INTRODUCTION: The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in prehospital emergency care has significantly increased since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Several studies investigating the potential effects of PPE use by Emergency Medical Service providers on the quality of chest compressions during resuscitation have been inconclusive. STUDY OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine whether the use of PPE affects the quality of chest compressions or influences select physiological biomarkers that are associated with stress. METHODS: This was a prospective randomized, quasi-experimental crossover study with 35 Emergency Medical Service providers who performed 20 minutes of chest compressions on a manikin. Two iterations were completed in a randomized order: (1) without PPE and (2) with PPE consisting of Tyvek, goggles, KN95 mask, and nitrile gloves. The rate and depth of chest compressions were measured. Salivary cortisol, lactate, end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2), and body temperature were measured before and after each set of chest compressions. RESULTS: There were no differences in the quality of chest compressions (rate and depth) between the two groups (P >.05). After performing chest compressions, the group with PPE did not have elevated levels of cortisol, lactate, or EtCO2 when compared to the group without PPE, but did have a higher body temperature (P <.001). CONCLUSION: The use of PPE during resuscitation did not lower the quality of chest compressions, nor did it lead to higher stress-associated biomarker levels, with the exception of body temperature.

• Klíčová slova
• COVID-19, chest compressions, cortisol, end-tidal carbon dioxide, lactate, stress,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: Video emergency calls (VCs) represent a feasible future trend in medical dispatching. Acceptance among callers and dispatchers seems to be good. Indications, potential problems, limitations, and directions of research of adding a live video from smartphones to an emergency call have not been reviewed outside the context of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study is to examine the scope and nature of research publications on the topic of VC. The secondary goal is to identify research gaps and discuss the potential directions of research efforts of VC. DESIGN: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, online bibliographic databases PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov, and gray literature were searched from the period of January 1, 2012 through March 1, 2022 in English. Only studies focusing on video transfer via mobile phone to emergency medical dispatch centers (EMDCs) were included. RESULTS: Twelve articles were included in the qualitative synthesis and six main themes were identified: (1) cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guided by VC; (2) indications of VCs; (3) dispatchers' feedback and perception; (4) technical aspects of VCs; (5) callers' acceptance; and (6) confidentiality and legal issues. CONCLUSION: Video emergency calls are feasible and seem to be a well-accepted auxiliary method among dispatchers and callers. Some promising clinical results exist, especially for video-assisted CPR. On the other hand, there are still enormous knowledge gaps in the vast majority of implementation aspects of VC into practice.

• Klíčová slova
• Emergency Medical Services, dispatching, prehospital emergency care, video emergency call,
• MeSH
• kardiopulmonální resuscitace * metody   MeSH
• komunikační systémy urgentních lékařských služeb MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• linka integrovaného záchranného systému * metody   MeSH
• urgentní zdravotnické služby * metody   MeSH
• výzkumný projekt MeSH
• zástava srdce mimo nemocnici * terapie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• scoping review MeSH

INTRODUCTION: The effect and subjective perception of audiovisual consults (AVCs) by paramedics with a distant physician in prehospital emergency care (PHEC) remain unexplained, especially in low-urgency calls. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of AVCs by paramedics with a base physician on the rate of patients treated on site without the need of hospital transfer. The co-primary safety outcome was the frequency of repeated ambulance trips within 48 hours to the same patient. Secondary objective was the qualitative analysis of perception of the AVCs. METHODS: During a six-week period, the dispatching center of Karlovy Vary Emergency Medical Service (EMS) randomized low-urgency events from a rural area (n = 791) to receive either a mandatory phone-call consult (PHONE), AVC (VIDEO), or performed by the paramedic crew in a routine manner, when phone-call consultation is for paramedic crew optional (CONTROL). Secondarily, the qualitative analysis of subjective perception of AVCs compared to consultation over the phone by the paramedic and consulting physician was performed. RESULTS: Per-protocol analysis (PPA) was performed (CONTROL, n = 258; PHONE, n = 193; and VIDEO, n = 192) in addition to the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. Patients (PPA) in both mandatory consulted groups were twice as likely to be treated and left on site compared to the CONTROL (PHONE: OR = 2.07; 95% CI, 1.19 to 3.58; P = 0.01 or VIDEO: OR = 2.01; 95% CI, 1.15 to 3.49; P = .01). Repeated trips to patients treated and left on site in 48 hours occurred in three (8.6%) of 35 cases in the PHONE group and in eight (23.5%) of 34 cases in the VIDEO group. CONCLUSIONS: The AVCs of the emergency physician by paramedics was not superior to the mandatory conventional phone call in increasing the proportion of patients treated and left at home after a low-urgency call. The AVC improved the subjective feelings of safety by physicians, but not the satisfaction of patients or paramedics, and may lead to an increased need of repeated trips.

