Search

Abstract Trauma is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide across all age groups, with traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) presenting a significant economic and societal burden due to the loss of productive life years. Despite TCA’s high mortality rate, recent evidence indicates that survival with good and moderate neurological recovery is possible. Successful resuscitation in TCA depends on the immediate and simultaneous treatment of reversible causes according to pre-established algorithms. The HOTT protocol, addressing hypovolaemia, oxygenation (hypoxia), tension pneumothorax, and cardiac tamponade, forms the foundation of TCA management. Advanced interventions, such as resuscitative thoracotomy and resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA), further enhance treatment. Contemporary approaches also consider metabolic factors (e.g. hyperkalaemia, calcium imbalances) and hemostatic resuscitation. This narrative review explores the advanced management of TCA and peri-arrest states, discussing the epidemiology and pathophysiology of peri-arrest and TCA. It integrates classic TCA management strategies with the latest evidence and practical applications.

Background: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) cause significant patient morbidity and mortality. Double sequential external defibrillation (DSED) represents an alternative treatment for OHCA patients, but the use is currently reserved for patients in refractory ventricular fibrillation. However, OHCA patients may achieve return of spontaneous circulation earlier with the use of DSED as initial treatment. This study compares the necessary times needed to establish pad placement in DSED compared to normal pad placement in a live patient simulation model. Methods: This study was an observational cohort study with ambulance personnel and live patient models. The procedure was performed on two patient categories, with BMI 20.9 (patient A) and BMI 32.8 (patient B). Two-member teams established two defibrillators ready for rhythm analysis. Time spent for standard and DSED procedure was registered in the same procedure. All team members performed the procedure on both patient categories. Results: In total, 108 procedures were performed on both patient categories. Mean time to standard pad placement was 24.6 ± 3.3 s for patient A, and 27.4 ± 3.7 s for patients B. Mean time to DSED pad placement was 38.3 ± 7.0 s for patient A, and 41.3 ± 7.4 s for patient B. Mean difference in time needed for DSED versus standard pad placement was 13.7 ± 4.8 s for patient A, and 13.9 ± 4.6 s for patient B. There was no significant difference in time spent between the two patient categories (p = 0.725). Conclusion: The necessary time to establish DSED versus standard defibrillation pad placement was short. This may support clinical studies on DSED as initial treatment for OHCA patients without risk of significant increase in time to first defibrillation.

Objective To develop a general and internationally applicable template of data variables for reporting interhospital neonatal intensive care transports.Design A five-step Delphi method.Setting A group of experts was guided through a formal consensus process using email.Subjects 12 experts in neonatal intensive care transports from Canada, Denmark, Norway, the UK and the USA. Four women and eight men. The experts were neonatologists, anaesthesiologists, intensive care nurse, anaesthetic nurse, medical leaders, researchers and a parent representative.Main outcome measures 37 data variables were included in the final template.Results Consensus was achieved on a template of 37 data variables with definitions. 30 variables to be registered for each transport and 7 for annual registration of the system of the transport service. 11 data variables under the category structure, 20 under process and 6 under outcome.Conclusions We developed a template with a set of data variables to be registered for neonatal intensive care transports. To register the same data will enable larger datasets and comparing services.

Background: During cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) cerebral blood flow may be sufficient to restore some cerebral function, and CPR-induced consciousness (CPRIC) may occur. CPRIC includes signs of life such as gasping, breathing efforts, eye opening, movements of extremities or communication with the rescuers. There is a lack in evidence for prevalence, experience, and possible treatment strategies for CPRIC. This survey aimed to assess prehospital anaesthesiologists experience with CPRIC in Norway. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey. All physicians working at a Norwegian air ambulance, search-and-rescue base or physician-staffed rapid response car were invited to participate. Result: Out of 177 invited, 115 responded. All were anaesthesiologist, with mean 12.7 (SD 7.2) years of prehospital experience, and 25% had attended more than 200 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA). CPRIC was known amongst most physicians prior to the survey and experienced by 91%. Mechanical compression device was used in 79% of cases. The CPRIC were CPR-interfering in 31% of cases. Next-of-kin reported the CPRIC as upsetting in 5% of cases. Medication and/or physical restraint were administered in 75% patients. For patients with CPRIC 50% answered that sedation was needed. If sedation should be provided, 62% answered that this should only be performed by a physician, while 25% answered that both ambulance crew and physicians could provide sedation. Fentanyl, ketamine, and midazolam were suggested as the most appropriate sedation agents. Conclusion: This nationwide survey indicates that CPRIC during OHCA are well known amongst prehospital anaesthesiologist in Norway. Most patients with CPRIC were treated with chest compression device. Most physicians recommend sedation of patients with CPRIC during resuscitation.

Abstract Background Major incidents (MI) happen infrequently in Scandinavia and mass shootings are even less frequently occurring. Case reports and research are called for, as literature is scarce. On 3rd July 2022, a mass shooting took place at the shopping mall Field’s in Copenhagen, Denmark. Three people were killed and seven injured by a gunman, firing a rifle inside the mall. A further 21 people suffered minor injuries during the evacuation of the mall. In this case report, we describe the emergency medical services (EMS) incident response and evaluate the EMS´ adherence to the MI management guidelines to identify possible areas of improvement. Case presentation Forty-eight EMS units including five Tactical Emergency Medical Service teams were dispatched to the incident. Four critically injured patients were taken to two trauma hospitals. The deceased patients were declared dead at the scene and remained there for the sake of the investigation. A total of 24 patients with less severe and minor injuries were treated at four different hospitals in connection with the attack. The ambulance resources were inherently limited in the initial phase of the MI, mandating improvisation in medical incident command. Though challenged, Command and Control, Safety, Communication, Assessment, Triage, Treatment, Transport (CSCATTT) principles were followed. Conclusions The EMS response generally adhered to national guidelines for MI. The activation of EMS and the hospital preparedness program was relevant. Important findings were communication shortcomings; inherent lack of readily available ambulance resources in the initial critical phase; uncertainty regarding the number of perpetrators; uncertainty regarding number of casualties and social media rumors that unnecessarily hampered and prolonged the response. The incident command had to use non-standard measures to mitigate potential challenges.

Abstract Background Trauma patients frequently receive supplemental oxygen, but its hemodynamic effects in blood loss are poorly understood. We studied the effects of oxygen on the hemodynamic response and tolerance to simulated blood loss in healthy volunteers. Methods Fifteen healthy volunteers were exposed to simulated blood loss by lower body negative pressure (LBNP) on two separate visits at least 24 h apart. They were randomized to inhale 100% oxygen or medical air on visit 1, while inhaling the other on visit 2. To simulate progressive blood loss LBNP was increased every 3 min in levels of 10 mmHg from 0 to 80 mmHg or until hemodynamic decompensation. Oxygen and air were delivered on a reservoired face mask at 15 L/min. The effect of oxygen compared to air on the changes in cardiac output, stroke volume and middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAV) was examined with mixed regression to account for repeated measurements within subjects. The effect of oxygen compared to air on the tolerance to blood loss was measured as the time to hemodynamic decompensation in a shared frailty model. Cardiac output was the primary outcome variable. Results Oxygen had no statistically significant effect on the changes in cardiac output (0.031 L/min/LBNP level, 95% confidence interval (CI): − 0.015 to 0.077, P = 0.188), stroke volume (0.39 mL/LBNP level, 95% CI: − 0.39 to 1.2, P = 0.383), or MCAV (0.25 cm/s/LBNP level, 95% CI: − 0.11 to 0.61, P = 0.176). Four subjects exhibited hemodynamic decompensation when inhaling oxygen compared to 10 when inhaling air (proportional hazard ratio 0.24, 95% CI: 0.065 to 0.85, P = 0.027). Conclusions We found no effect of oxygen compared to air on the changes in cardiac output, stroke volume or MCAV during simulated blood loss in healthy volunteers. However, oxygen had a favorable effect on the tolerance to simulated blood loss with fewer hemodynamic decompensations. Our findings suggest that supplemental oxygen does not adversely affect the hemodynamic response to simulated blood loss. Trial registration This trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05150418) December 9, 2021

