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Kottmann A, Pasquier M, Carron PN, Maudet L, Rouvé JD, Suppan L, Caillet-Bois D, Riva T, Albrecht R, Krüger A, Sollid SJM. Feasibility of quality indicators on prehospital advanced airway management in a physician-staffed emergency medical service: survey-based assessment of the provider point of view. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e081951. [PMID: 38453207 PMCID: PMC10921492 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081951] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to determine the feasibility of quality indicators (QIs) for prehospital advanced airway management (PAAM) from a provider point of view. DESIGN The study is a survey based feasibility assessment following field testing of QIs for PAAM. SETTING The study was performed in two physician staffed emergency medical services in Switzerland. PARTICIPANTS 42 of the 44 emergency physicians who completed at least one case report form (CRF) dedicated to the collection of the QIs on PAAM between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2021 participated in the study. INTERVENTION The data required to calculate the 17 QIs was systematically collected through a dedicated electronic CRF. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcomes were provider-related feasibility criteria: relevance and acceptance of the QIs, as well as reliability of the data collection. Secondary outcomes were effort to collect specific data and to complete the CRF. RESULTS Over the study period, 470 CRFs were completed, with a median of 11 per physician (IQR 4-17; range 1-48). The median time to complete the CRF was 7 min (IQR 3-16) and was considered reasonable by 95% of the physicians. Overall, 75% of the physicians assessed the set of QIs to be relevant, and 74% accepted that the set of QIs assessed the quality of PAAM. The reliability of data collection was rated as good or excellent for each of the 17 QIs, with the lowest rated for the following 3 QIs: duration of preoxygenation, duration of laryngoscopy and occurrence of desaturation during laryngoscopy. CONCLUSIONS Collection of QIs on PAAM appears feasible. Electronic medical records and technological solutions facilitating automatic collection of vital parameters and timing during the procedure could improve the reliability of data collection for some QIs. Studies in other services are needed to determine the external validity of our results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Kottmann
- Emergency Department, Department of Interdisciplinary Centres, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
- Medicine, REGA, Zurich, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Inselspital University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Research and Development, Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Drøbak, Norway
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Mathieu Pasquier
- Emergency Department, Department of Interdisciplinary Centres, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Pierre-Nicolas Carron
- Emergency Department, Department of Interdisciplinary Centres, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Ludovic Maudet
- Emergency Department, Department of Interdisciplinary Centres, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
- Anaesthesiology, Department of Interdisciplinary Centres, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Daniel Rouvé
- Anaesthesiology, Department of Interdisciplinary Centres, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
| | - L Suppan
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Anaesthesiology, Clinical Pharmacology, Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneve, Switzerland
| | - David Caillet-Bois
- Emergency Department, Department of Interdisciplinary Centres, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Riva
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Inselspital University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roland Albrecht
- Medicine, REGA, Zurich, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Krüger
- Department of Research and Development, Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Drøbak, Norway
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Prehospital Services, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- Institute of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Stephen Johan Mikal Sollid
- Department of Research and Development, Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Drøbak, Norway
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
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Pasquier M, Strapazzon G, Kottmann A, Paal P, Zafren K, Oshiro K, Artoni C, Van Tilburg C, Sheets A, Ellerton J, McLaughlin K, Gordon L, Martin RW, Jacob M, Musi M, Blancher M, Jaques C, Brugger H. On-site treatment of avalanche victims: Scoping review and 2023 recommendations of the international commission for mountain emergency medicine (ICAR MedCom). Resuscitation 2023; 184:109708. [PMID: 36709825 DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2023.109708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom) developed updated recommendations for the management of avalanche victims. METHODS ICAR MedCom created Population Intervention Comparator Outcome (PICO) questions and conducted a scoping review of the literature. We evaluated and graded the evidence using the American College of Chest Physicians system. RESULTS We included 120 studies including original data in the qualitative synthesis. There were 45 retrospective studies (38%), 44 case reports or case series (37%), and 18 prospective studies on volunteers (15%). The main cause of death from avalanche burial was asphyxia (range of all studies 65-100%). Trauma was the second most common cause of death (5-29%). Hypothermia accounted for few deaths (0-4%). CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS For a victim with a burial time ≤ 60 minutes without signs of life, presume asphyxia and provide rescue breaths as soon as possible, regardless of airway patency. For a victim with a burial time > 60 minutes, no signs of life but a patent airway or airway with unknown patency, presume that a primary hypothermic CA has occurred and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) unless temperature can be measured to rule out hypothermic cardiac arrest. For a victim buried > 60 minutes without signs of life and with an obstructed airway, if core temperature cannot be measured, rescuers can presume asphyxia-induced CA, and should not initiate CPR. If core temperature can be measured, for a victim without signs of life, with a patent airway, and with a core temperature < 30 °C attempt resuscitation, regardless of burial duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pasquier