• Klíčová slova
• audiovisual consult, prehospital emergency care, telemedicine,
• MeSH
• audiovizuální pomůcky * MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• konziliární vyšetření a konzultace * MeSH
• lékaři * MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• pomocný zdravotnický personál * MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• sanitky * MeSH
• telemedicína * MeSH
• urgentní zdravotnické služby * MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH

After disasters, the individual health and well-being of first responders and affected population are affected for years. Therefore, psychosocial help is needed. Although most victims recover on their own, a minority of survivors, members of rescue teams, or relatives develop long-term, disaster-related psychic disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This subgroup especially should receive timely and appropriate psychosocial help. Many European countries offer post-disaster psychosocial care from a variety of caregivers (i.e., professionals and volunteers, non-governmental organizations, church or commercial organizations). Therefore, European standards for providing post-disaster psychosocial support currently is required. This article describes the project European Guideline for Target Group-Oriented Psychosocial Aftercare-Implementation, supported by the European Commission.

• MeSH
• časná diagnóza MeSH
• Evropská unie MeSH
• first responder psychologie   MeSH
• katastrofy MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• medicína katastrof metody   organizace a řízení   MeSH
• plošný screening organizace a řízení   normy   MeSH
• posttraumatická stresová porucha * diagnóza   prevence a kontrola   terapie   MeSH
• přežívající psychologie   MeSH
• směrnice jako téma MeSH
• sociální opora MeSH
• stresové poruchy traumatické akutní * diagnóza   prevence a kontrola   terapie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Severe flooding in August 2002 devastated villages, towns, large areas of arable land, streets, roads, and industrial areas in the Czech Republic and Southeastern Germany. In the Czech Republic, 48,000 people were evacuated from Prague. Due to electrical outages, communication and the care of hospital patients suffered. Sanitation services and refuse collection also were not available, which increased the potential for the spread of disease. In Germany, five hospitals required evacuation. Electrical outages were problematic here as well, and it is recommended that the procedures for the long-distance transportation of a large number of severely ill or injured people be clarified in national plans.

• MeSH
• katastrofy * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• případové studie organizací MeSH
• urgentní služby nemocnice organizace a řízení   normy   MeSH
• záchranná práce organizace a řízení   normy   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Německo MeSH

The tsunami disaster affected several countries in Southeast Asia in December 2004 and killed or affected many tourists, most of them from Europe. Eight Czech citizens died, and about 500 Czechs were seriously mentally traumatized. The psychosocial needs of tourists included: (1) protection; (2) treatment; (3) safety; (4) relief; (5) psychological first aid; (6) connecting with family members; (7) transportation home; (8) information about possible mental reactions to trauma; (9) information about the normality of their reaction; (10) procedural and environmental orientation; (11) reinforcement of personal competencies; and (12) psycho-trauma therapy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic was in charge of general emergency management. General coordination of psychosocial support was coordinated under the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic, which is connected to the Central Crisis Staff of the Czech Government. The major cooperative partners were: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Health, Czech Airlines, psychosocial intervention teams of the Czech Republic, and the Czech Association of Clinical Psychologists. The main goals of relief workers were: (1) to bring back home the maximum number of Czech citizens; (2) to provide relevant information to the maximum number of affected Czech citizens; (3) to provide relevant information to rescue workers and professionals; and (4) to prepare working psychosocial support regional network. Major activities of the Ministry of Interior (psychology section) included: (1) establishing a psychological helpline; (2) running a team of psychological assistance (assistance in the Czech airports, psychological monitoring of tourists, crisis intervention, psychological first aid, assistance in the collection of DNA material from relatives); (3) drafting and distributing specific information materials (brochures, leaflets, address lists, printed and electronic instructions); (4) communicating via the media and advertising, and (5) providing analysis and research studies. Central coordination of psychosocial support has been found as successful in the first phase after the disaster. The plans must be built for preferable cooperation in the psychosocial field in the Czech Republic. Better collaborates with journalists must exist in order to reduce secondary psycho-trauma. There is a need for intensive international cooperation in the psychosocial field and to build the network at the global level.