Abstract Background Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is increasingly used. The recently published UK-REBOA trial aimed to investigate patients suffering haemorrhagic shock and randomized to standard care alone or REBOA as adjunct to standard care and concludes that REBOA may increase the mortality. Main body In this commentary we try to balance the discussion on use of REBOA and address limitations in the UK-REBOA trial that may have influenced the outcome of the study. Conclusion The situation is complex, and the patients are in extremis. In summary, we do not think this is the end of balloons.

Abstract Background Pre-hospital pain management has traditionally been performed with intravenous (IV) morphine, but oligoanalgesia remain a recognized problem. Pain reduction is essential for patient satisfaction and is regarded as a measure of successful treatment. We aim to establish whether non-invasive methods such as inhalation of methoxyflurane is non-inferior to intranasal fentanyl or non-inferior to the well-known IV morphine in the pre-hospital treatment of acute pain. Method/design The PreMeFen study is a phase three, three-armed, randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial to compare three regimens of analgesics: inhalation of methoxyflurane and intranasal (IN) fentanyl versus IV morphine. It is an open-label trial with a 1:1:1 randomization to the three treatment groups. The primary endpoint is the change in pain numeric rating scale (NRS) (0–10) from baseline to 10 min after start of investigational medicinal product administration (IMP). The non-inferiority margin was set to 1.3, and a sample size of 270 patients per protocol (90 in each treatment arm) will detect this difference with 90% power. Discussion We chose a study design with comparison of analgesic regimens rather than fixed doses because of the substantial differences in drug characteristics and for the results to be relevant to inform policymakers in the pre-hospital setting. We recognize that easier administration of analgesics will lead to better pain management for many patients if the regimens are as good as the existing, and hence, we chose a non-inferiority design. The primary endpoint, the change in pain (NRS) after 10 min, is set to address the immediate need of pain reduction for patients with acute prehospital pain. On a later stage, more analgesic methods are often available. Summary PreMeFen is a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial comparing three analgesic regimens aiming to establish whether inhalation of methoxyflurane or intranasal fentanyl is as good as IV morphine for fast reduction of acute pain in the prehospital setting.

Abstract Background Selection of incidents and accurate identification of patients that require assistance from physician-staffed emergency medical services (P-EMS) remain essential. We aimed to evaluate P-EMS availability, the underlying criteria for dispatch, and the corresponding dispatch accuracy of trauma care in south-east Norway in 2015, to identify areas for improvement. Methods Pre-hospital data from emergency medical coordination centres and P-EMS medical databases were linked with data from the Norwegian Trauma Registry (NTR). Based on a set of conditions (injury severity, interventions performed, level of consciousness, incident category), trauma incidents were defined as complex, warranting P-EMS assistance, or non-complex. Incident complexity and P-EMS involvement were the main determinants when assessing the triage accuracy. Undertriage was adjusted for P-EMS availability and response and transport times. Results Among 19,028 trauma incidents, P-EMS were involved in 2506 (13.2%). The range of overtriage was 74–80% and the range of undertriage was 20–32%. P-EMS readiness in the event of complex incidents ranged from 58 to 70%. The most frequent dispatch criterion was “Police/fire brigade request immediate response” recorded in 4321 (22.7%) of the incidents. Criteria from the groups “Accidents” and “Road traffic accidents” were recorded in 10,875 (57.2%) incidents, and criteria from the groups “Transport reservations” and “Unidentified problem” in 6025 (31,7%) incidents. Among 4916 patient pathways in the NTR, 681 (13.9%) could not be matched with pre-hospital data records. Conclusions Both P-EMS availability and dispatch accuracy remain suboptimal in trauma care in south-east Norway. Dispatch criteria are too vague to facilitate accurate P-EMS dispatch, and pre-hospital data is inconsistent and insufficient to provide basic data for scientific research. Future dispatch criteria should focus on the care aspect of P-EMS. Better tools for both dispatch and incident handling for the emergency medical coordination centres are essential. In general, coordination, standardisation, and integration of existing data systems should enhance the quality of trauma care and increase patient safety.

