In two research projects a comprehensive prehospital telemedicine system was developed and general feasibility as well as impact on guideline adherence were evaluated. These results allowed stepwise implementation into medical routine care. All steps and milestones from the research idea to implementation were analyzed and evaluated descriptively in this study. Using a pre-post intervention analysis the systemic effects of the implementation on change in emergency medical resource utilization were analyzed.
In two interdisciplinary research projects a comprehensive prehospital telemedicine system was developed and general feasibility as well as impact on guideline adherence were evaluated. Feasibility and general safety were demonstrated. These results allowed stepwise implementation into medical routine care during a one year phase. During implementation positive effects on guideline adherence were found. Despite positive results there are many barriers that prevent implementation of research projects into routine medical care. Therefore, the current study evaluated and interpreted all steps and milestones from the research idea to implementation and evaluated them descriptively. Using a pre-post intervention analysis the systemic effects of the implementation on change in emergency medical resource utilization were analyzed. Resource utilization of physician staffed emergency medical service units was compared between a pre-implementation period (12 months, April 2013 - March 2014) and a post-implementation period (12 months, April 2015 - March 2016). During the pre-implementation period only standard care was available. Inclusion criteria: All emergency medical service (EMS) missions in both periods. Data sources: Electronic health records of the EMS missions (data pseudonymity) and database of the regional EMS dispatch center.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
51,649
Change in usage of physician staffed EMS units
Change in usage of physician staffed EMS units (ground based and helicopter based). Comparison between the pre- and post-implementation period.
Time frame: Comparison between 1 year pre-implementation and 1 year post-implementation period.
Usage of telemedical support in the post-implementation period
Number of ambulance calls using telemedical support
Time frame: Through study completion in the post-implementation period (1 year)
Provided medications during teleconsultation
Number of delegated medications including opioids in the post-implementation phase
Time frame: Through study completion in the post-implementation period (1 year)
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