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1.

Background and purpose

Following the reorganization of a University Medical Center onto a single campus, an Intensive Care Unit was created within the adult Emergency Department (ED ICU). We assessed the effects of these organizational changes on acute stroke management and the intravenous administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV rtPA), as characterized by the thrombolysis rate, door-to-needle time (DNT) and outcome at 3 months.

Methods

Between October 2013 and September 2015, we performed a retrospective, observational, single-center, comparative study of patients admitted for ischemic stroke and treated with IV rtPA during two 321-day periods (before and after the creation of the ED ICU). All patients with ischemic stroke were included. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed. The DNT was stratified according to a threshold of 60 min. A favorable long-term outcome was defined as a modified Rankin score  2 at 3 months.

Results

A total of 1334 ischemic stroke patients were included. Among them, 101 patients received IV rtPA. The frequency of IV rtPA administration was 5.8% (39 out of 676) before the creation of the ED ICU, and 9.3% (62 out of 668) afterwards (odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 1.67 [1.08–2.60]; p = 0.02). Additionally, the DNT was shorter (OR [95%CI]: 4.30 [1.17–20.90]; p = 0.04) and there was an improvement in the outcome (OR [95%CI] = 1.30 [1.01–2.10]; p = 0.045).

Conclusion

Our results highlight the benefits of a separate ED ICU within conventional ED for acute stroke management, with a higher thrombolysis rate, reduced intrahospital delays and better safety.  相似文献   

2.

Objective

To evaluate occurrence of cerebellar stroke in Emergency Department (ED) presentations of isolated dizziness (dizziness with a normal exam and negative neurological review of systems).

Methods

A 5-year retrospective study of ED patients presenting with a chief complaint of “dizziness or vertigo”, without other symptoms or signs in narrative history or on exam to suggest a central nervous system lesion, and work-up included a brain MRI within 48 h. Patients with symptoms commonly peripheral in etiology (nystagmus, tinnitus, gait instability, etc.) were included in the study. Patient demographics, stroke risk factors, and gait assessments were recorded.

Results

One hundred and thirty-six patients, who had a brain MRI for isolated dizziness, were included. There was a low correlation of gait assessment between ED physician and Neurologist (49 patients, Spearman's correlation r2 = 0.17). Based on MRI DWI sequence, 3.7% (5/136 patients) had acute cerebellar strokes, limited to or including, the medial posterior inferior cerebellar artery vascular territory. In the 5 cerebellar stroke patients, mean age, body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin A1c, gender distribution, and prevalence of hypertension were similar to the non-cerebellar stroke patient group. Mean LDL/HDL ratio was 3.63 ± 0.80 and smoking prevalence was 80% in the cerebellar stroke group compared to 2.43 ± 0.79 and 22% (respectively, p values < 0.01) in the non-cerebellar stroke group.

Conclusions

Though there was preselection bias for stroke risk factors, our study suggests an important proportion of cerebellar stroke among ED patients with isolated dizziness, considering how common this complaint is.  相似文献   

3.

Study objective

We investigated seasonal prevalence of hyponatremia in the emergency department (ED).

Design

A cross-sectional study using clinical chart review.

Setting

University Hospital ED, with approximately 28 000 patient visits a year.

Type of participants

We reviewed 15 049 patients, subdivided in 2 groups: the adult group consisting of 9822 patients aged between 18 and 64 years old and the elderly group consisting of 5227 patients aged over 65 years presenting to the ED between January 1st, 2014 and December 31st, 2015.

Intervention

Emergency patients were evaluated for the presence of hyponatremia by clinical chart review.

Measurements and main results

Hyponatremia was defined as a serum sodium level < 135 mmol/l. Mean monthly prevalence of hyponatremia was of 3.74 ± 0.5% in the adult group and it was significantly increased to 10.3 ± 0.7% in the elderly group (p < 0.05 vs adults). During the summer, hyponatremia prevalence was of 4.14 ± 0.2% in adult and markedly increased to 12.52 ± 0.7% (zenith) in elderly patients (p < 0.01 vs adult group; p < 0.05 vs other seasons in elderly group). In the elderly group, we reported a significant correlation between weather temperature and hyponatremia prevalence (r: 0.491; p < 0.05).

