Danish Emergency Research Articles

Patients' use of Danish emergency medical services before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a register-based study

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, disturbing images of ambulances unable to respond to the demands for prehospital assistance appeared from several parts of the world. In Denmark, however, a notion occurred that the demands for emergency medical assistance declined. The purpose of this study was to compare the patients' use of the Danish Emergency Medical Services (EMS) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, we investigated the overall mortality of the ambulance population, the main reason for calling the emergency medical dispatch centre, and the diagnosis assigned to the admitted patients.MethodsThe study was a nationwide registry-based cohort study based on the national prehospital medical records and the Danish National Patient Registry. The primary outcome was the requested number of ambulances. Secondary outcomes included the primary reason for contact with the dispatch centre (reflected by the dispatch criteria), patient mortality, and the diagnoses assigned to the patients transported to the hospital by ambulance during the COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark in March–December 2020. Comparisons were made using a similar period in 2019 before the pandemic.ResultsIn comparison with the baseline values before the pandemic, the total number of patients treated by the EMS was reduced by 4.5% during the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of patients transported to the hospital during the pandemic was similarly reduced by 3.5%. Compared with baseline values, fewer were patients hospitalised with respiratory diseases during the pandemic (a reduction of 53.3% from April 2019 to April 2020).Compared to the baseline period, there were significant increases in both the 48-h mortality (from 1.4% to 1.5%) and the 30-day mortality (from 4.9% to 5.4%) (p < 0.03 and p < 0.001, respectively), in patients hospitalised during the pandemic.ConclusionDuring the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Danish EMS experienced an overall reduction in the requests for and the use of ambulances and, especially, in the number of patients admitted to hospitals for respiratory diseases. Despite the overall reduction in EMS requests, the mortality of the ambulance population increased, indicating that despite the reduced ambulance use, the prehospital population was more severely ill during the pandemic.

Hyperosmolar dehydration in older adults

Up to 350,000 patients above 65 years of age contact Danish emergency departments each year, and 40% of them have hyperosmolar dehydration (HD). HD often complicates other conditions. It increases mortality and morbidity, affects cognitive and physical function negatively and reduce the quality of life. This review recommends calculated serum osmolarity for the diagnosis of HD. The calculated osmolarity is based on blood samples already collected as standard. Improving the understanding, recognition, and treatment of HD can improve the outcome for older patients.

Emergency nurses' experiences of caring for brought-in-dead persons and their relatives-a qualitative study.

To explore how emergency nurses experienced caring for brought-in-dead persons and their relatives, and what hindered or facilitated this care in an emergency setting. A qualitative study using Interpretive Description. Data were collected as individual interviews with 13 nurses at seven Danish emergency departments from February to June 2023. Our analysis revealed the overarching theme 'Navigating the complexities of providing holistic care in a constrained environment', covering five sub-themes: (1) An important yet not recognized nursing task; (2) Pending care needs of the living and the dead; (3) No physical or mental room for the brought-in-dead persons; (4) Utilizing personal experiences in the absence of formal education and training and (5) Navigating professionalism and empathy. Emergency departments posed unique challenges in providing care to brought-in-dead persons and their relatives. The unrecognized nature of caring for brought-in-dead persons and their relatives suggests a universal undervaluation of this care in emergency departments. Care for brought-in-dead persons and their relatives is neither recognized nor evidence-based. This study initiates a discussion of the circumstances for delivering care for persons brought-in-dead and has an impact on nurses and nursing leaders employed in emergency departments. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ). None.

Between acute medicine and municipal alcohol treatment: Cross-sectoral collaborations regarding patients with alcohol problems.

