Emergency Data Management - Overcoming (Information) Borders.

BACKGROUND: In order to improve access to critical patient data in case of emergency, many countries have begun or intend to implement emergency datasets. In Germany, the German Medical Association developed a medical emergency dataset (MED), which provides the possibility to store information on prior diagnoses, medications, allergies and other emergency-relevant information on the German Electronic Health Card.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to evaluate how the MED can be used internationally.

METHODS: A total of 64 paper-based emergency data sets were completed by primary care physicians in Germany, and were then evaluated by German clinicians, emergency physicians, and paramedics on the basis of fictitious emergency scenarios. Thirty randomly selected MEDs were then translated into English and will be evaluated by international emergency physicians and paramedics.

RESULTS: In Germany, clinicians, emergency physicians and paramedics rated the emergency data set as very useful or useful in more than 70% of the reviewed cases. The international evaluation will start in September 2016, so these results are pending at this time.

CONCLUSION: The first study results from Germany indicate high potential benefits of the emergency data set in real patient care situations. The subsequent tests will show whether the MED is also suitable for international use.