Abstract Background Major incidents (MI) are rare occurrences in Scandinavia. Literature depicting Scandinavian MI management is scarce and case reports and research is called for. In 2019, a trailer falling off a freight train struck a passing high-speed train on the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark, killing eight people instantly and injuring fifteen people. We aim to describe the emergency medical services (EMS) response to this MI and evaluate adherence to guidelines to identify areas of improvement for future MI management. Case presentation Nineteen EMS units were dispatched to the incident site. Ambulances transported fifteen patients to a trauma centre after evacuation. Deceased patients were pronounced life-extinct on-scene. Radio communication was partly compromised, since 38.9% of the radio shifts were not according to the planned radio grid and presented a potential threat to patient outcome and personnel safety. Access to the incident site was challenging and delayed due to traffic congestion and safety issues. Conclusion Despite harsh weather conditions and complex logistics, the availability of EMS units was sufficient and patient treatment and evacuation was uncomplicated. Triage was relevant, but at the physicians’ discretion. Important findings were communication challenges and the consequences of difficult access to the incident site. There is a need for an expansion of capacity in formal education in MI management in Denmark.

Abstract Background Survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is poor and dependent on high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) may be advantageous in non-traumatic OHCA due to the potential benefit of redistributing the cardiac output to organs proximal to the aortic occlusion. This theory is supported by data from both preclinical studies and human case reports. Methods This multicentre trial will enrol 200 adult patients, who will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to either a control group that receives advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) or an intervention group that receives ACLS and REBOA. The primary endpoint will be the proportion of patients who achieve return of spontaneous circulation with a duration of at least 20 min. The secondary objectives of this trial are to measure the proportion of patients surviving to 30 days with good neurological status, to describe the haemodynamic physiology of aortic occlusion during ACLS, and to document adverse events. Discussion Results from this study will assess the efficacy and safety of REBOA as an adjunctive treatment for non-traumatic OHCA. This novel use of REBOA may contribute to improve treatment for this patient cohort. Trial registration The trial is approved by the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics in Norway (reference 152504) and is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (reference NCT04596514) and as Universal Trial Number WHO: U1111-1253-0322.

Abstract Objective Despite critical hypoxemia, Covid-19 patients may present without proportional signs of respiratory distress. We report three patients with critical respiratory failure due to Covid-19, in which all presented with severe hypoxemia refractory to supplemental oxygen therapy. We discuss possible strategies for ventilatory support in the emergency pre-hospital setting, and point out some pitfalls regarding the management of these patients. Guidelines for pre-hospital care of critically ill Covid-19 patients cannot be established based on the current evidence base, and we have to apply our understanding of respiratory physiology and mechanics in order to optimize respiratory support. Methods Three cases with similar clinical presentation were identified within the Norwegian national helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) system. The HEMS units are manned by a consultant anaesthesiologist. Patient’s next of kin and the Regional committee for medical and health research ethics approved the publication of this report. Conclusion Patients with Covid-19 and severe hypoxemia may pose a considerable challenge for the pre-hospital emergency medical services. Intubation may be associated with a high risk of complications in these patients and should be carried out with diligence when considered necessary. The following interventions are worth considering in Covid-19 patients with refractory hypoxemia before proceeding to intubation. First, administering oxygen via a tight fitting BVM with an oxygen flow rate that exceeds the patient’s ventilatory minute volume. Second, applying continuous positive airway pressure, while simultaneously maintaining a high FiO2. Finally, assuming the patient is cooperative, repositioning to prone position.

