Author/Editor | Klemenc-Ketiš, Zalika; Tomazin, Iztok; Kersnik, Janko | |
Title | HEMS in Slovenia: one country, four models, different quality outcomes | |
Type | članek | |
Source | Air Med J | |
Vol. and No. | Letnik 31, št. 6 | |
Publication year | 2012 | |
Volume | str. 298-304 | |
Language | eng | |
Abstract | Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the quality of patient care using quality indicators in 4 different Slovenian helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) models. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of all 4 HEMS in Slovenia. We collected data on quality for the period from July 2003 to August 2008, in a sample of all eligible patients that were managed by HEMS during the study period (N = 833). We obtained the following data on emergency operations: the time and organizational features of the operation; the description of the patients' condition; and the on-site diagnostic and treatment procedures. We used the following as quality indicators: the number of resuscitated patients that were intubated; the number of patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of # 8 that were intubated; the number of patients with acute coronary syndrome that received treatment with morphine, oxygen, nitroglycerine, and aspirin (MONA); the number of patients with a National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA) scale score of $ 4 with an intravenous line; the number of patients with a NACA score of $ 5 that were given oxygen; and the number of patients with a NACA score of $ 4 that were given appropriate analgesic treatment. Results: Across all HEMS bases, 36 (87.8%) resuscitated patients were intubated; 122 (81.9%) patients with GCS # 8 were intubated; 149 (89.2%) patients with ACS were given MONA treatment; 52 (92.9%) patients with a NACA score of $ 4 were given an intravenous line; 254 (92.7%) patients with a NACA score of $ 5 were given oxygen; and 18 (32.7%) trauma patients with a NACA score of $ 4 were given intravenous analgesics. The quality of patient management in HEMS in Slovenia is affected by the callout procedure, the presence or absence of a fixed rope, the type of helicopter operator, and the provider of the doctor in the helicopter team. (Abs. trunc. at 2000 ch.) | |
Descriptors | QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AIRCRAFT GLASGOW COMA SCALE RESUSCITATION INTUBATION, INTRATRACHEAL MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION |