A Scale of Parental Anxiety about Pediatric Emergency Medical Care Services of Japan: Development, Reliability, Validity, Generalizability and Usefulness

Aim: The purpose of this study was to develop a scale, “parental anxiety about pediatric emergency medical care services” (PAPEMCS), and to evaluate its psychometric properties. Methods: Participants were 14,510 parents with children 6 years old or younger in Kagawa Prefecture. Using each half of the participants, exploratory factor analysis was performed to generate items and factors for the PAPEMCS, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to establish the construct validity. The generalizability of the PAPEMCS was evaluated by congruence tests and multigroup CFA. The usefulness of the PAPEMCS was established by the relationship between the PAPEMCS and non-urgent usage of pediatric emergency medical care services (PEMCS). Results: The PAPEMCS compromised 4 factors: “anxiety about quality of PEMCS”, “anxiety about PEMCS system”, “anxiety about public support”, and “anxiety about private support”. All reliability estimates (polychoric ordinal alpha coefficients, item-rest correlations), the item discrimination, 5 fit indices for CFA, the convergent validity (indicator reliabilities, composite reliabilities, average variance extracteds), and the discriminant validity fulfilled the acceptability thresholds. All generalizability estimates fulfilled the predetermined levels of acceptability (Tucker’s congruence coefficients, congruence tests, strict factorial invariance). The usefulness of the PAPEMCS was established by the higher scores of the PAPEMCS being related to non-urgent usage of PEMCS. Conclusions: The PAPEMCS demonstrated satisfactory reliability, validity, generalizability and usefulness. The PAPEMCS is useful to quantify the contents and extent of parental anxiety about PEMCS, and to clarify the mechanisms of non-urgent PEMCS usage.

Factors Influencing the Emergency Medical Service Response Time for Cardiovascular Disease in Guangzhou, China

While emergency medical service (EMS) response time (ERT) is a major factor associated with the survival of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), relatively few studies have explored the factors associated with ERT. This study aimed to assess the current status of ERT and to identify the factors affecting ERT in patients with CVD in China. Between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2015, EMS responses to CVD incidents in Guangzhou, China, were examined. The primary outcome was ERT, defined as the time from receipt of an emergency call to the arrival of paramedics on the scene. Factors associated with ERT were evaluated by multivariable logistic regression. A total of 44 383 CVD incidents were analysed. The median ERT was 12.58 min (interquartile range=9.98-15.67). Among the risk factors, distance (OR=13.73, 95% CI=11.76- 16.04), level of hospital (OR=1.57, 95% CI=1.40-1.75), and site of the incident (OR=1.53, 95% CI=1.38-1.69) were the top three significant factors affecting the ERT. Our results suggest that greater attention should be given to factors affecting the ERT. It is essential to make continuous efforts to promote the development of effective interventions to reduce the response time.

Facilitators of and barriers to emergency medical service use by acute ischemic stroke patients: A retrospective survey

Objective: The objective of the study was to identify facilitators and barriers to emergency medical service use among acute ischemic stroke patients in Korea.Methods: This paper presents a secondary analysis of a retrospective survey that collected data from questionnaires and medical records.Among 233 acute ischemic stroke patients enrolled in a large-scale study,160 patients who had arrived at a hospital within 72 h after symptom onset were included in the data analysis.Results: Users of emergency medical services needed a shorter time than non-users to arrive at hospital (140 min vs.625 min.,p =0.001) and were more likely to arrive at hospital within 3 h of symptom onset (51.9% vs.31.5%,p =0.013).For those who first contacted emergency medical service,the facilitators of emergency medical service use were the presence of hemiparesis (p =0.003),bilateral paralysis (p =0.040),and loss of balance (p =0.021).The predominant barrier was the failure to recognize the urgency of symptoms (p 0.006).Conclusions: The use of emergency medical services reduced prehospital delay and increased the likelihood of patient arrival at hospital within 3 h.Given that experiencing typical stroke symptoms was a facilitator of emergency medical service use yet failure to recognize the urgency of symptoms was a barrier,public awareness should be raised as regards stroke symptoms and the benefits of using emergency medical services.