Abstract Background Efficient and timely airway management is universally recognised as a priority for major trauma patients, a proportion of whom require emergency intubation in the pre-hospital setting. Adverse events occur more commonly in emergency airway management, and hypoxia is relatively frequent. The aim of this study was to establish whether passive apnoeic oxygenation was effective in reducing the incidence of desaturation during pre-hospital emergency anaesthesia. Methods A prospective before-after study was performed to compare patients receiving standard care and those receiving additional oxygen via nasal prongs. The primary endpoint was median oxygen saturation in the peri-rapid sequence induction period, (2 minutes pre-intubation to 2 minutes post-intubation) for all patients. Secondary endpoints included the incidence of hypoxia in predetermined subgroups. Results Of 725 patients included; 188 patients received standard treatment and 537 received the intervention. The overall incidence of hypoxia (first recorded SpO2 95%, p = 0.0001. The other significant benefit was observed in the recovery phase for patients with severe hypoxia prior to intubation. Conclusion Apnoeic oxygenation did not influence peri-intubation oxygen saturations, but it did reduce the frequency and duration of hypoxia in the post-intubation period. Given that apnoeic oxygenation is a simple low-cost intervention with a low complication rate, and that hypoxia can be detrimental to outcome, application of nasal cannulas during the drug-induced phase of emergency intubation may benefit a subset of patients undergoing emergency anaesthesia.

Abstract Background Individualized treatment is a common principle in hospitals. Treatment decisions are made based on the patient’s condition, including comorbidities. This principle is equally relevant out-of-hospital. Furthermore, comorbidity is an important risk-adjustment factor when evaluating pre-hospital interventions and may aid therapeutic decisions and triage. The American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS) classification system is included in templates for reporting data in physician-staffed pre-hospital emergency medical services (p-EMS) but whether an adequate full pre-event ASA-PS can be assessed by pre-hospital physicians remains unknown. We aimed to explore whether pre-hospital physicians can score an adequate pre-event ASA-PS with the information available on-scene. Methods The study was an inter-rater reliability study consisting of two steps. Pre-event ASA-PS scores made by pre- and in-hospital physicians were compared. Pre-hospital physicians did not have access to patient records and scores were based on information obtainable on-scene. In-hospital physicians used the complete patient record (Step 1). To assess inter-rater reliability between pre- and in-hospital physicians when given equal amounts of information, pre-hospital physicians also assigned pre-event ASA-PS for 20 of the included patients by using the complete patient records (Step 2). Inter-rater reliability was analyzed using quadratic weighted Cohen’s kappa (κw). Results For most scores (82%) inter-rater reliability between pre-and in-hospital physicians were moderate to substantial (κw 0,47-0,89). Inter-rater reliability was higher among the in-hospital physicians (κw 0,77 to 0.85). When all physicians had access to the same information, κw increased (κw 0,65 to 0,93). Conclusions Pre-hospital physicians can score an adequate pre-event ASA-PS on-scene for most patients. To further increase inter-rater reliability, we recommend access to the full patient journal on-scene. We recommend application of the full ASA-PS classification system for reporting of comorbidity in p-EMS.

Abstract Background Physician-staffed emergency medical services (p-EMS) are resource demanding, and research is needed to evaluate any potential effects of p-EMS. Templates, designed through expert agreement, are valuable and feasible, but they need to be updated on a regular basis due to developments in available equipment and treatment options. In 2011, a consensus-based template documenting and reporting data in p-EMS was published. We aimed to revise and update the template for documenting and reporting in p-EMS. Methods A Delphi method was applied to achieve a consensus from a panel of selected European experts. The experts were blinded to each other until a consensus was reached, and all responses were anonymized. The experts were asked to propose variables within five predefined sections. There was also an optional sixth section for variables that did not fit into the pre-defined sections. Experts were asked to review and rate all variables from 1 (totally disagree) to 5 (totally agree) based on relevance, and consensus was defined as variables rated ≥4 by more than 70% of the experts. Results Eleven experts participated. The experts generated 194 unique variables in the first round. After five rounds, a consensus was reached. The updated dataset was an expanded version of the original dataset and the template was expanded from 45 to 73 main variables. The experts approved the final version of the template. Conclusions Using a Delphi method, we have updated the template for documenting and reporting in p-EMS. We recommend implementing the dataset for standard reporting in p-EMS.

