Scand J Trauma Resus
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Scand J Trauma Resus · Dec 2024
Observational StudyThe use of specific coordination behaviours to manage information processing and task distribution in real and simulated trauma teamwork: an observational study.
Trauma teams handle severely injured patients under high temporal demands and need to coordinate and achieve collaborative decision-making and task execution through communication. Specific coordination and communication behaviours are taught in simulation training to enhance team performance. An examination of the role and nature of communication could increase the understanding of educational possibilities and assess the validity of in situ simulation on behalf of communication. ⋯ We suspect that this outcome reflects the Hawthorne effect. In the simulations, greater information delivery was provided in response to questions, probably accounting for instructor information. Our results may be valuable for research on trauma team behaviour in a simulated environment to draw conclusions about similar activities in-real-life.
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Scand J Trauma Resus · Dec 2024
A temporary hospital intensive care unit: a preparedness concept to increase intensive care capacity.
Norway faced the possibility of the most significant strain on its intensive care capacity in decades during the COVID-19 pandemic. All Regional Health Authorities in Norway were instructed to prepare for an increase in Intensive Care Units (ICU) capacity demands. To address the surge in demand for critical care, a gymnasium within Haukeland University Hospital premises was planned to be used as a 20-bed temporary ICU. A team-based care approach was trained, where non-ICU nurses received specialized training to support ICU procedures. Maintaining up-to-date medical devices and consumables stored for preparedness through a planned rotation system that feeds into daily use are important. While shortages of medical equipment, hospital beds, and intensive care facilities may occur, personnel shortages are likely to be more significant. ⋯ The concept demonstrates promising potential in enhancing preparedness and maintaining critical care surge capacity during pandemics or mass casualty incidents.
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Scand J Trauma Resus · Dec 2024
ReviewCivilian pattern of injuries in armed conflicts - a systematic review.
War causes severe suffering and harm to the civilian population. Knowledge about civilian injury patterns constitutes a part of the dimensioned planning and preparedness for medical care and civilian defence in times of war. This systematic review is conducted on request from The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare and includes civilian injury patterns in modern war. ⋯ The distribution of injuries seems comparable with data from World War II and the conflict in Korea. There is no standardized simple protocol to report civilian injuries in war. Ideally, a protocol should include even the severity impact of the injuries. Knowledge of civilian injury pattern and estimate of the total number of wounded is important to plan the civilian health care capabilities in war time.
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Scand J Trauma Resus · Dec 2024
The impact of a dedicated checklist on the quality of onsite management of critically buried avalanche victims in cardiac arrest in a Swiss helicopter emergency medical service.
The management of avalanche victims in cardiac arrest (CA) is a challenging situation for rescuers. Despite existing specific management algorithms, previous studies have reported poor compliance with international guidelines and incomplete documentation and transmission of the information required for patient management. The Avalanche Victim Resuscitation Checklist (AVRC) was developed in 2014 in response by the International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine. Our aim was to assess the impact of the AVRC on the quality of onsite management of critically buried avalanche victims in CA, i.e. the compliance of management with international guidelines and the completeness of documentation of avalanche specific information. ⋯ The use of the AVRC improves the quality of management of critically buried avalanche victims in CA and ensures complete documentation of avalanche specific information. Quality improvement efforts should focus on the management of avalanche victims with a long burial duration. The use of the AVRC enables identification and appropriate treatment of patients with hypothermic cardiac arrest.
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Scand J Trauma Resus · Dec 2024
Helicopter hoist operations in German mid-range mountains retrospective analysis of incidence, medical characteristics, and mission tactics.
Helicopter hoist operations (HHO) are an important option for rescue operations in rugged and challenging terrain. German mid-range mountains are characterized by the versatility of ground conditions, few urban structures, and frequent use for local leisure activities, including the practice of more or less high-risk outdoor sports. This retrospective analysis aims to investigate the incidence of rescue missions in German mid-range mountains requiring HHO. The contributing air rescue bases' operational tactics and the underlying medical characteristics, such as injury patterns and the provided medical care, are also reported. ⋯ The results show a relevant year-round need to deploy emergency medical expertise to inaccessible terrain in the three regions examined. Detailed analysis showed relevant differences in operational tactics between the three bases and potential for optimization. Simultaneous alerting of the hoist helicopter and reliable and precise coordination with other rescue organizations involved, especially the local mountain rescue service and the rescue coordination center, can help to shorten both the treatment-free interval and the prehospital time for patients in inaccessible terrain.