The quality of pre-announcement communication and the accuracy of estimated arrival time in critically ill patients, a prospective observational study
Dublin Core
Title
The quality of pre-announcement communication and the accuracy of estimated arrival time in critically ill patients, a prospective observational study
Subject
Pre-announcement, Handover, Estimated time of Arrival, Observed Time of arrival, Emergency
Department, (Helicopter) Emergency Medical Services
Department, (Helicopter) Emergency Medical Services
Description
Background: Efcient communication between (helicopter) emergency medical services ((H)EMS) and healthcare
professionals in the emergency department (ED) is essential to facilitate appropriate team mobilization and preparation for critically ill patients. A correct estimated time of arrival (ETA) is crucial for patient safety and time-management
since all team members have to be present, but needless waiting must be avoided. The aim of this study is to investigate the quality of the pre-announcement and the accuracy of the ETA.
Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in potentially critically ill/injured patients transported
to the ED of a Level I trauma center by the (H)EMS. Research assistants observed time slots prior to arrival at the ED
and during the initial assessment, using a stopwatch and an observation form. Information on the pre-announcement
(including mechanisms of injury, vital signs, and the ETA) is also collected.
Results: One hundred and ninety-three critically ill/injured patients were included. Information in the pre-announcement was often incomplete; in particular vital signs (86%). Forty percent of the announced critically ill patients were
non-critical at arrival in the ED. The observed time of arrival (OTA) for 66% of the patients was later than the provided
ETA (median 5:15min) and 19% of the patients arrived sooner (3:10min). Team completeness prior to the arrival of the
patient was achieved for 66% of the patients.
Conclusions: The quality of the pre-announcement is moderate, sometimes lacking essential information on vital
signs. Forty percent of the critically ill patients turned out to be non-critical at the ED. Furthermore, the ETA was regularly inaccurate and team completeness was insufcient. However, none of the above was correlated to the rate of
complications, mortality, LOS, ward of admission or discharge location.
professionals in the emergency department (ED) is essential to facilitate appropriate team mobilization and preparation for critically ill patients. A correct estimated time of arrival (ETA) is crucial for patient safety and time-management
since all team members have to be present, but needless waiting must be avoided. The aim of this study is to investigate the quality of the pre-announcement and the accuracy of the ETA.
Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in potentially critically ill/injured patients transported
to the ED of a Level I trauma center by the (H)EMS. Research assistants observed time slots prior to arrival at the ED
and during the initial assessment, using a stopwatch and an observation form. Information on the pre-announcement
(including mechanisms of injury, vital signs, and the ETA) is also collected.
Results: One hundred and ninety-three critically ill/injured patients were included. Information in the pre-announcement was often incomplete; in particular vital signs (86%). Forty percent of the announced critically ill patients were
non-critical at arrival in the ED. The observed time of arrival (OTA) for 66% of the patients was later than the provided
ETA (median 5:15min) and 19% of the patients arrived sooner (3:10min). Team completeness prior to the arrival of the
patient was achieved for 66% of the patients.
Conclusions: The quality of the pre-announcement is moderate, sometimes lacking essential information on vital
signs. Forty percent of the critically ill patients turned out to be non-critical at the ED. Furthermore, the ETA was regularly inaccurate and team completeness was insufcient. However, none of the above was correlated to the rate of
complications, mortality, LOS, ward of admission or discharge location.
Creator
Michelle Maris, Sivera A. A. Berben, Wouter Verhoef, Pierre van Grunsven and Edward C. T. H. Tan
Publisher
BMC Emergency Medicine
Date
(2022) 22:44
Contributor
Fajar bagus W
Format
PDF
Language
English
Type
Text
Files
Collection
Citation
Michelle Maris, Sivera A. A. Berben, Wouter Verhoef, Pierre van Grunsven and Edward C. T. H. Tan, “The quality of pre-announcement communication and the accuracy of estimated arrival time in critically ill patients, a prospective observational study,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 4, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/4058.