Aim: The aim was to examine cross-sectoral collaborations of a Danish emergency department (ED) and two municipal treatment centres in the uptake area regarding patients with alcohol problems. Methods: The study was a qualitative exploratory study. We conducted individual interviews with ED nurses and secretaries (n = 21) and group interviews (n = 2) in municipal alcohol treatment centres with three and four participants, respectively. Interviews were analysed, first with qualitative content analysis, then by applying the analytical concept "boundary object". Results: Three themes emerged: (1) Responsibilities in practice; (2) Professional contrasts; and (3) The social nurse in a unique position. Themes illuminated a low degree of collaboration characterising the intersectoral work. Blurred responsibilities, challenged communication and acute versus long-term focus were some of the factors not supporting cross-sector collaborations. However, the function of the social nurse was highly appreciated in both sectors and plays a central role. Nonetheless, implicit limitations of this function entail that not all patients with alcohol problems are referred and handled within an ED setting. Conclusions: Overall, we found a lack of collaborative work between healthcare professionals in ED and municipalities for patients with alcohol problems. However, the "social nurse" function was greatly valued in both sectors due to a mediating role, since healthcare professionals in both sectors experienced lack of organisational structures supporting collaborative network, perceived temporal barriers, limited knowledge exchange and differences in approaches to patients.

Treat and release: an observational study of non-conveyed high-acuity dispatches in a Danish emergency medical system.

Non-conveyance refers to the practice of treating a patient on-site without transporting them to a medical facility. It may decrease unnecessary hospital transfers and improve patient satisfaction. Nonetheless, ensuring patient safety remains paramount. The objective of the study was to assess admission to hospital and mortality in non-conveyed patients. This population-based cohort study included all high-acuity dispatches in Region Zealand, Denmark between 2019 and 2022. The primary outcome was admission within 48h, and the secondary outcome was 30-day mortality. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted, and logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. A non-conveyance rate of 14% was identified in 95,238 transports. Admission within 48h was seen in 22% of non-conveyed patients vs. 95% in conveyed patients, p < 0.001. The adjusted analysis showed a decreased likelihood of admission within 48h within non-conveyed patients, with an aOR of 0.01 95% CI (0.01-0.01). Non-conveyed patients had a crude 30-day mortality rate of 2 vs. 6% among conveyed patients, p < 0.001. The adjusted analysis showed an increased likelihood of 30-day mortality in non-conveyed patients with an odds ratio of 1.21, 95% CI (1.05-1.40). Non-conveyed patients constitute a substantial proportion of patients assessed by ambulances following high-acuity dispatch. Less than one in four non-conveyed patients were admitted within 48h. Despite the low crude mortality in this study, an increased likelihood of mortality was found within the non-conveyed population. However, additional investigation is warranted in future research.

Proposing a model for integrating spontaneous volunteers in emergency response in Denmark

Spontaneous volunteerism is a controversial topic in emergency response. Even though professionals and spontaneous volunteers in emergency response have the common aim of aiding those in need, the Danish authorities' framework for involving spontaneous volunteers is very limited. This paper discusses how spontaneous volunteers’ contributions can be integrated into professional emergency response in Denmark, while ensuring professional guidance of this contribution. This paper applies a literature and document study, covering state-of-the-art research on the topic of professional interaction with spontaneous volunteers and the Danish emergency response system, including the role of volunteers, respectively. It is found that involvement of spontaneous volunteers is a professional responsibility, that involvement should be through established or expanding emergency response organisations and focus on tasks related to the common aim of aiding those in need. It is concluded that this can be achieved by applying one-point-of-contact for spontaneous volunteers (rather than division by sectoral responsibility), a registration system enabling access to relevant tasks for spontaneous volunteers, the deployment of a spontaneous volunteer facilitator going into dialogue with spontaneous volunteers to enrol them in professional response, and a humane rejection when it is necessary to reject the offer of help from spontaneous volunteers.

Community-acquired pneumonia: use of clinical characteristics of acutely admitted patients for the development of a diagnostic model – a cross-sectional multicentre study

ObjectivesThis study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of adults with suspected acute community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) on hospitalisation, evaluate their prediction performance for CAP and compare the performance of the...

