[Ambulance transport of patients with respiratory problems: a prospective observational study]

The aim of this study was to prospectively compile and analyze all emergency transports of patients with respiratory problems. The main target variables were frequency of the different reasons for transport and treatments administered during the emergency event. Special emphasis was placed on the use of inhalation therapy. The data of all patients who, in 2000, were transported by the "Realü" emergency medical service of the Chur Rhine Valley (a community with a population of approximately 100,000) due to respiratory problems were prospectively compiled according to predefined criteria. The emergency records and the medical release reports were evaluated. A total of 137 patients were prospectively included for the year 2000, corresponding to 8% of all patients transported by "Realü" (out of a total of 1675 patients). The average age was 66 years (2-98 years). Around one-fifth of the transports involved patients with exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary embolisms, pulmonary infections or cardiac dyspnea. Six patients (5%) were transported by ambulance because of bronchial asthma. Inhalation therapy was administered in only 41% of the cases with obstructive pulmonary disease in which it would have been indicated. In conclusion, our evidence shows that bronchial asthma is the primary diagnosis in only 6% of the patients requiring emergency transport due to respiratory symptoms. In these emergency situations, antiobstructive inhalation therapy was given to a mere 41% of the patients suffering exacerbations of COPD or bronchial asthma. More frequent use of such a simple and effective treatment should be encouraged.