in in-hospital emergency care. METHODS: Analysis of all in-hospital emergencies in patients ≥18 years at 62 hospitals with established MET from the database of the German Resuscitation Registry between 2014-2019. The evaluation covered indications for activation using the ABCDE-scheme, time intervals of arrival and patient care as well as the performed invasive/medical interventions. RESULTS: Out of 62 hospitals 14,166 in-hospital emergencies (male: 8033 [56.7%]; mean age: 64±18 years) were included. Causes of activation were circulation (5760 [40.7%]), disability (4076 [28.8%]), breathing (3649 [25.8%]) and airway-problems (1589 [11.2%]). Average arrival time at the emergency scene was 4±3 minutes, supply time of MET was 24±23 minutes. Endotracheal intubation was required in 1757 (12.4%) and difficult intubation occurred in 201 (11.4%) patients with the necessity for cricothyroidotomy in eight cases (3.9%). Invasive blood-pressure-measurement was indicated in 1074 (7.6%) patients. Catecholamines were required for hemodynamic stabilization in 2421 (17.1%) patients (norepinephrine: 1520 [10.7%], epinephrine: 430 [3.0%], dobutamine: 26 [0.2%]). CONCLUSIONS: Current in-hospital emergency care requires special skills in invasive hemodynamic and airway interventions. Recommendations from professional societies are necessary to optimize equipment (e.g. videolaryngoscopy, invasive blood pressure management), training, care algorithms and staff composition against the background of an increasing shortage of resources in the healthcare system.