Disparities in prehospital and emergency surgical care among patients with perforated ulcers and a history of mental illness: a nationwide cohort study

PurposeTo compare patients with and without a history of mental illness on process and outcome measures in relation to prehospital and emergency surgical care for patients with perforated ulcer.MethodsA nationwide registry-based cohort study of patients undergoing emergency surgery for perforated ulcer. We used data from the Danish Prehospital Database 2016–2017 and the Danish Emergency Surgery Registry 2004–2018 combined with data from other Danish databases. Patients were categorized according to severity of mental health history.ResultsWe identified 4.767 patients undergoing emergency surgery for perforated ulcer. Among patients calling the EMS with no history of mental illness, 51% were identified with abdominal pain when calling the EMS compared to 31% and 25% among patients with a history of moderate and major mental illness, respectively. Median time from hospital arrival to surgery was 6.0 h (IQR: 3.6;10.7). Adjusting for age, sex and comorbidity, patients with a history of major mental illness underwent surgery 46 min (95% CI: 4;88) later compared to patients with no history of mental illness. Median number of days-alive-and-out-of-hospital at 90-day follow-up was 67 days (IQR: 0;83). Adjusting for age, sex and comorbidity, patients with a history of major mental illness had 9 days (95% CI: 4;14) less alive and out-of-hospital at 90-day follow-up.ConclusionOne-third of the population had a history of mental illness or vulnerability. Patients with a history of major mental illness were less likely to be identified with abdominal pain if calling the EMS prior to arrival. They had longer delays from hospital arrival to surgery and higher mortality.

Evaluating dynamic patterns in mortality before and after reconfiguration of the Danish emergency healthcare system.

This study explored changes in short-term mortality during a national reconfiguration of emergency care starting in 2007. Unplanned hospital contacts at emergency departments across Denmark from 2007 to 2016. The reconfiguration was a natural experiment, resulting in individual timelines for each hospital. The outcome was in-hospital and 30-day mortality. Individual patient-level data included 9,745,603 unplanned hospital contacts from 2007 to 2016 at 20 hospitals with emergency departments. We observed a sharp downwards shift in in-hospital mortality and 30-day mortality in three hospitals in relation to the reconfiguration. This nationwide study identified three hospitals where the reconfiguration was closely associated with reduced in-hospital and 30-day mortality. In contrast, no major effects were identified for the remaining hospitals.

Prehospital interventions and outcomes in traumatic cardiac arrest: a population-based cohort study using the Danish Helicopter Emergency Medical Services data.

Traumatic cardiac arrest is associated with poor prognosis, and timely evidence-based treatment is paramount for increasing survival rates. Physician-staffed helicopter emergency medical service use in major trauma has demonstrated improved outcomes. However, the sparsity of data highlights the necessity for a comprehensive understanding of the epidemiology of traumatic cardiac arrest. The primary objective of the present study was to evaluate survival and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and to investigate the characteristics of patients with traumatic cardiac arrest assessed by the Danish HEMS. This was a population-based cohort study based on data from the Danish helicopter emergency medical service database. The study included all patients assessed by the Danish helicopter emergency medical services between 2016 and 2021. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, non-parametric testing and logistic regression analyses. Descriptive analysis of prehospital interventions included cardiopulmonary resuscitation, defibrillation, airway management, administration of blood products, and thoracic decompression. The primary outcome was 30-day survival, and the key secondary outcome was prehospital ROSC. A total of 223 patients with TCA were included. The median age was 54 years (IQR 34-68), and the majority were males. Overall, 23% of patients achieved prehospital ROSC, and the 30-day survival rate was 4%. Factors associated with an increased likelihood of ROSC were an initial shockable cardiac rhythm, odds ratio (OR) of 3.78 (95% CI 1.33-11.00) and endotracheal intubation, OR 7.10 (95% CI 2.55-22.85). This study highlights the low survival rates observed among patients with traumatic cardiac arrest assessed by helicopter emergency medical services. The findings support the positive impact of an initial shockable cardiac rhythm and endotracheal intubation in improving the likelihood of ROSC. The study contributes to the limited literature on traumatic cardiac arrests assessed by physician-staffed helicopter emergency services. Finally, the findings emphasise the need for further research to understand and improve outcomes in this subgroup of cardiac arrest.

