Telemedicine in Nursing Home Residents Requiring a Call to an Emergency Medical Communication Center.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the proportion of nursing home residents dispatched to an emergency department (ED) after a call to the emergency medical communication center (EMCC) according to the availability or nonavailability of telemedicine. DESIGN: This prospective, observational trial was conducted in the EMCC and 74 nursing homes in a French county. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: All nursing home residents who needed to contact the EMCC between June 2019 and April 2020 were included in the study. We excluded calls notifying the death of a resident, for completing data from a previous call, and for nursing home staff. METHODS: The primary outcome was the proportion of residents dispatched to an ED after their first call to the EMCC. The secondary outcomes were the proportion of second calls, proportion of residents dispatched to an ED after a second call, and proportion of death within 30 days. RESULTS: We included 3103 calls in the final analysis (355 from equipped nursing homes and 2748 from unequipped nursing homes). The proportion of patients dispatched to an ED after the first call was lower among telemedicine-equipped than among telemedicine-unequipped nursing homes (41% vs 50%; odds ratio, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.56-0.90). The proportion of a second call for the same purpose within 72 hours, proportion of dispatching to an ED at the second call, and proportion of deaths within 30 days were similar between the groups. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The use of telemedicine by nursing home residents requiring a call to the EMCC is associated with a reduction in the number of dispatches to an ED without any increase in the number of 72-hour callbacks or 30-day mortality rates.

Detecting cervical esophagus with ultrasound on healthy voluntaries: learning curve.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the learning curve of tracheal-esophageal ultrasound by prehospital medical and paramedical staff. METHODS: A single-center prospective study was carried out at a French EMS (SAMU 92). Volunteer participants first received a short theoretical training through e-learning, followed by two separate hands-on workshops on healthy volunteers, spaced one to two months apart. Learners were timed to obtain the tracheal-esophageal ultrasound target image 10 consecutive times. The first workshop was intended to perform a learning curve, and the second was to assess unlearning. The secondary objectives were to compare performance by profession and by previous ultrasound experience. RESULTS: We included 32 participants with a mean age of 38 (± 10) years, consisting of 56% men. During the first workshop, the target image acquisition time was 20.4 [IQR: 10.6;41] seconds on the first try and 5.02 [3.72;7.5] seconds on the 10th (p < 0.0001). The image acquisition time during the second workshop was shorter compared to the first one (p = 0.016). In subgroup analyses, we found no significant difference between physicians and nurses (p = 0.055 at the first workshop and p = 0.164 at the second) or according to previous ultrasound experience (p = 0.054 at the first workshop and p = 0.176), counter to multivariate analysis (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: A short web-based learning completed by a hands-on workshop made it possible to obtain the ultrasound image in less than 10 s, regardless of the profession or previous experience in ultrasound.

Temporal Trends in the Use of Computed Tomographic Pulmonary Angiography for Suspected Pulmonary Embolism in the Emergency Department : A Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recently, validated clinical decision rules have been developed that avoid unnecessary use of computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) in the emergency department (ED). OBJECTIVE: To measure any resulting change in CTPA use for suspected PE. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: 26 European EDs in 6 countries. PATIENTS: Patients with CTPA performed for suspected PE in the ED during the first 7 days of each odd month between January 2015 and December 2019. MEASUREMENTS: The primary end points were the CTPAs done for suspected PE in the ED and the number of PEs diagnosed in the ED each year adjusted to an annual census of 100 000 ED visits. Temporal trends were estimated using generalized linear mixed regression models. RESULTS: 8970 CTPAs were included (median age, 63 years; 56% female). Statistically significant temporal trends for more frequent use of CTPA (836 per 100 000 ED visits in 2015 vs. 1112 in 2019; P < 0.001), more diagnosed PEs (138 per 100 000 in 2015 vs. 164 in 2019; P = 0.028), a higher proportion of low-risk PEs (annual percent change [APC], 13.8% [95% CI, 2.6% to 30.1%]) with more ambulatory management (APC, 19.3% [CI, 4.1% to 45.1%]), and a lower proportion of intensive care unit admissions (APC, -8.9% [CI, -17.1% to -0.3%]) were observed. LIMITATION: Data were limited to 7 days every 2 months. CONCLUSION: Despite the recent validation of clinical decision rules to limit the use of CTPA, an increase in the CTPA rate along with more diagnosed PEs and especially low-risk PEs were instead observed. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: None specific for this study.

