The reality of multiple casualty triage: putting triage theory into practice at the scene of multiple casualty vehicular accidents

Das Präsentationsdiagramm „Massenanfall“ des Manchester-Triage-Systems

Hintergrund und Ziel der Arbeit

Für die klinische Sichtung in der Zentralen Notaufnahme (ZNA) existiert bisher für den Massenanfall von Verletzten kein standardisierter Sichtungsalgorithmus. Mit dem Erscheinen der vierten überarbeiteten und erweiterten Auflage des Manchester-Triage-Systems (MTS) wird dem Nutzer ein spezielles Präsentationsdiagramm („Massenanfall“) angeboten. In der vorliegenden Studie wurde erstmalig das Präsentationsdiagramm „Massenanfall“ des MTS im klinischen Setting hinsichtlich seiner Güte untersucht.

Methodik

In der vorliegenden monozentrischen, prospektiven Studie wurden 215 traumatologische und 235 nichttraumatologische Patienten unter Verwendung des Präsentationsdiagramms „Massenanfall“ gesichtet und in eine der drei Sichtungskategorien (SK I–III) eingruppiert.

Ergebnisse

Das MTS-Diagramm stufte die traumatologische Kohorte in 80 % der Fälle korrekt ein. In 15,35 % erfolgte eine Über- und in 4,65 % eine Untertriage. Hierbei wurde eine Sensitivität/Spezifität von 84/99 % für die SK I, 87/78 % für SK II sowie 76/94 % für SK III erreicht. Die nichttraumatologischen Patienten wurden in 59,57 % korrekt kategorisiert sowie in 15,75 % über- und in 24,68 % untertriagiert. Die Sensitivität/Spezifität für SK I lag bei 50/95 %, für SK II bei 49/71 % und für SK III bei 73/65 %.

Diskussion

Zusammenfassend war der Algorithmus leicht und schnell anzuwenden und identifizierte traumatologische Patienten mit lebensbedrohlichen Verletzungen treffsicher. Es wurde aber auch deutlich, dass die Diskriminante „Gehfähigkeit“ zu Beginn der Sichtung bzw. rein physiologische Entscheidungskriterien mit einer schlechten Testgüte einhergingen. Nichttraumatologische Krankheitsbilder wurden qualitativ ungenügend kategorisiert.

The Principles of Triage in Emergencies and Disasters: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

The use of triage systems is one of the most important measures in response to mass-casualty incidents (MCIs) caused by emergencies and disasters. In these systems, certain principles and criteria must be considered that can be achieved with a lack of resources. Accordingly, the present study was conducted as a systematic review to explore the principles of triage systems in emergencies and disasters world-wide.

METHODS

The present study was conducted as a systematic review of the principles of triage in emergencies and disasters. All papers published from 2000 through 2019 were extracted from the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases. The search for the articles was conducted by two trained researchers independently.

RESULTS

The classification and prioritization of the injured people, the speed, and the accuracy of the performance were considered as the main principles of triage. In certain circumstances, including chemical, biological, radiation, and nuclear (CBRN) incidents, certain principles must be considered in addition to the principles of the triage based on traumatic events. Usually in triage systems, the classification of the injured people is done using color labeling. The short duration of the triage and its accuracy are important for the survival of the injured individuals. The optimal use of available resources to protect the lives of more casualties is one of the important principles of triage systems and does not conflict with equity in health.

CONCLUSION

The design of the principles of triage in triage systems is based on scientific studies and theories in which attempts have been made to correctly classify the injured people with the maximum correctness and in the least amount of time to maintain the survival of the injured people and to achieve the most desirable level of health. It is suggested that all countries adopt a suitable and context-bond model of triage in accordance with all these principles, or to propose a new model for the triage of injured patients, particularly for hospitals in emergencies and disasters.

[The Berlin mass casualty hospital triage algorithm : Development, implementation and influence on exercise-based triage results]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Patient triage has a key function within the scope of the successful management of mass disasters and ensures the correct resource allocation. Analysis of unheralded hospital disaster training in Berlin hospitals revealed triage problems referring the correct classification of patients in the triage categories and relevant overtriaging and undertriaging. Therefore, a triage algorithm tailored to the clinical setting was developed in Berlin and after presentation and discussion within the circle of the representatives for clinical catastrophe protection, the algorithm was introduced as obligatory in 2015. This study was carried out to validate and investigate the effects of the triage algorithm.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This prospective observational study evaluated all unheralded hospital disaster training exercises from 2016/2017 initiated by the senate administration, with 556 roughed persons after implementation of the new triage algorithm and compared the results with disaster training exercises from the years 2010/2011 without a triage algorithm (n = 601). The correct allocation of the prescribed injury patterns to the triage category (T1-3), specificity, sensitivity and positive likelihood ratio of the algorithm are described and group differences were calculated.

