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Introduction:The motorcycle ambulance is used for quick access to patients. The response time to reach the patient takes less time than with a van ambulance. Moreover, accidents involving ambulances tend to be higher. However, at present, there is no study regarding the appropriate situation used of motorcycle ambulances in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Thailand.Study Objective:This study aims to optimize the travel distance and the operation time of motorcycle ambulances used.Methods:This study was a prospective, randomized controlled study at the EMS unit of Srinagarind Hospital, Thailand. The data collection period was from November 2021 through May 2022. All data involving dispatch of both ambulances in need were collected.Results:A total of 2,398 cases of EMS operation were examined. The mean age of the patients in the motorcycle ambulance group was 42.5 (SD = 6.5) years, and 51.3% (n = 616) were male. The response time for motorcycle ambulances and van ambulances during the operation time between 6:00am-9:00am was 6.2 minutes and 9.1 minutes, respectively. The response times for motorcycle ambulances and van ambulances regarding distance traveled from 0-5km were 4.2 minutes and 7.5 minutes, respectively (P Conclusion:The motorcycle ambulance can reach patients faster than the ambulance at the operation time from 6:00am-9:00am and 3:00pm-6:00pm. This study focused on the distance less than 10 kilometers.

Introduction:Mass-casualty incidents (MCIs) are events in which many people are injured during the same period of time. This has major implications in regards to practical concerns and planning for both personnel and medical equipment. Smart glasses are modern tools that could help Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the estimation of the number of potential patients in an MCI. However, currently there is no study regarding the advantage of employing the use of smart glasses in MCIs in Thailand.Study Objective:This study aims to compare the overall accuracy and amount of time used with smart glasses and comparing it to manual counting to assess the number of casualties from the scene.Methods:This study was a randomized controlled trial, field exercise experimental study in the EMS unit of Srinagarind Hospital, Thailand. The participants were divided into two groups (those with smart glasses and those doing manual counting). On the days of the simulation (February 25 and 26, 2022), the participants in the smart glasses group received a 30-minute training session on the use of the smart glasses. After that, both groups of participants counted the number of casualties on the simulation field independently.Results:Sixty-eight participants were examined, and in the smart glasses group, a total of 58.8% (N = 20) of the participants were male. The mean age in this group was 39.4 years old. The most experienced in the EMS smart glasses group had worked in this position for four-to-six years (44.1%). The participants in the smart glasses group had the highest scores in accurately assessing the number of casualties being between 21-30 (98.0%) compared with the manual counting group (89.2%). Additionally, the time used for assessing the number of casualties in the smart glasses group was shorter than the manual counting group in tallying the number of casualties between 11-20 (6.3 versus 11.2 seconds; P = .04) and between 21-30 (22.1 versus 44.5 seconds; P = .02).Conclusion:The use of smart glasses to assess the number of casualties in MCIs when the number of patients is between 11 and 30 is useful in terms of greater accuracy and less time being spent than with manual counting.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical chest compression devices play an important role in assisting patients undergoing cardiac arrest. However, this equipment induces an aerosol-generating procedure that could contaminate hospital staff. The development of a remote control system for mechanical chest compression devices may solve the problem; however, there are currently no studies regarding the efficacy of this system. AIM: This study aims to analyze efficacy of remote control systems for mechanical chest compression devices and compare it with non-remote control systems. METHODS: This was an analytical cross-sectional study at Srinagarind Hospital, Thailand. Data were collected in two periods of the study. The first period was between January and December 2021 using a non-remote control system to operate the mechanical chest compression device. The second period was from January to April 2022 and collected data on the use of a remote control system. RESULTS: Sixty-four participants were examined over the 16-month period of the study. A total of 53.1% (n = 34) of participants were male and the mean age of the patients was 52.4 ± 5.1 years old. The number of emergency medical service members (EMS) needed for resuscitation in the remote control group was less than the non-remote control group (3 vs. 5; p = 0.040). The number of emergency department (ED) members needed for resuscitation in the remote control group was four compared with eight in the non-remote control group. CONCLUSIONS: The remote controlled mechanical chest compression device can effectively reduce the number of staff working both in the EMS and in the ED of the hospital, thus reducing exposure and contamination from aerosol-generating procedure. It was also proven accurate in terms of rate and depth of chest compression according to resuscitation guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of prehospital scene care for injured person in road accidents is essential for improving outcome and saving lives of traffic accident victims. However, the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic may cause people’s inability to access in-person first aid training. AIM: This study aimed to determine the effect of first aid self-learning web application for road accident victims on the knowledge and satisfaction of the web application users. METHODS: A prospective, single-arm, and educational cohort study was conducted among second-year physical education participants at Khon Kaen University attending first aid self-learning web application for road accident victims in July 2021. All participants were attended ten lessons covering important content of first aid for an injured person in road accidents. Each lesson includes reading texts, 3-min animation videos, and pre-test and post-test. Data analysis includes a comparison of the pre-test and post-test knowledge scores using the paired t-test. The participant’s satisfaction was analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The 42 participants were participated in this study. Sixty-two percent of the participants had no previous first aid experience for an injured person in road accidents. The mean pre-test and post-test scores were 25.31 ± 3.87 and 27.50 ± 2.91, respectively. There was a significant difference between the pre-test and the post-test scores (p < 0.001). The participant’s level of satisfaction score was very good (4.25 ± 0.95). CONCLUSIONS: The first aid self-learning web application significantly improved the first aid knowledge of the web application users. Moreover, most participants reported good level of satisfaction for using this tool. This emphasized that the first aid self-learning web application was the great tool in COVID-19 learning.

Introduction:Prehospital ultrasounds can be considered a new form of diagnostic tool when taking into account their small structure and due to the fact that nowadays, they are used in the care of emergency patients. However, at present, there is no study regarding the advantage of ultrasound usage in prehospital settings in Thailand.Study Objective:This study aims to determine the sonographic characteristics recorded by handheld ultrasounds used in prehospital care and the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasounds for prehospital patients.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted on prehospital patients who underwent point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) examination on Emergency Medical Service (EMS) operations at Srinagarind Hospital, Thailand from January 2021 through December 2021. The ultrasound images, the electronic emergency department medical records, and the EMS database were recorded and reviewed by a team of emergency physicians. The quality of prehospital ultrasound examinations was assessed by comparing the diagnoses at the scene with those taken at the hospital.Results:One hundred sixty-nine prehospital patients who received POCUS examinations were examined over a one-year period. All (100.0%) of the scans were for medical cases. No ultrasound protocol was used in the prehospital care. Two hundred eight POCUS examinations were performed in this study. The most common POCUS indication was dyspnea (45.6%), followed by hypotension/shock (30.1%), and finally syncope (8.2%). The most common area where POCUS was performed was on the lung (37.0%), followed by the inferior vena cava (30.8%), and finally for cardiac cases (26.4%). This study found that 34.9% of sonographic findings could be considered abnormal. The diagnoses of prehospital patients were confirmed by using POCUS in 66 cases (39.1%) with the accuracy of prehospital diagnosis reaching a peak of 75.8%.Conclusion:This study shows POCUS examinations can be effectively used in prehospital care. The prehospital diagnosis given by physicians administering treatment who used POCUS examinations correlated with the in-hospital diagnosis.

