BackgroundExposure to cold temperatures is often a neglected problem in prehospital care. Cold exposure increase thermal discomfort and, if untreated causes disturbances of vital body functions until ultimately reaching hypothermia. It may also impair cognitive function, increase pain and contribute to fear and an overall sense of dissatisfaction. The aim of this study was to investigate injured and ill patients’ experiences of cold exposure and to identify related factors.MethodDuring January to March 2011, 62 consecutively selected patients were observed when they were cared for by ambulance nursing staff in prehospital care in the north of Sweden. The field study was based on observations, questions about thermal discomfort and temperature measurements (mattress air and patients’ finger temperature). Based on the observation protocol the participants were divided into two groups, one group that stated it was cold in the patient compartment in the ambulance and another group that did not. Continuous variables were analyzed with independent sample t-test, paired sample t-test and dichotomous variables with cross tabulation.ResultsIn the ambulance 85% of the patients had a finger temperature below comfort zone and 44% experienced the ambient temperature in the patient compartment in the ambulance to be cold. There was a significant decrease in finger temperature from the first measurement indoor compared to measurement in the ambulance. The mattress temperature at the ambulance ranged from −22.3°C to 8.4°C.ConclusionCold exposure in winter time is common in prehospital care. Sick and injured patients immediately react to cold exposure with decreasing finger temperature and experience of discomfort from cold. Keeping the patient in the comfort zone is of great importance. Further studies are needed to increase knowledge which can be a base for implications in prehospital care for patients who probably already suffer for other reasons.
BackgroundExposure to cold temperatures is, often, a neglected problem in prehospital care. One of the leading influences of the overall sensation of cold discomfort is the cooling of the back. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a heated ambulance mattress-prototype on body temperatures and thermal comfort in an experimental study.MethodData were collected during four days in November, 2011 inside and outside of a cold chamber. All participants (n = 23) participated in two trials each. In one trial, they were lying on a stretcher with a supplied heated mattress and in the other trial without a heated mattress. Outcomes were back temperature, finger temperature, core body temperature, Cold Discomfort Scale (CDS), four statements from the state-trait anxiety – inventory (STAI), and short notes of their experiences of the two mattresses. Data were analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. A repeated measure design was used to evaluate the effect of the two mattresses.ResultsA statistical difference between the regular mattress and the heated mattress was found in the back temperature. In the heated mattress trial, the statement “I am tense” was fewer whereas the statements “I feel comfortable”, “I am relaxed” and “I feel content” were higher in the heated mattress trial. The qualitative analyses of the short notes showed that the heated mattress, when compared to the unheated mattress, was experienced as warm, comfortable, providing security and was easier to relax on.ConclusionsHeat supply from underneath the body results in increased comfort and may prevent hypothermia which is important for injured and sick patients in ambulance care.
Background Nurses working in prehospital emergency care (PEC) encounter patients with all types of health conditions. Increasingly, they are encountering patients suffering from mental illness and this trend reflects the worldwide increase in mental illness. There is very little current knowledge of encounters between nurses and patients with mental illness in ‘PEC’, especially from the nurses’ perspectives. Aim The aim of the study is to investigate nurses’ experiences of encountering patients with mental illness in ‘PEC’. Methods The participants were recruited in a region in southeast Sweden (that covers approximately 5600 km2 and has 300,000 inhabitants). In total, 17 nurses consented to participate. The participants were asked to narrate their individual experience of encountering patients with mental illness. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, then analysed with qualitative content analysis. Results The result is presented in terms of three themes and eight sub-themes. The main themes are ‘Lacking trust in the patient and one’s own abilities’, ‘Being under internal and external influences’ and ‘Moving towards a genuine nurse-patient relationship’. Conclusion The results show that nurses strive to lay the foundation for a trusting relationship. Simultaneously nurses encountering is characterized by a mistrust and it is influenced by pre-understanding and emotions when they take care for patients. The findings could be used to develop nurses’ readiness and capability to encounter patients with mental illness and to respond appropriately to the patients somatic and mental care needs.
BackgroundThe ambulance milieu does not offer good thermal comfort to patients during the cold Swedish winters. Patients’ exposure to cold temperatures combined with a cold ambulance mattress seems to be the major factor leading to an overall sensation of discomfort. There is little research on the effect of active heat delivered from underneath in ambulance care. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an electrically heated ambulance mattress-prototype on thermal comfort and patients’ temperatures in the prehospital emergency care.MethodsA quantitative intervention study on ambulance care was conducted in the north of Sweden. The ambulance used for the intervention group (n=30) was equipped with an electrically heated mattress on the regular ambulance stretcher whereas for the control group (n=30) no active heat was provided on the stretcher. Outcome variables were measured as thermal comfort on the Cold Discomfort Scale (CDS), subjective comments on cold experiences, and finger, ear and air temperatures.ResultsThermal comfort, measured by CDS, improved during the ambulance transport to the emergency department in the intervention group (p=0.001) but decreased in the control group (p=0.014). A significant higher proportion (57%) of the control group rated the stretcher as cold to lie down compared to the intervention group (3%, p<0.001). At arrival, finger, ear and compartment air temperature showed no statistical significant difference between groups. Mean transport time was approximately 15 minutes.ConclusionsThe use of active heat from underneath increases the patients’ thermal comfort and may prevent the negative consequences of cold stress.
