[Emergency care for traffic accidents in Bavaria: current process analysis depending on hospital and emergency service structures]. / Notfallversorgung bei Verkehrsunfällen in einem Flächenstaat : Aktuelle Prozessanalyse in Abhängigkeit von Klinik- und Rettungsdienststrukturen.

A change is emerging in the hospital landscape due to health political measures, which in consequence also influences the prehospital medical care in emergencies. The main focus of this study was to gather information about emergency medical care after traffic accidents on the basis of data from Bavarian emergency medical services. In 2006 there were 14,261 traffic accidents in Bavaria where an emergency doctor attended the scene. The patients were primarily cared for by land-based rescue services and air rescue services were only used in 19.1% of the cases. Of the patients involved in a traffic accident 47.6% were transported to a primary health care hospital. A prehospital interval of more than 60 min occurred in 20% of the missions. Of the patients 96.2% were transported to tertiary or maximum care hospital by air rescue services but emergency facilities were, however restricted to daylight hours. There was a further limitation due to the routine duty hours in hospitals as only 36.7% of accidents occurred during this time intervall. An increase of admission post trauma in maximum care clinics occurred from 2002 until 2006 while simultaneously the prehospital period was extended. In order to assure sufficient trauma care for seriously injured persons a continuous 24 h availability of emergency trauma facilities is necessary. For this purpose it is necessary to establish regional trauma networks between receiving hospitals as well as air rescue services at night time. Furthermore, a cost-efficient compensation of the structural, personnel and logistic expenses for the treatment of the severely injured has to be assured.

[The Trauma Network of the German Society for Trauma 2009]. / Das TraumaNetzwerkD DGU 2009.

In 2009, 3 years after the foundation of the Trauma Network of the German Society for Trauma (TraumaNetzwerkD DGU), the majority of German hospitals participating in the treatment of seriously injured patients is registered in regional trauma networks (TNW). Currently there are 41 trauma networks with more than 660 hospitals in existence, 18 more are registered but are still in the planning phase. Each Federal State has an average of 39 trauma centres of different levels taking part in the treatment of seriously injured patients and every trauma network has an average catchment area of 8708 km(2). The most favourable geographical infrastructure conditions exist in Nordrhein-Westfalen, the least favourable in Sachsen-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. A total of 95 hospitals have already fulfilled the first audit of the structural, personnel and qualitative requirements by the certification bodies. Examination of the check lists of 26 hospitals showed shortcomings in the clinical structure so that these hospitals must be rechecked after correction of the shortcomings. A total of 59 hospitals throughout Germany were successfully audited and only one failed to fulfil the requirements. Because of the varying sizes of the trauma networks there are differences in the areas covered by each trauma network and trauma centre. Concerning the process of certification and auditing (together with the company DIOcert) it could be seen that by careful examination of the check lists of each hospital unforeseen problems during the audit could be avoided. The following article will present the current state of development of the Trauma Network of the German Society for Trauma and describe the certification and auditing process.

[Safe:Trac course series of the German Society for Trauma Surgery on patient safety]. / Die Safe:Trac-Kursreihe der DGU zur Patientensicherheit.

Based on crew resource management of the airline industry the German Society for Trauma Surgery (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie, DGU) was the first scientific community in Germany to develop and implement a training course for patient safety. The S:training courses contain four course formats which focus on the prehospital life support (S:PLS), the operating room (S:OR), the trauma room (S:TR) and the intensive care unit (S:ICU). In the training the importance of the human factor for the management of acute major trauma is developed by means of presentations, training videos, practical training, discussions and realistic case scenarios associated with the special working environment of the participants. A specially developed course manual acts as a work and reference book and course booking is possible at http://www.safe-trac.de.

[Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS): An interdisciplinary training in preclinical trauma care]. / Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS): Ein interdisziplinäres Ausbildungskonzept für die präklinische Traumaversorgung.

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.

[Empathy in surgery. Awareness of the quality of life in patients with rectal carcinoma]. / Empathie in der Chirurgie. Wahrnehmung der Lebensqualität von Rektumkarzinompatienten.

Even though the importance of empathy for a good physician-patient-relationship is consistently emphasized, there are only a few empirical investigations. In this study the empathy of surgeons was evaluated by asking them to put themselves in the preoperative situation of a patient with a rectal carcinoma. They should state the quality of life from the patient's point of view using the EORTC-QLQ-C30. As a second step the assumed postoperative quality of life of the patients at the point of their discharge from hospital was evaluated. The data collected from the surgeons were compared with the results of a prospective longitudinal analysis of the quality of life of rectal carcinoma patients. As well the preoperative situation of the patients as their situation before discharge from hospital were evaluated more negatively by the surgeons than by the patients themselves. The doctors assumed much more problems and especially a deeper negative impact on the social and emotional acting of the patients. The surgeons and additionally questioned non-medical staff members did not differ in their results, just as the period of employment had no significant influence on the outcome. Accordingly to the results it can be deduced that the patients felt better than the doctors assumed, so that we can advise the surgeons to intensify the empathy in their patients' perception. Therefore, new course curricula should be developed to train the non-technical-skills of health professionals.