Korakot Apiratwarakul,1 Somsak Tiamkao,2 Lap Woon Cheung,3,4 Ismet Celebi,5 Takaaki Suzuki,6 Kamonwon Ienghong1 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; 2Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; 3Department of Accident and Emergency, Princess Margaret Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong; 4Emergency Medicine Unit, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong; 5Department of Paramedic, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey; 6Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, JapanCorrespondence: Kamonwon Ienghong, Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand, Tel +66 043 366 869, Email kamonwan@kku.ac.thBackground: Access time to emergency patients is a critical factor that affects the outcomes of life-or-death situations, especially in the cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA). This study focused on developing a new model of emergency medical services (EMS) using a motorcycle-based ambulance (motorlance) with an automated external defibrillator (AED). There are currently no studies regarding access time for this vehicle. This study aimed at utilization of an AED in conjunction with motorlance and comparing the response time between a traditional ambulance and a motorlance.Methods: This was a prospective study conducted in the EMS department of Srinagarind Hospital, located in Khon Kaen, Thailand, over a five-month period, from September 2021 to January 2022. Data were recorded employing a national standard of operations record form used for Thailand EMS departments nationwide.Results: The 891 cases were divided into two groups which were motorlance and ambulance. The activation times for motorlance and ambulance were 0.44 minutes and 1.42 minutes, respectively (p < 0.001) and the response time in the motorlance group was 7.20 minutes compared with 9.25 minutes in the ambulance group. In OHCA, the motorlance with AED arrived at patients location and assisted to continue resuscitation at the hospital 88.9% of the time.Conclusion: AED used in conjunction with motorcycle ambulances had shorter periods of both activation time and response time compared to ambulances. The use of AEDs clearly increases the number of continuous resuscitations in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.Keywords: ambulance, cardiac arrest, emergency care, prehospital emergency care, response time

Kamonwon Ienghong,1 Lap Woon Cheung,2,3 Somsak Tiamkao,4 Vajarabhongsa Bhudhisawasdi,1 Korakot Apiratwarakul1 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; 2Accident & Emergency Department, Princess Margaret Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong; 3Emergency Medicine Unit, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong; 4Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, ThailandCorrespondence: Korakot Apiratwarakul, Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, 123 Mittraphap Road, Mueang Khon Kaen District, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand, Tel +66 89 416 3663, Fax +66 43 366 870, Email Korakot@kku.ac.thPurpose: Globally, emergency departments (ED) are faced with an overcrowding problem. This issue is further compounded due to the multitude of contributing factors. Point of Care ultrasound (POCUS), especially when performed in prehospital care, that is before the patient is admitted to the ED has a high potential to reduce time of diagnosis and time of investigation which leads to shorter ED length of stay (LOS). The primary focus was on variances in ED LOS between the prehospital POCUS group and the standard care group.Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on prehospital patients who were admitted to the ED at Srinagarind Hospital, Thailand, from January to December 2021. We divided patients into two groups including patients who obtained prehospital POCUS (the prehospital POCUS group) and patients who received standard care treatment in which there was no prehospital POCUS performed (the standard care group). POCUS and ED medical records were documented and submitted for analysis.Results: Of 1348 prehospital patients, 840 were enrolled in this study: 169 with prehospital POCUS and 671 with standard care. Median LOS in the prehospital POCUS group was 159 min (IQR 89,289) versus 165 (IQR 102,330) in the standard care group (p = 0.125). Further imaging diagnostic test which affected ED LOS more than four hours was lower in the prehospital POCUS group (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.92; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.729– 1.666) than in the standard care group. The factor associated with increased odds of ED LOS more than four hour in the prehospital POCUS group was admission to hospital (adjusted OR 1.88; 95% CI, 1.230-2.239).Conclusion: Patients evaluated with prehospital POCUS had a shorter LOS than the only standard care treatment without statistical significance.Keywords: ultrasonography, prehospital emergency care, length of stay, emergency departments, crowding

BACKGROUND: Strokes are one of the most common of all neurological diseases and can be found in all genders and ages. Emergency medical services (EMS) are the first line of care with access to stroke patients from on the scene assessment to initial treatment. However, currently there are no studies regarding the role doctors play in initial ambulance contact to assess stroke patients. AIM: To analyze the role of doctors in ambulances managing stroke patients in EMS. METHODS: This was a retrospective study over a five-year period (2017-2021) at Srinagarind Hospital EMS units. The information from the EMS database was transferred completely into the data record form and imported into the computer system for further data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 10,329 EMS operations were examined. The mean age of the patients was 52.10 ± 10.24 years. A total of 64.4% (n = 6650) of them were male. The afternoon shift was the most common time for EMS operations with doctors in the stroke group (42.9%) and non-stroke group (59.3%). The distance from hospital to the scene in the stroke group was 12.6 ± 3.2 km. The average response time for stroke group and non-stroke group were 7.05 minutes and 9.50 minutes, respectively CONCLUSIONS: The role of doctors in the ambulance to manage stroke patients in EMS directly resulted in a decrease in time in arriving at the scene to diagnose, arriving at the laboratory, and arriving at the scene to activate the special team.