• MeSH
• cestování * MeSH
• katastrofy * MeSH
• krizová intervence * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• plánování postupu v případě katastrof organizace a řízení   MeSH
• posttraumatická stresová porucha etnologie   terapie   MeSH
• psychologie MeSH
• sociální opora * MeSH
• vládní organizace MeSH
• záchranná práce MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika etnologie   MeSH
• Indonésie MeSH

The Tsunami disaster affected several countries in Southeast Asia in December 2004 and killed or affected many tourists, most of them from Europe. Eight Czech citizens died, and about 500 Czechs were seriously mentally traumatized. The psychosocial needs of tourists included: (1) protection; (2) treatment; (3) safety; (4) relief; (5) psychological first aid; (6) connecting with family members; (7) transportation home; (8) information about possible mental reactions to trauma; (9) information about the normality of their reaction; (10) procedural and environmental orientation; (11) reinforcement of personal competencies; and (12) psycho-trauma therapy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic was in charge of general emergency management. General coordination of psychosocial support was coordinated under the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic, which is connected to the Central Crisis Staff of the Czech Government. The major cooperative partners were: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Health, Czech Airlines, psychosocial intervention teams of the Czech Republic, and the Czech Association of Clinical Psychologists. The main goals of relief workers were: (1) to bring back home the maximum number of Czech citizens; (2) to provide relevant information to the maximum number of affected Czech citizens; (3) to provide relevant information to rescue workers and professionals; and (4) to prepare working psychosocial support regional network. Major activities of the Ministry of Interior (psychology section) included: (1) establishing a psychological helpline; (2) running a team of psychological assistance (assistance in the Czech airports, psychological monitoring of tourists, crisis intervention, psychological first aid, assistance in the collection of DNA material from relatives); (3) drafting and distributing specific information materials (brochures, leaflets, address lists, printed and electronic instructions); (4) communicating via the media and advertising; and (5) providing analysis and research studies. Central coordination of psychosocial support has been found as successful in the first phase after the disaster. The plans must be built for preferable cooperation in the psychosocial field in the Czech Republic. Better collaborates with journalists must exist in order to reduce secondary psycho-trauma. There is a need for intensive international cooperation in the psychosocial field and to build the network at the global level.

• MeSH
• katastrofy * MeSH
• krizová intervence MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pomoc v nouzi MeSH
• tsunami * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• jihovýchodní Asie MeSH

This report is a review of the response and the activities of the Emergency Medical Services during a huge flood that devastated one-third of the territory of the Czech Republic in July 1997. The Emergency Medical Services personnel extracted by helicopter a great number of citizens who were trapped in their flats and homes. For diabetics and cardiacs who were isolated from the surface transport, the EMS personnel supplied necessary medication, and transported patients to hemodialysis. The cooperation between non-medical emergency services and the district crisis staff of the Integrated Rescue System, varied in different districts. However, in most flooded districts, the cooperation was satisfactory. In addition, a large number of volunteers helped in the first days of the flood. Unfortunately, 49 people died because of the flood. Nevertheless, since the EMS was able to manage the extraordinary needs, the number of emergencies and hospitalizations was low.

• MeSH
• katastrofy * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• urgentní zdravotnické služby * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH