Evaluation of the feasibility and impacts of in situ simulation in emergency medicine-a mixed-method study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: In situ simulation (ISS) consists of performing a simulation in the everyday working environment with the usual team members. The feasibility of ISS in emergency medicine is an important research question, because ISS offers the possibility for repetitive, regular simulation training consistent with specific local needs. However, ISS also raises the issue of safety, since it might negatively impact the care of other patients in the emergency department (ED). Our hypothesis is that ISS in an academic high-volume ED is feasible, safe and associated with benefits for both staff and patients. METHODS: A mixed-method, including a qualitative method for the assessment of feasibility and acceptability and a quantitative method for the assessment of patients' safety and participants' psychosocial risks, will be used in this study.Two distinct phases are planned in the ED of the CHU de Québec-Université Laval (Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus) between March 2021 and October 2021. Phase 1: an ISS programme will be implemented with selected ED professionals to assess its acceptability and safety and prove the validity of our educational concept. The number of cancelled sessions and the reasons for cancellation will be collected to establish feasibility criteria. Semistructured interviews will evaluate the acceptability of the intervention. We will compare unannounced and announced ISS. Phase 2: the impact of the ISS programme will be measured with validated questionnaires for the assessment of psychosocial risks, self-confidence and perceived stress among nonselected ED professionals, with comparison between those exposed to ISS and those that were not. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research ethics board has approved this protocol (#2020-5000). Results will be presented to key professionals from our institution to improve patient safety. We also aim to publish our results in peer-reviewed journals and will submit abstracts to international conferences to disseminate our findings.

To call or not to call: behavioral determinants influencing the decision of intensivists to consult poison centers for calcium channel blocker poisoning.

Purpose: This study aimed to define the behavioral determinants influencing the decision of intensivists to consult a poison center (PC) when managing patients with calcium channel blocker (CCB) poisoning.Material and methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted involving a convenience sample of 18 intensivists. Two independent reviewers analyzed the interview responses using the Theoretical Domains Framework. Based on the impact and frequency of the reported behaviors, we selected the most relevant domains likely to influence intensivists' decision to consult a PC for CCB poisoning.Results: Beliefs influencing physicians positively to consult a PC for CCB poisoning were identified in the following domains: knowledge (e.g., lower level of evidence), social or professional role and identity (e.g., high credibility attributed to the PC), reinforcement (e.g., multiple drug poisoning, infrequent or potentially lethal poisoning, medicolegal considerations), and behavioral regulation (e.g., facilitated access of PC to patient's hospital chart, direct communication with a toxicologist). Beliefs deterring physicians from consulting a PC for CCB poisoning were identified in the following domains: knowledge (e.g., better awareness of recommendations decreases tendency to call), goals (e.g., priority for patient stabilization), and memory, attention, and decision process (e.g., cognitive overload due to an unstable patient).Conclusion: This qualitative study identified potential behavioral targets that future implementation strategies should address to improve collaboration between PCs and intensivists. In light of our results, the Québec PC now asks clinicians if the poisoned patient is unstable prior to collecting any other information. When necessary, a teleconference with the toxicologist is proposed earlier than before.

Diagnostic accuracy of prehospital electrocardiograms interpreted remotely by emergency physicians in myocardial infarction patients.