BACKGROUND: Diagonal earlobe crease has been shown as the association between atherosclerotic disease. AIM: To examine the relationship between diagonal earlobes crease (DELC) and ischemic stroke. METHODS: This prospective study recruited 175 consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients admitted to the Stroke Unit of Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University between May 2021 and August 2021. Clinical data included age, gender, underlying disease, clinical presentation, vital signs, brain computed tomography and DELC assessed for both ears. The study was approved by the Human Ethics Research Committee of Khon Kaen University, Thailand. RESULTS: patients were assessed on clinical presentation and brain computed tomography (CT) findings. There were 31 patients with transient ischemic attacks (17.7% of the patients) and 144 patients with cerebral infarction (82.3%). In all participants were male 58.9% and 72 were female (41.1%). The top three clinical presentations were hemiparesis (29.6%), dysarthria (27.0%), and facial palsy (17.5%). One hundred and thirty-one patients (74.9%) had underlying diseases; hypertension (24.2%), diabetic mellitus (14.4%), atrial fibrillation (4.9%), chronic kidney disease (2.0%), dyslipidemia (8.0%), valvular heart disease (2.3%), coronary heart disease (2.6%), previous stroke (8.1%), and other diseases (8.4%). Only 44 patients (25.1%) had no underlying disease. Frank’s sign (DELC) was present in only 13 patients (7.4%). There were similar proportions of major underlying conditions, hypertension, and diabetic mellitus for both groups, and no differences apparent for gender or old age. On CT scans both DELC and non-DELC patients showed lacunar infarction as the major source of ischemic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Due to our very small sample of DELC patients, we could draw no conclusions about the relationship between DELC and ischemic stroke and its predictive utility as a biomarker for ischemic stroke. Given the much higher proportions of DELC patients reported in international literature we raise the possibility of physiological, genetic, or ethnic differences in Thai, or Asian samples, for future research.

BACKGROUND: Thrombolytic treatment is the main treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Thailand started thrombolytic treatment in 2008 only at university hospitals in Bangkok and gradually increased services in large provincial hospitals until widespread in 2014. However, no studies regard the services in stroke management in Thailand. AIM: This study aims to present data: incidence, rate of thrombolytic treatment, mortality rate of acute stroke in Thailand for 13 years METHODS: A study from the National Health Security Office's database between 2009 and 2021 was reported using percentage statistics, and the number of patients per 100,000 population. RESULTS: The overall incidence of acute stroke patients aged 15 years and over was 172.33- 328.00 per 100,000 population. The incidence of acute ischemic stroke patients aged 15 years and over was 90.37-222.73 per 100,000 population. The incidence of non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage patients aged 15 years and over was 55.77-87.63 per 100,000 population. Rate of acute ischemic stroke patients who treated with thrombolytic treatment was 0.18-8.04%. Mortality rate of acute stroke patients was 10.24-14.77%. Mortality rate of acute ischemic stroke patients who treated with thrombolytic treatment was 3.97-10.53%. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke incidence tends to increase over 13 years. Acute ischemic stroke patients receiving thrombolytic treatment tends to increase in number. The mortality rate in patients with acute stroke tends to decline. Especially in patients with acute ischemic stroke, the mortality rate was greatly reduced.

BACKGROUND: Rising death tolls from traffic accidents are quickly becoming an inescapable problem in almost all countries around the world. That being said, the World Health Organization has launched an ambitious campaign aimed at reducing the death rate from traffic accidents by 50% in the next 10 years. Development of emergency medical services (EMSs) was the tool to success the goals, especially in low- to middle-income countries including Laos. However, no studies regard perspective of training EMS in Laos emergency medicine residents. AIM: The aim of our work is to demonstrate the effect of EMS training for Laos emergency medicine residents to the development of the national policy in Lao’s EMS. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two countries (Laos and Thailand) from January 2020. The project activities were establishment of a command-and-control center, development of EMS support system, and training for emergency care professionals. RESULTS: The eight Laos emergency medicine residents were enrolled between January and March 2020. After practicing as a dispatcher and emergency medical consultant in Thailand at Khon Kaen University, the participants from Laos found that all personnel gained experience and improved their knowledge of technology in EMS and organization management. This had a direct impact on improving confidence in their return to practice in Laos. CONCLUSIONS: The human resource development through international collaboration between Thailand and Laos is contributing the effective knowledge and expertise learning in Laos. Moreover, the result of this training may provide the most effective care system resulting in the much-needed drop in the mortality rate of traffic accidents in Laos.

The administration of an accurate and effective POCUS course is a crucial tool in improving health education and thus the health care system in low- to middle-income countries. The development of the ultrasound curriculum in these countries during the pandemic era is a major challenge for medical educators. Therefore, this study aims to survey the learner experience after implementing the POCUS curriculum for first-year emergency medicine residents. All learners responded to the survey. Our results demonstrated that the ultrasound rotation and our ultra-sound learning materials were useful tools which showed a positive impact on POCUS knowledge for our learners. However, some obstacles of POCUS learning were identified to assist in closing faculty development gaps, including the availability of handheld devices, as well as the re-modeling of the ultrasound rotation course, which should be managed according to the feedback we received. This study demonstrated a clear need for constant updates in higher education, medical program development, accuracy of local learning materials, and the explosion of virtual and online learning platforms during this decade.

BACKGROUND: Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is required for use in many instances on a daily basis in the hospital, especially in the emergency department and other specialty treatment areas. While interns play a crucial role in running emergency services in Thailand, the POCUS usage of interns has not been well studied. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of the interns who worked at the Department of Emergency Medicine, a tertiary university hospital in Khon Kaen, Thailand between July 2020 and April 2021. The seven questions survey about participants’ experiences performing POCUS examinations was conceived and carried out by the research team. The primary aim of this study is to identify the frequency of POCUS examinations performed by interns in this or any other given rotation. RESULTS: The response rate was 81.25% with the frequency of POCUS examinations per physician coming in at 2.5 per shift. It should be noted that examinations occurred primarily during the morning shift (79%) and were for diagnostic purposes (100%). The highest POCUS use cases (80%) were found to take place for abdominal examinations and the most commonly used POCUS application was the FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma) examination (92%). The confidence level was rated as 3/5. The primary barrier to performing POCUS was lack of knowledge or ultrasound training (47%). CONCLUSIONS: POCUS is often used by interns though less than in some other specialties. The type of POCUS application employed was limited due to lack of training and the primary obstacle for POCUS use in the emergency department was patient overcrowding.