- Emergency Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland; International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom), Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - G Strapazzon
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy; Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom), Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - A Kottmann
- Swiss Air Ambulance - Rega, Zurich Airport, Switzerland; Emergency Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom), Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - P Paal
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. John of God Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria; International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - K Zafren
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Alaska Native Medical Center Anchorage, Alaska, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine Stanford University Medical Center Stanford, CA, USA; International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - K Oshiro
- Cardiovascular Department, Mountain Medicine, Research, & Survey Division, Hokkaido Ohno Memorial Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan; Department of Internal Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - C Artoni
- ICAR Avalanche Rescue Commission, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - C Van Tilburg
- Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital, Hood River, Oregon, USA; Mountain Rescue Association, USA; International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom), Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - A Sheets
- Emergency Department, Boulder Community Health, Boulder, CO, USA; University of Colorado Wilderness and Environmental Medicine Fellowship Faculty, Aurora, CO, USA; International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom), Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - J Ellerton
- International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - K McLaughlin
- Canmore Hospital, Alberta, Canada; University of Calgary, Canada; International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom), Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - L Gordon
- Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust, Lancaster, England; Langdale Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team, England; International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - R W Martin
- Mountain Rescue Association, USA; ICAR Avalanche Rescue Commission, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - M Jacob
- Bavarian Mountain Rescue Service, Bad Tölz, Germany; International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom), Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - M Musi
- Emergency Department, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA; International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom), Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - M Blancher
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospital of Grenoble Alps Grenoble, France; International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom), Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - C Jaques
- Lausanne University Medical Library, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - H Brugger
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy; Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom), Zurich, Switzerland.
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Giacalone S, Kottmann A, Darioli V, Carron PN, Desseauve D, Albrecht R, Pasquier M. Clinical characteristics and haemodynamic state of patients undergoing interhospital transfer for postpartum haemorrhage: A study of a single-centre helicopter emergency medical service. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2021; 268:48-55. [PMID: 34800817 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Uterine artery embolization is an attractive option for the management of postpartum haemorrhage, however it is not available in every hospital. We compared the clinical characteristics and haemodynamic state of patients with postpartum haemorrhage, before and after helicopter transfer to a tertiary hospital for possible uterine artery embolization. We also analysed whether the type of treatment could modify the outcome. STUDY DESIGN Between 1999 and 2019 in Switzerland, we retrospectively found 82 consecutive patients with postpartum haemorrhage who were transferred by a physician-staffed helicopter emergency medical service to the tertiary hospital for potential uterine artery embolization. The collected data included the type of delivery, estimated blood loss, shock index and blood lactate levels before transfer and at destination, uterine artery embolization rate and hospital mortality rate. Our primary outcome was to describe the clinical characteristics, outcomes and haemodynamic state of the patients with postpartum haemorrhage before and after helicopter transfer. Our secondary outcome was to report the treatments performed at the tertiary hospital. The collected data were analysed with Stata version 14 (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX, USA). Continuous data are compared by using the Student's t-test or the Mann-Whitney U test, as appropriate. RESULTS We included 69 patients. Postpartum haemorrhage occurred after vaginal delivery in 38 cases (55%). Blood loss prior to transfer exceeded 2 L in 34% of cases. The median shock index was 1 (IQR 0.8-1.1) before transfer and 0.9 (IQR 0.8-1.1) after transfer (p = 0.41). The median lactate level was 2.9 mmol/L (IQR 2.1-6.8) before, and 2.1 mmol/L (IQR 1.55-3.5) after transfer (p = 0.90). Forty-four patients underwent uterine artery embolization (64%), with an overall success rate of 93%. One patient died (1.4%), from a haemorrhagic shock of abdominal origin. CONCLUSIONS Interhospital helicopter transfer of patients with postpartum haemorrhage to a tertiary hospital seems to be safe in our setting, despite a significant proportion of patients exhibiting signs of haemodynamic instability. Decision criteria would be helpful to better guide choices regarding the transfer of patients with postpartum haemorrhage.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Giacalone
- Emergency Department, Lausanne University Hospital, and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - A Kottmann
- Emergency Department, Lausanne University Hospital, and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Swiss Air Ambulance (Rega), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - V Darioli