Risk factors for failed first intubation attempt in an out-of-hospital setting: a multicenter prospective study.

This study was performed to identify variables potentially associated with failure of the first intubation attempt in an out-of-hospital emergency setting, considering all aspects of tracheal intubation. This observational prospective multicenter study was performed over 17 months and involved 10 prehospital emergency medical units. After each tracheal intubation, the operator was required to provide information concerning operator and patient characteristics, as well as the environmental conditions during intubation, by completing a data collection form. The primary endpoint was failure of the first intubation attempt. During the study period, 1546 patients were analyzed, of whom 59% were in cardiac arrest; 486 intubations failed on the first attempt (31.4% [95% confidence interval = 30.2-32.6]). Multivariate analysis revealed that the following 7 of 28 factors were associated with an increased risk of a failed first intubation attempt: operator with fewer than 50 prior intubations (odds ratio [OR] = 1.8 [1.4-2.4]), small inter-incisor space (OR = 2.3 [1.7-3.2]), limited extension of the head (OR = 1.6 [1.1-2.1]), macroglossia (OR = 2.3 [1.6-3.2]), ear/nose/throat (ENT) tumor (OR = 4.4 [1.4-13.4]), cardiac arrest (OR = 1.8 [1.3-2.6]), and vomiting (OR = 1.7 [1.3-2.3]). The frequency of adverse events among non-cardiac arrest patients was 17.6%; it increased with each additional intubation attempt. The first intubation attempt failed in more than 30% of cases, and seven variables were associated with increased risk of failure. Most of these factors could not be predicted.

A national population-based study of patients, bystanders and contextual factors associated with resuscitation in witnessed cardiac arrest: insight from the french RéAC registry.

BACKGROUND: In out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), bystander initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) increases the chance of return of spontaneous circulation and survival with a favourable neurological status. Socioeconomic disparities have been highlighted in OHCA field. In areas with the lowest average socioeconomic status, OHCA incidence increased, and bystander CPR decreased. Evaluations were performed on restricted geographical area, and European evaluation is lacking. We aimed to analyse, at a national level, the impact of area-level social deprivation on the initiation of CPR in case of a witnessed OHCA. METHODS: We included all witnessed OHCA cases with age over 18 years from July 2011 to July 2018 form the OHCA French national registry. We excluded OHCA occurred in front of rescue teams or in nursing home, and patients with incomplete address or partial geocoding. We collected data from context, bystander and patient. The area-level social deprivation was estimated by the French version of the European Deprivation Index (in quintile) associated with the place where OHCA occurred. We assessed the associations between Utstein variables and social deprivation level using a mixed-effect logit model with bystander-initiated CPR. RESULTS: We included 23,979 witnessed OHCA of which 12,299 (51%) had a bystander-initiated CPR. More than one third of the OHCA (8,326 (35%)) occurred in an area from the highest quintile of social deprivation. The higher the area-level deprivation, the less the proportion of bystander-initiated CPR (56% in Quintile 1 versus 48% in Quintile 5). The In the multivariable analysis, bystander less often began CPR in areas with the highest deprivation level, compared to those with the lowest deprivation level (OR=0.69, IC95%: 0.63-0.75). CONCLUSIONS: The level of social deprivation of the area where OHCA occurred was associated with bystander-initiated CPR. It decreased in the more deprived areas although these areas also concentrate more younger patients.

