Evaluation of a critical incident management system on mental health in lifeguard organisations: a retrospective study

Breindahl, Niklas; Strange, Kirstine Friderichsen; Østergaard, Doris; Christensen, Helle Collatz

doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2022-001499

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 22 publications

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“…As previously demonstrated, patients were predominantly assessed in decentralised areas where helicopter dispatch most likely decreased the transport time compared to ground-based EMS [ 33 , 34 ]. Yet, the median response time in this study was 21 min, emphasising the critical role of bystanders and trained lifeguards to assist with early rescue and lifesaving treatment [ 35 , 36 ]. The results from this study indicate proper dispatch of the Danish Air Ambulance for the subpopulation of drowning patients with overall high NACA scores, decentralised geographical locations with prolonged transport times, and a high incidence of prehospital interventions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics and critical care interventions in drowning patients treated by the Danish Air Ambulance from 2016 to 2021: a nationwide registry-based study with 30-day follow-up

Breindahl,

Wolthers,

Møller

et al. 2024

Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med

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Background Improving oxygenation and ventilation in drowning patients early in the field is critical and may be lifesaving. The critical care interventions performed by physicians in drowning management are poorly described. The aim was to describe patient characteristics and critical care interventions with 30-day mortality as the primary outcome in drowning patients treated by the Danish Air Ambulance. Methods This retrospective cohort study with 30-day follow-up identified drowning patients treated by the Danish Air Ambulance from January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2021. Drowning patients were identified using a text-search algorithm (Danish Drowning Formula) followed by manual review and validation. Operational and medical data were extracted from the Danish Air Ambulance database. Descriptive analyses were performed comparing non-fatal and fatal drowning incidents with 30-day mortality as the primary outcome. Results Of 16,841 dispatches resulting in a patient encounter in the six years, the Danish Drowning Formula identified 138 potential drowning patients. After manual validation, 98 drowning patients were included in the analyses, and 82 completed 30-day follow-up. The prehospital and 30-day mortality rates were 33% and 67%, respectively. The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics severity scores from 4 to 7, indicating a critical emergency, were observed in 90% of the total population. They were significantly higher in the fatal versus non-fatal group (p < 0.01). At least one critical care intervention was performed in 68% of all drowning patients, with endotracheal intubation (60%), use of an automated chest compression device (39%), and intraosseous cannulation (38%) as the most frequently performed interventions. More interventions were generally performed in the fatal group (p = 0.01), including intraosseous cannulation and automated chest compressions. Conclusions The Danish Air Ambulance rarely treated drowning patients, but those treated were severely ill, with a 30-day mortality rate of 67% and frequently required critical care interventions. The most frequent interventions were endotracheal intubation, automated chest compressions, and intraosseous cannulation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%