Table 2 Summary of pre-hospital treatment, ED diagnosis and final hospital diagnosis

 Oxygen

585, 58.1 % (55.4–61.5 %)

8 (0.8 %)

 Inhaled beta-agonist

216, 21.4 % (18.9–24 %)

15 (1.5 %)

 Nitrates

128, 12.9 % (10.9–15.1 %)

12 (1.2 %)

 Aspirin

105, 10.6 % (8.8–12.7 %)

15 (1.5 %)

 Inhaled anticholinergic

87, 9 % (7.4–11 %)

43 (4.3 %)

 IV beta-agonist

26, 2.6 % (1.8–3.8 %)

17 (1.7 %)

 Corticosteroid

26, 2.6 % (1.8–3.8 %)

17 (1.7 %)

 Opiate (morphine or fentanyl)

26, 2.6 % (1.8–3.8 %)

16 (1.6 %)

 IV fluids

20, 2.1 % (1.3–3.2 %)

43 (4.3 %)

 Non-invasive ventilation

18, 1.8 % (1.2–2.9 %)

16 (1.6 %)

 Diuretic

18, 1.8 % (1.2–2.9 %)

16 (1.6 %)

 Adrenaline

9, 0.9 % (0.5–1.7 %)

16 (1.6 %)

 Endotracheal intubation

0, 0 % (0–0.4 %)

16 (1.6 %)

 Thrombolysis

0, 0 % (0–0.4 %)

16 (1.6 %)

 Lower respiratory tract infection (including pneumonia)

229, 22.7 % (20.2–25.4 %)

0

 Cardiac failure

204, 20.3 % (17.9–22.9 %)

0

 COPD

198, 19.7 % (17.3–22.2 %)

0

 Asthma

79, 7.9 % (6.3–9.7 %)

0

 Acute coronary syndrome

28, 2.8 % (1.9–4 %)

0

 Atrial fibrillation

27, 2.7 % (1.9–3.9 %)

0

 Hyperventilation

16, 1.6 % (1–2.6 %)

0

 Pleural effusion

15, 1.5 % (0.9–2.4 %)

0

 Malignancy

14, 1.4 % (0.8–2.3 %)

0

 Pulmonary embolism

12, 1.2 % (0.7–2.1 %)

0

 Pneumothorax

4, 0.4 % (0.2–1 %)

0

 Other/ unclear

181, 18 % (15.7–20.5 %)

0

 Lower respiratory tract infection (including pneumonia)

236, 23.4 % (20.9–26.2 %)

0

 Cardiac failure

186, 18.5 % (16.2–21 %)

0

 COPD

197. 19.6 % (17.2–22.1 %)

0

 Asthma

76, 7.6 % (6.1–9.3 %)

0

 Acute coronary syndrome

29, 2.9 % (2–4.1 %)

0

 Atrial fibrillation

21, 2.1 % (1.4–3.2 %)

0

 Hyperventilation

15, 1.5 % (0.9–2.4 %)

0

 Pleural effusion

11, 1.1 % (0.6–1.9 %)

0

 Malignancy

18, 1.8 % (1.1–2.8 %)

0

 Pulmonary embolism

9, 0.9 % (0.5–1.7 %)

0

 Pneumothorax

4, 0.4 % (0.2–1 %)

0

 Other/ unclear

205, 20.4 % (18–23 %)

0