Overview of the Shenzhen Emergency Medical Service Call Pattern

BACKGROUND:In Shenzhen,the Emergency Medical Service(EMS) system has been in service since 1997.This study aims to examine the operation of Shenzhen 120 EMS center and to identify the reasons of calling EMS.METHODS:In this retrospective quantitative descriptive study,the data from the Shenzhen 120 EMS registry in 2011 were analyzed.RESULTS:Shenzhen 120 EMS center is a communication command center.When the number of 120 are dialed,it is forwarded to the closest appropriate hospital for ambulance dispatch.In2011,the Shenzhen 120 EMS center received 153 160 ambulance calls,with an average of 420 calls per day.Calling emergency services was mainly due to traffic accidents.Trauma and other acute diseases constituted a majority of ambulance transports.The adult patients aged 15-60 years are the principal users of EMS.There are no recognized 'paramedic' doctors and nurses.The pre-hospital emergency service is under the operation of emergency departments of hospitals.Shenzhen at present does not have specialized pre-hospital training for doctors and nurses in posttrauma management.Moreover,specialized pre-hospital training,financial support,and public health education on proper use of EMS should be emphasized.CONCLUSION:The Shenzhen 120 EMS center has its own epidemiology characteristics.Traumatic injury and traffic accident are the main reasons for calling ambulance service.In-depth study emphasizing the distribution and characteristics of trauma patients is crucial to the future development of EMS.

Association of post-traumatic stress disorder and work performance: A survey from an emergency medical service, Karachi, Pakistan

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to explore the association between posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) and work performance of emergency medical services personnel in Karachi, Pakistan.METHODS: Emergency medical service personnel were screened for potential PTSD using Impact of Event Scale-Revised(IES-R). Work performance was assessed on the basis of fi ve variables: number of late arrivals to work, number of days absent, number of days sick, adherence to protocol, and patient satisfaction over a period of 3 months. In order to model outcomes like the number of late arrivals to work, days absent and days late, negative binomial regression was applied, whereas logistic regression was applied for adherence to protocol and linear for patient satisfaction scores.RESULTS: Mean scores of PTSD were 24.0±12.2. No association was found between PTSD and work performance measures: number of late arrivals to work(RRadj 0.99; 0.98–1.00), days absent(RRadj 0.98; 0.96–0.99), days sick(RRadj 0.99; 0.98–1.00), adherence to protocol(ORadj 1.01; 0.99–1.04) and patient satisfaction(β 0.001%–0.03%) after adjusting for years of formal schooling, living status, coping mechanism, social support, working hours, years of experience and anxiety or depression.CONCLUSION: No statistically significant association was found between PTSD and work performance amongst EMS personnel in Karachi, Pakistan.

Mental Wellbeing Monitoring in a Sample of Emergency Medical Service Personnel

Background: There have been concerns regarding the mental wellbeing of emergency medical service staff, particularly when faced with multiple trauma exposures. This study aimed to describe a cross-sectional view of the mental wellbeing status of emergency medical service workers, as well as to comment on the usefulness of an electronic survey tool to reach staff that is distributed across large geographical areas. Methods: The data presented here are drawn from an anonymous, voluntary, electronic survey, made available via the internet, to emergency medical service workers in the Western Cape province of South Africa. This paper reports on four domain expressions of mental wellbeing, namely disordered mood, problematic substance use, post-traumatic stress disorder, and domestic discord. Results: Elevated rates were reported by this sample, across all four distress domains, i.e. mood disorder = 12.3%;problematic substance use = 14.9%;post-traumatic stress disorder = 11.9%;and domestic discord = 11.9%. These rates were generally similar to data from comparable emergency worker groups, and much higher than local population estimates. Conclusions: The data support earlier findings that emergency medical work is associated with increased risk for symptoms of psychological distress, which present a strong case for regular organizational monitoring of employees’ mental wellbeing. In this regard, a brief, internet delivered, survey-type tool showed promise for screening employees, in order to guide further streaming of distressed individuals towards appropriate support services. Further work is required to develop clear mechanisms for referral and intervention in order to optimize a confidential and supportive monitoring program.