Eficacia de un protocolo de asesoramiento médico telefónico formalizado para consultas por fiebre o gastroenteritis en centros de comunicación médica de emergencia. Ensayo clínico AMTF / Efficacy of emergency medical center use of a protocol during telephone calls to give medical advice related to fever or gastroenteritis: a cluster randomized controlled trial

Objetivos. Determinar la eficacia de un protocolo de asesoramiento médico telefónico formalizado (AMTF), realizado por un médico para consultas, para fiebre o gastroenteritis en centros de comunicación médica de emergencia. Método. Ensayo clínico por conglomerado, controlado. Los pacientes fueron aleatorizados al grupo AMTF o al grupo de atención habitual. Participaron 6 centros de comunicación médica de emergencia franceses. Se incluyeron pacientes que solicitaban asistencia telefónica por fiebre o gastroenteritis. El grupo ATMF realizó recomendaciones protocolizadas sobre el manejo terapéutico. Se valoró el número de consultas presenciales o ingreso hospitalario durante los 15 días siguientes a la consulta. También se evaluó la satisfacción del paciente y el coste económico. Resultados. Se incluyeron 2.498 llamadas. El grupo ATMF (n = 1.234) tuvo un riesgo relativo de 0,70 (CI 95% 0,58 a 0,85) de requerir un ingreso hospitalario o de realizar una consulta no programada durante el seguimiento. No hubo diferencias entre los dos grupos en cuanto al uso de ambulancia, el ingreso en cuidados intensivos, la mortalidad o morbilidad y la mejoría de los síntomas. La satisfacción de los pacientes fue del 90%. El coste total fue de 91 euros en el grupo de la ATMF y de 150 euros en el grupo de atención habitual (p < 0,01). Conclusiones. El grupo ATMF se asoció con una disminución de las consultas presenciales no programadas o del ingreso en el hospital. Este procedimiento es seguro y comporta un menor coste que la atención que se realiza habitualmente en la actualidad. (AU)

Objectives: To determine the efficacy of emergency medical center physicians' use of a protocol to guide their management of telephone consultations for fever and gastroenteritis. Material and methods: Cluster randomized controlled trial. Participating centers were randomized to use the telephone protocol or provide usual telephone assistance. Six emergency centers in France included calls from patients needing advice on fever or gastroenteritis. Centers assigned to the protocol followed specific guidelines on managing the call and giving advice on treatment. Primary endpoints were the number of in-person visits and hospital admissions required within 15 days of the call. Secondary endpoints were patient satisfaction and costs. Results: A total of 2498 calls were included. Use of the assigned protocol while attending 1234 calls was associated with a relative risk for hospitalization or an unscheduled in-person visit for care of 0.70 (95% CI, 0.58-0.85) versus usual practice. Ambulance use, admission to an intensive care unit, mortality, morbidity, and symptom improvement did not differ significantly between centers using the protocol and those following usual practice. Ninety percent of the patients were satisfied. The cost of care was €91 in centers applying the protocol and €150 in the other centers (P .01). Conclusion: Use of the protocol was associated with fewer unscheduled in-person visits for care and fewer hospital admissions. The protocol is safe and less costly than the centers' usual approaches to giving telephone advice. (AU)

