Telemedical Support in Prehospital Emergency Care of Acute Coronary Syndrome

The aim of the study is to investigate the quality of prehospital emergency care in acute coronary syndromes, when paramedics are supported telemedically by an EMS physician.

Six ambulances from five different Emergency Medical Service (EMS) districts are equipped with a portable telemedicine system. In cases of suspected acute coronary syndrome (including STEMI), the paramedics can use this system to contact a so called "tele-EMS physician" after consent of the patient is 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. Also 12-lead-ECGs can transmitted to the tele-EMS physician. The transmission of still pictures - taken with a smartphone - and video streaming from the inside of the ambulance can be carried out, if meaningful. The tele-EMS physician supports the EMS team in obtaining all relevant medical history, ECG diagnosis, general 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.

In cases of suspected acute coronary syndrome (including STEMI), if patients give informed consent the paramedics can use this system to contact a so called "tele-EMS physician" with audio-connection to the EMS team and receives vital parameters (e.g., ECG, pulse oximetry, non-invasive blood pressure) in real-time. Also 12-lead-ECGs can be transmitted to the tele-EMS physician. The transmission of still pictures - taken with a smartphone - and video streaming from the inside of the ambulance can be carried out, if meaningful. The tele-EMS physician supports the EMS team in obtaining all relevant medical history, ECG diagnosis, general 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.

Historical matched pairs were searched from local protocols. During this phase no teleconsultation system was existent.

Amount of guidelines based procedures and medications carried out by paramedics prior to the contact with a physician.

Inclusion Criteria: Suspected acute coronary syndrome Verbal consent for teleconsultation obtained or patient is not able to consent due to the severity of the emergency Exclusion Criteria: Patient refuses consent to teleconsultation No suspected acute coronary syndrome

Brokmann JC, Conrad C, Rossaint R, Bergrath S, Beckers SK, Tamm M, Czaplik M, Hirsch F. Treatment of Acute Coronary Syndrome by Telemedically Supported Paramedics Compared With Physician-Based Treatment: A Prospective, Interventional, Multicenter Trial. J Med Internet Res. 2016 Dec 1;18(12):e314. doi: 10.2196/jmir.6358.