At a glance
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The Effect of Acute High Altitude Exposure on Rescuer Performance and Patient Care
In Brief
A clinical study evaluating Acute high altitude exposure, Acute high altitude exposure, with supplementary oxygen, and 1 other intervention for High Altitude and 2 related conditions. Completed, enrolled 20 participants across 2 sites.
Detailed Summary
Rescue services in mountainous regions are frequently called to missions at altitudes \>3000 m. Under the difficult conditions of acute exposure to altitude, the crews then have to undertake demanding medical and rescue measures. Previous studies in non-medical personnel, such as astronauts, aircraft pilots, and military helicopter pilots have found that the lack of oxygen associated with acute exposure to altitude may impair cognitive functions. No data exists on the effect this may have on the performance of medical staff in terms of patient examination, communication, decision-making, planning, and overall patient care. This study aims to close this knowledge gap. The investigators of this study aim to make rescue missions to high altitude safer for both the patients and the rescuers. To assess the effect of high altitude on patient care, the investigators recruit highly trained medical specialists who will perform patient care in simulated scenarios both at high altitude and at low altitude. These scenarios will be recorded and the performance of the medical specialists judged by independent reviewers. The medical specialists will also perform in simulated scenarios at high altitude two more times: once with supplementary oxygen, and once after spending a night at high altitude. the investigators do this to evaluate whether supplementary oxygen improves their performance, and whether symptoms of acute mountain sickness (which usually develop after spending the first night at high altitude) decreases their performance further.
Study Details
Timeline
Interventions
Thirty minutes after arrival at the Research Station Jungfraujoch by train, a simulated scenario of patient care ("intervention 1", high altitude at 3450 masl) is performed.
4 hours after arrival at the Research Station Jungfraujoch by train, a simulated scenario of patient care ("intervention 2", high altitude at 3450 masl) is performed, while the participants receive 4 litres / minute of oxygen via nasal route.
After having spent a night at the Research Station Jungfraujoch, a simulated scenario of patient care ("Intervention 3", high altitude at 3450 masl) is performed.