Conclusion

We observed a major influence of climate on the prevalence of hyponatremia in the elderly in the ED. Decline in renal function, salt loss, reduced salt intake and increased water ingestion could all contribute to developing hyponatremia in elderly patients during the summer. These data could be useful for emergency physicians to prevent hot weather-induced hyponatremia in the elderly.  相似文献   

4.

Background

Our objective was to compare in-hospital mortality among emergency department (ED) patients meeting trial-based criteria for septic shock based upon whether presenting with refractory hypotension (systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg after 1 L intravenous fluid bolus) versus hyperlactatemia (initial lactate  4 mmol/L).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis by chart review of ED patients admitted to an intensive care unit with suspected infection during 1 August 2012–28 February 2015. We included all patients with body fluid cultures sampled either during their ED stay without antibiotic administration or within 24 h of antibiotic administration in the ED. We excluded patients not meeting criteria for either refractory hypotension or hyperlactatemia. Trained chart abstractors blinded to the study hypothesis double entered data from each patient's record including demographics, clinical data, treatments, and in-hospital mortality. We compared in-hospital mortality among patients with isolated refractory hypotension, isolated hyperlactatemia, or both. We also calculated odds ratios (ORs) via logistic regression for in-hospital mortality based on presence of refractory hypotension or hyperlactatemia.

Results

Of 202 patients included in the analysis, 38 (18.8%) died during hospitalization. Mortality was 10.9% among 101 patients with isolated refractory hypotension, 24.4% among 41 patients with isolated hyperlactatemia, and 28.3% among 60 patients with both (p = 0.01). Logistic regression analyses yielded in-hospital mortality OR for refractory hypotension of 1.3 (95% CI 0.5–3.8) versus OR for hyperlactatemia of 2.9 (95% CI 1.2–7.4).

Conclusions

Hyperlactatemia appears associated with higher in-hospital mortality compared to refractory hypotension among ED patients with septic shock.  相似文献   

5.

Background

Hypoxemia increases the risk of intubation markedly. Such concerns are multiplied in the emergency department (ED) and during retrieval where patients may be unstable, preparation or preoxygenation time limited and the environment uncontrolled. Apneic oxygenation is a promising means of preventing hypoxemia in this setting.

Aim

To test the hypothesis that apnoeic oxygenation reduces the incidence of hypoxemia during endotracheal intubation in the ED and during retrieval.

Methods

We undertook a systematic review of six databases for all relevant studies published up to November 2016. Included studies evaluated apneic oxygenation during intubation in the ED and during retrieval. There were no exemptions based on study design. All studies were assessed for level of evidence and risk of bias. The Review Manager 5.3 software was used to perform meta-analysis of the pooled data.

Results

Six trials and a total 1822 cases were included for analysis. The study found a significant reduction in the incidence of desaturation (RR = 0.76, p = 0.002) and critical desaturation (RR = 0.51, p = 0.01) when apneic oxygenation was implemented. There was also a significant improvement in first pass intubation success rate (RR = 1.09, p = 0.004).

Conclusion

Apneic oxygenation may reduce patient hypoxemia during intubation performed in the ED and during retrieval. It also improves intubation first-pass success rate in this setting.  相似文献   

6.

Background

Minimizing and preventing adverse events and medical errors in the emergency department (ED) is an ongoing area of quality improvement. Identifying these events remains challenging.

Objective

To investigate the utility of tracking patients transferred to the ICU within 24 h of admission from the ED as a marker of preventable errors and adverse events.

Methods

From November 2011 through June 2016, we prospectively collected data for all patients presenting to an urban, tertiary care academic ED. We utilized an automated electronic tracking system to identify ED patients who were admitted to a hospital ward and then transferred to the ICU within 24 h. Reviewers screened for possible error or adverse event and if discovered the case was referred to the departmental Quality Assurance (QA) committee for deliberations and consensus agreement.

Results

Of 96,377 ward admissions, 921 (1%) patients were subsequently transferred to the ICU within 24 h of ED presentation. Of these 165 (19%) were then referred to the QA committee for review. Total rate of adverse events regardless of whether or not an error occurred was 2.1%, 19/921 (95% CI 1.4% to 3.0%). Medical error on the part of the ED was 2.2%, 20/921 (95% CI 1.5% to 3.1%) and ED Preventable Error in 1.1%, 10/921 (95% CI 0.6% to 1.8%).