148 Non-conveyance decisioning and patient outcome in a Danish rural emergency medical system

148 Non-conveyance decisioning and patient outcome in a Danish rural emergency medical system

Prehospital Early Warning Scores to Predict Mortality in Patients Using Ambulances

Early warning scores (EWSs) are designed for in-hospital use but are widely used in the prehospital field, especially in select groups of patients potentially at high risk. To be useful for paramedics in daily prehospital clinical practice, evaluations are needed of the predictive value of EWSs based on first measured vital signs on scene in large cohorts covering unselected patients using ambulance services. To validate EWSs' ability to predict mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) stay in an unselected cohort of adult patients who used ambulances. This prognostic study conducted a validation based on a cohort of adult patients (aged ≥18 years) who used ambulances in the North Denmark Region from July 1, 2016, to December 31, 2020. EWSs (National Early Warning Score 2 [NEWS2], modified NEWS score without temperature [mNEWS], Quick Sepsis Related Organ Failure Assessment [qSOFA], Rapid Emergency Triage and Treatment System [RETTS], and Danish Emergency Process Triage [DEPT]) were calculated using first vital signs measured by ambulance personnel. Data were analyzed from September 2022 through May 2023. The primary outcome was 30-day-mortality. Secondary outcomes were 1-day-mortality and ICU admission. Discrimination was assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and area under the precision recall curve (AUPRC). There were 107 569 unique patients (52 650 females [48.9%]; median [IQR] age, 65 [45-77] years) from the entire cohort of 219 323 patients who used ambulance services, among whom 119 992 patients (54.7%) had called the Danish national emergency number. NEWS2, mNEWS, RETTS, and DEPT performed similarly concerning 30-day mortality (AUROC range, 0.67 [95% CI, 0.66-0.68] for DEPT to 0.68 [95% CI, 0.68-0.69] for mNEWS), while qSOFA had lower performance (AUROC, 0.59 [95% CI, 0.59-0.60]; P vs other scores < .001). All EWSs had low AUPRCs, ranging from 0.09 (95% CI, 0.09-0.09) for qSOFA to 0.14 (95% CI, 0.13-0.14) for mNEWS.. Concerning 1-day mortality and ICU admission NEWS2, mNEWS, RETTS, and DEPT performed similarly, with AUROCs ranging from 0.72 (95% CI, 0.71-0.73) for RETTS to 0.75 (95% CI, 0.74-0.76) for DEPT in 1-day mortality and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.65-0.67) for RETTS to 0.68 (95% CI, 0.67-0.69) for mNEWS in ICU admission, and all EWSs had low AUPRCs. These ranged from 0.02 (95% CI, 0.02-0.03) for qSOFA to 0.04 (95% CI, 0.04-0.04) for DEPT in 1-day mortality and 0.03 (95% CI, 0.03-0.03) for qSOFA to 0.05 (95% CI, 0.04-0.05) for DEPT in ICU admission. This study found that EWSs in daily clinical use in emergency medical settings performed moderately in the prehospital field among unselected patients who used ambulances when assessed based on initial measurements of vital signs. These findings suggest the need of appropriate triage and early identification of patients at low and high risk with new and better EWSs also suitable for prehospital use.

Impact of a Treatment Guide on Intravenous Fluids in Minimising the Risk of Hospital-Acquired Hyponatraemia in Denmark.