RESULTS

In 15 unheralded mass disaster drills with 556 actors in 2016-2017 a total of 85% of the category T1 (n = 83/98), 63% of the T2 category (n = 100/159) and 87% of the T3 category (n = 259/299) were correctly recognized. This corresponds to a significantly better triage result of 80% compared to 63% in 2010/2011. Overtriaging and undertriaging also were significantly reduced. The triage algorithm showed a specificity and sensitivity of 97% and 75%, respectively, for T1 (immediately life-threatening), 86%/67% for T2 (severely injured) and 85%/88% for T3 (slightly injured) patients.

DISCUSSION

The Berlin hospital triage algorithm was successfully validated. The triage category allocation was significantly improved in all relevant aspects after implementation with a significant reduction of overtriaging and undertriaging.

Creative adapting in a fluid environment: an explanatory model of paramedic decision making in the pre-hospital setting

Background

Paramedics work in a highly complex and unpredictable environment which is characterized by ongoing decision-making. Decisions made by paramedics in the prehospital setting have implications for patient safety, transport, treatment, and health resource utilization. The objective of this study was; a) to understand how paramedics conduct decision-making in the field, and b) to develop a grounded theory of paramedic decision-making in the prehospital setting.

Method

This study was conducted using classical grounded theory. Paramedics (n = 13) with five or more years’ experience, who worked in a large urban center in Western Canada were interviewed. Field observations were conducted, each lasting 12 h, with five different ambulance crews. The data were analyzed and coded using the constant comparative method.

Results

The resultant theory, Creative Adapting in a Fluid Environment, indicates paramedic decision-making is a fluid iterative process. Unpredictable and dynamic features of the prehospital environment require paramedics to use a flexible and creative approach to decision-making. The model consists of the three categories constructing a malleable model, revising the model, and situation-specific action. Two additional components, safety and extrication, are considered at each stage of the call. These two components in conjunction with the three categories influence how decisions are made and enacted.

Conclusion

Paramedic decision-making is highly contextual and requires accurate interpretation and flexible cognitive constructs that are rapidly adaptable. Evaluation of paramedic decision-making needs to account for the complex and dynamic interaction between the environment, patient characteristics, available resources, and provider experience and knowledge.

Transition in care from paramedics to emergency department nurses: a systematic review protocol

BACKGROUND

Effective and efficient transitions in care between emergency medical services (EMS) practitioners and emergency department (ED) nurses is vital as poor clinical transitions in care may place patients at increased risk for adverse events such as delay in treatment for time sensitive conditions (e.g., myocardial infarction) or worsening of status (e.g., sepsis). Such transitions in care are complex and prone to communication errors primarily caused by misunderstanding related to divergent professional perspectives leading to misunderstandings that are further susceptible to contextual factors and divergent professional lenses. In this systematic review, we aim to examine (1) factors that mitigate or improve transitions in care specifically from EMS practitioners to ED nurses, and (2) effectiveness of interventional strategies that lead to improvements in communication and fewer adverse events.

METHODS

We will search electronic databases (DARE, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, CINAHL, Joanna Briggs Institute EBP; Communication Abstracts); gray literature (gray literature databases, organization websites, querying experts in emergency medicine); and reference lists and conduct forward citation searches of included studies. All English-language primary studies will be eligible for inclusion if the study includes (1) EMS practitioners or ED nurses involved in transitions for arriving EMS patients; and (2) an intervention to improve transitions in care or description of factors that influence transitions in care (barriers/facilitators, perceptions, experiences, quality of information exchange). Two reviewers will independently screen titles/abstracts and full texts for inclusion and methodological quality. We will use narrative and thematic synthesis to integrate and explore relationships within the data. Should the data permit, a meta-analysis will be conducted.