- Emergency Department, Lausanne University Hospital, and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - P N Carron
- Emergency Department, Lausanne University Hospital, and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - D Desseauve
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Lausanne University Hospital, and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - R Albrecht
- Swiss Air Ambulance (Rega), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - M Pasquier
- Emergency Department, Lausanne University Hospital, and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Kottmann A, Krüger AJ, Sunde GA, Røislien J, Heltne JK, Carron PN, Lockey D, Sollid SJM. Establishing quality indicators for prehospital advanced airway management: a modified nominal group technique consensus process. Br J Anaesth 2021; 128:e143-e150. [PMID: 34674835 PMCID: PMC8792832 DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2021.08.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pre-hospital advanced airway management is a complex intervention composed of numerous steps, interactions, and variables that can be delivered to a high standard in the pre-hospital setting. Standard research methods have struggled to evaluate this complex intervention because of considerable heterogeneity in patients, providers, and techniques. In this study, we aimed to develop a set of quality indicators to evaluate pre-hospital advanced airway management. Methods We used a modified nominal group technique consensus process comprising three email rounds and a consensus meeting among a group of 16 international experts. The final set of quality indicators was assessed for usability according to the National Quality Forum Measure Evaluation Criteria. Results Seventy-seven possible quality indicators were identified through a narrative literature review with a further 49 proposed by panel experts. A final set of 17 final quality indicators composed of three structure-, nine process-, and five outcome-related indicators, was identified through the consensus process. The quality indicators cover all steps of pre-hospital advanced airway management from preoxygenation and use of rapid sequence induction to the ventilatory state of the patient at hospital delivery, prior intubation experience of provider, success rates and complications. Conclusions We identified a set of quality indicators for pre-hospital advanced airway management that represent a practical tool to measure, report, analyse, and monitor quality and performance of this complex intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Kottmann
- Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Research and Development Department, Oslo, Norway; Lausanne University Hospital, Emergency Department, Lausanne, Switzerland; University of Stavanger, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Quality and Health Technology, Stavanger, Norway; Rega - Swiss Air Ambulance, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Andreas J Krüger
- Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Research and Development Department, Oslo, Norway; St. Olav University Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine and Pre-Hospital Services, Trondheim, Norway; Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Institute of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Geir A Sunde
- Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Research and Development Department, Oslo, Norway; Haukeland University Hospital, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Bergen, Norway; Helicopter Emergency Service, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jo Røislien
- Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Research and Development Department, Oslo, Norway; University of Stavanger, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Quality and Health Technology, Stavanger, Norway
| | - John-Kenneth Heltne
- Haukeland University Hospital, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Bergen, Norway; Helicopter Emergency Service, Bergen, Norway; University of Bergen, Department of Clinical Medicine, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - David Lockey
- Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service, Dafen, UK; Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Faculty of Pre-hospital Care, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Stephen J M Sollid
- Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Research and Development Department, Oslo, Norway; University of Stavanger, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Quality and Health Technology, Stavanger, Norway
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Kottmann A, Pasquier M, Strapazzon G, Zafren K, Ellerton J, Paal P. Quality Indicators for Avalanche Victim Management and Rescue. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph18189570. [PMID: 34574495 PMCID: PMC8464975 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Decisions in the management and rescue of avalanche victims are complex and must be made in difficult, sometimes dangerous, environments. Our goal was to identify indicators for quality measurement in the management and rescue of avalanche victims. The International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom) convened a group of internal and external experts. We used brainstorming and a five-round modified nominal group technique to identify the most relevant quality indicators (QIs) according to the National Quality Forum Measure Evaluation Criteria. Using a consensus process, we identified a set of 23 QIs to measure the quality of the management and rescue of avalanche victims. These QIs may be a valuable tool for continuous quality improvement. They allow objective feedback to rescuers regarding clinical performance and identify areas that should be the foci of further quality improvement efforts in avalanche rescue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Kottmann
- Rega—Swiss Air Ambulance, Zürich Airport, 8058 Zürich, Switzerland
- Emergency Department, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland;
- International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom), 8058 Zürich, Switzerland; (G.S.); (K.Z.); (J.E.); (P.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Mathieu Pasquier
- Emergency Department, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland;
- International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom), 8058 Zürich, Switzerland; (G.S.); (K.Z.); (J.E.); (P.P.)
| | - Giacomo Strapazzon
- International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom), 8058 Zürich, Switzerland; (G.S.); (K.Z.); (J.E.); (P.P.)
