Accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound and radiology-performed ultrasound for intussusception: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveIt is unclear whether point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) by emergency medicine physicians is as accurate as radiology-performed ultrasound (RADUS). We aim to summarize the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography for intussusception and to compare the performance between POCUS and RADUS.MethodsDatabases were searched from inception through February 2018 using pre-defined index terms. Peer-reviewed primary studies that investigated the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound for intussusception in children were included. The study is reported using Preferred Reporting Items for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies (PRISMA-DTA). Meta-analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound for intussusception was conducted using the random-effects bivariate model. Subgroup analysis (POCUS vs RADUS) was also performed. Meta-regression was utilized to determine if the diagnostic accuracy between POCUS and RADUS was significantly different.ResultsThirty studies (n = 5249) were included in the meta-analysis. Ultrasonography for intussusception has a sensitivity: 0.98 (95% CI: 0.96–0.98), specificity: 0.98 (95% CI: 0.95–0.99), positive likelihood ratio: 43.8 (95% CI: 18.0–106.7) and negative likelihood ratio: 0.03 (95% CI: 0.02–0.04), with an area under ROC (AUROC) curve of 0.99 (95% CI: 0.98–1.00). Meta-regression suggested no significant difference in the diagnostic accuracy for intussusception between POCUS and RADUS (AUROC: 0.95 vs 1.00, p = 0.128).ConclusionsCurrent evidence suggested POCUS has a high diagnostic accuracy for intussusception not significantly different from that of RADUS.     

Utility of point-of-care ultrasound in patients with suspected diverticulitis in the emergency department

In emergency department (ED) cases with clinically suspected diverticulitis, diagnostic imaging is often needed for diagnostic confirmation, to exclude complications, and to direct patient management. Patients typically undergo a CT scan in the ED; however, in a subset of cases with suspected diverticulitis, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) may provide sufficient data to confirm the diagnosis and ascertain a safe plan for outpatient management.We review the main sonographic features of diverticulitis and discuss the diagnostic accuracy and potential benefits of a POCUS First model.     

胸主动脉瘤破裂入左肺1例报告及文献分析

目的 对胸主动脉瘤破裂入左肺进行回顾性分析，旨在提高对胸主动脉瘤破裂入左肺的早期诊断和治疗的有效性。方法 结合1例报告，总结自1990年1月至2005年3月文献报道的胸主动脉瘤破裂入左肺16例病例。根据其有无感染、首发症状、胸主动脉瘤部位、侵入肺叶、手术方法及治疗效果进行分析。结果 胸主动脉瘤侵入左肺叶多数病程长，多合并肺部细菌和／或特异性感染，咯血是最常见的首发症状；来源于主动脉弓的瘤多侵入左肺上叶。手术多以全弓或次全弓切除及人工血管置换和左肺上叶切除术为主，而降主动脉瘤多侵入左肺下叶，手术以主动脉瘤切除及主动脉修补或血管置换术和左肺下叶切除为主；若无不可控制的大出血，预后较好。结论 胸主动脉瘤切除及人工血管置换术加侵入相应肺叶的切除术是治疗胸主动脉瘤侵入左肺的有效方法。     

Accuracy of emergency medicine ultrasound in the evaluation of abdominal aortic aneurysm

This study assesses the accuracy of Emergency Medicine (EM) residents in detecting the size and presence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) using EM ultrasound (EUS) compared to radiology measurement (RAD) by computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), angiography, or operative findings. There were 238 aortic EUS performed from 1999–2000; 36 were positive for AAA. The EUS finding of “AAA” had a sensitivity of 0.94 (0.86–1.0 95% confidence interval [CI]) and specificity of 1 (0.98–1.0 95% CI). Mean aortic diameter among patients with AAA identified by EUS was 5.43 ± 1.95 cm and by RAD was 5.35 ± 1.83 cm. The mean absolute difference between EUS and RAD diameters was 4.4 mm (95% CI 3.7–5.5 mm). Regression of EUS on RAD diameters is strongly correlated, with R² = 0.92. EM residents with appropriate training can accurately determine the presence of AAA as well as the maximal aortic diameter.     