BACKGROUND: Patients with uncontrolled blood loss often require immediate blood transfusion after the bleeding is stopped. If it is an emergency situation, blood that has not been tested for compatibility (uncrossmatched red blood cell [URBC] products) can be used. However, no studies have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this protocol. AIM: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of URBC transfusion in Srinagarind Hospital’s emergency department (ED). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that reviewed the medical records of ninty Thai patients over 18 years of age who received at least one unit of blood through URBC transfusion in the Srinagarind Hospital ED from September 2016 to August 2018. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 47.23 ± 18.2 years, and 73.3% were male. A total of 149 units of URBC were provided, with 54.44% of recipients being trauma patients and 27.78% being gastrointestinal bleeding patients. The 24-h and in-hospital mortality rates were 58.89 and 72.22%, respectively. There were no cases of acute blood transfusion complications or inappropriate URBC transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: The transfusion of URBC necessary in patients with uncontrolled bleeding. No complications were found due to acute blood transfusion.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 has caused a major worldwide disruption to nearly all aspects of the medical education process, which includes the teaching of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). However, the impacts of the pandemic on POCUS training during this time have not been well studied. AIM: This was a retrospective observational study of the 1st year of emergency medicine (EM) residents at the Department of EM who had received POCUS training at a tertiary university hospital in Thailand. METHODS: The study was conducted throughout the 2019–2020 Academic year. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the new POCUS training methodology, which, due to health and safety protocols, was carried out through virtual learning. RESULTS: A total of 18 1st-year EM residents were evaluated. The average pre-training scores in the 2019–2020 academic years were 5.25 and 5, respectively. The average post-training scores in the 2019 and 2020 academic years were 8.5 and 8.67, respectively. In terms of the ultrasound (US) skills test, the total average scores in the 2019–2020 academic year were 17 out of 20 (85%) and 14.875 out of 20 (74.38%), respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Virtual learning is effective for teaching theoretical US knowledge. However, it was not suitable for teaching practical skills, including US skills.

BACKGROUND: Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) plays an important role as a crucial tool for the diagnosis of various conditions in emergency and critical ill patients. However, POCUS examination in elderly populations has not been well studied. AIM: This was a retrospective observational study of elderly patients at the Department of Emergency Medicine who had received POCUS examination at a tertiary university hospital, Thailand. METHODS: The study was conducted throughout January 2020–December 2020. Patients’ characteristics and ultrasonography findings were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 191 elderly patients were evaluated. Median patient age was 75.65 years; 56.02% of patients were female. Chief complaints where POCUS scans were applied were respiratory (36.65%) and cardiovascular system-related (21.99%). The most frequent procedures performed were cardiac, lung, and inferior vena cava examinations. Abnormal ultrasound findings were discovered in 133 patients (68.91%). The 66.17% of abnormal ultrasound findings were associated with final diagnosis. The admission rate of elderly patients (56.82%) was highest among patients with positive ultrasound findings associated with final diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: POCUS utilization in elderly patients was useful in aiding emergency physicians amid diagnosis of various diseases, especially life-threatening ones.

© 2021 Korakot Apiratwarakul, Takaaki Suzuki, Ismet Celebi, Somsak Tiamkao, Vajarabhongsa Bhudhisawasdi, Dhanu Gaysonsiri, Kamonwon Ienghong.BACKGROUND: Emergency medical services (EMS) are an operation that requires speed and prompt decision-making to provide patients treatment and rescue them from crisis. A telephone application was created to be a communication channel. However, the effectiveness of EMS consulting through telephone application has not been well studied. AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the use of real-time telephone application use for consultation in EMS. METHODS: A cross-sectional, single EMS centered study at Srinagarind Hospital in Thailand. Data were gathered from LINE® Application under the name of “Current training EMKKU” and the EMS database throughout 2020–2021. RESULTS: A total of 11550 messages with 6221 general text; messages were not involved in patients’ consultant (53.86%). The consultation mostly took place during the afternoon shifts (4 PM to 0 AM) accounted for 45.11%. We found that Thursday (19.63%) was the day with most frequent consulting services, followed by Tuesday (16.05%) and Friday (16.03%) regarding the consultation. There were 45 active users in the LINE® Application under the name of “Current training EMKKU.” The mean age of the participants was 32.10±5.60 years, and 51.11% (n = 23) of them was female. CONCLUSIONS: The real-time telephone application is used for consultation related to patients’ symptoms during EMS operations and ER patient care was most commonly in the afternoon and on Thursdays and Tuesdays.

© 2021 Korakot Apiratwarakul, Kamonwon Ienghong, Takaaki Suzuki, Ismet Celebi, Vajarabhongsa Bhudhisawasdi, Somsak Tiamkao.BACKGROUND: Ambulance inspections make up part of the emergency medical services (EMS) to keep operations running smoothly as well as to maximize and maintain the safety of vehicles used for delivery of both staff and patients. The EMS of Srinagarind Hospital has been using an ambulance inspection report application since January 2020. Nevertheless, there has been no comparative study of the benefits associated with the use of this specification. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the advantages of an ambulance inspection report application and paper checklist. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted amid the EMS at a university hospital in Thailand. Data gathering was carried out by employing the Srinagarind Hospital database and ambulance inspection report application throughout January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020. RESULTS: A total of 2350 ambulance inspections were recorded during the 2-year study period. Recognition times for ambulance inspections incorporating paper checklist and inspection with application were 35.5 ± 9.4 min and 1.02 ± 0.5 min, respectively (P < 0.001). Action times were 25.2 ± 5.1 min and 1.04 ± 0.2 min, respectively. Ambulance inspection compliance rate with the application was 95.3% and 70.1% with a paper checklist. CONCLUSION: Ambulance inspections carried out with an application can reduce recognition and action time, and increase ambulance inspection compliance rate.

BACKGROUND: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is the core competency in the Emergency Medicine (EM) residency training. However, there are many methods that can be used to evaluate this competency, and the best practices for teaching ultrasonography to residents have yet to be determined. AIM: The researchers aimed at evaluating the POCUS knowledge and skills of the EM residents after having participated in the POCUS training during their first ultrasound rotation in the Emergency Department. METHODS: A curriculum was developed in the form of a 2-week rotation in the EM residency program at the Department of EM at Khon Kaen University’s Srinagarind Hospital. It consisted of didactic lectures, bedside ultrasound trainings, the journal club, and the process of reviewing the images. Tools were developed, which included a knowledge exam. For each resident, the assessments were administered before and after the rotation. Furthermore, an ultrasound skills test was developed to be used at the end of the 1st year EM residency program. RESULTS: Nine EM residents completed their rotations and the tests. The average pre-training score and post-training scores were 5.25 ± 1.03 and 8.50 ± 1.20, respectively. The mean difference score between pre- and post-test was 3.25 ± 1.28. (95% CI −4.321, −2.178). In terms of the ultrasound skills test, the average total score was 26.13 out of 30 (87.1%). Moreover, the residents had higher scores in the aspects of image acquisition (87.5%) and image interpretation (87.5%). However, for the aspect of clinical decision-making, the average score was 75%. The survey questions indicated that with respect to all of the academic activities, the “Bedside ultrasound,” which had encouraged the residents to learn POCUS, was given the highest score (4.75 of 5). CONCLUSIONS: The 2-week ED ultrasound rotation had improved the residents’ EM ultrasound knowledge and skills.

