Emergency Physician Care of Long-term Ventilated Patients in the Out-of-hospital Setting – in the Area of Conflict between Intensive Care and Home Care

Abstract

Over the last few years, long-term out-of-hospital ventilation has become more important. Even if acute complications are rare, they are often associated with dramatic consequences. Until now, it is unknown how much experience emergency physicians have in the prehospital treatment of home ventilated patients, what problems they are confronted with, and where there is potential for improvement. In this retrospective observational study, we sent an electronic questionnaire to all emergency physicians working in Bavaria. Approximately 7–8 % (n = 264) of emergency physicians sent a response. Of the emergency physicians involved in the care of long-term ventilated patients, 66.9 % (n = 121) were confronted with care problems. Problems with the airway or the ventilator are particularly critical. In order to cope with the increased incidence of emergency interventions involving long-term ventilated patients, specific problem areas of this patient group should be should be given more consideration in the training of physician and non-physician emergency service personnel.