Conclusion

Tracking patients admitted to the hospital from the ED who are transferred to the ICU < 24 h after admission may be a valuable marker for adverse events and preventable errors in the ED.  相似文献   

7.

Objectives

The Quick Sequential [Sepsis-related] Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score has been shown to accurately predict mortality in septic patients and is part of recently proposed diagnostic criteria for sepsis. We sought to ascertain the sensitive of the score in diagnosing sepsis, as well as the diagnostic timeliness of the score when compared to traditional systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria in a population of emergency department (ED) patients treated in the ED, admitted, and subsequently discharged with a diagnosis of sepsis.

Methods

Electronic health records of 200 patients who were treated for suspected sepsis in our ED and ultimately discharged from our hospital with a diagnosis of sepsis were randomly selected for review from a population of adult ED patients (N = 1880). Data extracted included the presence of SIRS criteria and the qSOFA score as well as time required to meet said criteria.

Results

In this cohort, 94.5% met SIRS criteria while in the ED whereas only 58.3% met qSOFA. The mean time from arrival to SIRS documentation was 47.1 min (95% CI: 36.5–57.8) compared to 84.0 min (95% CI: 62.2–105.8) for qSOFA. The median ED “door” to positive SIRS criteria was 12 min and 29 min for qSOFA.

Conclusions

Although qSOFA may be valuable in predicting sepsis-related mortality, it performed poorly as a screening tool for identifying sepsis in the ED. As the time to meet qSOFA criteria was significantly longer than for SIRS, relying on qSOFA alone may delay initiation of evidence-based interventions known to improve sepsis-related outcomes.  相似文献   

8.

Background

Motor vehicle–related injuries (including off-road) are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and acute traumatic spinal cord injury in the United States.

Objectives

To describe motocross-related head and spine injuries of adult patients presenting to an academic emergency department (ED).

Methods

We performed an observational cohort study of adult ED patients evaluated for motocross-related injuries from 2010 through 2015. Electronic health records were reviewed and data extracted using a standardized review process.

Results

A total of 145 motocross-related ED visits (143 unique patients) were included. Overall, 95.2% of patients were men with a median age of 25 years. Sixty-seven visits (46.2%) were associated with head or spine injuries. Forty-three visits (29.7%) were associated with head injuries, and 46 (31.7%) were associated with spine injuries. Among the 43 head injuries, 36 (83.7%) were concussions. Seven visits (16.3%) were associated with at least 1 head abnormality identified by computed tomography, including skull fracture (n = 2), subdural hematoma (n = 1), subarachnoid hemorrhage (n = 4), intraparenchymal hemorrhage (n = 3), and diffuse axonal injury (n = 3). Among the 46 spine injuries, 32 (69.6%) were acute spinal fractures. Seven patients (4.9%) had clinically significant and persistent neurologic injuries. One patient (0.7%) died, and 3 patients had severe TBIs.

Conclusion

Adult patients evaluated in the ED after motocross trauma had high rates of head and spine injuries with considerable morbidity and mortality. Almost half had head or spine injuries (or both), with permanent impairment for nearly 5% and death for 0.7%.  相似文献   

9.

Background

Aortic dissection is typically evaluated with computed tomography angiography (CTA). However, the feasibility of using magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in the ED is unclear. This study examined the indications and outcomes of MRA in suspected aortic dissection evaluation in the ED.

Methods

An IRB approved review identified patients who underwent MRA in the ED for acute thoracic aortic dissection from January 2010 to June 2016. Demographics, clinical assessment, CTA contraindications, outcomes, and ED disposition were analyzed.

Results

50 MRAs were ordered for suspected thoracic aortic dissection. 21 (42%) for iodinated contrast allergy, 21 (42%) for renal insufficiency, 2 (4%) due to both, 2 (4%) to spare ionizing radiation, 2 (4%) for further work-up after CTA, and 2 (4%) due to prior contrast enhanced CT within 24 h. Median ED arrival to MRA completion time was 311 min. 42 studies were fully diagnostic; 7 were limited. One patient could not tolerate the examination. 49 MRAs were completed: 2 (4%) patients had acute dissection on MRA and 47 (96%) had negative exams. 17 (35%) received gadolinium. 18 (37%) patients were discharged home from the ED with a median length of stay of 643 min. 2 (4%) were admitted for acute dissection seen on MRA and 29 (59%) for further evaluation.