[Prognostic value of routine parameters and laboratory parameters after major trauma. A prospective preclinical-clinical study of air rescue patients]. / Prognostischer Wert von Routineparametern und -laborparametern nach schwerem Trauma. Eine prospektive präklinische-klinische Studie mit Patienten des RTH Christoph 1.

In this prospective study, 273 air rescue patients with major blunt trauma were followed throughout their prehospital and clinical management. A blood sample was taken upon arrival and data acquired at three defined time points. With these data, for the first time a prognosis prediction model with prehospital and early clinical routine parameters and routine lab parameters was tested for predictive power. Coagulation test, value of base excess, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) value, severity of injury, and age appeared to be relevant parameters. The probability of survival after major blunt trauma decreases with increasing age and severity of injury and decreasing values in GCS, base excess, and coagulation test. These data showed that it is possible with the help of easily accessible routine parameters and routine lab parameters to predict individual survival with a high degree of accuracy of 82%.

[Trauma centers in Germany. Status report]. / Polytraumaversorgung in Deutschland. Eine Standortbestimmung.

BACKGROUND: In Germany, a total of more than 30,000 polytraumatized patients are treated in level I-IV trauma centers. The exact number of hospitals fulfilling the requirements for the treatment of severely injured patients is unknown. We analyzed the number of hospitals in Germany capable of managing polytraumatized patients. We further analyzed the influence of various geographic and infrastructure conditions on the management of severely injured patients in the various Federal States in Germany. METHODS: First we conducted a nationwide research of all hospitals specialized in trauma management. Points of interest were structural and personnel requirements. These data were compared to the data obtained by the Federal Statistical Office. With a special software program we were able to conduct for the first time a geographic visualization of all trauma hospitals. RESULTS: There are 108 level I trauma centers, 209 level II trauma centers, and 431 level III and IV trauma centers in Germany. The geographic concentration of hospitals fulfilling the requirements for the treatment of severely injured patients differs regionally. There is an obvious correlation between trauma deaths and a low hospital concentration and less developed infrastructure. CONCLUSION: Objectively, the number of trauma centers for the treatment of severely injured patients seems to be adequate in Germany. Nevertheless, there are substantial differences between various Federal States in Germany concerning the distribution of hospitals as well as the geographic and infrastructure conditions. To optimize trauma management in Germany we think that the formation of regional trauma networks is mandatory.

[Pediatric cases in preclinical emergency medicine: critical aspects in the range of missions covered by ground ambulance and air rescue services]. / Pädiatrische Notfälle in der präklinischen Notfallmedizin: Schwerpunkte des Einsatzspektrums im bodengebundenen Rettungsdienst und in der Luftrettung.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to demonstrate differences in structure and severity of pediatric emergencies treated by aeromedical (air rescue) or ground ambulances services. Conclusions for the training of emergency physicians are discussed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a 3-year study period, a total of 9,274 pediatric emergencies covered by the ADAC air rescue service are compared to 4,344 pediatric patients of ground ambulance services in Saarland. RESULTS: In aeromedical services pediatric emergencies are more frequent (12.9% vs. 6.4%), trauma predominates (59.9% vs. 35.6%) and severe injuries or diseases occur more frequently (30.5% vs. 15.0%). In both groups pediatric emergency cases are concentrated into very few diagnostic groups: more than one third of the cases involving pre-school children is due to convulsions. Respiratory diseases and intoxication are the next most frequent causes and are more common in ground ambulance patients. Head trauma is the most common diagnosis in cases of pediatric trauma, followed by musculoskeletal and thoracoabdominal trauma. All types of severe trauma are more frequent in pediatric patients of the aeromedical services. CONCLUSIONS: Training of emergency physicians should include pediatric life support and specific information about frequent pediatric emergency situations. For emergency physicians in aeromedical services, an intensive training in pediatric trauma life support is also necessary.

[The importance of Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) in the emergency room]. / Die Bedeutung des Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) im Schockraum.

INTRODUCTION: There is clinical evidence, that a standardized management of trauma patients in the emergency room improves outcome. METHODS: The ATLS training course teaches a systematic approach to the trauma patient in the emergency room. The aim is a rapid and accurate assessment of the patient's physiologic status, the treatment according to priorities and the decision making if transfer to a trauma center is necessary. The German Trauma Society has taken over the course concept from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and is authorized to organize ATLS courses in Germany. RESULTS: A standardized management in the emergency room helps to prevent secondary injury, to realize timing as a relevant factor in the initial treatment and to assure a high standard of care. The ATLS course provides the participant with knowledge, skills and attitudes and is open to doctors of all specialties involved in the initial management of severely injured patients. CONCLUSION: ATLS teaches a standardized and established approach to the trauma patient in the emergency room. It has been transferred to 46 countries and the content is reviewed regularly to consider new scientific evidence. Germany has the chance to participate in this international standard of care and to introduce own experiences into the review process.

[Permissive hypotension in severe trauma]. / Permissive Hypotension beim schweren Trauma.

Hemodynamic instability in the polytraumatized patient is a predominant feature and most commonly secondary to blood loss accompanying injury. In these patients restoration of intravascular volume attempting to achieve normal systemic pressure faces the risk of increasing blood loss and thereby potentially affecting mortality. Due to the lack of controlled clinical trials in this field, the growing evidence that "hypotensive resuscitation" results in improved long-term survival and improved neurologic outcome, mainly stems from experimental studies in animals. In patient care, several concepts exist for the reduction of blood loss in conjunction with systemic hypotension: these involve "deliberate hypotension" (synonym "controlled hypotension", used intraoperatively under conditions of normovolemia and stable hemodynamics), "delayed resuscitation" (where the hypotensive period is intentionally prolonged until operative intervention), and "permissive hypotension" (synonym "hypotensive resuscitation", where all kinds of therapy are commenced including fluid therapy, thereby increasing systemic pressure without, however, reaching normotension). In this review the concept of "permissive hypotension" is delineated on the basis of macro- and microcirculatory changes secondary to hypovolemia and low driving pressure, and potential indications as well as limitations for the care of the traumatized patient are discussed.

Checking for breathing: evaluation of the diagnostic capability of emergency medical services personnel, physicians, medical students, and medical laypersons.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: International guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) recommend determination of unconsciousness, breathlessness, and absence of pulse to diagnose cardiorespiratory arrest. Thus far, there have been no scientifically proven data available regarding the quality of assessing breathlessness. The study objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of checking for breathing in an emergency situation, to determine the necessary amount of time until diagnosis, and to document used techniques. METHODS: Four different populations were tested for their ability to assess breathlessness: emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, physicians, medical students, and laypersons. Each participant was asked to perform the diagnostic procedure twice, first with a breathing or not-breathing unresponsive test person and then with a modified megacode manikin (with the possibility of simulated respiratory function). The order of testing and the respiratory status were strictly randomized. Diagnostic accuracy, time interval to diagnosis, and used techniques were documented. RESULTS: A total of 261 persons were tested in 522 trials, with a median time interval of 12 seconds for obtaining a diagnosis. Regarding all participants, the correct diagnosis was achieved in 81.0% (EMS personnel, 89.7%; physicians, 84.5%; medical students, 78.4%; laypersons, 71.5%). Only 55.6% of all participants showed correct diagnostic skills (EMS personnel, 91.3%; physicians, 51.5%; medical students, 61.9%; laypersons, 18.5%). CONCLUSION: Checking for breathing was shown to be mostly inaccurate and unreliable. This diagnostic procedure takes more time than recommended in international guidelines. Therefore CPR training should focus more on the determination of breathlessness. Also, the guidelines for CPR should be revised.

[Preclinical diagnosis and management in severe craniocerebral trauma]. / Präklinische Diagnostik und Versorgung beim schweren SHT.

Both prehospital and hospital management of patients with severe head injury has clearly improved in the last decades. There is a greater knowledge of how secondary brain injury is caused and how it can be prevented. Intracranial mechanisms (e.g. haematoma and elevated intracranial pressure and systemic mechanism (e.g. shock and hypoxaemia) are two of the major causes of secondary brain injury. Adequate prehospital evaluation and treatment determine the later outcome for the patient. The Glasgow Coma Scale has become the standard score for assessing the level of consciousness. Early prehospital treatment must prevent secondary brain damage through adequate oxygenation (intubation, ventilation) and a sufficient cerebral perfusion pressure (treatment of shock). The neck of the patient should be positioned straight and the upper part of the body should be elevated to about 30 degrees. The prophylactic use of steroids, mannitol or high dose barbiturates is not indicated. Aggressive hyperventilation (pCO2 < 30 mmHg), especially during the first few days after severe brain injury, should be avoided.