Prehospital Emergency Care of Obstructive Respiratory Emergencies With the Use of Teleconsultation

Prehospital Emergency Care of Obstructive Respiratory Emergencies With the Use of Teleconsultation

The aim of the study is to investigate the quality of prehospital emergency care in acute respiratory emergencies, when paramedics are supported telemedically by an EMS physician.

Six ambulances from five different Emergency Medical Service (EMS) districts are equipped with a portable telemedicine system. In cases of acute obstructive, respiratory emergencies the paramedics can use this system to contact a so called "tele-EMS physician" after consent of the patient was obtained. The tele-EMS physician has an audio-connection to the EMS team and receives vital parameters (e.g., ECG, pulse oximetry, non-invasive blood pressure) in real-time. The transmission of still pictures (taken with a smartphone), 12-lead-ECGs and video streaming from the inside of the ambulance can also be carried out, if indicated. The tele-EMS physician supports the EMS team in obtaining all relevant medical history, diagnosis and can delegate the application of medications. This can be carried out to bridge the time to the arrival of an EMS physician or in less severe cases without an EMS physician on-scene. The quality of prehospital care and the possible influences on the initial inhospital phase should be investigated and compared with regular EMS.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Obstructive, respiratory emergency
• Verbal consent for teleconsultation obtained or patient is not able to consent due the severity of the emergency

Exclusion Criteria:

• No respiratory emergency
• Refused consent for teleconsultation