Abstract Background Survival with good neurological function after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains low. Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCPR) may benefit selected patients, but it is unclear how many patients in a mixed urban-rural European region would be eligible, whether regional case volumes justify dedicated eCPR programmes, and whether an in-hospital strategy after intra-arrest transport can meet a 60-minute low-flow target. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of OHCA cases in the city and county of Göttingen, Germany (January 2015–February 2025). eCPR eligibility was assessed using a local protocol and a stricter modified ELSO definition. Eligibility was first determined at emergency medical services (EMS) arrival and then re-evaluated for three hypothetical intra-arrest transport strategies in which transport was initiated after 10, 15, or 20 minutes of on-scene conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (cCPR). Scene-to-hospital travel times were modelled and patients were classified according to whether they would be eligible for eCPR upon hospital arrival. A complementary analysis estimated time from collapse to hypothetical eCPR initiation under an on-scene scenario, split into simultaneous dispatch of a dedicated eCPR team (S1a) and delayed dispatch after 10 minutes of on-scene evaluation by the primary EMS team (S1b), and an in-hospital scenario following intra-arrest transport (S2), incorporating documented timing of sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Results Of 2,218 OHCA cases, 1,696 registry-documented patients were analysed (median age 71.5 years; 67.5% male; shockable rhythm 20.5%). At EMS arrival, 348 patients (20.5%) met local and 149 (8.8%) modified ELSO criteria. With transport initiated after 10/15/20 minutes of on-scene cCPR, 11.1%/9.8%/8.8% (local) and 3.8%/3.1%/2.8% (modified ELSO) would have been eligible at hospital arrival. Extrapolated regional case volume was approximately 46 (local) and 20 (modified ELSO) eligible patients per year at EMS arrival. In patients who met local eCPR criteria the number of patients with sustained ROSC exceeded those without at 13.4 minutes after EMS arrival. Median estimated time from collapse to eCPR was 37 minutes under S1a (94.8% within 60 minutes) and 54 minutes under S1b (71.6% within 60 minutes) versus 75 minutes under S2 (<1% within 60 minutes). After excluding patients with ROSC before hypothetical eCPR initiation, 47.4% (S1a) and 31.6% (S1b) in the local cohort and 36.9% (S1a) and 24.8% (S1b) in the modified ELSO cohort would both still have required and could have received on-scene eCPR within 60 minutes. Conclusions A substantial number of OHCA patients in our region met eCPR eligibility criteria, but hospital arrival did not equate to eCPR initiation. Given realistic procedural time intervals, in-hospital eCPR following intra-arrest transport rarely met the 60-minute target, whereas on-scene eCPR might have remained feasible for most eligible patients.

Introduction: The impact of streamlining algorithms for stroke patients on process times in pre-hospital emergency medicine (PHEM) is not well investigated. We analyzed the changes in pre- and in-hospital process times after implementation of a streamlining algorithm in a physician staffed PHEM system.Patients: We conducted a prospective observational study and analyzed process times of adult stroke patients attended by emergency physicians (EP) of the city of G & ouml;ttingen PHEM service after implementation of a streamlining algorithm including stroke triage using the FAST-ED score. Stroke patients with standard emergency treatment attended before the implementation served as a control group. All patients were transported directly to the University Medical Center G & ouml;ttingen (UMG) and received endovascular therapy (EVT) and/or systemic thrombolytic therapy.Results: Of 75 suitable patients eligible in the study group, 37 (49.3%) received EVT and were compared to 44 patients in the control group. Pre-hospital process times did not differ significantly. Median door-to-CT time (12 vs 18 min, p = 0.017) and door-to-lysis time (20 vs 24 min, p = 0.005) were significantly shorter in the study group. Door-to-groin time was also shortened in the study group (42 vs 49 min) but not significantly (p = 0.088).Discussion and conclusions: Our findings indicate that a PHEM streamlining algorithm (namely the FAST-ED score) can significantly shorten in-hospital process times without delaying pre-hospital care. This improved coordination between PHEM and in-hospital emergency medicine (IHEM) may enhance neurological outcomes for stroke patients. Further research is needed to confirm these results and assess their applicability in other healthcare settings.

