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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT01644045

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Asthma Bronchial Diseases COPD Chronic Disease Disease Attributes Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity, Immediate Immune System Diseases Lung Diseases Lung Diseases, Obstructive Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive Respiratory Hypersensitivity Respiratory Tract Diseases

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University Hospital Aachen

Aachen, 52074, Germany

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

Teleconsultation

Device

Teleconsultation for the EMS in acute respiratory emergencies

Primary outcomes

  1. Oxygen Saturation

    Time frame: average 1 hour

    Measurement of pulse oximetric oxygen saturation at the timepoint of first contact with a physician (EMS physician OR hospital arrival)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Quality of emergency care

    Time frame: average 1 hour

    Analysis of the quality of prehospital care on the basis of published guidelines for asthma / COPD.

  2. Rate of ventilation

    Time frame: average 1 hour

    Fraction of patients that receive invasive or non-invasive ventilation during the prehospital phase

  3. Rate of complications

    Time frame: 2 hours

    Rate of complications due to medications: allergic reaction, heart rhythm problems

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

RWTH Aachen University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2012
Primary completion
2013
Study completion
2015
First posted
Jul 18, 2012
Registry last updated
Sep 22, 2015

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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