P052: The importance of structured ambulance radio patches during termination of resuscitation calls

Abstract

Introduction: Pre-hospital telecommunication (patches) requires a special type of conversation. Receiving and processing correct information is critical when making clinical decisions, such as a termination of resuscitation (ToR). In a study of radio patches, a common patch structure emerged from the data analysis. Use of this standard structure resulted in shorter and less confusing patches. We sought to understand patch structure to be able to target interventions to improve the quality and efficiency of communication needed for critical clinical decisions. Methods: We undertook a retrospective analysis of all ToR patches between physicians and paramedics from 4 paramedic services, recorded by the Ambulance Dispatch Centre between Jan 01-Dec 31, 2014. Four services used Primary Care Paramedics and 1 service also used Advanced Care Paramedics. MP3 patch recording files were anonymized, transcribed, and read multiple times by the authors. Transcripts were coded and analyzed using mixed methods-quantitative descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic framework analysis. Results: The data set was 127 ToR patches-466 pages of transcripts. 116 patches (91.3%) had a standard structure (SS): participant introduction, clinical data presentation, clarification of data, making the decision, exchange of administrative information, and sign off. Paramedics used a mean of 81 words (95CI 74,88) to present the ‘clinical data’. Enough data was presented to meet ToR rule criteria in 52 cases (44.8%). Before making a decision to terminate resuscitation, physicians sought clarification in 100 cases (78.7%). After making the ToR decision, some physicians needed to justify their decision by seeking more data in 17 cases (13.4%). Exchange of non-clinical information (numbers, times, name spellings) took a mean of 200 words (95CI 172,228) and averaged 84 seconds or 35% of the average patch time. SS patches used a mean of 558 words, and lasted 234 sec (95CI 215,252). Non-SS patches used a mean of 654 words and lasted 286 sec (95CI 240,332). Conclusion: The most common patch structure consisted of participant introduction, data presentation, clarification of data, making the clinical decision, exchange of administrative information, and a sign off. Deviation from this SS resulted in longer patches. When a non-SS patch structure was used, the patching paramedic was tied up 25% longer and unavailable to provide patient care.