Prehospital management of febrile convulsions by the Mobile Emergency Care Unit in the Capital Region of Denmark

INTRODUCTION: We conducted a quality assurance project of The Mobile Emergency Care Unit (MECU) in the Capital Region of Denmark when dispatched to febrile convulsions. The study focuses on prehospital treatment, comparison between prehospital and in-hospital diagnoses and parents' perceptions of their child's febrile convulsions and their satisfaction with the MECU. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The period of investigation was from March 1st 2004 to March 31st 2005. Children with a diagnosis of febrile convulsions or relevant differential diagnoses were eligible for inclusion. Children were excluded if they had already been included, if their parents had no Danish address or if the questionnaire was not returned after a reminder was sent. RESULTS: In the period of investigation, 333 children were eligible for inclusion, 290 questionnaires were sent, and 235 were returned, giving a response rate of 81%. The median age was 1 year (range: 0-7 years). In general, parents were satisfied with the MECU. Reasons of dissatisfaction are described. Most children (76%) were admitted without physician escort. A total of 37 children (16%) received diazepam therapy, of whom 15 (6%) were given intravenous diazepam. In 90% of cases, the prehospital and in-hospital diagnosis were identical. CONCLUSION: In general, parents appreciate the service provided by the MECU. Reasons of dissatisfaction are described. On several occasions, the prehospital physician administered intravenous anticonvulsants, but we discuss if the MECU should still be dispatched primarily to febrile convulsions.