DISCUSSION

This systematic review will help identify factors that influence communication between EMS and ED nurses during transitions in care, and identify interventional strategies that lead to improved communication and decrease in adverse events. The findings can be used to develop an evidence-informed transitions in care tool that ensures efficient transfer of accurate patient information, continuity of care, enhances patient safety, and avoids duplication of services. This review will also identify gaps in the existing literature to inform future research efforts.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42017068844.

Development of a Mass-Gathering Triage Tool: An Australian Perspective

Many health service organizations deploy first responders and health care professionals to mass gatherings to assess and manage injuries and illnesses. Patient presentation rates (PPRs) to on-site health services at a mass gathering range from 0.48-170 per 10,000 participants. Transport to hospital rates (TTHRs) range from 0.035-15 per 10,000 participants. The aim of this report was to outline the current literature pertaining to mass-gathering triage and to describe the development of a mass-gathering triage tool for use in the Australian context by first responders. The tool is based on the principles of triage, previous mass-gathering triage tools, existing Australian triage systems, and Australian contextual considerations. The model is designed to be appropriate for use by first responders.

CannonM, RoitmanR, RanseJ, MorphetJ. Development of a mass-gathering triage tool: an Australian perspective. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(1): 101–105.

Attitudes Towards and Experience of the Use of Triage Tags in Major Incidents: A Mixed Method Study

Introduction

Disaster triage is the allocation of limited medical resources in order to optimize patient outcome. There are several studies showing the poor use of triage tagging, but there are few studies that have investigated the reasons behind this. The aim of this study was to explore ambulance personnel attitude towards, and experiences of, practicing triage tagging during day-to-day management of trauma patients, as well as in major incidents (MIs).

Methods

A mixed method design was used. The first part of the study was in the form of a web-survey of attitudes answered by ambulance personnel. The question explored was: Is it likely that systems that are not used in everyday practice will be used during MIs? Two identical web-based surveys were conducted, before and after implementing a new strategy for triage tagging. This strategy consisted of a time-limited triage routine where ambulance services assigned triage category and applied triage tags in day-to-day trauma incidents in order to improve field triage. The second part comprised three focus group interviews (FGIs) in order to provide a deeper insight into the attitudes towards, and experience of, the use of triage tags. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

The overall finding was the need for daily routine when failure in practice. Analysis of the web-survey revealed three changes: ambulance personnel were more prone to use tags in minor accidents, the sort scoring system was considered to be more valuable, but it also was more time consuming after the intervention. In the analysis of FGIs, four categories emerged that describe the construction of the overall category: perceived usability, daily routine, documentation, and need for organizational strategies.

Conclusion

Triage is part of the foundation of ambulance skills, but even so, ambulance personnel seldom use this in routine practice. They fully understand the benefit of accurate triage decisions, and also that the use of a triage algorithm and color coded tags is intended to make it easier and more secure to perform triage. However, despite the knowledge and understanding of these benefits, sparse incidents and infrequent exercises lead to ambulance personnel’s uncertainty concerning the use of triage tagging during a MI and will therefore, most likely, avoid using them.

RådestadM, Lennquist MontánK, RüterA, CastrénM, SvenssonL, GrythD, FossumB. Attitudes towards and experience of the use of triage tags in major incidents: a mixed method study. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016;31(4):376–385.

Chain of Survival at Mass Gatherings: A Case Series of Resuscitation Events

Background:

At a large public event, or mass gathering, various factors influence patient presentations that brings challenges to patient care. The chain of survival has been investigated in the prehospital setting. However, this has not explicitly included the mass-gathering environment.

Objective:

This study sought to determine the facilitators and barriers to the chain of survival at mass gatherings.

Methods:

This case-series research was exploratory and descriptive, using the analysis of personal experiences of resuscitation. Participants were members of St John Ambulance Australia who had participated actively in a resuscitation event in 2007. Telephone interviews were used as a means of data collection. Participant narrative was recorded electronically, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using a well established human science approach.

Results:

The thematic analysis revealed five main themes and a number of sub-themes. Four of the main themes were aligned easily with the four chain of survival links. The remaining main theme outlined a new link in the chain of survival of specific importance to mass gatherings, ‘early planning’. Additionally, a number of sub-themes were identified, which exemplified various facilitators and barriers to the chain of survival in this environment.

Conclusions:

This research highlights various barriers and facilitators to the chain of survival in the mass-gathering environment. Additionally, the unique “early planning” link in the chain of survival as described in this research highlights the importance of a preparatory phase for responders at mass gatherings.