© 2021 Korakot Apiratwarakul, Takaaki Suzuki, Ismet Celebi, Kamonwon Ienghong, Thanat Tangpaisarn, Somsak Tiamkao, Vajarabhongsa Bhudhisawasdi.BACKGROUND: Concerning the COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand, the number of patients has been increasing. Emergency medical services (EMS) operating duration differs from normal services due to equipment preparation, number of personnel, and on-board ambulance procedures. Notably, there have been no studies examining EMS duration regarding COVID-19 patients. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the EMS time for COVID-19 patients and routine services. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary university hospital in Khon Kaen, Thailand. Information gathering was carried out by employing the Srinagarind Hospital EMS database throughout January 1, 2020, and February 10, 2021. RESULTS: A total of 2420 EMS operations were examined, of which five tested positive for COVID-19 (0.21%). The mean age of the COVID-19 patients was 35.6 ± 7.2 years, with the activation interval for COVID-19 and routine services at 64.20 ± 10.14 and 1.42 ± 0.42 min, respectively (p < 0.001). The on-scene time for COVID-19 and routine services was 3.20 ± 0.44 and 5.20 ± 2.20 min, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: EMS operating time amid the activation interval for COVID-19 patients was significantly longer than in the normal group. However, on-scene time for COVID-19 patients was less time than in normal operations.

Background: Airway management is an important aspect of care in emergency medical services (EMS) used to prevent obstruction of the respiratory track and inadequate oxygenation. The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is an easy-to-use supraglottic airway device developed in 1988 that has a high success rate in both adults and children. However, there have yet been no studies regarding LMA use in EMS in Thailand. Objective: To determine the success rate of LMA in EMS and factors associated with successful LMA insertion. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study consisting of Srinagarind Hospital EMS patients over 18 years of age who underwent LMA airway management between March 2016 and March 2020. Data were collected from the Srinagarind Hospital EMS operation database and hospital information database system. Results: A total of 154 patients were enrolled with a mean age of 43.1+8.5 years, 89 (57.8%) of whom were male. Non trauma patients accounted for 72.7% of all cases. The average oxygen saturation before and after LMA use were 71.4+12.3% and 94.4+3.2%, respectively (p = 0.022). Students in their first and third year of residency training were able to successfully perform LMA airway management on the first attempt in 83.3% and 98.4% of cases, respectively (p = 0.025). Conclusion: Airway management using the LMA had a high success rate on the first attempt, required less time for insertion than other comparable devices, and resulted in a high level of oxygen saturation. Keywords: Laryngeal mask airway, Emergency medical services, Airway management, Internship and residency

Background: The present study was conducted to assess the learning outcomes of mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation device training course for emergency medicine residents from Laos. The course was part of a collaborative project among Tsukuba University in Japan, the University of Health Sciences in Laos, and Khon Kaen University in Thailand. Objective: To evaluate the learning outcomes a mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation device course for emergency medicine residents. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in emergency medicine residents from Laos who participated in a training course on the use of mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation devices, which took place between January and March 2020 at the Srinagarind Hospital emergency department (ED). Assessment exams for individually with standard checklists for Thais’ emergency medicine residents. Results: A total of eight emergency medicine residents from Laos were enrolled. The mean age was 33.7+3.5 years, and 62.5% (n = 5) of the participants were female. We found that participants’ mean score had increased from 4 to 8 points after the training course (p = 0.010). Participants rated the ease of the procedure as 8 out of 10 (1: very difficult). Conclusion: The mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation device training course was successful in terms of sharing both medical knowledge and equipment management techniques. Keywords: Internship and Residency, Laos, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Emergency medicine

Background: Cooperation between Japan (Tsukuba University), Laos (The University of Health Sciences), and Thailand (Khon Kaen University) had been established in order that the teaching of doctors in the Emergency Medicine Training Program in Laos could be developed so that these doctors could have the opportunity to be the observers of EMS in Thailand. However, as of this time, no studies related to the pre-hospital care perspective in the International Rotational Program for residents of Emergency Medicine have been conducted. Objective: To survey the perspectives of pre-hospital care for residents from Laos, who were participating in the International Rotational Program of Emergency Medicine. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted between January and March 2020 with thirdyear residents in Emergency Medicine from Laos, who had come to gain practice at the EMS of Srinagarind Hospital in Thailand. Before starting the session, data was collected from all participants, which consisted of responses to a multiple-choice test, demographic data, and satisfaction surveys. Results: A total of eight emergency medicine residents were enrolled and were then divided into three groups. Under normal conditions, the EMS duration time was thirty-two hours for each group. During the first week of the course, knowledge was disseminated through lectures. During the second week, the participants were placed on duty. After that, they received calls from the 1669 center and were dispatched with the EMS operation team. Finally, over the duration of a two-week period, they were placed in the role of being observers on ambulance duty. When comparing the Pre-test and Post-test assessment of their EMS knowledge, a significant increase in their scores from 3.4 to 8.5 (p = 0.010) was found. In addition, the medical oversight had increased from 2.4 to 8.4 (p = 0.005), while the EMS systems had significantly increased from 4.2 to 8.6 (p = 0.014). Conclusion: The International Rotational Program for Emergency Medicine residents, which had focused on the EMS aspects with EMS knowledge, Medical Oversight, and on the EMS systems, was found to be successful for the doctors from Laos. Keywords: Emergency medicine, Internship and Residency, Emergency Medical Services, Learning

Background: The emergency department (ED) can be thought of as the “front door” to the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, there have yet been no studies conducted examining ED patients in this situation. Objective: To determine the numbers of ED visits by level urgency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of patients who presented at the Srinagarind Hospital ED from January 13 to April 21, 2020 (the date of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Thailand according to the Ministry of Public Health and day 100). We compared these data with those from the same period over the past three years. Results: In 2020, the total number of ED visits was 13,263, with a mean patient age of 50.14+6.40 years. Over half of these patients (56.2%; n = 7,467) were female. Most visits (50.6%) occurred between 4.00 PM to 0.00 AM (afternoon shift). The majority of were walk-ins (84.2%) and ESI 3 (non-urgent; 79.9%). The average numbers of ESI 3 patients who visited the ED over the same period in 2017 to 2020 were 152.3, 171.5, 153.0 and 105.9 per day, respectively (p