Self-Reported Use of Personal Protective Equipment during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Emergency Medical Service Employees in Germany—A Survey

Background: Multicentric prospective cohort investigation survey conducted between 1st of March and 1st of April 2021on SARS-CoV-2 occupational risk for German Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel. Study Objectives: Primary: The objective is to take stock of the use and availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in German EMS, both at managerial and employee level, during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Secondary: Generate additional data on individual perceptions of risk of infection and occurrence of infections at respective places of service. Methods: Multicentric prospective cohort investigation survey conducted online at two levels of German EMS personnel—EMS managers and EMS employees, both medical and paramedical—with questions adapted slightly to fit the respective study population. Results: A total of 34 responses were received in the managerial group;a total of 2389 responses were received in the group of employees. Self-reported PPE adherence of EMS employees for confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positive patients: use of gloves (99.8%), FFP2 or FFP3 masks (99.8%), gowns or coveralls (99.1%), goggles (89.7%), face shields (24.0%), surgical masks (0.0%). Self-reported PPE adherence of EMS employees for suspected SARS-CoV-2 positive patients: gloves (98.8%), FFP2 or FFP3 masks (total: 99.4%), gowns or coveralls (total: 95.9%), goggles (85.6%), face shields (19.2%), surgical masks (0.2%). Conclusions: Findings included an overall improved self-reported adherence to PPE compared to studies that were conducted before the pandemic. Self-reported general adherence to PPE recommendations when attending to confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positive patients was good, with the exception of goggles. Self-reported adherence to PPE recommendations dropped when attending to suspected SARS-CoV-2 positive patients.

Medical services for sports injuries and illnesses in the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games

BACKGROUND:Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games was the second Games held amid the COVID-19 pandemic.To a certain extent,it has altered the way sporting activities operate.There is a lack of knowledge on injury risk and illness occurrence in elite winter sport athletes amid the COVID-19 pandemic.This study aimed to describe the incidence of injuries and illnesses sustained during the XXIV Olympic Winter Games in Beijing from February 4 to 20,2022.METHODS:We recorded the daily number of injuries and illnesses among athletes reported by Beijing 2022 medical staff in the polyclinic,medical venues,and ambulance.We calculated injury and illness incidence as the number of injuries or illnesses occurring during competition or training,respectively,with incidence presented as injuries/illnesses per 100 athlete-days.RESULTS:In total,2,897 athletes from 91 nations experienced injury or illness.Beijing 2022 medical staff reported 326 injuries and 80 illnesses,equaling 11.3 injuries and 2.8 illnesses per 100 athletes over the 17-day period.Altogether,11%of the athletes incurred at least one injury and nearly 3%incurred at least one illness.The number of injured athletes was highest in the skating sports(n=104),followed by alpine skiing(n=53),ice track(n=37),freestyle skiing(n=36),and ice hockey(n=35),and was the lowest in the Nordic skiing disciplines(n=20).Of the 326 injuries,14(4.3%)led to an estimated absence from training or competition of more than 1 week.A total of 52 injured athletes were transferred to hospitals for further care.The number of athletes with illness(n=80)was the highest for skating(n=33)and Nordic skiing(n=22).A total of 50 illnesses(62.5%)were admitted to the department of dentistry/ophthalmology/otolaryngology,and the most common cause of illness was other causes,including preexisting illness and medicine(n=52,65%).CONCLUSION:Overall,11%of athletes incurred at least one injury during the Games,which is similar to the findings during the Olympic Winter Games in 2014 and 2018.Regarding illness,2%of athletes were affected,which is approximately one-third of the number affected in the 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