Efficacy of emergency medical center use of a protocol during telephone calls to give medical advice related to fever or gastroenteritis: a cluster randomized controlled trial. / Eficacia de un protocolo de asesoramiento médico telefónico formalizado para consultas por fiebre o gastroenteritis en centros de comunicación médica de emergencia. Ensayo clínico AMTF.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of emergency medical center physicians' use of a protocol to guide their management of telephone consultations for fever and gastroenteritis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cluster randomized controlled trial. Participating centers were randomized to use the telephone protocol or provide usual telephone assistance. Six emergency centers in France included calls from patients needing advice on fever or gastroenteritis. Centers assigned to the protocol followed specific guidelines on managing the call and giving advice on treatment. Primary endpoints were the number of in-person visits and hospital admissions required within 15 days of the call. Secondary endpoints were patient satisfaction and costs. RESULTS: A total of 2498 calls were included. Use of the assigned protocol while attending 1234 calls was associated with a relative risk for hospitalization or an unscheduled in-person visit for care of 0.70 (95% CI, 0.58-0.85) versus usual practice. Ambulance use, admission to an intensive care unit, mortality, morbidity, and symptom improvement did not differ significantly between centers using the protocol and those following usual practice. Ninety percent of the patients were satisfied. The cost of care was €91 in centers applying the protocol and €150 in the other centers (P .01). CONCLUSION: Use of the protocol was associated with fewer unscheduled in-person visits for care and fewer hospital admissions. The protocol is safe and less costly than the centers' usual approaches to giving telephone advice.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la eficacia de un protocolo de asesoramiento médico telefónico formalizado (AMTF), realizado por un médico para consultas, para fiebre o gastroenteritis en centros de comunicación médica de emergencia. METODO: Ensayo clínico por conglomerado, controlado. Los pacientes fueron aleatorizados al grupo AMTF o al grupo de atención habitual. Participaron 6 centros de comunicación médica de emergencia franceses. Se incluyeron pacientes que solicitaban asistencia telefónica por fiebre o gastroenteritis. El grupo ATMF realizó recomendaciones protocolizadas sobre el manejo terapéutico. Se valoró el número de consultas presenciales o ingreso hospitalario durante los 15 días siguientes a la consulta. También se evaluó la satisfacción del paciente y el coste económico. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 2.498 llamadas. El grupo ATMF (n = 1.234) tuvo un riesgo relativo de 0,70 (CI 95% 0,58 a 0,85) de requerir un ingreso hospitalario o de realizar una consulta no programada durante el seguimiento. No hubo diferencias entre los dos grupos en cuanto al uso de ambulancia, el ingreso en cuidados intensivos, la mortalidad o morbilidad y la mejoría de los síntomas. La satisfacción de los pacientes fue del 90%. El coste total fue de 91 euros en el grupo de la ATMF y de 150 euros en el grupo de atención habitual (p 0,01). CONCLUSIONES: El grupo ATMF se asoció con una disminución de las consultas presenciales no programadas o del ingreso en el hospital. Este procedimiento es seguro y comporta un menor coste que la atención que se realiza habitualmente en la actualidad.

Relation between chest compression rate and depth: the ENFONCE Study.

INTRODUCTION: Chest compressions are the cornerstone of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The recent International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation guidelines recommend increasing the rate and the depth of chest compressions, to 100-120/min and 5-6 cm, based on theoretical arguments and observational studies. We hypothesized that an increased chest compressions rate could decrease chest compressions depth. METHODS: Operators were asked to perform continuous chest compressions on a mannequin. Chest compressions rate and depth were collected. The ratio of chest compressions compliance to the guidelines, that is rate 100-120/min and depth 5-6 cm, was calculated. RESULTS: In total 951 sequences of chest compressions were studied. Median chest compressions rate: 114 (104-130)/min. Median chest compressions depth: 4.5 (3.4-5.3) cm. Correlation between rate and depth: low (R2 = 0.12). Chest compressions in compliance with the recommended rate: 434 (46%). Rate >120/min in 285 (30%) cases and <100/min in 223 (23%) cases. Chest compressions in compliance with the recommended depth: 286 (30%). Depth >6 cm in 50 (5%) cases and <5 cm in 621 (65%) cases. Finally, chest compressions were in compliance with the guidelines for both rate and depth in 141 (15%) cases. The ratio of chest compressions in compliance with the recommended depth significantly decreased with the increase of the rate: 40% for a rate <100/min, 32% for a rate in the target (100-120/min) and 18% for a rate >100/min (P < 0.0001). DISCUSSION: The ratio of chest compressions in compliance with the recommended rate and depth was as low as 15%. The rate of chest compressions in compliance with the recommended depth significantly decreased when the chest compressions rate increased. To reach both recommended rate and depth seems illusive.