Abstract Introduction Out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) carries an 86% mortality rate in Norway. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is a potential adjunct in management of non-traumatic cardiac arrest and is feasible in pre-hospital setting without compromising standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, number of patients potentially eligible for REBOA remain unknown. In preparation for a clinical trial to investigate any benefit of pre-hospital REBOA, we sought to assess the need for REBOA in Norway as an adjunct treatment in OHCA. Methods Retrospective observational cohort study of data from the Norwegian Cardiac Arrest Registry in the 3-year period 2016–2018. We identified number of patients potentially eligible for pre-hospital REBOA during CPR, defined by suspected non-traumatic origin, age 18–75 years, witnessed arrest, ambulance response time less than 15 min, treated by ambulance personnel and resuscitation effort over 30 min. Results In the 3-year period, ambulance personnel resuscitated 8339 cases. Of these, a group of 720 patients (8.6%) were eligible for REBOA. Only 18% in this group achieved return of spontaneous circulation and 7% survived for 30 days or more. Conclusion This national registry data analysis constitutes a needs assessment of REBOA in OHCA. We found that each year approximately 240 patients, or nearly 9% of ambulance treated OHCA, in Norway is potentially eligible for pre-hospital REBOA as an adjunct treatment to standard resuscitation. This needs assessment suggests that there is sufficient patient population in Norway to study REBOA as an adjunct treatment in OHCA.

Supplemental oxygen is widely administered in trauma patients, often leading to hyperoxia. However, the clinical evidence for providing supplemental oxygen in all trauma patients is scarce, and hyperoxia has been found to increase mortality in some patient populations. Hypovolemia is a common finding in trauma patients, which affects many hemodynamic parameters, but little is known about how supplemental oxygen affects systemic and cerebral hemodynamics during hypovolemia. We therefore plan to conduct an experimental, randomized, double blinded crossover study to investigate the effect of 100% oxygen compared to room air delivered by a face mask with reservoir on systemic and cerebral hemodynamics during simulated hypovolemia in the lower body negative pressure model in 15 healthy volunteers. We will measure cardiac output, stroke volume, blood pressure, middle cerebral artery velocity and tolerance to hypovolemia continuously in all subjects at two visits to investigate whether oxygen affects the cardiovascular response to simulated hypovolemia. The effect of oxygen on the outcome variables will be analyzed with mixed linear regression. Trial registration: The study is registered in the European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials Database (EudraCT, registration number 2021-003238-35).

BackgroundIn March 2020, WHO announced the COVID-19 a pandemic and a major global public health emergency. Mortality from COVID-19 is rapidly increasing globally, with acute respiratory failure as the predominant cause of death. Many patients experience severe hypoxia and life-threatening respiratory failure often requiring mechanical ventilation. To increase safety margins during emergency anaesthesia and rapid sequence intubation (RSI), patients are preoxygenated with a closed facemask with high-flow oxygen and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). Due to the high shunt fraction of deoxygenated blood through the lungs frequently described in COVID-19 however, these measures may be insufficient to avoid harmful hypoxemia. Preoxygenation with inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) potentially reduces the shunt fraction and may thus allow for the necessary margins of safety during RSI.Methods and designThe INOCOV protocol describes a phase II pharmacological trial of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) as an adjunct to standard of care with medical oxygen in initial airway and ventilation management of patients with known or suspected COVID-19 in acute respiratory failure. The trial is parallel two-arm, randomized, controlled, blinded trial. The primary outcome measure is the change in oxygen saturation (SpO2), and the null hypothesis is that there is no difference in the change in SpO2 following initiation of iNO.Trial registrationEudraCT number 2020-001656-18; WHO UTN: U1111-1250-1698. Protocol version: 2.0 (June 25th, 2021).