BACKGROUND: Recent advancements in ultrasound technology have been introduced in medical education. The use of the hand-held ultrasound device (the HHU device) has been implemented in many medical schools. However, no studies have previously been conducted in Thailand. AIM: We aimed at evaluating the experience of using the HHU device in the ultrasound rotation for the emergency medicine (EM) residents. METHODS: A survey was conducted of 1st-year EM residents at the Emergency Department at Srinagarind Hospital, who had been trained to use point-of-care ultrasound and who were provided with a HHU device during their 2-week ultrasound rotation during the period from July 2019 to June 2020. The survey consisted of ten questions about the participants’ learning experiences in using the HHU. Moreover, we evaluate the process of reviewing the ultrasound images and ultrasound video clips from the HHU device. RESULTS: The response rate for the survey was 100%. On the baseline survey, most participants rated their learning experiences in using the HHU device at more than four points. Overall, 106 patients were examined with the HHU device. All ultrasound video clips and images were examined in the section for “reviewing the ultrasound images.” The three areas that were the most frequently examined had been the abdomen, the heart, and the soft tissue and musculoskeletal, respectively. During these ultrasound examinations, 82 positive findings (77.36%) were discovered. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the participants had agreed that the HHU device was a tool, which had the potential to promote learning during the ultrasound rotation.

BACKGROUND: Motorcycles (motorlance) are often deployed as ambulances to the scene of an emergency to reduce response time. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected emergency medical services (EMS) in Thailand in many respects, and this study was conducted to examine its effect on motorlance operation time. AIM: The aim of the study was to examine motorlance operation time during the COVID-19 pandemic in comparison to normal periods. METHODS: This cross-sectional study examined all EMS motorlance operations dispatched from Srinagarind Hospital (Thailand). Data were collected from the Srinagarind Hospital EMS operation database and hospital information database system. Data from June 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019 (normal period) were compared with those from January 13 to April 21, 2020 (COVID-19). RESULTS: Eight hundred seventy-one EMS operations were examined over two periods. Mean patient age during the COVID-19 pandemic was 41.5 ± 6.2 years, and 54.6% (n = 59) were male. Average response time was 6.20 ± 1.35 min during the normal period and 3.48 ± 1.01 min during the pandemic (p = 0.021). Transport time was also significantly shorter during the latter period (2.35 vs. 5.20 min). CONCLUSIONS: Motorlance response and transport time during the COVID-19 pandemic were significantly shorter than usual.

Introduction:Motorcycles can be considered a new form of smart vehicle when taking into account their small and modern structure and due to the fact that nowadays, they are used in the new role of ambulance to rapidly reach emergency patients in large cities with traffic congestion. However, there is no study regarding the measuring of access time for motorcycle ambulances (motorlances) in large cities of Thailand.Study Objective:This study aims to compare access times to patients between motorlances and conventional ambulances, including analysis of the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) installed on motorlances to contribute to the sustainable development of public health policies.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted on all motorlance operations in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at Srinagarind Hospital, Thailand from January 2019 through December 2020. Data were recorded using a national standard operation record form for Thailand.Results:Two hundred seventy-one motorlance operations were examined over a two-year period. A total of 52.4% (N = 142) of the patients were male. The average times from dispatch to vehicle (motorlance and traditional ambulance) being en route (activation time) for motorlance and ambulance in afternoon shift were 0.59 minutes and 1.45 minutes, respectively (P = .004). The average motorlance response time in the afternoon shift was 6.12 minutes, and ambulance response time was 9.10 minutes at the same shift. Almost all of the motorlance operations (97.8%) were found to have no access to AED equipment installed in public areas. The average time from dispatch to AED arrival on scene (AED access time) was 5.02 minutes.Conclusion:The response time of motorlances was shorter than a conventional ambulance, and the use of AEDs on a motorlance can increase the chances of survival for patients with cardiac arrest outside the hospital in public places where AEDs are not available.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) is one of the most widely used noninvasive methods of screening for high intracranial pressure. AIM: This study aimed to measure the ONSD and to find the appropriate cutoff point to indicate increased intracranial pressure. METHODS: We examined 93 participants over 18 years of age with abnormal neurologic signs or symptoms and took computerized tomography (CT) scans of their brains. We measured the ONSD through ultrasound with the head positioned at 30°. We also used a linear array probe to measure the ONSD in the position after connecting the eyeball 3 mm. RESULTS: The average of the ONSD at each side was 4.76 mm (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.65–4.87) in the normal CT scan group and 5.33 mm (95% CI: 5.13–5.33) in the abnormal CT scan (indicating high intracranial pressure) group. An ONSD cutoff point of 5.0 mm yielded 74.14% sensitivity and 49.22% specificity. The positive predictive value was 0.38 and negative predictive value was 0.82. CONCLUSION: The ONSD in the abnormal CT scan group was greater than in the normal CT scan group, and an ONSD of 5.0 mm can be used as a cutoff point for detecting increased intracranial pressure.

Introduction:Increasing numbers of marathon running events are taking place around the world. The difficulty encountered in the management of mass gatherings, especially running in marathons, is how emergency services can deliver treatment in a timely manner. Therefore, for this kind of situation, preparation is the key to success in terms of patient management.Study Objective:The aim of this study was to describe the presentation of cases at a start-finish medical post in an international marathon race set in a rural area.Methods:All medical record forms were collected from the start-finish medical post of the Khon Kaen International Marathon (KKIM) 2020. The race took place on January 26, 2020. The data were coded by two authors, and in the case of different codes, the final codes were determined by discussion.Results:The total number of participants in this event was 16,489. Participants who used the start-finish medical post numbered 74 (44.8 people per 10,000). More than one-half of patients were male (41; 56.9%), while 31 (34.0%) were female. The age range of the casualties was from 17 to 88 years old. The rate of incidence for those who used this post was 44.8 per 10,000 participants. The greatest density of users was at 3.40 hours after the marathon had started. The common symptoms which were found consisted of 17 soft tissue injuries (23.0%), 15 instances of cramps (20.3%), and 11 musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries (14.9%). Almost all patients were discharged, and only two of the cases were actually admitted to the hospital. No statistical significance between males and females was found (OR = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.51-1.3). However, marathon and half-marathon runners had a higher risk of being casualties (OR = 3.49; 95% CI, 1.71-7.15 and OR = 3.51; 95% CI, 1.79-6.88).Conclusion:The injuries of most of the patients who used the medical post at a start-finish point were mild. Distances which are longer than 20km increase the risk for getting injured. However, a prospective study and multi-session interpretation is recommended.