Conclusion

MRA has a clear role in the evaluation for acute thoracic aortic dissection in the ED in patients with contraindications to CTA, and can guide management and facilitate safe discharge to home.  相似文献   

10.

Background

Chemical restraint is often required to control agitation induced by methamphetamine. Dexmedetomidine is an α-2 adrenergic receptor agonist with sedative, analgesic, and sympatholytic properties. Its use in the emergency department (ED) to control methamphetamine-induced agitation has not been reported.

Objective

To report two cases of methamphetamine-induced agitation successfully sedated with dexmedetomidine in the ED.

Case Report

The first case was a 42-year-old man with unstable emotion and violent behaviours after smoking methamphetamine. His agitation did not respond to a large cumulative dose of benzodiazepines (10 mg of diazepam and 332 mg of midazolam) administered over 48 h and sedation was achieved with dexmedetomidine. The second case was a 38-year-old methamphetamine user with unstable emotion and recurrent episodes of agitation despite repeated doses of benzodiazepines, whose agitation was controlled with dexmedetomidine infusion.

Discussion

In both cases, dexmedetomidine apparently reduced the dose of benzodiazepines needed to achieve adequate sedation. Transient falls in blood pressure and slowing of the heart rate were noted, which resolved either spontaneously or after reducing the infusion rate without requiring drug treatment.

Conclusion

Dexmedetomidine can be considered as an adjunct for chemical restraint when standard treatment fails to control the agitation induced by methamphetamine, but patient's hemodynamic state should be monitored closely during administration. Its efficacy and safety in the ED warrant further evaluation with prospective controlled trials.  相似文献   

11.

Background

This is the first study to evaluate the association between the serially measured RDW values and clinical severity in patients surviving > 24 h after sustaining trauma. We evaluated the serial measurement and cut-off values of RDW to determine its significance as a prognostic marker of early mortality in patients with suspected severe trauma.

Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed prospective data of eligible adult patients who were admitted to the ED with suspected severe trauma. The RDW was determined on each day of hospitalization. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality within 28-days of ED admission.

Results

We included 305 patients who met our inclusion criteria. The multivariate Cox regression model demonstrated that higher RDW values on day 1 (hazard ratio [HR], 1.558; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09–2.227; p = 0.015) and day 2 (HR, 1.549; 95% CI, 1.046–2.294; p = 0.029) were strong independent predictors of short-term mortality among patients with suspected severe trauma. Considering the clinical course of severe trauma patients, the RDW is an important ancillary test for determining severity. Specifically, we found that RDW values > 14.4% on day 1 (HR, 4.227; 95% CI: 1.672–10.942; p < 0.001) and > 14.7% on day 2 (HR, 6.041; 95% CI: 2.361–15.458; p < 0.001) increased the hazard 28-day all-cause mortality.

Conclusion

An increased RDW value is an independent predictor of 28-day mortality in patients with suspected severe trauma. The RDW, routinely obtained as part of the complete blood count without added cost or time, can be serially measured as indicator of severity after trauma.  相似文献   

12.

Background

Patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage and mild traumatic brain injury (mTIH) receive broadly variable care which often includes transfer to a trauma center, neurosurgery consultation and ICU admission. However, there may be a low risk cohort of patients who can be managed without utilizing such significant resources.

Objective

Describe mTIH patients who are at low risk of clinical or radiographic decompensation and can be safely managed in an ED observation unit (EDOU).

Methods

Retrospective evaluation of patients age  16, GCS  13 with ICH on CT. Primary outcomes included clinical/neurologic deterioration, CT worsening or need for neurosurgery.