Hypotonic intravenous (IV) fluids are associated with an increased risk of hospital-acquired hyponatraemia, eventually leading to brain injury and death. We evaluated the effectiveness of a treatment guide to improve prescribing practices of IV fluids. We conducted a before-and-after cross-sectional survey among physicians working at Danish emergency departments. The primary outcome was prescribing practices of IV fluids. Participants were asked which IV fluid they would select in four clinical scenarios. We applied multivariate logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratio of selecting hypotonic fluids. Secondary outcomes included knowledge about IV fluids and hyponatraemia, and the receipt, reading, and usefulness of the treatment guide. After the intervention, about a third (47/154) reported that they would use hypotonic fluids in patients with increased intracranial pressure, and a quarter (39/154) would use hypotonic maintenance fluids in children, both of which are against guideline recommendations. A total of 46% selected the correct fluid, a 3% hypertonic saline solution for a patient with hyponatraemia and severe neurological symptoms. None of the knowledge questions met the predefined criteria of success of 80% correct answers. Of the respondents, 22% had received the treatment guide. Since the implementation failed, we recommend improving distribution by applying methods from implementation science.

Utilisation and time to performance of diagnostic imaging in patients admitted to Danish emergency departments: a nationwide register-based study from 2007 to 2017

ObjectivesTo describe the development of diagnostic imaging utilisation in Denmark from 2007 to 2017, coinciding with a major national reform of the emergency healthcare system.DesignNationwide descriptive register-based study.SettingAll public hospitals...

Effect of prehospital transportation on 24-h fluid volume, a post hoc analysis of a multicenter, prospective, observational study on fluid volumes in patients with suspected infection.

Infections, including sepsis, are leading causes of death and fluid administration is part of the treatment. The optimal fluid therapy remains controversial. If the patient is transported by Emergency Medical Services (EMS), fluids can be initiated during transportation, which may result in increased overall fluid administration and fluid overload, which may be harmful. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of EMS transportation on 24-h fluid administration in patients with suspected infection. This is a post hoc study of a prospective, multicenter, observational study, conducted in three Danish Emergency Departments (EDs), 20 January-2 March 2020, aiming at describing fluid administration in patients with suspected infection. Patients were stratified into the groups: simple infection or sepsis, in accordance with SEPSIS-3-guidelines. The primary outcome of the current study was 24-h total fluid volume (oral and intravenous) stratified by transportation mode to the EDs. Total 24-h fluids were registered for 734 patients. Patients with simple infection or sepsis arriving by EMS (n = 388, 54%) received mean 3,774 ml (standard deviation [SD]: 1900) and non-EMS received 3,627 ml (SD: 1568); mean difference (MD) was 303 ml [95% CI: 32; 573] adjusted for age, site, and total SOFA-score. Patients brought in by EMS received more intravenous fluids (MD: 621 ml [95% CI: 378; 864]) and less oral fluids (MD: -474 ml [95% CI: -616; -333]) than non-EMS patients. Patients transported by EMS received more intravenous fluids and less oral fluids but overall, more fluid in total in the first 24-h than non-EMS after adjusting for age, site and SOFA-score.

Consequences of COVID-19-related lockdowns and reopenings on emergency hospitalizations in pediatric patients in Denmark during 2020-2021.

Nationwide efforts to minimize infectious disease spread like lockdowns have a preventative and period lasting effect but reopenings/reunions result in surges of infectious diseases. This might be due to children not getting immunized steadily thereby increasing the pool of possible hosts for potential viral infections. •There is a seasonal fluctuation in viral/respiratory infections in children with higher infection rates in the winter and lower rates in thesummer. •RSV infection is a major source of concern. •Major lockdowns and reopenings disrupt the seasonal fluctuations which can result in high surgesin infections that increases the burden of children emergency departments and the risk of serious complications.

Lack of Thoracentesis Competencies and Training in Danish Emergency Departments: A Danish Nationwide Study.