Abstract Background Comparison of services and identification of factors important for favourable patient outcomes in emergency medical services (EMS) is challenging due to different organization and quality of data. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of physician-staffed EMS (p-EMS) to collect patient and system level data by using a consensus-based template. Methods The study was an international multicentre observational study. Data were collected according to a template for uniform reporting of data from p-EMS using two different data collection methods; a standard and a focused data collection method. For the standard data collection, data were extracted retrospectively for one year from all FinnHEMS bases and for the focused data collection, data were collected prospectively for six weeks from four selected Norwegian p-EMS bases. Completeness rates for the two data collection methods were then compared and factors affecting completeness rates and template feasibility were evaluated. Standard Chi-Square, Fisher’s Exact Test and Mann-Whitney U Test were used for group comparison of categorical and continuous data, respectively, and Kolomogorov-Smirnov test for comparison of distributional properties. Results All missions with patient encounters were included, leaving 4437 Finnish and 128 Norwegian missions eligible for analysis. Variable completeness rates indicated that physiological variables were least documented. Information on pain and respiratory rate were the most frequently missing variables with a standard data collection method and systolic blood pressure was the most missing variable with a focused data collection method. Completeness rates were similar or higher when patients were considered severely ill or injured but were lower for missions with short patient encounter. When a focused data collection method was used, completeness rates were higher compared to a standard data collection method. Conclusions We found that a focused data collection method increased data capture compared to a standard data collection method. The concept of using a template for documentation of p-EMS data is feasible in physician-staffed services in Finland and Norway. The greatest deficiencies in completeness rates were evident for physiological parameters. Short missions were associated with lower completeness rates whereas severe illness or injury did not result in reduced data capture.

Background Few publications have addressed prehospital use of ketamine in analgesic doses. We aimed to assess the effect and safety profile of ketamine compared with other analgesic drugs (or no drug) in adult prehospital patients with acute pain.Methods A systematic review of clinical trials assessing prehospital administration of ketamine in analgesic doses compared with other analgesic drugs or no analgesic treatment in adults. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Epistemonikos from inception until 15 February 2020, including relevant articles in English and Nordic languages. We used the Cochrane and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodologies and exclusively assessed patient-centred outcomes. Two independent authors screened trials for eligibility, extracted data and assessed risk of bias.Results We included eight studies (2760 patients). Ketamine was compared with various opioids given alone, and intranasal ketamine given with nitrous oxide was compared with nitrous oxide given alone. Four randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and one cluster randomised trial included 699 patients. One prospective cohort included 27 patients and two retrospective cohorts included 2034 patients. Five of the eight studies had high risks of bias. Pain score with ketamine is probably lower than after opioids as demonstrated in a cluster-RCT (308 patients) and a retrospective cohort (158 patients) study, Δvisual analogue scale −0.4 (−0.8 to 0.0) and Δnumeric pain rating scale −3.0 (−3.86 to −2.14), respectively. Ketamine probably leads to less nausea and vomiting (risk ratio (RR) 0.24 (0.11 to 0.52)) but more agitation (RR 7.81 (1.85 to 33)) than opioids.Conclusions This systematic literature review finds that ketamine probably reduces pain more than opioids and with less nausea and vomiting but higher risk of agitation. Risk of bias in included studies is high.Other Scandinavian society of anaesthesiology and intensive care medicine funded meetings and software. The Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation funded publication. Otherwise this research received no grant from any agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.PROSPERO registration number CRD42018114399.