BACKGROUND: Prehospital 12­lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is the most widely used screening tool for recognition of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, prehospital diagnosis of STEMI based solely on ECGs can be challenging. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the ability of emergency department (ED) physicians to accurately interpret prehospital 12­lead ECGs from a remote location. METHODS: All suspected prehospital STEMI patients who were transported by EMS and underwent angiography between 2006 and 2014 were included. We reviewed prehospital ECGs and grouped them based on: 1) presence or absence of a culprit artery lesion following angiography; and 2) whether they met the 3rd Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction. We also described characteristics of ECGs that were misinterpreted by ED physicians. RESULTS: A total of 625 suspected STEMI cases were reviewed. Following angiography, 94% (590/625) of patients were found having a culprit artery lesion, while 6% (35/625) did not. Among these 35 patients, 24 had ECGs that mimicked STEMI criteria and 9 had non-ischemic signs. Upon ECG reinterpretation, 92% (577/625) had standard STEMI criteria while 8% (48/625) did not. Among these 48 patients, 35 had ischemic signs ECGs and 13 did not. Characteristics of misinterpreted ECGs included pericarditis, early repolarization, STE > 1 mm (1­lead only), and negative T-wave. CONCLUSIONS: Remote interpretation of prehospital 12­lead ECGs by ED physicians was a useful diagnostic tool in this EMS system. Even if the rate of ECG misinterpretation is low, there is still room for ED physicians operating from a remote location to improve their ability to accurately diagnose STEMI patients.

Barriers and Facilitators of Intensivists' Adherence to Hyperinsulinemia-Euglycemia Therapy in the Treatment of Calcium Channel Blocker Poisoning.

INTRODUCTION: Adherence to poison center (PC) recommendations for the management of calcium channel blocker (CCB) poisoning is inconsistent. This study aimed to identify behaviors that determine adherence to hyperinsulinemia-euglycemia therapy (HIET) for CCB poisoning. METHODS: Semistructured interviews were conducted involving a convenience sample of 18 intensivists. Interview responses were analyzed using the theoretical domains framework (TDF) to identify relevant domains influencing physician adherence to HIET. Two independent reviewers performed qualitative content analysis of the interview transcripts to identify beliefs influencing decisions to initiate HIET. Initially, beliefs were classified and frequencies reported as being likely to facilitate, likely to decrease, or unlikely to affect adherence. Subsequently, beliefs were linked to a domain within the TDF. Based on the potential impact on physician behavior and frequency of reported behavior, we selected the most relevant domains likely to influence physician adherence to HIET for CCB poisoning. RESULTS: Positive beliefs were identified in the following domains: "behavioral regulation" (e.g., algorithm for adjustment of perfusions), "belief about capabilities" (e.g., confidence about being able to manage HIET), "belief about consequences" (e.g., fear of clinical deterioration), and "reinforcement" (e.g., clinical instability). Negative beliefs were identified in the following domains as "nature of behavior" (e.g., preference for vasopressors over HIET) and "environmental context and resources" (e.g., accessing dextrose 50% and increased nurse workload). CONCLUSION: This qualitative study identified potential behavioral targets for future implementation strategies to address to improve adherence to HIET.

Effectiveness of a Prehospital Wireless 12-Lead Electrocardiogram and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Activation for ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of false-positive and inappropriate cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) activation in patients suspected with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) diverted to a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) facility after paramedics wireless 12-lead electrocardiogram transmission to an emergency physician at an online medical control center. This retrospective study collected data from medical records of patients with suspected STEMI from 2006 to 2014. It included demographics, coronaropathic risk factors, cardiac biomarkers, time from the first medical contact to treatment, and final diagnosis. Primary outcome was the rate of false-positive and inappropriate CCL activation. As secondary outcomes, we compared patient characteristics between cases of appropriate and inappropriate CCL activation, and we assessed the presence of cardiac biomarkers, time from first medical contact to start of PCI, and final diagnosis. Overall, 673 patients with suspected STEMI were included in the analysis. A total of 640 patients (95%) had coronarography, of which 10% (62 of 640) did not have a culprit coronary artery (false positive). Angiography was canceled for 5% (33 of 673) of patients. The total false-positive and inappropriate CCL activation rate was 14% (95 of 673). Average time from the first medical contact to the start of PCI was 47 ± 18.1 minutes. Unwanted CCL activations were more likely to involve men aged >65 years and patients with a history of coronary artery disease. In conclusion, our system of transmitted prehospital electrocardiography and STEMI interpretation by emergency physicians at an online medical control center showed a total false-positive and inappropriate CCL activation rate of 14% over the 8-year study period.