Interventional studies performed in emergency medical communication centres: systematic review.

We aimed to both quantitatively and qualitatively describe interventional research performed in emergency medical communication centres. We conducted a systematic review of articles published in MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science. Studies evaluating therapeutic or organizational interventions directed by call centres in the context of emergencies were included. Studies of call centre management for general practice or nonhealthcare agencies were excluded. We assessed general characteristics and methodological information for each study. Quality was evaluated by the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool or the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Among 3896 articles screened, we retained 59; 41 studies were randomized controlled trials (69%) and 18 (31%) were before-after studies; 41 (69%) took place in a single centre. For 33 (56%), 22 (37%) and 4 (7%) studies, the models used were simulation training, patient-based or experimental, respectively. The main topic was cardiac arrests (n = 45, 76%), with outcome measures of cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality and dispatch assistance. Among randomized controlled trials, risk of bias was unclear or high for selective reporting for 37 (90%) studies, low for blinding of outcomes for 34 (83%) and low for incomplete outcomes for 31 (76%). Regarding before-after studies, quality was high in 9 (50%) studies. Few interventional studies have been performed in call centres. Studies mainly involved simulation and focussed on cardiac arrest. The quality of studies needs improvement to allow for a better recognition and understanding of emergency medical call control.

Predicting acute coronary syndrome in males and females with chest pain who call an emergency medical communication centre.

BACKGROUND: Chest pain is a frequent reason for calls in emergency medical communication centre (EMCC). Detecting a coronary origin by phone is a challenge. This is especially so as the presentations differ according to gender. We aimed to establish and validate a sex-based model to predict a coronary origin of chest pain in patients calling an EMCC. METHODS: This prospective cohort study enrolled patients at 18 years of age or older who called the EMCC because of non-traumatic chest pain. The main outcome was the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) determined by expert evaluation of patient files. RESULTS: During 18 months, 3727 patients were enrolled: 2097 (56%) men and 1630 (44%) women. ACS was diagnosed in 508 (24%) men and 139 (9%) women. For men, independent factors associated with an ACS diagnosis were age, tobacco use, severe and permanent pain; retrosternal, breathing non-related and radiating pain; and additional symptoms. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.76 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73-0.79) for predicting ACS. The accuracy of the male model to predict ACS was validated in a validation dataset (Hosmer-Lemeshow test: p = 0.554); the AUC was 0.77 (95%CI 0.73-0.80). For women, independent factors associated with an ACS diagnosis were age ≥ 60 years, personal history of coronary artery disease, and breathing non-related and radiating pain. The AUC was 0.79 (95%CI 0.75-0.83). The accuracy of the female model to predict ACS was not validated in the validation dataset (Hosmer-Lemeshow test: p = 0.035); the AUC was 0.67 (95%CI 0.60-0.74). CONCLUSIONS: Predictors of an ACS diagnosis in patients calling an EMCC for chest pain differ between men and women. We developed an accurate predictive model for men, but for women, the accuracy was poor. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT02042209 ).

Young children are the main victims of fast food induced obesity in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity and overweight strongly contribute to increasing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and are becoming a worldwide health issue. The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically in Latin America. Child obesity is a major issue. Fast food is strongly suspected of contributing to this epidemic of obesity, although there is a lack of evidence. METHODS: We studied the correlation between the number of McDonald restaurants and overweight and obesity prevalence by region stratified by gender and age. Data on prevalences were obtained within national studies conducted by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Three age sub-groups were analyzed: 5 to 9-year-olds, 10 to 19-year-olds and over 19-year-olds. RESULTS: There was a very strong positive correlation between overweight rates and the number of McDonald restaurants for both males and females between 5 and 9 years old (R2 respectively = 0.92 and 0.84) and a strong positive correlation for females between 10 and 19 years old (R2 = 0.68). There was a very strong positive correlation between obesity rates and the number of McDonald restaurants for males between 5 and 9 years old (R2 = 0.95). This positive correlation was strong for both males and females between 10 and 19 years old (R2 respectively = 0.77 and 0.63). Other correlations were not significant. CONCLUSION: A strong correlation between the prevalence of overweight and obesity and the number of McDonald restaurants was found for Brazilian children and was most important within the group of youngest children. These results should be taken into consideration by education and prevention campaigns.

Variation in accessibility of the population to an Emergency Medical Communication Centre: a multicentre observational study.

BACKGROUND: Access to an Emergency Medical Communication Centre is essential for the population in emergency situations. Handling inbound calls without delay requires managing activity, process and outcome measures of the Emergency Medical Communication Centre to improve the workforce management and the level of service. France is facing political decisions on the evolution of the organisation of Emergency Medical Communication Centres to improve accessibility for the population. First, we aim to describe the variation in activity between Emergency Medical Communication Centres, and second, to explore the correlation between process measures and outcome measures. METHODS: Using telephone activity data extraction, we conducted an observational multicentre study of six French Emergency Medical Communication Centres from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017. We described the activity (number of incoming calls, call rate per 1000 inhabitants), process measure (agent occupation rate), and outcome measure (number of calls answered within 20 s) by hourly range and estimated the correlation between them according to the structural equation methods. RESULTS: A total of 52,542 h of activity were analysed, during which 2,544,254 calls were received. The annual Emergency Medical Communication Centre call rate was 285.5 [95% CI: 285.2-285.8] per 1000 inhabitants. The average hourly number of calls ranged from 29 to 61 and the call-handled rate from 75 to 98%. There are variations in activity between Emergency Medical Communication Centres. The mean agent occupation rate was correlated with the quality of service at 20 s (coefficient at - 0.54). The number of incoming calls per agent was correlated with the mean occupation rate (coefficient at 0.67). Correlation coefficients varied according to the centres and existed between different process measures. CONCLUSIONS: The activity dynamics of the six Emergency Medical Communication Centres are not identical. This variability, illustrating the particularity of each centre, must be accurately assessed and should be taken into account in managerial considerations. The call taker occupation rate is the leverage in the workforce management to improve the population accessibility.

Factors affecting medical file documentation during telephone triage at an emergency call centre: a cross-sectional study of out-of-hours home visits by general practitioners in France.

BACKGROUND: In France, general practitioners (GPs) perform out-of-hours home visits (OOH-HVs) after physician-led telephone triage at the emergency call centre. The quality of a systematic physician-led triage has not been determined in France and may affect the efficiency of the OOH-HV process. The objectives of this study were first, to evaluate the quality of reporting in the electronic patient's file after such triage and second, to analyse the factors associated with altered reporting. METHODS: Cross-sectional study in a French urban emergency call centre (district of Paris area) from January to December 2015. For a random selection of 30 days, data were collected from electronic medical files that ended with an OOH-HV decision. Missing key quality criteria (medical interrogation, diagnostic hypothesis or ruled-out severity criteria) were analysed by univariate then multivariate logistic regression, adjusted on patient, temporal and organizational data. RESULTS: Among 10,284 OOH-HVs performed in 2015, 748 medical files were selected. Reasons for the encounter were digestive tract symptoms (22%), fever (19%), ear nose and throat symptoms, and cardiovascular and respiratory problems (6% each). Medical interrogation was not reported in 2% of files (n = 16/748) and a diagnostic hypothesis in 58% (n = 432/748); ruled-out severity criteria were not reported in 60% (n = 449/748). On multivariate analysis, altered reporting was related to the work overload of triage assistants (number of incoming calls, call duration, telephone occupation rate; p < 0.03). CONCLUSION: In the electronic files of patients requiring an OOH-HV by a GP in a French urban area, quality in medical reporting appeared to depend on organizational factors only, especially the triage assistants-related work factors. Corrective measures are needed to ensure good quality of triage and care.