Dyspnea caused by pleural effusion is a common reason for admission to the emergency department (ED). In such cases, thoracentesis performed in the ED may allow for swift symptom relief, diagnostics, and early patient discharge. However, the competence level of thoracentesis and training in the ED are currently unclear. This study aimed to describe the current competencies and training in thoracentesis in Danish EDs. We performed a nationwide cross-sectional study in Denmark. A questionnaire was distributed to all EDs in March 2022 including questions on competencies and thoracentesis training methods. Descriptive statistics were used. In total, 21 EDs replied (response rate 100%) between March and May 2022. Overall, 50% of consultant and 77% of physicians in emergency medicine specialist training were unable to perform thoracentesis independently. Only 2 of 21 EDs (10%) had a formalized training program. In these 2 EDs, there were no requirements of maintaining these competences. Informal training was reported by 14 out 21 (66%) EDs and consisted of ad-hoc bedside procedural demonstration and/or guidance. Among the 19 EDs without formalized training, 9 (47%) had no intention of establishing a formalized training program. We found a major lack of thoracentesis competencies in Danish EDs among both consultant and physicians in emergency medicine specialist training. Moreover, the vast majority of EDs had no formalized thoracentesis training program.

A qualitative study of the experiences of relatives to brought in dead persons in an emergency department.

The aim was to explore the experiences of relatives seeing and saying goodbye to brought in dead persons in a Danish emergency department. This was a qualitative study based on interpretive description methodology. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews with relatives (n=11) of brought in dead persons and 30h of participatory observations of these relatives visiting the emergency department to see and say goodbye to the deceased. Data were collected between February 2019 and December 2020. Our analyses revealed internal and external chaos as an overarching theme, covering 4 themes and 10 subthemes. The four themes were traumatic events, restricted access, briefly being together again, and final goodbyes and departures. Emergency departments were highly acute and busy settings that prioritized survival more than the care of deceased people and their relatives. The relatives were, in every way, affected by internal and external chaos; the external chaos in the emergency department reinforced the feeling of internal chaos. It is necessary for managers and nurses in emergency departments to organize and practice care for relatives, whilst bringing in deceased individuals in a less chaotic and more caring manner. This study contributes to the knowledge of relatives' experiences regarding brought in dead persons, underpinning the need to care for this subpopulation in emergency departments. Care for relatives of brought in dead individuals has the potential to relieve suffering and prevent diseases, which are core elements of nursing.

The National Danish Cardiac Arrest Registry for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest - A Registry in Transformation.

Aim of the DatabaseThe aim of the Danish Cardiac Arrest Registry is to monitor the quality of prehospital cardiac arrest treatment, evaluate initiatives regarding prehospital treatment of cardiac arrest, and facilitate research.Study PopulationAll patients with prehospital cardiac arrest in Denmark treated by the emergency medical services in whom resuscitation or defibrillation has been attempted.Main VariablesThe Danish Cardiac Arrest Register records descriptive and qualitative variables as outlined in the “Utstein” template for reporting out-of-hospital-cardiac arrest. Main variables include whether the case was witnessed, whether the cardiac arrest was electrocardiographically monitored, the timing of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the timing of the first analysis of the cardiac rhythm. The outcome measures are the status of the patient at handover to the hospital, return of spontaneous circulation, and 30-day survival after event.Database StatusThe Danish Cardiac Arrest Registry was established in June 2001, and all Danish emergency medical services are reporting to the database.ConclusionThe Danish Cardiac Arrest Registry is among the oldest Danish national clinical registries, with a high quality of clinical data and coverage. This registry provides the prerequisite for all research on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest research in Denmark and is essential for monitoring and improving the quality of care for patients suffering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Mortality before and after reconfiguration of the Danish hospital-based emergency healthcare system: a nationwide interrupted time series analysis

ObjectivesThe study aimed to investigate how the ‘natural experiment’ of reconfiguring the emergency healthcare system in Denmark affected in-hospital and 30-day mortality on a national level. The reconfiguration included the...