ABSTRACT
Adequate analgesia is one of the most important measures of emergency care in addition to treatment of vital function disorders and, if indicated, should be promptly undertaken; however, a large proportion of emergency patients receive no or only inadequate pain therapy. The numeric rating scale (NRS) is recommended for pain assessment but is not applicable to every group of patients; therefore, vital signs and body language should be included in the assessment. Pain therapy should reduce the NPRS to <5 points. Ketamine and fentanyl, which have an especially rapid onset of action, and also morphine are suitable for analgesia in spontaneously breathing patients. Basic prerequisites for safe and effective analgesia by healthcare professionals are the use of adequate monitoring, the provision of well-defined emergency equipment, and the mastery of emergency procedures. In a structured competence system, paramedics and nursing personnel can perform safe and effective analgesia.
Subject(s)
Analgesia/methods , Emergency Medicine/methods , Pain/drug therapy , Wounds and Injuries , Emergency Medical Services/methods , Fentanyl , Humans , Ketamine , Pain Management/methods , Pain MeasurementABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The application of cervical collars is a standard procedure in emergency care of trauma patients. It is often observed that the application of cervical collars is performed incorrectly, which may lead to reduced immobilization of the cervical spine. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to analyze the practical skills of professional emergency care providers concerning the application of cervical collars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Emergency care professionals (n = 104) were asked to apply a cervical collar to a training doll. Each performance step was assessed separately. Furthermore, personal and occupational data of all study participants were collected using a questionnaire. RESULTS: The study participants included professional rescue personnel and emergency physicians. The average occupational experience of all study participants in out-of-hospital emergency care was 11.1 ± 8.9 years. Most participants had already received training on trauma care (61 %) and felt "very confident" in handling a cervical collar (84 %). The application of the cervical collar was performed correctly in 11 % of the performances. The most common error was incorrect size adjustment of the cervical collar (66 %). No association was found between the correct application of the cervical collar and possible parameters of influence, such as working experience in emergency care or participation in trauma courses. CONCLUSIONS: Despite pronounced subjective confidence regarding the application of cervical collars, this study shows that there are general deficits in the practical skills of applying cervical collars. Therefore, a critical assessment of the current training contents on the subject of trauma care must be demanded.
Subject(s)
Cervical Vertebrae/injuries , Emergency Medical Services/methods , Fracture Fixation/methods , Immobilization/methods , Spinal Fractures/therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Clinical Competence , Female , Fracture Fixation/instrumentation , Humans , Immobilization/instrumentation , Inservice Training , Male , Middle Aged , Models, Anatomic , Young AdultABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Spinal immobilization is a standard procedure in emergency medicine. Increasing awareness of complications associated with immobilization of trauma patients leads to controversial discussions in the literature. Current guidelines require to include considerations of accident mechanism, an assessment of the patient's condition and an examination of the spine in the decision-making process if immobilization of the spine should be performed. This requires sound knowledge of assessing these parameters. The aim of the current study is to analyze German paramedics' subjective uncertainty in terms of their prehospital assessment and treatment of patients suffering from spine injuries. METHODS: Over a period of 17 months participants in a trauma course were asked to complete a standardized anonymous questionnaire about subjective uncertainty of prehospital assessment and management of spinal trauma before participation in that course. Questions about the frequency of application of different immobilization tools and skills training on spinal immobilization were also asked. RESULTS: A total of 465 paramedics were surveyed. The participants did not indicate any uncertainty about the prehospital diagnosis and treatment of spinal injuries. The feeling of confidence was significantly greater in participants who had already attended another course on structured trauma care before. The participants agreed with the statements that standardized algorithms facilitate teamwork and that there is a need for a protocol for the prehospital treatment of spinal injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Paramedics do not feel uncertain about the prehospital assessment and treatment of spinal injuries. The feeling of confidence in participants who had already attended a course on the treatment of trauma patients before was significantly higher.
Subject(s)
Allied Health Personnel , Clinical Competence , Emergency Medical Services/standards , Spinal Injuries/therapy , APACHE , Adult , Benchmarking , Female , Germany , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The training of medical school students at the University of Heidelberg seems to be improvable regarding prehospital trauma treatment compared to an established anaesthesiology-based training for medical emergencies. This study addresses the current situation and possibilities for advancing this training. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A baseline was set by interviews of the medical school students. Based on this the hypothesis was postulated that there is a deficit in the education of the medical school students concerning the training in prehospital trauma treatment. This was proved by questionnaires given to the students in the 7th and 8th semesters at the University of Heidelberg Medical School. The results were evaluated and a possible approach for improvement was developed. RESULTS: A total of 111 questionnaires could be evaluated. It could be shown that the existing education was not effectual and that there is a need for a praxis-orientated 1-day course in prehospital trauma treatment. CONCLUSION: Especially the treatment of multiply injured patients is a challenge for young medical professionals. However, there is a high motivation to learn and train in emergency medicine. The students long for a practical trauma course compared to the advanced medical CPR course provided by the Department of Anaesthesiology of the University of Heidelberg. Those algorithm-based trauma courses do exist with PHTLS® and ATLS®. Based on these courses we developed the PHTLS® TEAM course.
Subject(s)
Education, Medical/organization & administration , Educational Measurement/methods , Emergency Medical Services/organization & administration , Multiple Trauma/diagnosis , Multiple Trauma/therapy , Surveys and Questionnaires , Traumatology/education , Germany , Humans , Pilot ProjectsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Standardised management improves treatment results in seriously injured patients. For conditions like stroke or acute coronary syndrome (ACS) there are set treatment pathways which have been established for prehospital and primary hospital care. The treatment of critical trauma patients, however, follows varying procedures in both the prehospital and primary hospital phases. From an analysis of the trauma register of the German Society for Trauma Surgery (DGU), we know that a seriously injured patient remains on the road for 70 min on average before transferral to hospital. This requires improvement. With the 2003 introduction of the ATLS programme in Germany, the initial clinical phase could be improved upon simply by means of standardised training. PHTLS und ATLS complement one another. RESULTS: PHTLS und ATLS represent training concepts which teach standardised, priority-based prehospital and hospital trauma management. The aim is to make an initial rapid and accurate assessment of the patient's condition, thereby identifying the"critical" patient. The concepts also make priority-based treatment possible and facilitate decision-making as to whether patients can receive further on-the-spot treatment or whether immediate transport is necessary. The procedure is identical in the shock room. The primary consideration is to prevent secondary damage, not to lose track of time and to ensure consistent quality of care. The courses teach systematic knowledge, techniques, skills and conduct in diagnosis and therapy. The courses are oriented to all medical specialities associated with trauma care. With the support of the German Society for Trauma Surgery (DGU) and the German Society for Anesthesiology and Intensive Medicine (DGAI), the German Professional Organisation of Rescue Services (DBRD) has adopted the PHTLS course system on licence from the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) and the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and has been offering it in Germany since late 2007. ATLS was established by the DGU in 2003 and represents successful and similarly structured shock-room management. CONCLUSION: PHTLS und ATLS are established and standardised concepts, which are constantly reviewed and updated according to the latest medical knowledge. They provide the opportunity to standardise prehospital and primary clinical trauma management for all specialties and hospitals, while incorporating own knowledge.
Subject(s)
Emergency Medical Services/standards , Life Support Care/standards , Multiple Trauma/therapy , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Primary Health Care/standards , Trauma Centers/standards , Germany , HumansABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: There is clinical evidence that standardized management of trauma patients in the emergency department improves outcome. Standardized prehospital management has been established for stroke patients and those suffering acute coronary syndrome. Prehospital treatment of trauma patients differs quite significantly from one system to another. The data from the German Trauma Registry show that the average time from accident until arrival in the emergency department is 72 min. This needs improvement. RESULTS: PHTLS is a training course that teaches a systematic approach to the trauma patient in the preclinical setting. The aim is to rapidly and accurately assess the patient's physiologic status, treat according to priorities, and decide whether the patient is critical and needs rapid rescue and transport. Above all, it is important for caregivers to prevent secondary injury, to realize the relevance of timing in the initial treatment, and to assure a high standard of care. PHTLS provides the participant with knowledge, skills, and necessary behaviors. The course is open to persons in all specialties involved in the initial management of severely injured patients. The German Board of Emergency Technicians e.V. inaugurated the course concept in cooperation with the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) and the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and is authorized to organize PHTLS courses in Germany. CONCLUSION: PHTLS teaches a standardized and established approach to the trauma patient in the emergency department. It has been established in 36 countries and the content is reviewed regularly to consider new scientific evidence. Healthcare personnel in Germany have the chance to participate in this international standard of care and to introduce their own experiences into the review process.