Results

1185 consecutive patients were studied. 814 were admitted and 371 observed patients (OP) were monitored in the EDOU or discharged from the ED after a period of observation. None of the OP deteriorated clinically. 299 OP (81%) had a single lesion on CT; 72 had mixed lesions. 120 patients had isolated subarachnoid hemorrhage (iSAH) and they did uniformly well. Of the 119 OP who had subdural hematoma (SDH), 6 had worsening CT scans and 3 underwent burr hole drainage procedures as inpatients due to persistent SDH without new deficit. Of the 39 OP who had cerebral contusions, 3 had worsening CT scans and one required NSG admission. No patient returned to the ED with a complication. Follow-up was obtained on 81% of OP. 2 patients with SDH required burr hole procedure > 2 weeks after discharge.

Conclusions

Patients with mTIH, particularly those with iSAH, have very low rates of clinical or radiographic deterioration and may be safe for monitoring in an emergency department observation unit.  相似文献   

13.

Objectives

The American College of Emergency Physicians Geriatric Emergency Department (ED) Guidelines and the Center for Disease Control recommend that older adults be assessed for risk of falls. The standard ED assessment is a verbal query of fall risk factors, which may be inadequate. We hypothesized that the addition of a functional balance test endorsed by the Center for Disease Control Stop Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries Falls Prevention Guidelines, the 4-Stage Balance Test (4SBT), would improve the detection of patients at risk for falls.

Methods

Prospective pilot study of a convenience sample of ambulatory adults 65 years and older in the ED. All participants received the standard nursing triage fall risk assessment. After patients were stabilized in their ED room, the 4SBT was administered.

Results

The 58 participants had an average age of 74.1 years (range, 65-94), 40.0% were women, and 98% were community dwelling. Five (8.6%) presented to the ED for a fall-related chief complaint. The nursing triage screen identified 39.7% (n = 23) as at risk for falls, whereas the 4SBT identified 43% (n = 25). Combining triage questions with the 4SBT identified 60.3% (n = 35) as at high risk for falls, as compared with 39.7% (n = 23) with triage questions alone (P < .01). Ten (17%) of the patients at high risk by 4SBT and missed by triage questions were inpatients unaware that they were at risk for falls (new diagnoses).

Conclusions

Incorporating a quick functional test of balance into the ED assessment for fall risk is feasible and significantly increases the detection of older adults at risk for falls.  相似文献   

14.

Objectives

This was a before and after study which sought to assess the impact of opening an ED short stay unit (ESSU) on the ED performance of poisoned patients.

Methods

Data was collected from two groups of adult patients presenting to an ED with a tertiary referral inpatient Toxicology unit from the 2009 and 2012 calendar years, to assess the impact of the ESSU. The toxicology unit clinical database and hospital electronic medical records were interrogated for demographic, clinical and hospital flow details of presentations. The primary outcome was ED length of stay (LOS). Other outcomes included proportion of patients remaining in ED for their admission, 28 day re-presentations and hospital LOS.

Results

During 2009, 795 patients met inclusion criteria, and during 2012, 762. The median LOS in ED was reduced from 8.5 h (IQR: 4.7–14 h) to 2.7 h (IQR: 1.6–4.6; p < 0.0001). The proportion of patients remaining in ED for their entire hospital stay was reduced from 515/795 (65%) to 56/762 (7.3%) [Absolute difference: 57%; 95% CI: 53 to 62%; p < 0.0001]. Total hospital LOS increased from 14.5 h (IQR: 8.4–21.8 h) to 16.7 h (IQR: 11.5–23; p < 0.0001), but there was a decrease in re-presentations with self-poisoning within 28 days from 6.9% in 2009 to 4.5% in 2012 (p < 0.038). There was no difference between disposition destination or toxins causing exposure between the two groups.

Conclusions

The ESSU led to a significant improvement in ED performance of poisoned patients. It also potentially assisted in reducing ED overcrowding.  相似文献   

15.

Background

Paraphimosis is an acute urologic emergency requiring urgent manual reduction, frequently necessitating procedural sedation (PS) in the pediatric population. The present study sought to compare outcomes among pediatric patients undergoing paraphimosis reduction using a novel topical anesthetic (TA) technique versus PS.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients < 18 years old, presenting to a tertiary pediatric ED requiring analgesia for paraphimosis reduction between October 2013 and September 2016. The primary outcome was reduction first attempt success; secondary outcomes included Emergency Department length of stay (ED LOS), adverse events and return visits. Dichotomous outcomes were analyzed by Chi-square testing and multivariate linear regression was used to compare continuous variables.