Review article: A systematic review of emergency department incident classification frameworks

As in any part of the hospital system, safety incidents can occur in the ED. These incidents arguably have a distinct character, as the ED involves unscheduled flows of urgent patients who require disparate services. To aid understanding of safety issues and support risk management of the ED, a comparison of published ED specific incident classification frameworks was performed. A review of emergency medicine, health management and general medical publications, using Ovid SP to interrogate Medline (1976–2016) was undertaken to identify any type of taxonomy or classification‐like framework for ED related incidents. These frameworks were then analysed and compared. The review identified 17 publications containing an incident classification framework. Comparison of factors and themes making up the classification constituent elements revealed some commonality, but no overall consistency, nor evolution towards an ideal framework. Inconsistency arises from differences in the evidential basis and design methodology of classifications, with design itself being an inherently subjective process. It was not possible to identify an ‘ideal’ incident classification framework for ED risk management, and there is significant variation in the selection of categories used by frameworks. The variation in classification could risk an unbalanced emphasis in findings through application of a particular framework. Design of an ED specific, ideal incident classification framework should be informed by a much wider range of theories of how organisations and systems work, in addition to clinical and human factors.     

Review article: Common emergency department presenting complaints of prisoners: A systematic review

Prisoners are a particularly vulnerable minority group whose healthcare needs and management differ substantially from the general population. The overall burden of disease of prisoners is well documented; however, little is known regarding the aetiology and frequency of prisoners’ acute medical complaints requiring an ED visit. Objectives of the review were to identify, review and appraise existing literature regarding prisoners’ presentations to EDs. We performed systematic electronic searches in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science using MeSH terms and keywords. Two reviewers abstracted data and conducted quality appraisal using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. Nine articles met the predefined inclusion criteria. Apart from two European studies in the past 5 years, there is a scarcity of literature primarily addressing the common presenting complaints to EDs by prisoners. Existing studies demonstrated that prisoners have a disproportionately high burden of traumatic, infectious and psychiatric disease requiring emergency treatment. With the increasing number of emergency presentations made by prisoners each year, it is vital that further research is undertaken to identify trends of these acute medical complaints in order to ensure optimal therapeutic outcomes for prisoners.     

Feasibility of emergency physician diagnosis of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis using point-of-care ultrasound: a multi-center case series

Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) is an acute abdominal emergency in infants that often presents to Emergency Departments. The clinical diagnosis of HPS relies on palpation of an olive-sized mass in the right upper quadrant of an infant with a history of projectile vomiting. However, studies have shown that clinicians cannot detect the olive in 11% to 51% of cases. Ultrasonography is the imaging modality of choice to diagnose HPS. HPS has a highly characteristic sonographic appearance that makes it readily identifiable on ultrasound. To our knowledge, there have been no reports documenting the ability of Emergency Physicians to diagnose HPS using point-of-care ultrasound. We present a multi-center case series (n = 8) of HPS diagnosed by Emergency Physician-performed ultrasound. We review the technique of incorporating point-of-care ultrasound into the physical examination of infants with suspected HPS and discuss the possible role of point-of-care ultrasound in the management of these patients.     

“一站式”杂交手术方法治疗胸主动脉瘤及夹层动脉瘤的介入护理

目的探讨“一站式”杂交手术治疗胸主动脉瘤及夹层动脉瘤的术中护理配合的经验及管理。方法对10例胸主动脉瘤和夹层动脉瘤患者,在导管室行杂交手术,术中护士与医生的默契配合,严密生命体征监护,充分的各种抢救药品、器械的准备,保证手术顺利进行,防止各种并发症的发生。结果通过介入护理,患者均成功顺利完成杂交手术,术中无并发症发生。结论严格的护理管理,介入专科护士技能的培训,对杂交手术治疗胸主动脉瘤和夹层动脉瘤患者护理是安全有效的,术中介入护士与医生的默契、熟练配合,严密的生命体征监护对保证手术成功有重要作用。     

Review article: Workplace violence in the emergency department: A systematic review and meta analysis