The impact of prehospital blood sampling on the emergency department process of patients with chest pain:a pragmatic non-randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND:In patients with chest pain who arrive at the emergency department(ED)by ambulance,venous access is frequently established prehospital,and could be utilized to sample blood.Prehospital blood sampling may save time in the diagnostic process.In this study,the association of prehospital blood draw with blood sample arrival times,troponin turnaround times,and ED length of stay(LOS),number of blood sample mix-ups and blood sample quality were assessed.METHODS:The study was conducted from October 1,2019 to February 29,2020.In patients who were transported to the ED with acute chest pain with low suspicion for acute coronary syndrome(ACS),outcomes were compared between cases,in whom prehospital blood draw was performed,and controls,in whom blood was drawn at the ED.Regression analyses were used to assess the association of prehospital blood draw with the time intervals.RESULTS:Prehospital blood draw was performed in 100 patients.In 406 patients,blood draw was performed at the ED.Prehospital blood draw was independently associated with shorter blood sample arrival times,shorter troponin turnaround times and decreased LOS(P<0.001).No differences in the number of blood sample mix-ups and quality were observed(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:For patients with acute chest pain with low suspicion for ACS,prehospital blood sampling is associated with shorter time intervals,while there were no significant differences between the two groups in the validity of the blood samples.

Satisfaction at Work and Suffering in Professional Psychic Service Mobile Service Emergency (SAMU)

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the level of professional satisfaction, to identify the presence of psychic suffering and their correlations in Emergency Medical Services professionals. Methods: The study is of the exploratory, census, descriptive, transversal type, with quantitative approach. It used three instruments: A sociodemographic questionnaire;the Professional Satisfaction Index—PSI;and the Self Report Questionnaire—SRQ-20. 200 professionals took part in the research (doctors, nurses, nursing technicians and conductors). Results: The data show that the majority of professionals are aged between 40 and 49 years old and that the largest quantity of women belong to the group of nurses. As to the PSI, the majority of professionals pointed out remuneration as the most important for satisfaction. In the overall satisfaction result, the physicians were those who had the highest level of satisfaction. Regarding the SRQ-20 scores, the group of nursing technicians and nurses had the highest prevalence for psychic suffering, with 44.56% and 43.48%. In the statistical analyses between each of the components of the professional satisfaction with the SRQ-20 scores, we verified statistically significant correlations when adopting (p Conclusions: It was concluded that the discontent of workers with remuneration and managerial issues are predominant for total dissatisfaction with work and dissatisfaction exerts a strong influence on the presence of suffering in these professionals.

Trends and challenges of emergency and acute care in Chinese mainland:2005–2017

BACKGROUND:Emergency medical service system(EMSS)is essential in providing acute care services for health conditions.However,trends of emergency and acute care in China haven’t been studied systematically.METHODS:Relevant literature was carefully reviewed,including original and review articles,letters,government reports,yearbooks,both in Chinese and in English.Data on the number of emergency visits,physicians and beds in emergency departments(EDs),and the workforce of prehospital emergency care were summarized and analyzed from China Health and Family Planning Statistical Yearbooks(2006–2018).RESULTS:Over the past decade,the number of ED visits tripled from 51.9 million to 166.5 million;and utilization of pre-hospital emergency care increased from 3.2 million to 6.8 million.In response to rapid increases in demand,the number of licensed emergency physicians raised from 20,058 to 59,409;the beds’number increased from 10,783 to 42,367.For pre-hospital emergency care,the volume of health workforce increased from 3,687 to 8,671,with a 109%increase in the number of physicians from 1,774 to 3,712.However,overcrowding,the long length of stay in EDs,poor work environment,and work exhaustion were still the critical challenges faced by China’s EMSS.CONCLUSIONS:The number of emergency visits has grown with continual capability enhancement during the past decade.However,overcrowding,the long length of stay in EDs,poor work environment,and work exhaustion still need to be solved by China’s EMSS.These fi ndings and comparison with the USA could offer experiences and lessons to EMSS development worldwide,especially for developing countries.

Comparison of two emergency medical services in Beijing and Hong Kong, China

To Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major issue in emergency care worldwide. The incidence of OHCA is estimated to be 50 to 60 per 100,000 persons globally.Despite advances in treatment and technology, survival following OHCA remains low. There are multiple factors affecting the survival outcome. The type of emergency medical service (EMS) system is likely to be one of them. In Asia, the EMS structure and its service capability in terms of dispatch, airway management, and medications vary widely between communities. This study aimed to evaluate the survival outcomes of OHCA in Beijing and Hong Kong (HK), China and the effect of the type of EMS system on the survival outcomes for patients with OHCA.

Is routine pregnancy test necessary in women of reproductive age admitted to the emergency department?

BACKGROUND:This study aimed to determine the necessity of pregnancy test in women of reproductive age admitted to emergency department(ED) in routine practice.METHODS:We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who presented to the ED between January 1,2006 and December 31,2010 and received a pregnancy test.RESULTS:The median age of 1 586 patients enrolled into the study was 27 years.Of these patients,19.55%had a positive result of pregnancy test.The most common complaint at admission was abdominal pain in 60.15%of the patients,and pregnancy test was prescribed.15.83%of the patients with abdominal pain had a positive result of pregnancy test.Of the patients,30.64%had nausea-vomiting at admission,and 11.52%had a positive result of pregnancy test.When other complaints were considered,the most commonly observed complaints were non-specific symptoms such as dizziness,malaise and respiratory problems.Of the patients,70.93%were not remembering the date of last menstruation,and 9.51%showed a positive result of pregnancy test.Urinary tract infection(UTI) was commonly diagnosed with an incidence of 17.65%,which was followed by nonspecific abdominal pain(NSAP)(16.77%) and gastrointestinal disorders such as gastritis and peptic ulcer(6.87%).Of the patients,88.40%were discharged from ED,and 11.60%were hospitalized.CONCLUSION:Pregnancy test should be given to women of reproductive age as a routine practice in ED in developing countries like Turkey.

Significant factors associated with fatal outcome in emergency open surgery for perforated peptic ulcer

AIM: To evaluate the main factors associated with mortality in patients undergoing surgery for perforated peptic ulcer referred to an academic department of general surgery in a large southern Italian city.METHODS: One hundred and forty-nine consecutive patients (M:F ratio=110:39, mean age 52 yrs, range 16-95) with peptic ulcer disease were investigated for clinical history (including age, sex, previous history of peptic ulcer, associated diseases, delayed abdominal surgery, ulcer site, operation type, shock on admission, postoperative general complications,and intra-abdominal and/or wound infections), serum analyses and radiological findings.RESULTS: The overall mortality rate was 4.0%. Among all factors, an age above 65 years, one or more associated diseases, delayed abdominal surgery, shock on admission,postoperative abdominal complications and/or wound infections, were significantly associated (χ2) with increased mortality in patients undergoing surgery (0.0001＜P＜0.03).CONCLUSION: Factors such as concomitant diseases, shock on admission, delayed surgery, and postoperative abdominal and wound infections are significantly associated with fatal outcomes and need careful evaluation within the general workup of patients admitted for perforated peptic ulcer.

Outcomes in Seriously Head-Injured Patients Undergoing Pre-Hospital Tracheal Intubation vs. Emergency Department Tracheal Intubation

Background: The optimal treatment of major head injuries in the resuscitative phase of care post-injury has yet to be determined. This study measured the effect on mortality of pre-hospital intubation (PHI) vs. emergency department in tubation (EDI) of patients suffering serious head injury. Methods: In the single emergency medical services system for this Canadian province, we used a population-based trauma database, conventional logistic regression (with and without the use of a propensity score to control for selection effect bias) to evaluate the effect of PHI vs. EDI on in-hospital mortality. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 16 years, serious head injury (Abbreviated Injury Score ≥ 3, non-penetrating trauma) and resuscitative intubation (PHI or EDI). Results: Over 5 years, 283 patients (2000-2005) met inclusion crite ria. Conventional unconditional logistic regression modelled on mortality with “PHI vs. EDI” as the intervention of interest showed an odds ratio of 2.015 (95% CI 1.062 3.825) for improved survival if these patients were intubated in the emergency department rather than in the pre-hospital phase of care. A propensity score adjustment demonstrated a similar but more conservative point estimate (OR 1.727, 95% CI: 0.993 3.004). Conclusions: This observational study demonstrated a survival advantage with EDI (versus PHI) in seriously head-injured patients in a mature, province-wide emergency medical services system.