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
- CNSAS—Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico, National Medical School, 20124 Milano, Italy
| | - Ken Zafren
- International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom), 8058 Zürich, Switzerland; (G.S.); (K.Z.); (J.E.); (P.P.)
- Alaska Native Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, 4300 Diplomacy Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
- Stanford University Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, 900 Welch Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - John Ellerton
- International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom), 8058 Zürich, Switzerland; (G.S.); (K.Z.); (J.E.); (P.P.)
| | - Peter Paal
- International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom), 8058 Zürich, Switzerland; (G.S.); (K.Z.); (J.E.); (P.P.)
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. John of God Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University, Kajetanerplatz 1, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
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Eidenbenz D, Techel F, Kottmann A, Rousson V, Carron PN, Albrecht R, Pasquier M. Survival probability in avalanche victims with long burial (≥60 min): A retrospective study. Resuscitation 2021; 166:93-100. [PMID: 34107337 DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2021.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The survival of completely buried victims in an avalanche mainly depends on burial duration. Knowledge is limited about survival probability after 60 min of complete burial. AIM We aimed to study the survival probability and prehospital characteristics of avalanche victims with long burial durations. METHODS We retrospectively included all completely buried avalanche victims with a burial duration of ≥60 min between 1997 and 2018 in Switzerland. Data were extracted from the registry of the Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research and the prehospital medical records of the physician-staffed helicopter emergency medical services. Avalanche victims buried for ≥24 h or with an unknown survival status were excluded. Survival probability was estimated by using the non-parametric Ayer-Turnbull method and logistic regression. The primary outcome was survival probability. RESULTS We identified 140 avalanche victims with a burial duration of ≥60 min, of whom 27 (19%) survived. Survival probability shows a slight decrease with increasing burial duration (23% after 60 min, to <6% after 1400 min, p = 0.13). Burial depth was deeper for those who died (100 cm vs 70 cm, p = 0.008). None of the survivors sustained CA during the prehospital phase. CONCLUSIONS The overall survival rate of 19% for completely buried avalanche victims with a long burial duration illustrates the importance of continuing rescue efforts. Avalanche victims in CA after long burial duration without obstructed airway, frozen body or obvious lethal trauma should be considered to be in hypothermic CA, with initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and an evaluation for rewarming with extracorporeal life support.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Eidenbenz
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 21, BH 09, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Frank Techel
- WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Flüelastrasse 11, 7260 Davos-Dorf, Switzerland.
| | - Alexandre Kottmann
- Swiss Air Ambulance - Rega and Emergency Department, Lausanne University Hospital, P.O. Box 1414, 8058 Zürich Airport, Switzerland.
| | - Valentin Rousson
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), route de Berne 113, 1010 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Pierre-Nicolas Carron
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 21, BH 09, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Roland Albrecht
- Swiss Air Ambulance - Rega, P.O. Box 1414, 8058 Zürich Airport, Switzerland.
| | - Mathieu Pasquier
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 21, BH 09, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Kottmann A, Strapazzon G, Pasquier M, Blancher M, Brugger H. Reply to letter: Adaptation to the 2017 ICAR MEDCOM Avalanche Victim Resuscitation Checklist. Resuscitation 2021; 160:66-67. [PMID: 33476689 DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2021.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Kottmann
- Swiss Air Ambulance Rega, Zürich, Switzerland; Emergency Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland; International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine ICAR MEDCOM, Switzerland.
