ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to determine the extent of ultrasound availability in Norwegian casualty clinics and estimate the prevalence of its use.DesignA retrospective study based on a national casualty clinic registry and data from reimbursement claims.SettingOut-of-hours primary health care in Norway.SubjectsAll Norwegian casualty clinics in 2016 and reimbursement claims from 2008 to 2015.Main outcome measuresPercent of casualty clinics with ultrasound, types of ultrasound devices and probes, reasons for/against ultrasound access, characteristics of clinics with/without ultrasound, frequency of five ultrasound indications and characteristics of the physicians using/not using ultrasound.ResultsOut of 182 casualty clinics, 41 (23%) reported access to ultrasound. Mobile (49%) and stationary (44%) devices were most frequent. Physician request was the most common cited reason for ultrasound access (66%). Neither population served by the casualty clinic nor distance to hospital showed any clear association with ultrasound access. All of the five ultrasound reimbursement codes showed a substantial increase from 2008 to 2015 with 14.1 ultrasound examinations being performed per 10,000 consultations in 2015. Only 6.5% of physicians performed ultrasound in 2015 and males were significantly more likely to use ultrasound than females (OR 1.85, 95% CI: 1.38–2.47, p < .001), even when adjusted for age, speciality status and geography.ConclusionsAlthough the use of ultrasound is increasing in out-of-hours Norwegian primary health care, most casualty clinics do not have access and only a minority of physicians use ultrasound.
IntroductionMedication administration errors (MAEs) have the potential for significant patient harm, and the frequency of MAEs in the ambulance services is not well known. Effective teamwork is paramount for providing safe and effective patient care, especially in a time-sensitive, high-risk environment such as the ambulance services. Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS) is an evidence-based team training programme that, to our knowledge, has not been studied in the ambulance services previously. TeamSTEPPS is based on the five principles: team structure, communication, leadership, situation monitoring and mutual support. This study aims to advance the knowledge of the medication administration process in the ambulance services and study the impact of a team training programme on the frequency of MAEs, and the perception of teamwork, and patient safety culture.Methods and analysisThis study uses a longitudinal multimethod design to evaluate medication administration and the implementation of the team training programme TeamSTEPPS in an ambulance service. A review of electronic patient journals 6 months prior to the intervention, and 12 months after the intervention will provide data on the frequency of MAEs. Focus group interviews and questionnaires will be carried out before and after the intervention to describe the perception of teamwork and patient safety culture among ambulance professionals. Observations, individual interviews and a review of guidelines will be conducted in the first and second quarters of 2022 to study the medication administration process in ambulance services.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol was reviewed by the Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics Central Norway and approved by the Hospital Trust data protection officer, and the head of the Prehospital Division at the Hospital Trust. The data material will be managed confidentially and stored according to regulations. The results will be disseminated through scientific papers, reports, conference presentations, popular press, and social media.Trial registration numberNCT05244928.
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