基于DEMATEL模型的三级公立医院运营效率影响因素分析及对策研究

目的 分析影响医院运营效率的主要因素并提出意见建议,为医院管理部门提升医院运营效能提供参考依据。方法 利用决策试验和评价试验法(dematel)模型分析影响因素之间的相互作用关系。结果 员工工作负荷、人员结构比例、岗位责任、绩效考核方式等12个要素是影响三级公立医院运营效率的关键影响因素。结论 三级公立医院的高效运转是多种因素共同作用产生的结果,提高运营效率要从合理配置人力资源,完善绩效考核模式,优化医疗流程布局,创新发展运营模式等方面入手。

中国航空医疗救护的发展与建议

航空医疗救护是航空应急救援在医疗领域的应用。利用航空器提供紧急医疗服务,为危急重症患者提供生命和健康支持,特别是在突发事件的重大伤情中,可以为患者争取黄金救援时间。基于现有文献、政府文件、调查访谈、会议交流、公开数据等开展研究,梳理中国航空医疗救护的发展历程、重要事件、经验教训、问题与对策发现,中国航空医疗救护虽有长足发展,但仍与民众需求相距较远。研究表明,中国航空医疗救护的应用场景以院间转运为主,运行模式多样,参与救护的力量多元,救护机构围绕资金、技术、战略、政策、管理等要素存在竞争。中国航空医疗救护水平与部分发达国家差距较大,存在体系不完善、程序复杂、力量薄弱、资金不足等问题。为此,建议在领导机构、经费来源、政策支持、技术资源保障等方面加强建设,在突发事件的应急救援中增加航空医疗救护能力,在医疗紧急救护中增加航空急救和转运能力。

基于德尔菲法构建医疗机构突发公共卫生事件应急能力评价体系及应用

目的 探索构建适用于北京市通州区医疗机构突发公共卫生事件应急能力评价体系,了解应急能力现状,为促进应急能力提升提供参考。方法 采用德尔菲专家咨询法建立应急能力评价体系,采用主成分分析法确定指标权重,采用Excel软件建立数据库,SPSS 21.0对资料进行描述性统计分析。结果 专家积极系数为100%,专家权威程度系数为(0.89±0.05)。两轮次专家评分均值为4.42~4.79,变异系数<11%,专家意见较为一致。主成分分析指标权重显示,社区卫生服务中心有5个一级指标和18个二级评价指标(KMO=0.453,Bartlett χ2=27.764,P<0.01)。二级及以上医疗机构有6个一级指标和20个二级评价指标(KMO=0.698,Bartlett χ2=86.324,P<0.01),各维度相关性较强。二级及以上医疗机构应急能力评定为强、中、弱各有2、3和2家,社区卫生服务中心评定为强、中、弱各有6、10和6家。结论 本研究建立的应急能力评价指标体系,经调查应用符合辖区医疗机构应急能力现状,为医疗机构提升卫生应急能力提供参考,在今后工作中可进一步验证和优化。

基于急救医疗服务体系框架的案例情景教学提升护生急危重症护理职业素质的教学设计与实践

目的探讨在急危重症护理课程教学中提高护生急危重症护理职业素质的教学方法。方法选取224名护理专业大专生为研究对象,实施基于急救医疗服务体系(EMSS)框架的案例情景教学,即“依托案例—情景设计、线上线下—以点带面”,对护生进行职业素质培养。结果护生对本次教学改革效果较满意。结论在急危重症护理课程教学中,实施基于EMSS框架的案例情景教学,有利于培养护生急危重症护理职业素质。

DIP支付方式下医保供给侧政策协同对费用控制的影响研究

目的:本研究旨在探索DIP支付方式与其他医保供给侧政策间的协同效果。方法:以全国DIP改革试点城市A市为处理组,未改革城市B市为对照组进行比较研究。收集2019—2022年共1120个公立医疗机构样本,采用双重差分法对住院医疗总费用及部分费用结构进行分析。结果:A市DIP改革对医疗机构住院医疗总费用、住院检查化验总费用产生显著的抑制效应,对住院药品总费用和住院材料总费用未产生影响。结论:DIP支付方式发挥显著控费效果,住院医疗总费用得到有效控制;单纯采取调价政策与集采政策的控费效果尚有不足;DIP与其他供给侧政策协同,促进医疗费用结构更加合理。建议医保部门注重发挥供给侧政策协同作用,共同推动医保基金使用效率提升。