| | - Giacomo Strapazzon
- EURAC Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Bolzano, Italy; International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine ICAR MEDCOM, Switzerland
| | - Mathieu Pasquier
- Emergency Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland; International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine ICAR MEDCOM, Switzerland
| | - Marc Blancher
- Emergency Department, University Hospital of Grenoble, France; French Mountain Rescue Association ANMSM, France; International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine ICAR MEDCOM, Switzerland
| | - Hermann Brugger
- EURAC Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Bolzano, Italy; International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine ICAR MEDCOM, Switzerland
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Métrailler-Mermoud J, Hugli O, Carron PN, Kottmann A, Frochaux V, Zen-Ruffinen G, Pasquier M. Avalanche victims in cardiac arrest are unlikely to survive despite adherence to medical guidelines. Resuscitation 2019; 141:35-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2019.05.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Kottmann A, Carron PN, Theiler L, Albrecht R, Tissi M, Pasquier M. Identification of the technical and medical requirements for HEMS avalanche rescue missions through a 15-year retrospective analysis in a HEMS in Switzerland: a necessary step for quality improvement. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2018; 26:54. [PMID: 29973290 PMCID: PMC6033290 DOI: 10.1186/s13049-018-0520-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Avalanche rescues mostly rely on helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) and include technical rescue and complex medical situations under difficult conditions. The adequacy of avalanche victim management has been shown to be unexpectedly low, suggesting the need for quality improvement. We analyse the technical rescue and medical competency requirements of HEMS crewmembers for avalanche rescue missions, as well as their clinical exposure. The study aims to identify areas that should be the focus of future quality improvement efforts. METHODS This 15-year retrospective study of avalanche rescue by the Swiss HEMS Rega includes all missions where at least one patient had been caught by an avalanche, found within 24 h of the alarm being raised, and transported. RESULTS Our analyses included 422 missions (596 patients). Crews were frequently confronted with technical rescue aspects, including winching (29%) and patient location and extrication (48%), as well as multiple casualty accidents (32%). Forty-seven percent of the patients suffered potential or overt vital threat; 29% were in cardiac arrest. The on-site medical management of the victims required a large array of basic and advanced medical skills. Clinical exposure was low, as 56% of the physicians were involved in only one avalanche rescue mission over the study period. CONCLUSIONS Our data provide a solid baseline measure and valuable starting point for improving our understanding of the challenges encountered during avalanche rescue missions. We further suggest QI interventions, that might be immediately useful for HEMS operating under similar settings. A coordinated approach using a consensus process to determine quality indicators and a minimal dataset for the specific setting of avalanche rescue would be the logical next step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Kottmann
- Emergency Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Air Ambulance, Rega, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Lorenz Theiler
- Swiss Air Ambulance, Rega, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Mario Tissi
- Swiss Air Ambulance, Rega, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Mathieu Pasquier
- Emergency Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Sunde GA, Kottmann A, Heltne JK, Sandberg M, Gellerfors M, Krüger A, Lockey D, Sollid SJM. Standardised data reporting from pre-hospital advanced airway management - a nominal group technique update of the Utstein-style airway template. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2018; 26:46. [PMID: 29866144 PMCID: PMC5987657 DOI: 10.1186/s13049-018-0509-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pre-hospital advanced airway management with oxygenation and ventilation may be vital for managing critically ill or injured patients. To improve pre-hospital critical care and develop evidence-based guidelines, research on standardised high-quality data is important. We aimed to identify which airway data were most important to report today and to revise and update a previously reported Utstein-style airway management dataset. Methods We recruited sixteen international experts in pre-hospital airway management from Australia, United States of America, and Europe. We used a five-step modified nominal group technique to revise the dataset, and clinical study results from the original template were used to guide the process. Results The experts agreed on a key dataset of thirty-two operational variables with six additional system variables, organised in time, patient, airway management and system sections. Of the original variables, one remained unchanged, while nineteen were modified in name, category, definition or value. Sixteen new variables were added. The updated dataset covers risk factors for difficult intubation, checklist and standard operating procedure use, pre-oxygenation strategies, the use of drugs in airway management, airway currency training, developments in airway devices, airway management strategies, and patient safety issues not previously described. Conclusions Using a modified nominal group technique with international airway management experts, we have updated the Utstein-style dataset to report standardised data from pre-hospital advanced airway management. The dataset enables future airway management research to produce comparable high-quality data across emergency medical systems. We believe this approach will promote research and improve treatment strategies and outcomes for patients receiving pre-hospital advanced airway management. Trial registration The Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics in Western Norway exempted this study from ethical review (Reference: REK-Vest/2017/260). Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13049-018-0509-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- G A Sunde
- Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Drøbak, Norway. .,Dept. of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. .,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.
