Long-term Effectiveness of the Airway Registry at Sydney Helicopter Emergency Medical Service.

OBJECTIVE: Prehospital rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is prone to suboptimal documentation. The Greater Sydney Area Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (GSA-HEMS) uses a dedicated Airway Registry (AR) to aid documentation. The AR was only evaluated shortly after its introduction. This first evaluation is followed up to assess the long-term effectiveness of the AR. The secondary objective was to compare the AR with templates in the literature. METHODS: A retrospective review of electronic records was undertaken to compare completeness of documentation between an immediate postintroduction and a long-term postintroduction cohort. Differences between the two cohorts were tested for significance. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in documentation for Cormack-Lehane laryngoscopy grade at the first intubation attempt (P = .552) and confirmation of end-tidal carbon dioxide (P = .258). A significant improvement in the documentation of laryngoscopy grade for the second attempt (P = 0) was found. The documentation of intubator details remained at 100% (165/165). The variables collected by GSA-HEMS corresponded well to the literature, but some definitions differ (eg, desaturation). CONCLUSION: There was no significant change in completeness of documentation for most key intubation variables eight years after the introduction of the AR. GSA-HEMS performs well in registering variables as proposed in the literature; however, variable definitions need to be synchronized.

Optimizing access and configuration of trauma centre care in New South Wales.

INTRODUCTION: Getting the right patient, to the right place, at the right time is dependent on a multitude of modifiable and non-modifiable factors. One potentially modifiable factor is the number and location of trauma centres (TC). Overabundance of TC dilutes volumes and could be associated with worse outcomes. We describe a methodology that evaluates trauma system reconfiguration without reductions in potential access to care. We used the mature trauma system of New South Wales (NSW) as a model given the perceived overabundance of urban major trauma centres (MTC). METHODS: We first evaluated potential access to TC care via ground and air transport through the use of geographic information systems (GIS) network analysis. Potential access was defined as the proportion of the population living within 60-min transport time from a potential scene of injury to a TC by ground or rotary-wing aircraft. Sensitivity analyses were carried out in order to account for potential pre-hospital interventions and/or transport delays; travel times of 15-, 30-, 45-, 60-, and 90-min were also analyzed. We then evaluated if the current configuration of the system (number of urban MTS in the Sydney basin) could be optimized without reductions in potential access to care using two GIS methodologies: location-allocation and individual removal of MTC. RESULTS: 86% of the NSW population has potential access to a TC within 60 min ground travel time; potential access improves to 99% with rotary-wing transport. The 1% of the population without potential TC access lives in 48% of the land area (>384,000km2). Utilizing two different methodologies we identified that there was no change in potential access by ground transport after removing 1 or 2 MTC in the Sydney basin at the 30-, 45-, and 60-min transport times. However, 0.02% and 0.5% of the population would not have potential access to MTC care at 15 min after removing one and two MTC respectively. DISCUSSION: Redistribution of the number of MTC in the Sydney basin could be achieved without a significant impact on potential access to care. Our approach can be utilized as an initial tool to evaluate a trauma system where overabundance of coverage is present.

Pre-hospital advanced airway management in children: a challenge that training can handle.

We respond to the Tarpgaard et al. article reporting on pre-hospital endotracheal intubation (PHETI) success and complications by Danish critical care teams including critical care anaesthetists. We compare the authors' results with previously published results from our service's experience with PHETI in a similar patient population, also with physician and paramedic medical teams. From 25 children <16 years of age, the Danish study reports overall success, and first-pass success, and complication rates of 96, 75 and 20%, respectively. A recently published study of 82 patients that we completed revealed the following results: 100, 91 and 14%, respectively. We propose training and operating protocols we believe contribute to this relative success in paediatric PHETI.

Analysis of Out-of-Hospital Pediatric Intubation by an Australian Helicopter Emergency Medical Service.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: We examine first-look success in emergency pediatric intubation by a physician-staffed helicopter emergency medical service (EMS). METHODS: A database analysis of all pediatric (<16 years) intubations during a 64-month period was undertaken, using data from a prospectively enrolled electronic airway registry form. Recorded findings included patient demographics, operator background, airway intervention including intubation attempts, complications, and critical timings. RESULTS: Eighty-two subjects were identified during the 64-month study. All patients were successfully intubated. The overall first-look success rate was 75 of 82 (91%), registrars achieving a first-look success rate of 26 of 26 (100%), consultants 16 of 17 (94%), and paramedics 33 of 39 (85%). Overall complication rate was 14%; 84% of cases were rapid sequence induction, whereas 16% were "cold intubations." Difficult airway indicators were present in 77% of patients. CONCLUSION: A high first-look success rate for pediatric intubation was achieved by adult helicopter EMS physicians and intensive care paramedics. To our knowledge, this compares favorably with the rate in published literature in pediatric emergency departments and critical care units.

Tick bite anaphylaxis: incidence and management in an Australian emergency department.

OBJECTIVES: Ticks are endemic to the eastern coastline of Australia. The aim of the present study is to describe the incidence of tick bites in such an area, the seasonal and geographical distribution, the incidence of anaphylaxis due to tick bite and its management. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed emergency presentations of patients with tick bites to Mona Vale Hospital on Sydney's Northern Beaches over a 2 year period from 1 January 2007 to 1 January 2009. We recorded the geographical and seasonal distribution of tick bites as well as the symptoms from tick bite and its emergency management. RESULTS: We report over 500 cases of tick bites presenting to a single New South Wales hospital over a 2 year period, of which 34 resulted in anaphylaxis. Cutaneous symptoms were the most common feature associated with anaphylaxis (32/34, 94%). Forty per cent (13/34) of patients with tick bite anaphylaxis had a history of allergy or previous anaphylaxis. Seventy-six per cent (26/34) of patients were administered adrenaline either prior to presenting or in the ED, while 97% (33/34) were treated with steroids. Fifty-three per cent were referred to an immunologist and only one-quarter were discharged with an adrenaline auto-injector. CONCLUSION: We report 34 cases of tick bite anaphylaxis over a 2 year period at a single hospital in a tick endemic area. The variation in the presenting symptoms and signs, as well as in management highlights the need for increased awareness for tick bite management in tick endemic areas.

Algorithm for the resuscitation of traumatic cardiac arrest patients in a physician-staffed helicopter emergency medical service.

Survival rates following traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) are known to be poor but resuscitation is not universally futile. There are a number of potentially reversible causes to TCA and a well-defined group of survivors. There are distinct differences in the pathophysiology between medical cardiac arrests and TCA. The authors present some of the key differences and evidence related to resuscitation in TCA, and suggest a separate algorithm for the management of out-of-hospital TCA attended by a highly trained physician and paramedic team.

Occult traumatic loculated tension pneumothorax--a sonographic diagnostic dilemma.

This case outlines a rarely seen disease in prehospital emergency care-namely, a traumatic loculated tension pneumothorax. Prehospital thoracic ultrasound as part of a standard extended focused assessment with sonography in trauma (EFAST) algorithm failed to diagnose this life-threatening injury. We have subsequently added scanning the lateral chest wall in the fifth intercostal space to the algorithm.

Improving documentation in prehospital rapid sequence intubation: investigating the use of a dedicated airway registry form.

OBJECTIVE: The quality of medical documentation is integral to audit, clinical governance, education, medico-legal aspects and continuity of patient care. This study aims to investigate the introduction of a dedicated 'Airway Registry Form' (ARF) on the quality of documentation in prehospital rapid sequence intubation. METHODS: A retrospective review and comparison of 96 cases predating the introduction of the ARF and 90 cases immediately following its introduction were performed. RESULTS: The introduction of the ARF yielded significant improvement in the recording of selected data points: difficult airway indicators (p<0.0001), Cormack-Lehane grade of laryngoscopy at first attempt (p<0.0001), documentation of confirmation of tracheal intubation with end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring (p=0.015) and recording of intubator's details (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study validates the use of a dedicated ARF for the improvement of documentation and data collection related to prehospital rapid sequence intubation when compared with post-event extraction of data from a generic case-record.

Helicopter emergency medical service registrars do not comprehensively document primary surveys.

OBJECTIVES: In-hospital primary surveys undertaken on traumatically injured patients can be inaccurate and incomplete. This study examined the documentation of prehospital primary surveys conducted by Greater Sydney Area Helicopter Emergency Medical Service registrars on trauma patients. METHODS: A retrospective case sheet review of prehospital trauma primary surveys documented by Greater Sydney Area Helicopter Emergency Medical Service registrars was carried out using previously published methodologies. A 13-item prehospital primary survey score was created and analysed by registrar specialty. A linear mixed model was used to determine whether differences in prehospital primary survey score existed between specialties. A one-point difference in the mean scores was considered clinically significant. RESULTS: A total of 75 charts were reviewed. An unadjusted mean of 9.5±1.6 (SD) items, out of a possible 13, was documented. Documentation was found to be less complete for anaesthetic trainees (adjusted mean score=9.10) than for emergency medicine trainees (adjusted mean score=10.34). The difference in the mean scores was 1.24 (95% confidence interval, 0.25-2.23, t53d.f.=2.52, P=0.01). A significant clustering effect was identified for individual registrars (χ1d.f.=6.03, P=0.01). A very good level of agreement was obtained between the PPSS raters (κ=0.93, 95% confidence interval, 0.87-0.99). CONCLUSION: Helicopter emergency medical service registrars do not comprehensively document prehospital primary surveys on traumatically injured patients. However, emergency medicine trainees document more completely than anaesthetic trainees. Individual registrar variation contributes significantly towards the completeness of prehospital primary survey documentation.