Bloodstream infection is a common condition at the Emergency Department (ED). Appropriate antibiotic therapy is also crucial for patients with bloodstream infection particularly at the ED. This study therefore aimed to find clinical factors predictive of types of bacterial pathogens in bloodstream infection patients presenting at the ED focused on Gram-negative bacterial infections.This was a retrospective study. The inclusion criteria were adult patients who were suspected for bloodstream infection defined by blood culture collection presenting at the ED and intravenous antibiotics were initiated during the ED visits. The study period was between January 1There were 727 patients at the ED who had positive blood culture for bacteria. Of those, 504 patients (69.33%) had positive blood culture for Gram-negative bacteria. There were three independent factors for Gram-negative infection including sex, solid organ malignancy, and body temperature. The highest adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) was 2.004 (1.330, 3.020) for solid organ malignancy.Gram-negative bacterial infection was more prominent than Gram-positive bacterial infection in patients presenting at the ED (69.33%). Solid organ malignancy, being female, and a high body temperature were independent factors of Gram-negative bacterial infection.

Background: The spread of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), emergency medical services (EMS) work flow to be different from the normal situation such as avoid advanced airways management that perform aerosol generating. However, no studies examining EMS operation have been conducted at Srinagarind Hospital. Objective: To compare EMS operation time and procedures during COVID-19 spreading and routine period. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study examined all cases in which EMS were dispatched from Srinagarind Hospital during 13th January to 21st April 2020 compared with last year. Data were collected from the Srinagarind Hospital EMS operation database and hospital information database system. Results: Five hundred forty-five EMS operations were examined. The mean age of the patients in 2020 was 50.4+6.2 years, and 70.9% (n = 195) were male. The average times from 1669 center call receipt to arrival on scene (response time) for 2019 and 2020 were 12.44+4.12 minutes and 7.32+2.40 minutes, respectively (p = 0.016). The nebulizer mask procedure was performed in 16.1% of cases in 2019 group compared with 7.1% in the 2020 group (p

Motorcycles can be considered a new form of smart vehicle when taking into account their small and modern structure and due to the fact that nowadays they are used in the new role of ambu-lance to rapidly reach emergency patients in large cities with traffic congestion. However, there is no study regarding the measuring of access time for motorcycle ambulances in large cities of Thailand. Therefore, this study aims to compare access times to patients between motorcycle ambulances and conventional ambulances, including analysis of the use of AED installed on motorcycle ambulances to contribute to the sustainable development of public health policies. In two hundred and seventy-one operations, it was found that the times from dispatch to vehicle (ambulance and motorlance) being en route and times from the 1669 center (center for com-mand-and-control EMS in Thailand) call receipt to arrival on scene (response time) of motorcycle ambulances was shorter than that of a conventional ambulance and the use of AED on a motor-cycle ambulance can increase the chances of survival for patients with cardiac arrest outside the hospital in public places where AEDs are not available and in all cases where access to an AED was less than eight minutes.

BACKGROUND: The use of lights and sirens (L&S) alerts other drivers of the presence of an ambulance and that they are required yield, increasing the speed and safety of emergency medical services (EMS) operations. However, there have been no studies examining the effect of L&S on pre-hospital time conducted in Thai EMS agencies. AIM: The aim of the study was to compare the operation times of ambulances with and without the use of L&S. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study consisting of patients over 18 years of age assessed and treated through the Srinagarind Hospital EMS between April 2019 and March 2020. Data were collected from the Srinagarind Hospital EMS operation database and hospital information database system. RESULTS: A total of 1764 patients were enrolled, 1426 (80.8%) of whom were transported in an ambulance that used L&S. The mean age of patients in the L&S group was 45.2 ± 6.2 years and 742 (52.0%) were male. The average response times in the L&S and non-L&S groups were 10.2 min and 18.2 min, respectively (p < 0.001). Average L&S transport time was 11.1 min and non-L&S transport time was 17.1 min (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: The use L&S reduced the response and transport times of EMS operations but not affect on-scene time.

BACKGROUND: Recently, handheld ultrasound equipment has come to replace standard machines in the training of emergency medicine residents. However, there have been few studies examining how this change has affected medical education. AIM: We aimed to compare standard and handheld ultrasound machines as educational tools in the emergency medicine residency program. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 17 emergency medicine residents at Srinagarind Hospital emergency department were trained to use point-of-care ultrasound and provided with handheld ultrasound devices during their 2-week ultrasound rotations, which took place between July 2019 and May 2020. Participants were given a 25-question survey comparing their learning experiences with standard versus handheld ultrasound machines. Data were analyzed using an independent sample t-test, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The response rate was 100%. At the baseline survey, most participants rated their learning experience as greater than 4 out of 5 with both ultrasound devices. They rated the learning experience with the handheld device as being more enjoyable and accessible but not to a statistically significant extent. There were also no significant differences in participants’ ratings of image quality or the ease of obtaining images. However, they rated the handheld device as being more useful and convenient (p < 0.001 and 0.034, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The handheld ultrasound machine is useful in the training of emergency medicine residents. Further studies should be conducted to evaluate residents’ competency in using these devices.

BACKGROUND: The use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has recently proposed the integration of ultrasound into undergraduate medical education. However, the evidence of learning tool for this integration has not been well studied. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the levels of knowledge improvement of the 6th year medical students before and after receiving the POCUS training in two ways: By employing the traditional methods and by utilizing the new learning tool. METHODS: The practical ultrasound flashcards were developed by a Thai physician. In the study, the 6th year medical students were enrolled and randomized to become members of either the flashcard group or the control group. Participants in both groups attended a 4-week ultrasound training course. Before and after the training course, all students were evaluated using the multiple-choice questions. In addition, the subjects’ attitudes and perceptions about the flashcards were evaluated using a questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 46 students participated in this study and were randomly assigned to either the flashcard group (n = 23) or the control group (n = 23). It was discovered that the students in the flashcard group had performed better on the POCUS knowledge post-test than those in the control group had. Most students had been satisfied with the flashcards (mean 5 Likert scores = 4.48). However, the students had rated their confidence score to perform POCUS at 3.96 out of 5.0. CONCLUSIONS: Medical students who used the ultrasound flashcards to learn POCUS had resulted in better knowledge scores rather than the others who attended the standard ultrasound training course only. However, it was not possible to evaluate the practical skills and the clinical decision-making processes in this study.

