Drones can be used to provide dispatch centres with on-site photos before arrival of EMS in time critical incidents.

BACKGROUND: Drones are able to deliver automated external defibrillators in cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) but can be deployed for other purposes. Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility of sending live photos to dispatch centres before arrival of other units during time-critical incidents. METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, the regional dispatch centre implemented a new service using five existing AED-drone systems covering an estimated 200000 inhabitants in Sweden. Drones were deployed automatically over a 4-month study period (December 2022-April 2023) in emergency calls involving suspected OHCAs, traffic accidents and fires in buildings. Upon arrival at the scene, an overhead photo was taken and transmitted to the dispatch centre. Feasibility of providing photos in real time, and time delays intervals were examined. RESULTS: Overall, drones were deployed in 59/440 (13%) of all emergency calls: 26/59 (44%) of suspected OHCAs, 20/59 (34%) of traffic accidents, and 13/59 (22%) of fires in buildings. The main reasons for non-deployment were closed airspace and unfavourable weather conditions (68%). Drones arrived safely at the exact location in 58/59 cases (98%). Their overall median response time was 3:49 min, (IQR 3:18-4:26) vs. emergency medical services (EMS), 05:51 (IQR: 04:29-08:04) p-value for time difference between drone and EMS =0,05. Drones arrived first on scene in 47/52 cases (90%) and the largest median time difference was found in suspected OHCAs 4:10 min, (IQR: 02:57-05:28). The time difference in the 5/52 (10%) cases when EMS arrived first the time difference was 5:18 minutes (IQR 2:19-7:38), p=NA. Photos were transmitted correctly in all 59 alerts. No adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION: In a newly implemented drone dispatch service, drones were dispatched to 13% of relevant EMS calls. When drones were dispatched, they arrived at scene earlier than EMS services in 90% of cases. Drones were able to relay photos to the dispatch centre in all cases. Although severely affected by closed airspace and weather conditions, this novel method may facilitate additional decision-making information during time-critical incidents.

Prediction of a time-sensitive condition among patients with dizziness assessed by the emergency medical services.

BACKGROUND: Dizziness is a relatively common symptom among patients who call for the emergency medical services (EMS). AIM: To identify factors of importance for the early identification of a time-sensitive condition behind the symptom of dizziness among patients assessed by the EMS. METHODS: All patients assessed by the EMS and triaged using Rapid Emergency Triage and Treatment (RETTS) for adults code 11 (=dizziness) in the 660,000 inhabitants in the Municipality of Gothenburg, Sweden, in 2016, were considered for inclusion. The patients were divided into two groups according to the final diagnosis (a time-sensitive condition, yes or no). RESULTS: There were 1536 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, of which 96 (6.2%) had a time-sensitive condition. The majority of these had a stroke/transitory ischaemic attack (TIA). Eight predictors of a time-sensitive condition were identified. Three were associated with a reduced risk: 1) the dizziness was of a rotatory type, 2) the dizziness had a sudden onset and 3) increasing body temperature. Five were associated with an increased risk: 1) sudden onset of headache, 2) a history of head trauma, 3) symptoms of nausea or vomiting, 4) on treatment with anticoagulants and 5) increasing systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Among 1536 patients who were triaged by the EMS for dizziness, 6.2% had a time-sensitive condition. On the arrival of the EMS, eight factors were associated with the risk of having a time-sensitive condition. All these factors were linked to the type of symptoms or to clinical findings on the arrival of the EMS or to the recent clinical history.

Drone delivery of an automated external defibrillator - a mixed method simulation study of bystander experience.

BACKGROUND: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) affects some 275,000 individuals in Europe each year. Time from collapse to defibrillation is essential for survival. As emergency medical services (EMS) response times in Sweden have increased, novel methods are needed to facilitate early treatment. Unmanned aerial vehicles (i.e. drones) have potential to deliver automated external defibrillators (AED). The aim of this simulation study was to explore bystanders' experience of a simulated OHCA-situation where a drone delivers an AED and how the situation is affected by having one or two bystanders onsite. METHODS: This explorative simulation study used a mixed methodology describing bystanders' experiences of retrieving an AED delivered by a drone in simulated OHCA situations. Totally eight participants were divided in two groups of bystanders a) alone or b) in pairs and performed CPR on a manikin for 5 minutes after which an AED was delivered by a drone at 50 m from the location. Qualitative data from observations, interviews of participants and video recordings were analysed using content analysis alongside descriptive data on time delays during bystander interaction. RESULTS: Three categories of bystander experiences emerged: 1) technique and preparedness, 2) support through conversation with the dispatcher, and 3) aid and decision-making. The main finding was that retrieval of an AED as delivered by a drone was experienced as safe and feasible for bystanders. None of the participants hesitated to retrieve the AED; instead they experienced it positive, helpful and felt relief upon AED-drone arrival and were able to retrieve and attach the AED to a manikin. Interacting with the AED-drone was perceived as less difficult than performing CPR or handling their own mobile phone during T-CPR. Single bystander simulation introduced a significant hands-off interval when retrieving the AED, a period lasting 94 s (range 75 s-110 s) with one participant compared to 0 s with two participants. CONCLUSION: The study shows that it made good sense for bystanders to interact with a drone in this simulated suspected OHCA. Bystanders experienced delivery of AED as safe and feasible. This has potential implications, and further studies on bystanders' experiences in real cases of OHCA in which a drone delivers an AED are therefore necessary.

A shorter system delay for haemorrhagic stroke than ischaemic stroke among patients who use emergency medical service.

OBJECTIVES: We compare various aspects in the early chain of care among patients with haemorrhagic stroke and ischaemic stroke. MATERIALS & METHODS: The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and nine emergency hospitals, each with a stroke unit, were included. All patients hospitalised with a first and a final diagnosis of stroke between 15 December 2010 and 15 April 2011 were included. The primary endpoint was the system delay (from call to the EMS until diagnosis). Secondary endpoints were: (i) use of the EMS, (ii) delay from symptom onset until call to the EMS; (iii) priority at the dispatch centre; (iv) priority by the EMS; and (v) suspicion of stroke by the EMS nurse and physician on admission to hospital. RESULTS: Of 1336 patients, 172 (13%) had a haemorrhagic stroke. The delay from call to the EMS until diagnosis was significantly shorter in haemorrhagic stroke. The patient's decision time was significantly shorter in haemorrhagic stroke. The priority level at the dispatch centre did not differ between the two groups, whereas the EMS nurse gave a significantly higher priority to patients with haemorrhage. There was no significant difference between groups with regard to the suspicion of stroke either by the EMS nurse or by the physician on admission to hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a haemorrhagic stroke differed from other stroke patients with a more frequent and rapid activation of EMS.