Abstract:The purpose of this study was to survey the EMS (emergency medical services) personnel preparedness for major incidents in the underground mining industry in Sweden. Every year, a high number of incidents, workplace accidents and fires are reported from the Swedish mining industry. Taking care of patients located in an underground mine represents a challenge to EMS personnel. Today, knowledge about EMS personnel preparedness for major incidents in the mining industry is limited. The study design was a cross-sectional survey. The questionnaires were distributed to EMS personnel working in ambulance stations geographically located near an underground mine. Thirteen ambulance stations were included and 137 of 258 personnel answered. Demographic data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Differences among groups were analyzed with the Chi-Squared test, continuity correction and t-test. Results showed about half of the participants reported that they do not feel prepared to work in a major incident in an underground mine. The majority wished to receive educational training to enhance their preparedness. The most commonly requested type of education was practical drills on the scene, in an underground mine. The reported preparedness was significantly higher among the participants who had received some kind of education, or had authentic experience of a mission in an underground mine than those who did not. This study reveals shortcomings in the preparedness of EMS personnel. The perceived low preparedness of EMS personnel may affect their ability to work in a major incident in the mining industry. Study findings may be used in planning the future education, including practical drills, of EMS personnel.
The purpose of the study was to describe the opinions of ambulance personnel regarding differences between using a heated mattress and a standard ambulance mattress. This study was an intervention study with pre- and post-evaluation. Evaluations of the opinions of personnel regarding the standard unheated mattress were conducted initially. After the intervention with new heated mattresses, follow-up evaluations were conducted. Ambulance personnel (n=64) from an ambulance station in northern Sweden took part in the study, which ran from October 2014 until February 2016. There were differences in opinions regarding the standard unheated mattress and the new heated mattress. The evaluation of the proxy ratings by the personnel showed that the heated mattress was warmer than the standard mattress, more pleasant to lie on and that patients were happier and more relaxed than when the standard mattress was used. The ambulance personnel in this study rated the experience of working with the heated mattress as very positive and proxy rated that it had a good effect on patient comfort. A heated mattress can be recommended for patients in ambulance care, even if more research is needed to receive sufficient evidence.
Background: The coronary and cerebral perfusion in patients with sudden cardiac arrest in prehospital conditions mostly depends on quality of chest compression taken by the witness, and on the medical emergency procedures implemented by ambulance teams. Methods: The retrospective studies analyzed 1,078 cases of a sudden cardiac arrest that occurred in the Siedlce District, Poland. The collected data emerged from medical documentation of Emergency Ambulance Service in Siedlce. The influence of early BLS implementation by witnesses before ambulance arrival, the type of ambulance medical staff performing medical actions, and ambulance arrival time to a place of an accident were taken under consideration on the effectiveness of a successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation. If the return of spontaneous circulation was obtained and a patient was taken to hospital, actions were considered to be effective. Results: In the years 2013, 2014, and 2015, there were respectively reported 345, 354, and 379 cases of a sudden cardiac arrest. Having analyzed the whole group of 1,078 cases -early BLS implementation before ambulance arrival was taken by 31% of witnesses. It was noticed that taking early BLS implementation significantly increased the effectiveness of a resuscitation from 31% to 53%. Ambulance arrival time was compared (BLS/non-BLS cases) and it was 7 minutes 51 seconds and 8 minutes 12 seconds, respectfully. Moreover, the type of ambulance medical staff (with and without a doctor) did not have any impact on the effectiveness of a resuscitation. Conclusion: The effectiveness of emergency medical actions, in cases of a sudden cardiac arrest especially, depends on early implementation of BLS by witnesses in prehospital condition. Study/Objective: To explore the air cooling rate in an intact rail carriage, in a cold environment, after power was turned off. Background: There have been a growing number of train disasters globally. The high speeds increase the risk of severe injuries, and many train routes are far from navigable roads. Rescue operations after international train crashes have been complicated and lengthy. In the circumpolar regions, cold exposure has to be added as a negative factor, as hypothermia could be lethal, especially in combination with trauma. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the specific milieu that the passengers could be exposed to in a train crash in a cold environment. Methods: The experiment was performed inside an intact train, type Coradia Nordic X62, in Sweden. The outdoor temperature was -13.8ºC, and inside the carriage the air temperature at the floor was +21.0ºC when the power was cut. Air temperature was measured by air loggers every 30 seconds. Results: After one hour, the air temperature at the floor reached approximately 15ºC, after two hours, 12ºC, and after four hours, 6ºC. A theoretical simulation shows that the floor temperature should reach temperatures below zero after seven hours. Conclusion:The results draw attention to the importance of a rapid rescue operation, a...
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