Der Unfallchirurg
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In a retrospective study of mission data of ADAC Air Rescue of the years 2000 and 2001 the quality of preclinical care of 1,946 patients with severe head injuries and 1,878 polytraumatized patients was examined. The actual preclinical care of these patients was compared with a catalogue of eleven thesis-like recommendations. These recommendations were previously derived from corresponding publications of national and international specialist companies and were introduced in a binding manner by the senior doctors of the participating air rescue centres. ⋯ The total evaluation of all air rescue centres participating in data collection forms the basis of an external quality comparison. The data evaluation of a single station makes regional strengths and weaknesses visible, deficits can be proven and proposals for optimization be developed. The presentation of the time history of data yields continuous standard information on the state of the patient care at the relevant air rescue location and enables the analysis of improvement concepts based on the updated data.
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Clinical algorithms can divide sophisticated treatment concepts for blunt trauma care into logical, systematic and easy to follow sequences. The presented algorithm for prehospital management of major and suspected blunt trauma will assure appropriate trauma care within narrow time windows. ⋯ Due to the lack of evident data the algorithm was confirmed via consent expert opinion of trauma surgeons, incorporating the ABC priorities and also the concept of the ATLS((R))-programme. The algorithm was validated in simulated scenarios and was by affirmed by the German Trauma Surgeons Task Force on Emergency Care under the regulations of a nominal group process via resolution.
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The rescue and treatment of trapped persons in car accidents requires a close cooperation and coordination between firefighters and medical personnel. Priorities of medical care as well as aspects of extrication should be considered equally. ⋯ The concept incorporates the ABC priorities for polytrauma management and also the structure of the ATLS((R))-programme. The algorithm was validated in simulated scenarios and was by affirmed by the German Trauma Surgeons Task Force on Emergency Care under the regulations of a nominal group process via resolution.
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Patient safety is determined by the performance safety of the medical team. Errors in medicine are amongst the leading causes of death of hospitalized patients. These numbers call for action. Backgrounds, methods and new forms of training are introduced in this article. ⋯ As the need to reduce error rates in medicine is very high and the reasons, methods and training concepts are known, we are urged to implement these new training concepts widely and consequently. To err is human - not to counteract it is not.
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Case Reports
[Emergency treatment of penetrating, combined thoracic- and abdominal injury. Pre-hospital i.v. fluid therapy].
We report the rare case of a penetrating, combined thoracic- and abdominal injury as a consequence of a farm work accident. During the recent years, a "treat and run" approach has been increasingly advocated as a time-saving way of treating penetrating injuries, constituting a compromise between the existing strategies of "scoop and run" (used mainly in the USA) and "stay and treat" (preferred in Central Europe). A prolonged rescue response time makes the treat and run approach impossible here. ⋯ We examine the course of pre-hospital treatment of a trauma patient to illustrate the various approaches to i.v. fluid therapy in relation to rescue response time. However there are only a few studies with a real evidence. If "treat and run" is not possible, the outcome of patients with penetrating trauma can be influenced positively by moderate fluid therapy under continuous monitoring after having reached a constant, low mean arteria pressure (so called permissive hypotension).