Background: The prognosis of stroke patients can be improved by adherence to clinical guidelines.ObjectiveTo analyse the current state of organisation of prehospital stroke treatment in Germany, Austria and Switzerland with a focus on guideline adherence.Materials and methods: All medical directors of emergency medical services (MDEMS) in Germany (n = 178), Austria (n = 9) and Switzerland (n = 32) were invited to complete an anonymous online survey (unipark.com, Tivian XI GmbH, Cologne, Germany) which was available for 10 weeks from April-June 2020. Participants were asked for information regarding structural organisation, clinical treatment and strategic/tactical aspects.Results: The survey was completed 69 times and 65 datasets were analysed (4 participants without MDEMS status): 73.8% (n = 48) were MDEMS from Germany, 15.4% (n = 10) from Switzerland and 10.8% from Austria (n = 7). The survey results show relevant differences in the infrastructure of and the approach to prehospital stroke treatment. Standard operating procedures for stroke treatment were in place in 93.3% (n = 61) of the EMS areas. Furthermore, 37% (n = 24) of the EMS areas differentiated between stroke with mild and severe symptoms and 15.4% (n = 10) used specific scores for the prehospital prediction of large vessel occlusion strokes (LVOS).Conclusions: Our data highlight the heterogeneity of prehospital stroke treatment in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Consistent use of appropriate scores for LVOS prediction and a higher adherence to recent clinical guideline in general are measures that should be taken to optimise the prehospital treatment of stroke patients.

Supplementary Table 1 from Identification of Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase as a Novel Serum Tumor Marker for Colorectal Cancer

Background:The prognosis of stroke patients can be improved by adherence to clinical guidelines. Objective:To analyse the current state of organisation of prehospital stroke treatment in Germany, Austria and Switzerland with a focus on guideline adherence. Materials and methods:All medical directors of emergency medical services (MDEMS) in Germany (n = 178), Austria (n = 9) and Switzerland (n = 32) were invited to complete an anonymous online survey (unipark.com, Tivian XI GmbH, Cologne, Germany) which was available for 10 weeks from April-June 2020. Participants were asked for information regarding structural organisation, clinical treatment and strategic/tactical aspects. Results:The survey was completed 69 times and 65 datasets were analysed (4 participants without MDEMS status): 73.8% (n = 48) were MDEMS from Germany, 15.4% (n = 10) from Switzerland and 10.8% from Austria (n = 7). The survey results show relevant differences in the infrastructure of and the approach to prehospital stroke treatment. Standard operating procedures for stroke treatment were in place in 93.3% (n = 61) of the EMS areas. Furthermore, 37% (n = 24) of the EMS areas differentiated between stroke with mild and severe symptoms and 15.4% (n = 10) used specific scores for the prehospital prediction of large vessel occlusion strokes (LVOS). Conclusions:Our data highlight the heterogeneity of prehospital stroke treatment in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Consistent use of appropriate scores for LVOS prediction and a higher adherence to recent clinical guideline in general are measures that should be taken to optimise the prehospital treatment of stroke patients.

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Eine leitlinienadhärente rettungsdienstliche Versorgung kann die Prognose von Schlaganfallpatienten positiv beeinflussen. Ziel der Arbeit Durchführung einer Bestandsaufnahme der Organisation der präklinischen Schlaganfallversorgung im Hinblick auf die Empfehlungen aktueller Versorgungsleitlinien. Material und Methoden Die ärztlichen Leitungen Rettungsdienst (ÄLRD) in Deutschland (n = 178), Österreich (n = 9) und der Schweiz (n = 32) wurden zu einer Onlinebefragung (unipark.com, Tivian XI GmbH, Köln, Deutschland) eingeladen. Die Umfrage war über 10 Wochen (22.04. bis 30.06.2020) erreichbar, erfolgte anonym und schloss Angaben zu Strukturdaten, zur klinischen Versorgung und zur Alarmierungs- bzw. Versorgungsstrategie ein. Ergebnisse Die Umfrage wurde 69-mal beendet und 65 Datensätze in die Auswertung einbezogen (4-mal kein ÄLRD). Die Merheit von 73,8 % (n = 48) waren ÄLRD in Deutschland, 15,4 % (n = 10) in der Schweiz und 10,8 % (n = 7) in Österreich. Es ergaben sich wesentliche Unterschiede in der infrastrukturellen Ausstattung der RD-Bereiche: 93,3 % (n = 61) der Befragten gaben an, eine SOP zur allgemeinen Schlaganfallversorgung zu nutzen, 37 % (n = 24) unterschieden zwischen Schlaganfällen mit leichter und schwerer Symptomatik und 15,4 % (n = 10) nutzten einen spezifischen Score zur Vorhersage von proximalen Gefäßverschlüssen mit hoher Thrombektomiewahrscheinlichkeit. Diskussion Die präklinische Schlaganfallversorgung ist sehr heterogen organisiert. In Hinblick auf Leitlinienadhärenz und die Einschätzung der Thrombektomiewahrscheinlichkeit besteht, unter anderem durch einheitliche Nutzung präklinischer Vorhersagescores, ein erhebliches Optimierungspotenzial. Graphic abstract

External noninvasive pelvic stabilizers, also referred to as pelvic binders, can be used by emergency medical services on scene as well as in the hospital shock-room if there is a pelvic injury as a consequence of an accident causing a diverging pelvic ring (open-book fracture). Commercially available external noninvasive pelvic stabilizers can be used provisionally to close the pelvic ring to reduce pelvic blood loss. Although pelvic fractures can be detected in one third in polytrauma patients, the incidence of mechanically unstable pelvic fractures is low, especially in combination with hemodynamic instability caused by blood loss within pelvic structures. As a result of the almost nationwide availability of external noninvasive pelvic binders in ambulances and since the application is part of treatment algorithms for trauma patients, an increasing number of injured patients are admitted to hospitals with applied pelvic binders. But careless application of pelvic binders can cause secondary damage to potentially injured and fractured structures since considerable biomechanical forces are transmitted. This article presents causes and pathophysiology of mechanically and hemodynamically unstable pelvic fractures as well as indications and contraindications for the application of external noninvasive pelvic stabilizers.

ZusammenfassungDie Versorgung eines Verletzten in einer zentralen Notfallaufnahme bzw. eines Schwerverletzten im Schockraum stellt hohe Anforderungen an Organisation, Personal und Material, da Patienten aller Altersklassen und mit allen denkbaren Verletzungen mit potenziellen oder manifesten Störungen der Vitalfunktionen zur Aufnahme kommen. Die multiprofessionellen Teams von Rettungsdienst und Notaufnahme müssen daher gut ausgebildet sein und idealerweise gemeinsam ihre Handlungsabläufe trainieren. Nur wenn jeder bei der Übergabe eines Patienten Anwesende weiß, wie die Abläufe sind und welche Aufgaben die Teammitglieder wahrnehmen müssen, wird in kritischen Situationen ein Arbeiten Hand in Hand möglich sein. Sind all diese Voraussetzungen erfüllt, ist ein Schockraumteam in der Lage, bei schwerstkranken und -verletzten Patienten die Vitalfunktionen zu stabilisieren, korrekte Diagnosen zu stellen und damit wesentlichen Einfluss auf das Überleben und den weiteren Krankheitsverlauf des Patienten zu nehmen.

Abstract Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly contagious airborne virus inducing pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This is most relevant for medical staff working under harmful conditions in emergencies often dealing with patients and an undefined SARS-CoV-2 status. We aimed to measure the effect of high-class filtering facepieces (FFP) in emergency medical service (EMS) staff by analyzing seroprevalence and history of positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for SARS-CoV-2. Method This observational cohort study included workers in EMS, who were compared with hospital staff (HS) and staff, which was not directly involved in patient care (NPC). All direct patient contacts of EMS workers were protected by FFP2/N95 (filtering face piece protection class 2/non-oil-based particulates filter efficiency 95%) masks, whereas HS was protected by FFP2/N95 exclusively when a patient had a proven or suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection. NPC was not protected by higher FFP. The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was analyzed by immunoassay by end of 12/2020 together with the history of a positive PCR. In addition, a self-assessment was performed regarding the quantity of SARS-CoV-2 positive contacts, about flu symptoms and personal belief of previous COVID-19 infections. Results The period in which contact to SARS-CoV-2 positive patients has been possible was 10 months (March to December 2020)—with 54,681 patient contacts documented for EMS—either emergencies (n = 33,241) or transportation services (n = 21,440). Seven hundred-thirty (n = 730) participants were included into the study (n = EMS: 325, HS: 322 and NPC: 83). The analysis of the survey showed that the exposure to patients with an unknown and consecutive positive SARS-CoV-2 result was significantly higher for EMS when compared to HS (EMS 55% vs. HS 30%, p = 0.01). The incidence of a SARS-CoV-2 infection in our cohort was 1.2% (EMS), 2.2% (HS) and 2.4% (NPC) within the three groups (ns) and lowest in EMS. Furthermore, the belief of previous COVID-19 was significant higher in EMS (19% vs. 10%), Conclusion The consistent use of FFP2/N95 in EMS is able to prevent work-related SARS-CoV-2 infections in emergency situations. The significance of physical airway protection in exposed medical staff is still relevant especially under the aspect of new viral variants and unclear effectiveness of new vaccines. Graphical Abstract

Introduction: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in patients with a poor prognosis increases the risk of perception of inappropriate care leading to moral distress in clinicians. We evaluated whether perception of inappropriate CPR is associated with intention to leave the job among emergency clinicians. Methods: A cross-sectional multi-centre survey was conducted in 24 countries. Factors associated with intention to leave the job were analysed by conditional logistic regression models. Results are expressed as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Of 5099 surveyed emergency clinicians, 1836 (36.0%) were physicians, 1313 (25.7%) nurses, 1950 (38.2%) emergency medical technicians. Intention to leave the job was expressed by 1721 (33.8%) clinicians, 3403 (66.7%) often wondered about the appropriateness of a resuscitation attempt, 2955 (58.0%) reported moral distress caused by inappropriate CPR. After adjustment for other covariates, the risk of intention to leave the job was higher in clinicians often wondering about the appropriateness of a resuscitation attempt (1.43 [1.23-1.67]), experiencing associated moral distress (1.44 [1.24 -1.66]) and who were between 30-44 years old (1.53 [1.21-1.92] compared to <30 years). The risk was lower when the clinician felt valued by the team (0.53 [0.42-0.66]), when the team leader acknowledged the efforts delivered by the team (0.61 [0.49-0.75]) and in teams that took time for debriefing (0.70 [0.60-0.80]). Conclusion: Resuscitation attempts perceived as inappropriate by clinicians, and the accompanying moral distress, were associated with an increased likelihood of intention to leave the job. Interprofessional collaboration, teamwork, and regular interdisciplinary debriefing were associated with a lower risk of intention to leave the job.

OBJECTIVES:To determine the prevalence of clinician perception of inappropriate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) regarding the last out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) encountered in an adult 80 years or older and its relationship to patient outcome. DESIGN:Subanalysis of an international multicenter cross-sectional survey (REAPPROPRIATE). SETTING:Out-of-hospital CPR attempts registered in Europe, Israel, Japan, and the United States in adults 80 years or older. PARTICIPANTS:A total of 611 clinicians of whom 176 (28.8%) were doctors, 123 (20.1%) were nurses, and 312 (51.1%) were emergency medical technicians/paramedics. RESULTS AND MEASUREMENTS:The last CPR attempt among patients 80 years or older was perceived as appropriate by 320 (52.4%) of the clinicians; 178 (29.1%) were uncertain about the appropriateness, and 113 (18.5%) perceived the CPR attempt as inappropriate. The survival to hospital discharge for the "appropriate" subgroup was 8 of 265 (3.0%), 1 of 164 (.6%) in the "uncertain" subgroup, and 2 of 107 (1.9%) in the "inappropriate" subgroup (P = .23); 503 of 564 (89.2%) CPR attempts involved non-shockable rhythms. CPR attempts in nursing homes accounted for 124 of 590 (21.0%) of the patients and were perceived as appropriate by 44 (35.5%) of the clinicians; 45 (36.3%) were uncertain about the appropriateness; and 35 (28.2%) perceived the CPR attempt as inappropriate. The survival to hospital discharge for the nursing home patients was 0 of 107 (0%); 104 of 111 (93.7%) CPR attempts involved non-shockable rhythms. Overall, 36 of 543 (6.6%) CPR attempts were undertaken despite a known written do not attempt resuscitation decision; 14 of 36 (38.9%) clinicians considered this appropriate, 9 of 36 (25.0%) were uncertain about its appropriateness, and 13 of 36 (36.1%) considered this inappropriate. CONCLUSION:Our findings show that despite generally poor outcomes for older patients undergoing CPR, many emergency clinicians do not consider these attempts at resuscitation to be inappropriate. A professional and societal debate is urgently needed to ensure that first we do not harm older patients by futile CPR attempts. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:39-45, 2019.

Akute Notfallsituationen bei Palliativpatienten sind keine exotische Indikation für den Notarzteinsatz mehr, sondern werden zunehmend Bestandteil des notfallmedizinischen Alltags. Bereits heute haben je nach Kategorisierung 3–10% der Einsätze im Notarztdienst einen palliativmedizinischen Hintergrund. Allerdings wird dieser Trend in der notfallmedizinischen Ausund Fortbildung noch nicht ausreichend berücksichtigt. Dies erschwert die Einsatzbewältigung, denn die Mehrzahl dieser Notfallsituationen ist komplex und erfordert gute medizinische, psychologische und organisatorische Kenntnisse des Notfallteams. Als Konsequenz fühlen sich viele Notärzte, aber auch das Fachpersonal im Rettungsdienst schlecht auf derartige Einsätze vorbereitet. Hierdurch kann den therapeutischen Besonderheiten bei der Versorgung palliativer Notfallsituationen nur bedingt nachgekommenwerden. Der Patient wird dann letztlich oft in eine klinische Einrichtung gebracht, welche die Ansprüche an die weitere Versorgung nicht erfüllt.

Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is a common manifestation of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but delayed diagnosis can increase mortality. In this proof of principle study, the emergency physician performed transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) on scene to determine whether NSTEMI could be correctly diagnosed pre-hospitalization. This could expedite admission to the appropriate facility and reduce the delay until initiation of correct therapy.

Background Out-of-hospital analgosedation in trauma patients is challenging for emergency physicians due to associated complications. We compared peripheral nerve block (PNB) with analgosedation (AS) as an analgetic approach for patients with isolated extremity injury, assuming that prehospital required medical interventions (e.g. reduction, splinting of dislocation injury) using PNB are less painful and more feasible compared to AS. Methods Thirty patients (aged 18 or older) were randomized to receive either ultrasound-guided PNB (10 mL prilocaine 1%, 10 mL ropivacaine 0.2%) or analgosedation (midazolam combined with s-ketamine or with fentanyl). Reduction-feasibility was classified (easy, intermediate, impossible) and pain scores were assessed using numeric rating scales (NRS 0-10). Results Eighteen patients were included in the PNB-group and twelve in the AS-group; 15 and 9 patients, respectively, suffered dislocation injury. In the PNB-group, reduction was more feasible (easy: 80.0%, impossible: 20.0%) compared to the AS-group (easy: 22.2%, intermediate: 22.2%, impossible: 55.6%; p = 0.01). During medical interventions, 5.6% [1/18] of the PNB-patients and 58.3% [7/12] of the AS-patients experienced pain (p<0.01). Recorded pain scores were significantly lower in the PNB-group during prehospital medical intervention (median[IQR] NRS PNB: 0[0-0]) compared to the AS-group (6[0-8]; p<0.001) as well as on first day post presentation (NRS PNB: 1[0-5], AS: 5[5-7]; p = 0.050). All patients of the PNB-group would recommend their analgesic technique (AS: 50.0%, p<0.01). Conclusions Prehospital ultrasound-guided PNB is rapidly performed in extremity injuries with high success. Compared to the commonly used AS in trauma patients, PNB significantly reduces pain intensity and severity.

BACKGROUND:The treatment of severely injured patients in the trauma resuscitation unit (TRU) requires an interdisciplinary and highly professional trauma team approach. The complete team needs to be waiting for the patient in the TRU on arrival. Treating severely injured patients in the TRU, the trauma team connects the initial preclinical emergency stabilization with the subsequent sophisticated treatment. Thus, the trauma team depends on concise information from the emergency personnel at the scene to provide its leader with further information as well as an accurate alarm including all departments necessary to stabilize the patient in the TRU. METHOD:Aiming at an accurate and most efficient trauma team alarm, this study was designed to provide and analyze an alarm system which mobilizes the trauma team in a stepwise fashion depending on the pattern of injuries and the threat to life. The trauma team alarm system was analyzed in a prospective data acquisition at a level I trauma center over a period of 12 months. Evaluation followed the acquisition phase and provided comparison to the status prior to the establishment of the alarm system. All items underwent statistical testing using t‑tests (p < 0.05). RESULTS:The data of 775 TRU patients showed a significant reduction of false information on the patients status prior to arrival. It also showed an increase in punctual arrival in the TRU of the emergency teams. False alarms were significantly reduced (from 11.9% to 2.7%, p > 0.01). The duration from arrival of the patient in the TRU to the initial multislice computed tomography (CT) scan was reduced by 6 min while the total period of treatment in the TRU was reduced by 17 min. After the alarm system to gradually mobilize the trauma team was put into action, team members left the TRU if unneeded prior to finishing the initial treatment in only 4% of the cases. The patient fatality rate was 8.8% (injury severity score, ISS = 23 points) after establishment of the alarm system compared to 12.9% (ISS = 25 points) before. CONCLUSION:The implementation of an accurate and patient status-based alarm system to mobilize the trauma team can improve the quality of treatment while the duration of treatment of the severely injured patients in the TRU can be decreased. It also provides a most efficient mobilization of personnel resources while sustaining patient safety.

A palliative patient is a special challenge for the emergency physician with prior respect to the assessment of prognosis and the presumed will of the patient. Most acute symptom exacerbations (pain crisis, acute shortness of breath, bleeding, imminent or occurring circulatory arrest) as well as mental or physical overload of relatives are cause of alarm. A symptom exacerbation must be assessed individually in accordance with the present situation and the will of the patient, and adequately managed. In case of imminent or manifest death, the emergency physician must inform the relatives in an empathetic manner. An advance directive is often not sufficiently individualised and thus not always helpful. Advance care planning can support the rescue service in the acute situation.