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Drabecki M, Toczyłowski E, Pieńkosz K, Honisz G, Kułak K. Multi-criteria assignment problems for optimising the emergency medical services (EMS), considering non-homogeneous speciality of the emergency departments and EMS crews. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7496. [PMID: 37161017 PMCID: PMC10170167 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33831-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Dispatching of the EMS crews (ambulances) to awaiting patients and then directing the patients, that are already onboard, to appropriate Emergency Departments (ED), is a nontrivial decision problem. In many emergency medical systems it is handled by the Medical Dispatcher using various strategies-sometimes preferring the closest unit. However, applying a wrong strategy may result in transferring acute-state patients, who require very specialised medical aid, to low-speciality EDs with insufficient treatment capabilities. Then, they would need to be re-transferred to referential units, prolonging substantially the time to receive treatment. In some cases such a delay might make the treatment less effective or even impossible. In this work we propose two multi-criteria mathematical optimisation problems-the first one allows us to calculate the ambulance-to-patient assignment, the second one-to establish the patient-to-hospital assignment. These problems not only take the time-to-support criterion into consideration but also optimise for the speciality of care received by each patient. The ED dispatching problem proposed allows both for direct transfers of patients to referential units and for re-transferring them from non-referential EDs. The performance of the proposed approach is tested in simulations with real-life emergency cases from the NEMSIS data set and compared with classic assignment strategies. The tests showed the proposed approach is able to produce better and more fit-for-purpose dispatching results than other strategies tested. Additionally, we propose a framework for embedding the proposed optimisation problems in the current EMS/ED dispatching process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariusz Drabecki
- Institute of Control and Computation Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland.
- Order of Malta Poland, Maltese Medical Service, Katowice, Poland.
| | - Eugeniusz Toczyłowski
- Institute of Control and Computation Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Pieńkosz
- Institute of Control and Computation Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Honisz
- Silesian Centre for Heart Deseases in Zabrze, Zabrze, Poland
- Order of Malta Poland, Maltese Medical Service, Katowice, Poland
| | - Klaudia Kułak
- Faculty of Medicine, Lazarski University Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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Amini K, Mirzaei A, Hosseini M, Zandian H, Azizpour I, Haghi Y. Assessment of electrocardiogram interpretation competency among healthcare professionals and students of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences: a multidisciplinary study. BMC Med Educ 2022; 22:448. [PMID: 35681191 PMCID: PMC9179219 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-022-03518-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation is a core clinical skill that helps to rapid diagnosis of potentially life-threatening diseases. Misinterpretation of the electrocardiogram can lead to inappropriate clinical decisions with adverse outcomes. The main aim of this survey was to assess the competency of electrocardiogram interpretation and related factors among healthcare professionals and students of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences. METHODS This descriptive cross-sectional study included 323 staff and students of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences in northwestern Iran. Data were collected randomly from November to January 1400 using the Badell-Coll ECG Interpretation Competency Questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS V.14. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression. RESULTS The results showed that the mean and standard deviation of electrocardiogram interpretation competency of health professional staff and students was 5.13 ± 2.25 (maximum score = 10). The large number of participants wasn't able to identify normal sinus rhythm (n = 251, 77.3%), acute myocardial infarction (n = 206, 63.8%) and pathological Q waves (n = 201, 62.2%). The results of multiple linear regression showed that the variables of education level, self-assessment of electrocardiogram interpretation competence, work experience, and type of hospital were able to predict the competence of ECG interpretation in participants. CONCLUSIONS Our findings showed that the participants' level of electrocardiogram interpretation competency was low. Hence, regular, standard training and education are recommended. Also, managers and educators of the health system should consider the role of positive self-assessment and exposure to ECG interpretation in improving the competence of staff and students to interpret ECG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keyvan Amini
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine. Fatemi Hospital, Ardabil University of Medical, Ardebil, Iran
| | - Alireza Mirzaei
- Students Research Committee, Department of Emergency Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Mirtohid Hosseini
- Department of Critical Care Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Guilan, Iran
| | - Hamed Zandian
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center , Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Islam Azizpour
- Students Research Committee, Department of Emergency Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Yagoob Haghi
- Faculty of Medicine & Paramedical, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