Bag valve mask failure during HEMS intubated stretcher winch.

An intubated prehospital trauma patient was undergoing bag valve mask (BVM) ventilation during a stretcher winch in an AW 139 helicopter. On approach to approximately 50 feet under the rotor disc, the bag valve mask failed, with no adverse outcome. External pressure obstructing reinflation from rotor downwash was thought to be the cause. We tested two BVMs with differing compliances under similar conditions in a manikin model and found the original, more compliant BVM failed again. The stiffer, less compliant BVM did not fail. This has led to a change in the type of BVM used for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) in our service.

Coronary artery dissection: an unusual cause of hypoxia in blunt trauma.

A 41-year-old motocross rider sustained blunt trauma to the chest following a collision with another rider. He was initially hypoxic and was given oxygen with a non-rebreather mask. He complained of chest pain. A prehospital extended focused assessment with sonography in trauma (eFAST) scan was negative for pneumothorax, but demonstrated a hypokinetic left ventricle. An electrocardiogram (ECG) in the emergency department confirmed anterior myocardial infarction, found to be due to a traumatic left anterior descending coronary artery dissection. This case highlights a rare but life-threatening cause of hypoxia in blunt chest trauma.

Logistics and safety of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in medical retrieval.

OBJECTIVE: This article reviews the logistics and safety of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) medical retrieval in New South Wales, Australia. METHODS: We describe the logistics involved in ECMO road and rotary-wing retrieval by a multidisciplinary team during the H1N1 influenza epidemic in winter 2009 (i.e., June 1 to August 31, 2009). Basic patient demographics and key retrieval time lines were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 17 patients retrieved on ECMO, with their ages ranging from 22 to 55 years. The median weight was 110 kg. Four critical events were recorded during retrieval, with no adverse outcomes. The retrieval distance varied from 20.8 to 430 km. There were delays in times from retrieval booking to both retrieval tasking and retrieval team departure in 88% of retrievals. The most common reasons cited were "patient not ready" 23.5% (4/17); "vehicle not available," 23.5% (4/17); and "complex retrieval," 41.2% (7/17). The median time (hours:minutes) from booking with the medical retrieval unit (MRU) to tasking was 4:35 (interquartile range [IQR] 3:27-6:15). The median time lag from tasking to departure was 1:00 (IQR 00:10-2:20). The median stabilization time was 1:30 (IQR 1:20-1:55). The median retrieval duration was 7:35 (IQR 5:50-10:15). CONCLUSION: The process of development of ECMO retrieval was enabled by the preexistence of a high-volume experienced medical retrieval service. Although ECMO retrieval is not a new concept, we describe an entire process for ECMO retrieval that we believe will benefit other retrieval service providers. The increased workload of ECMO retrieval during the swine flu pandemic has led to refinement in the system and process for the future.

Beware the starboard nasogastric tube.

A mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta is a rare entity in the pediatric population. It carries a high mortality rate associated with spontaneous rupture. Aortoesophageal fistula is a known complication of a pseudoaneurysm but is also rare in this group. A high index of suspicion is needed to make the diagnosis. This is aided by radiograph and computed tomography. We present such a case in an 11-year-old boy with previously undiagnosed coarctation of the aorta.

Fatalities associated with the use of gamma-hydroxybutyrate and its analogues in Australasia.

OBJECTIVE: To identify deaths in Australasia associated with overdose of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and its precursors (gamma-butyrolactone and 1,4-butanediol). DESIGN: A retrospective search of medical and scientific information sources, as well as popular newsprint, for the period January 2000-August 2003, with formal clinical, toxicological and forensic evaluation of retrieved data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Death associated with forensic data implicating GHB or its analogues. RESULTS: Ten confirmed GHB-associated deaths were identified, with eight considered to be directly attributable to GHB. Only two of these eight cases were positive for ethanol toxicology. CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports the existing evidence that GHB overdose is associated with fatalities, and that fatal overdoses occur in the context of isolated use.