| | - A Kottmann
- Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Drøbak, Norway.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.,Emergency Dept., University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Swiss Air Ambulance - Rega, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - J K Heltne
- Dept. of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Dept. of Medical Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - M Sandberg
- Air Ambulance Dept., Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - M Gellerfors
- Karolinska Institutet, Dept. of Clinical Science and Education, Section of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Stockholm, Sweden.,Swedish Air Ambulance (SLA), Mora, Sweden.,Dept. of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - A Krüger
- Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Drøbak, Norway.,Dept. of Emergency Medicine and Pre-hospital Services, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - D Lockey
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.,London's Air Ambulance, Bartshealth NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - S J M Sollid
- Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Drøbak, Norway.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.,Air Ambulance Dept., Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Pasquier M, Hugli O, Kottmann A, Techel F. Avalanche Accidents Causing Fatalities: Are They Any Different in the Summer? High Alt Med Biol 2017; 18:67-72. [DOI: 10.1089/ham.2016.0065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Pasquier
- Emergency Service, University Hospital Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Hugli
- Emergency Service, University Hospital Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Frank Techel
- WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos Dorf, Switzerland
- Department of Geography, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Kottmann A, Blancher M, Spichiger T, Elsensohn F, Létang D, Boyd J, Strapazzon G, Ellerton J, Brugger H. The Avalanche Victim Resuscitation Checklist, a new concept for the management of avalanche victims. Resuscitation 2015; 91:e7-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2015.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2014] [Revised: 03/08/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Pasquier M, Taffé P, Kottmann A, Mosimann U, Reisten O, Hugli O. Epidemiology and mortality of glacier crevasse accidents. Injury 2014; 45:1700-3. [PMID: 25082349 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2014.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Revised: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/07/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Crevasse accidents can lead to severe injuries and even death, but little is known about their epidemiology and mortality. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed helicopter-based emergency services rescue missions for crevasse victims in Switzerland between 2000 and 2010. Demographic and epidemiological data were collected. Injury severity was graded according to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) score. RESULTS A total of 415 victims of crevasse falls were included in the study. The mean victim age was 40 years (SD 13) (range 6-75), 84% were male, and 67% were foreigners. The absolute number of victims was much higher during the months of March, April, July, and August, amounting to 73% of all victims; 77% of victims were practicing mountaineering or ski touring. The mean depth of fall was 16.5m (SD 9.0) (range 1-35). Overall on-site mortality was 11%, and it was higher during the ski season than the ski offseason (14% vs. 7%; P=0.01), for foreigners (14% vs. 5%; P=0.01), and with higher mean depth of fall (22 vs. 15m; P=0.01). The NACA score was ≥4 for 22% of the victims, indicating potential or overt vital threatening injuries, but 24% of the victims were uninjured (NACA 0). Multivariable analyses revealed that depth of the fall, summer season, and snowshoeing were associated with higher NACA scores, whereas depth of the fall, snowshoeing, and foreigners but not season were associated with higher risk of death. CONCLUSION The clinical spectrum of injuries sustained by the 415 patients in this study ranged from benign to life-threatening. Death occurred in 11% of victims and seems to be determined primarily by the depth of the fall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Pasquier
- Emergency Service, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; Air-Glaciers SA et GRIMM, Maison FXB du Sauvetage, 1950 Sion, Switzerland.
| | - Patrick Taffé
- Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine (IUMSP), Biopôle 2, Route de la Corniche 10, 1010 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Kottmann
- Swiss Air Ambulance Rega, P.O. Box 1414, CH-8058 Zurich Airport, Switzerland
| | - Ueli Mosimann
- Fachverantwortlicher Sicherheit, Schweizer Alpen-Club SAC, CH-3068 Utzigen, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Reisten
- Air Zermatt AG, Raron, P.O. Box 1, CH-3942 Raron, Switzerland; Solothurn Hospitals, CH-4500 Solothurn, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Hugli
- Emergency Service, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Kottmann A, Lutz J. Fifteen years of research on water valves. Chem Petrol Eng 1991. [DOI: 10.1007/bf01235651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Seith W, Heumann T, Kottmann A. �ber die Einf�hrung partieller Diffusionskoeffizienten zur Deutung der Diffusion in Metallen. Naturwissenschaften 1952. [DOI: 10.1007/bf00589782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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