Abstract Background Helicopter EMS (HEMS) teams may perform a variety of clinical, managerial and transport functions during major incident management. Despite national and international variations in HEMS systems, the rapid delivery of HEMS personnel with advanced skills in major incident management and clinical scene leadership has been crucial to the delivery of an effective medical response at previous incidents. This document outlines the Best Practice Advice of the European HEMS and Air Ambulance Committee (EHAC) Medical Working Group on how HEMS and Pre Hospital Critical Care teams may maximise the positive impact of their resources in the event of Major Incidents. Methods Narrative literature review and expert consensus. Results To ensure a safe, coordinated and effective response, HEMS teams require suitable, proportionate and up to date major incident plans that are integrated into the major incident plans of other regional emergency and healthcare services. Role specific protocols, training and equipment should be adapted to the expected HEMS role in the major incident plan and likely regional threats. System and incident factors will influence HEMS utilisation during the major incident response and can include patient and staff transfer, equipment resupply, aerial assessment, search and rescue, clinical leadership and advanced care. During the recovery phase of a major incident there is a need to ensure restoration of conventional service and address the welfare of involved HEMS personnel. Standardised reporting of major incidents is strongly recommended for clinical governance, legal and research reasons. Conclusions The rapid delivery of HEMS personnel with advanced skills in Major Incident management and clinical scene leadership is crucial to the delivery of an effective medical response at Major Incidents.

Abstract Background Major incidents affect us globally, and are occurring with increasing frequency. There is still no evidence-based standard regarding the best medical emergency response to major incidents. Currently, reports on major incidents are non-standardised and variable in quality. This pilot study examines the first systematic reports from a consensus-based, freely accessible database, aiming to identify how descriptive analysis of reports submitted to this database can be used to improve the major incident response. Methods Majorincidentreporting.net is a website collecting reports on major incidents using a standardised template. Data from these reports were analysed to compare the emergency response to each incident. Results Data from eight reports showed that effective triage by experienced individuals and the use of volunteers for transport were notable successes of the major incident response. Inadequate resources, lack of a common triage system, confusion over command and control and failure of communication were reported failures. The following trends were identified: Fires had the slowest times for several aspects of the response and the only three countries to have a single dialling number for all three emergency services had faster response times. Helicopter Emergency Medical services (HEMS) were used for transport and treatment in rural locations and for triage and treatment in urban locations. In two incidents, a major incident was declared before the arrival of the first Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel. Conclusion This study shows that we can obtain relevant data from major incidents by using systematic reporting. Though the sample size from this pilot study is not large enough to draw any specific conclusions it illustrates the potential for future analyses. Identified lessons could be used to improve the emergency medical response to major incidents.

Abstract The European HEMS and Air ambulance Committee’s Medical working group recently published Best Practice advice on pre-hospital emergency anaesthesia and advanced airway management. We believe that this initiative is important. In our opinion however, the competence requirements recommended by the authors do not meet the standards that we should aim for in HEMS services. We argue that pre-hospital emergency anaesthesia should be delivered with a competence level approximating in-hospital standard. In our experience, our patients benefit from pre-hospital emergency anaesthesia delivered by consultants with regular in-hospital rotations and a sound clinical governance system.

OBJECTIVE:Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) aim to bring a highly specialised crew to the scene of major incidents for triage, treatment and transport. We aim to describe experiences made by HEMS in Norway in the management of major incidents. DESIGN:Doctors, rescue paramedics and pilots working in Norwegian HEMS and Search and Rescue Helicopters (SAR) January 1st 2015 were invited to a cross-sectional study on experiences, preparedness and training in major incident management. RESULTS:We identified a total of 329 Norwegian crewmembers of which 229 (70%) responded; doctors 101/150, (67%), rescue paramedics 64/78 (82%), pilots 64/101, (63%). HEMS and SAR crewmembers had experience from a median of 2 (interquartile range 0-6) major incidents. Road traffic incidents were the most frequent mechanism and blunt trauma the dominating injury. HEMS mainly contributed with triage, treatment and transport. Communication with other emergency services prior to arrival was described as bad, but good to excellent when cooperating on scene. The respondents called for more interdisciplinary exercises. CONCLUSION:HEMS and SAR crewmembers have limited exposure to major incident management. Interdisciplinary training on frequent scenarios with focus on cooperation and communication is called for.

Erratum The original article [1] contains an error whereby all authors’ names were mistakenly interchanged. The original article has now been corrected to present the authors’ names correctly.