Results

Forty-six patients were included; 35 underwent reduction using TA, 11 by PS. Patient age and duration of paraphimosis at ED presentation did not differ between groups. There was no difference in first attempt success between TA (32/35, 91.4%) and PS groups (9/11, 81.8%; p = 0.37). Mean ED LOS was 209 min shorter for TA patients (148 min vs. 357 min, p = 0.001) and remained significantly shorter after controlling for age and duration of paraphimosis (adjusted mean difference ?198 min, p = 0.003). There were no return visits or major adverse events in either group, however, among successful reduction attempts, PS patients more frequently experienced minor adverse events (7/9 vs. 0/32, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Paraphimosis reduction using TA was safe and effective. Compared to PS, TA was associated with a reduced ED LOS and fewer adverse events. TA could potentially allow more timely reduction with improved patient experience and resource utilization.  相似文献   

16.

Objectives

Primary objective was to characterize lung ultrasound findings in children with asthma presenting with respiratory distress to the emergency department (ED). Secondary objectives included correlating these findings with patients' clinical course in the ED.

Methods

Eligible patients 2–17 years of age, underwent a lung ultrasound by the study sonographer between November 2014 to December 2015. Positive lung ultrasound was defined as the presence of ≥ 1 of the following findings: ≥ 3 B-lines per intercostal space, consolidation and/or pleural abnormalities. The treating physician remained blinded to ultrasound findings; clinical course was extracted from the medical chart.

Results

A total of sixty patients were enrolled in this study. Lung ultrasound was positive in 45% (27/60) of patients: B-line pattern in 38%, consolidation in 30% and pleural line abnormalities in 12%. A positive lung ultrasound correlated with increased utilization of antibiotics (26% vs 0%, p = 0.03), prolonged ED length of stay (30% vs. 9%, p = 0.04) and admission rate (30% vs 0%, p = 0.03). Inter-rater agreement between novice and expert sonographers was excellent with a kappa of 0.92 (95% CI: 0.84–1.00).

Conclusions

This study characterized lung ultrasound findings in pediatric patients presenting with acute asthma exacerbations; nearly half of whom had a positive lung ultrasound. Positive lung ultrasounds were associated with increased ED and hospital resource utilization. Future prospective studies are needed to determine the utility and reliability of this tool in clinical practice.  相似文献   

17.

Background

There is little known about the baseline hemodynamic (HD) profiles (beyond pulse/blood pressure) of patients presenting to the Emergency department (ED) with acute heart failure (AHF). Assessing these baseline parameters could help differentiate underlying HD phenotypes which could be used to develop specific phenotypic specific approaches to patient care.

Methods

Patients with suspected AHF were enrolled in the PREMIUM (Prognostic Hemodynamic Profiling in the Acutely Ill Emergency Department Patient) multinational registry and continuous HD monitoring was initiated on ED presentation using noninvasive finger cuff technology (Nexfin, BMEYE, Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, California). Individuals with clinically suspected and later confirmed AHF were included in this analysis and initial 15 minute averages for available HD parameters were calculated. K-means clustering was performed to identify out of 23 HD variables a set that provided the greatest level of inter-cluster discrimination and intra-cluster cohesions.

Results

A total of 127 patients had confirmed AHF. The final model, using mean normalized patient baseline HD values was able to differentiate these individuals into 3 distinct phenotypes. Cluster 1: normal cardiac index (CCI) and systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI); cluster 2: very low CI and markedly increased SVRI: and cluster 3: low CI and an elevated SVRI. These clusters were not differentiated using clinically available ED information.

Conclusions

Three distinct clusters were defined using novel noninvasive presenting HD monitoring technology in this cohort of ED AHF patients. Further studies are needed to determine whether phenotypic specific therapies based on these clusters can improve outcomes.  相似文献   

18.

Study objectives

To compare diagnostic test ordering practices of NPs with those of physicians in the role of Provider in Triage (PIT).