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Vinson AJ, Zanjir W, Nallbani M, Goldstein J, Swain J, Clark DA, More KM, Manderville JR, Fok PT, Wiemer H, Tennankore KK. Predictors of Hyperkalemia among Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis Transported to the Emergency Department by Ambulance. Kidney360 2022; 3:615-626. [PMID: 35721611 PMCID: PMC9136889 DOI: 10.34067/kid.0008132021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hyperkalemia is common among patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) and is associated with mortality. We hypothesized that clinical characteristics available at time of paramedic assessment before emergency department (ED) ambulance transport (ambulance-ED) would associate with severe hyperkalemia (K≥6 mmol/L). Rapid identification of patients who are at risk for hyperkalemia and thereby hyperkalemia-associated complications may allow paramedics to intervene in a timely fashion, including directing emergency transport to dialysis-capable facilities. METHODS Patients on maintenance HD from a single paramedic provider region, who had at least one ambulance-ED and subsequent ED potassium from 2014 to 2018, were examined using multivariable logistic regression to create risk prediction models inclusive of prehospital vital signs, days from last dialysis, and the presence of prehospital electrocardiogram (ECG) features of hyperkalemia. We used bootstrapping with replacement to validate each model internally, and performance was assessed by discrimination and calibration. RESULTS Among 704 ambulance-ED visits, severe hyperkalemia occurred in 75 (11%); 26 patients with ED hyperkalemia did not have a prehospital ECG. Younger age at transport, longer HD vintage, more days from last hemodialysis session (OR=49.84; 95% CI, 7.72 to 321.77 for ≥3 days versus HD the same day [before] ED transport), and prehospital ECG changes (OR=6.64; 95% CI, 2.31 to 19.12) were independently associated with severe ED hyperkalemia. A model incorporating these factors had good discrimination (c-statistic 0.82; 95% CI, 0.76 to 0.89) and, using a cutoff of 25% probability, correctly classified patients 89% of the time. CONCLUSIONS Characteristics available at the time of ambulance-ED were associated with severe ED hyperkalemia. An awareness of these associations may allow health care providers to define novel care pathways to ensure timely diagnosis and management of hyperkalemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J Vinson
- Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, Canada
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | | | | | - Judah Goldstein
- Emergency Health Services, Dartmouth, Canada
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Janel Swain
- Emergency Health Services, Dartmouth, Canada
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - David A Clark
- Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, Canada
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Keigan M More
- Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, Canada
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | | | - Patrick T Fok
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Hana Wiemer
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Karthik K Tennankore
- Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, Canada
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
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Yoon S, Kim T, Roh T, Chang H, Hwang SY, Yoon H, Shin TG, Sim MS, Jo IJ, Cha WC. Twelve-Lead Electrocardiogram Acquisition With a Patchy-Type Wireless Device in Ambulance Transport: Simulation-Based Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2021; 9:e24142. [PMID: 33792550 PMCID: PMC8050747 DOI: 10.2196/24142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Early recognition, diagnosis, and reperfusion are the key elements of treatment for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The absence of a prehospital 12-lead electrocardiogram (P12ECG) can cause definitive treatment delay and repeated transfer. Although guidelines highly recommend the measurement and transmission of P12ECG data, P12ECG use has not been widely established. Objective The aim of this study was to verify the time-efficiency and feasibility of the use of a patchy-type 12-lead ECG measuring and transmitting device (P-ECG) by an emergency medical technician (EMT) in an ambulance during patient transport. Methods This was a simulation-based prospective randomized crossover-controlled study that included EMTs. The participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group A began the experiment with a conventional 12-lead ECG (C-ECG) device and then switched to the intervention device (P-ECG), whereas group B began the experiment with the P-ECG and then switched to the C-ECG. All simulations were performed inside an ambulance driving at 30 km/h. The time interval was measured from the beginning of ECG application to completion of sending the results. After the simulation, participants were administered the System Usability Scale questionnaire about usability of the P-ECG. Results A total of 18 EMTs were recruited for this study with a median age of 35 years. The overall interval time for the C-ECG was 254 seconds (IQR 247-270), whereas the overall interval time for the P-ECG was 130 seconds (IQR 112-150), with a significant difference (P<.001). Significant differences between the C-ECG and P-ECG were identified at all time intervals, in which the P-ECG device was significantly faster in all intervals, except for the preparation interval in which the C-ECG was faster (P=.03). Conclusions Performance of 12-lead ECG examination and transmission of the results using P-ECG are faster than those of C-ECG during ambulance transport. With the additional time afforded, EMTs can provide more care to patients and transport patients more rapidly, which may help reduce the symptoms-to-balloon time for patients with acute coronary syndrome. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04114760; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04114760
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunyoung Yoon
- Department of Digital Health, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Science & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Taerim Kim
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Taehwan Roh
- Healthrian Co, Ltd, Dajeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hansol Chang
- Department of Digital Health, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Science & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Yeon Hwang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Yoon
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Gun Shin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Seob Sim
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ik Joon Jo
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Chul Cha
- Department of Digital Health, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Science & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Health Information and Strategy Center, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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