© 2021 Korakot Apiratwarakul, Phongphat Ruamsuk, Takaaki Suzuki, Ismet Celebi, Somsak Tiamkao, Vajarabhongsa Bhudhisawasdi, Kamonwon Ienghong.BACKGROUND: The development of emergency medical services (EMSs) in Thailand is divided into two phases following the enactment of the Emergency Medical Act in 2007 aimed at making the work model more systematic. However, the amount of EMS operations has not been well studied. AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the pattern of EMS operations throughout a 5-year period. METHODS: A retrospective, single-centered study at a medical school hospital in Thailand. Data were gathered from the EMS database at Srinagarind Hospital throughout the years 2016–2020. RESULTS: A total of 10,384 EMS operations were examined over a 5-year period (2016–2020). The mean age of patients in 2016 was 40.2 ± 3.5 years, and 55.3% (n = 1178) were male. Operations were most commonly performed during the afternoon shift (4.00 p.m.–0.00 a.m.) 41.0%, 38.6%, 39.5%, 39.2%, and 50.8%, respectively. The amount of EMS members had a tendency to increase in number throughout the 5 years of study (p = 0.022). The average times from 1669 center call receipt to arrival on scene (response time) for 2016 and 2020 were 8.52 ± 2.20 min and 5.52 ± 3.02 min, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The development of EMS at Srinagarind Hospital took place with an increase in the age of patients, number of operations in the afternoon shift, and EMS members, yet with a decrease in response times.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 outbreaks occurring in many countries around the world have had a significant impact on emergency medical services (EMS) in terms of the number of operations and procedures performed, including those on ambulances. However, the number of EMS amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Khon Kaen, Thailand has not been well studied. AIM: The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the relationship between the use of EMS and the outbreak of COVID-19. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was done in Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand with a single EMS centered. Data was collected between March 27, 2021 and April 9, 2021 and designated as (Day-7 to Day 7 of pandemic services) as well as normal services which collected data between March 27 and April 9, 2019 (Day-7 to Day 7 of normal services). RESULTS: Three hundred eight EMS operations were examined. A total of 77.9% (n = 95) of pandemic services were for males and the mean age of the patients was 32.1 ± 5.4 years. During the normal services in 2019, the average number of EMS operations was 13.3 ± 2.4 times per day over the two weeks of the study. In 2021, before the outbreak (Day-7 to Day 1), the average number of EMS operations was 13.2 ± 1.8 times/day. After Day 1, there was a drop in the number of EMS operations which was associated with an increase in COVID-19 infections (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The number of EMS users during the COVID-19 outbreak decreased considerably compared to the pre-epidemic levels and normal service intervals, including the severity of the users, were more severe than normal.

© 2021 Kamonwon Ienghong, Takaaki Suzuki, Ismet Celebi, Vajarabhongsa Bhudhisawasdi, Somsak Tiamkao, Dhanu Gaysonsiri, Korakot Apiratwarakul.BACKGROUND: B-line artifacts (BLAs) play an important role in identifying lung pathology. They may indicate different diseases. However, the diagnostic study of BLA as applied to emergency patients has not been well studied. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of BLA in various conditions. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of emergency patients who had received lung ultrasound at Srinagarind Hospital’s Emergency Department throughout January 2020–December 2020. Ultrasound artifacts were recorded. Ultrasonography findings were correlated with final diagnosis. Sensitivity and specificity were also calculated. RESULTS: A total of 105 patients were evaluated. The most prevalent condition which BLA found in this study was pulmonary edema (44.12%) with 88.24% sensitivity and 46.48% specificity. BLA also indicated pneumonia with 66.67% sensitivity and 35.71% specificity. Diffuse BLA indicated pulmonary edema with 70% sensitivity and 70.42% specificity. Focal BLA indicated pneumonia with 28.57% sensitivity and 76.19% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of BLA for pulmonary edema and pneumonia diagnosis in this study was of moderate to good sensitivity, but low specificity. BLA may become crucial in the diagnosis of lung pathology in the emergency department.

Background: Bloodstream infection (BSI) is a common and urgent condition at the emergency department (ED). In order to diagnose BSI, the current guideline fails to mention the juncture at which blood cultures ought to be taken. The decision whether or not to obtain hemoculture is solely based upon clinical judgment and outcomes pertaining to inappropriately ordered blood culture. This study aimed to develop predictive bloodstream infection scoring at the ED employing only clinical factors presented on ED arrival.Methods: This study was conducted retrospectively at the ED, Khon Kaen University Hospital, Thailand. Inclusion criteria encompassed adult patients suspected of infection defined by blood culture collection presented at the ED with intravenous antibiotics initiated during ED visits. Independent positive predictors for positive blood culture were used to create the Quick Bloodstream Infection score (qBSI score) through logistic regression analysis.Results: A total of 169578 patients visited the ED during the study period. Of those, 12556 patients (7.40%) were suspected of infection. 8177 cases met the study criteria and were categorized according to positive blood culture results, i.e. bloodstream infection (741 patients; 9.06%). Probability of positive blood culture was calculated via aged over 55 years + moderate to severe CKD + solid organ tumor + (2 x liver disease) + (2 x history of fever with chills) + (2 x body temperature of over 38.3oC). A score of 1 or over rendered 92.98% sensitivity, 15.40% specificity, 9.87% positive predictive value, 95.66% negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio of 1.10, and negative likelihood ratio of 0.46.Conclusions: The qBSI score may be a helpful tool to perform blood culture in patients at the ED suspected of infection. Employing this score may facilitate in the determining of those needing blood culture at the ED.

Objectives To demonstrate the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the Emergency Severity Index (ESI), quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA), Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) criteria, and National Early Warning Score (NEWS) for predicting in-hospital mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) admission in suspected sepsis patients. Methods A retrospective cohort study conducted at a tertiary care hospital, Thailand. Suspected sepsis was defined by a combination of (1) hemoculture collection and (2) the initiation of intravenous antibiotics therapy during the emergency department (ED) visit. The accuracy of each scoring system for predicting in-hospital mortality and ICU admission was analyzed. Results A total of 8177 patients (median age: 62 years, 52.3% men) were enrolled in the study, 509 (6.2%) of whom died and 1810 (22.1%) of whom were admitted to the ICU. The ESI and NEWS had comparable accuracy for predicting in-hospital mortality (AUC of 0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68 to 0.73 and AUC of 0.73, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.75) and ICU admission (AUC of 0.75, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.76 and AUC of 0.74, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.75). The ESI level 1–2 had the highest sensitivity for predicting in-hospital mortality (96.7%), and qSOFA ≥2 had the highest specificity (86.6%). Conclusion The ESI was accurate and had the highest sensitivity for predicting in-hospital mortality and ICU admission in suspected sepsis patients in the ED. This confirms that the ESI is useful in both ED triage and predicting adverse outcomes in these patients.