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of data from a prospective RCT of waiting room diagnostic testing, where 770 patients had diagnostic studies ordered from the waiting room. The primary outcome was the number of test categories ordered by provider type. Other outcomes included total tests ordered by the end of ED stay, and time in an ED bed. We compared variables between groups using t-test and chi-square, constructed logistic regression models for individual test categories, and univariate and multivariate negative binomial models.

Results

Physicians ordered significantly more diagnostic test categories than NPs (1.75 vs. 1.54, p < 0.001). By the end of their ED stay, there was no significant difference in total test categories ordered between provider type: physician 2.67 vs. NP 2.53 (p = 0.08), using a nonbinomial model, incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.07 (0.98–1.17). Patient time in an ED bed was not significantly different between physicians and NPs (NP 244 min, SD = 133, Physicians 248 min, SD = 152) difference 4 min (? 24.3–16.1) p = 0.688.

Conclusion

NPs in the PIT role ordered slightly less diagnostic tests than attending physicians. This slight difference did not affect time spent in an ED bed. By the end of the ED stay, there was no significant difference in total test categories ordered between provider types. PIT staffing with NPs does not appear to be associated with excess test ordering or prolonged ED patient stays.  相似文献   

19.

Background

Antibiotics are overprescribed for abnormal urine tests including asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB), contributing to rising antimicrobial resistance rates. Pharmacists reviewed urine cultures daily from emergency department (ED) encounters to assess antibiotic appropriateness. We studied antibiotic prescribing practices and assessed compliance to national guidelines, correlations with urine analysis (UA) components, and opportunities for antimicrobial stewardship in the ED.

Methods

This quality improvement project (QIP) was a prospective cohort study at a community hospital ED, with data collected from finalized urine cultures resulting October 30, 2014 through January 5, 2015. Analyses were conducted using Chi-squared and Fisher Exact tests and stepwise multiple logistic regression.

Results

Urine cultures from 457 encounters were reviewed, of which 136 met the inclusion criteria as non-pregnant and asymptomatic for urinary tract infection (UTI). 43% of 136 patients were treated with antibiotics, for a total of 426 antibiotic days. Pharmacist interventions for these patients resulted in 122/426 (29%) of potential antibiotic days saved. Factors found to significantly increase the odds of antibiotic prescribing in asymptomatic patients included presence of leukocyte esterase (OR = 4.5, 95% CI: 1.2–17.2; p = 0.03) or nitrites (OR = 10.8, 95% CI: 1.7–68.1; p = 0.01) in the urine and age  75 (OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.2-9.6, p = 0.02).

Discussion

Pharmacist intervention in discontinuing or modifying antibiotics for asymptomatic patients with urine cultures reduced unnecessary antibiotic exposure and was a first step in antimicrobial stewardship efforts in the ED. Future work includes limiting urine tests and subsequent antibiotic therapy for non-pregnant asymptomatic patients.  相似文献   

20.

Study objective

We investigated the serum sodium correction rate on length of hospitalization and survival rate, in severe chronic hyponatremic patients at the Emergency Department (ED).

Design

An observational study using clinical chart review.

Setting

The ED of the University Hospital of Marcianise, Caserta, Italy with approximately 30,000 patients visits a year.

Type of participants

We reviewed sixty-seven patients with severe hyponatremia subdivided in 2 subgroups: group A consisting of 35 patients with serum sodium correction rate < 0.3 mmol/h and group B consisting of 32 patients with serum sodium correction rate between < 0.5 and ≥ 0.3 mmol/h.

Intervention

Emergency patients were evaluated for serum sodium correction rate for hyponatremia by clinical chart review.

Measurements and main results

Severe hyponatremia was defined as a serum sodium level < 120 mmol/l. Mean serum sodium correction rate of hyponatremia was of 0.17 ± 0.09% in group A and 0.41 ± 0.05% in group B (p < 0.001 vs group A). The length of hospital stay was 10.7 ± 3.7 days for group A, and it was significantly decreased to 3.8 ± 0.4 days for group B (p < 0.005 vs group A). In addition we observed that correction rate of hyponatremia in group A was associated with a significantly lower survival rate (25%) in comparison to group B (60%) (p < 0.001 vs group A).Conclusion: We observed that serum sodium correction rate ≥ 0.3 and < 0.5 mmol/h was associated with a shorter length of hospital stay and a major survival rate.  相似文献   

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