Patient or visitor perpetrated workplace violence (WPV) has been reported to be a common occurrence within the ED. No universal definition of violence or recording of such events exists. In addition ED staff are often reluctant to report violent incidents. The true incidence of WPV is therefore unclear. This systematic review aimed to quantify WPV in EDs. The association of WPV to drug and alcohol exposure was explored. The databases MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo and the Cochrane Library were searched from their commencement to 10 March 2016. MeSH terms and text words for ED, violence and aggression were combined. A meta‐analysis was conducted on the primary outcome variable‐proportion of violent patients among total ED presentations. A secondary meta‐analysis used studies reporting on proportion of drug and alcohol affected patients occurring within the violent population. The search yielded a total of 8720 records. A total of 7235 were unique and underwent abstract screening. A total of 22 studies were deemed relevant according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Retrospective study design predominated, analysing mainly security records and incident reports. The rates of violence from individual studies ranged from 1 incident to 172 incidents per 10 000 presentations. The pooled incidence suggests there are 36 violent patients for every 10 000 presentations to the ED (95% confidence interval 0.0030–0.0043). WPV in the ED was commonly reported. There is wide heterogeneity across the study methodology, definitions and rates. More standardised recording and reporting may inform preventive measures and highlight effective management strategies.     

Pediatrician performed point-of-care ultrasound for the detection of ingested foreign bodies: case series and review of the literature

PurposeForeign body (FB) ingestions represent a common problem in children. History and physical examination are commonly not enough to diagnose a foreign body ingestion; therefore, conventional radiography is routinely used to detect them. Point-of-care ultrasound is widely used in the emergency department for several diagnostic applications but there are few articles describing the possibility to use point-of-care ultrasound to detect ingested foreign bodies, and the necessary training to get competent in this application. The main objective of this paper is to illustrate the use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to detect ingested foreign bodies. The secondary objective is to describe a limited training, necessary for emergency pediatricians, to obtain this skill.MethodsThis is a case series of eight pediatric patients who presented to the pediatric Emergency Department (ED), with suspected ingestion of FB, and were assessed with POCUS. Physician sonographers were two pediatricians and three residents in pediatrics working in two Italian Pediatric EDs. All sonographers participated in a 2-day POCUS workshop which included the most common pediatric POCUS applications.ResultsPOCUS, performed by emergency pediatricians who participated to a limited training, allowed to always identify the foreign bodies ingested.ConclusionsWe demonstrate that an appropriate and limited training allows pediatric emergency physicians to correctly identify foreign body in the esophagus or stomach. Point-of-care ultrasound in foreign body ingestion in the Emergency Department may allow to prioritize the escalation of care in children and it can contribute to reduce the time to endoscopic management when needed.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s40477-020-00452-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

A systematic review: The role and impact of the physician assistant in the emergency department

This systematic review describes the role and impact of physician assistants (PAs) in the ED. It includes reports of surveys, retrospective and prospective studies as well as guidelines and reviews. Seven hundred and twelve studies were identified of which only 66 were included, and many of these studies were limited by methodological quality. Generally the use of PAs in the ED is modest with 13–18% of US EDs having PAs although academic medical centres report PA use in 65–68% of EDs. The evidence indicates that PAs are reliable in assessing certain medical complaints and performing procedures, and are well accepted by ED staff and patients alike. There is limited evidence as to whether PAs improve ED flow or are cost‐effective. Future studies on work processes, cost‐effectiveness, unfamiliar patients' willingness to be treated by non‐physician providers, and ED physicians' acceptability of PAs are needed to inform and guide the integration of PAs into EDs.     

Current status of emergency department triage in mainland China: A narrative review of the literature

In this review, the current status of emergency department triage in mainland China is explored, with the purpose of generating a deeper understanding of the topic. Literature was identified through electronic databases, and was included for review if published between 2002 and 2012, included significant discussion of daily emergency department triage in mainland China, was peer reviewed, and published in English or Chinese. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes which emerged from the reviewed literature. This resulted in 21 articles included for review. Four themes emerged from the review: triage process, triage training, qualification of triage nurses, and quality of triage. The review demonstrates that there is currently not a unified approach to emergency department triage in mainland China. Additionally, there are limitations in triage training for nurses and confusion around the role of triage nurses. This review highlights that emergency department triage in mainland China is still in its infancy and that more research is needed to further develop the role of triage.     

Use of thoracic ultrasound by physiotherapists: a scoping review of the literature

Background

Use of diagnostic thoracic ultrasound (TUS) in medical professions to examine the pleura, lung parenchyma and diaphragm is gaining in popularity, however the ways in which physiotherapists are using TUS is unclear.

胸降主动脉瘤伴主动脉右弓右降手术的护理配合

目的探讨临床少见的右位主动脉弓、右位降主动脉、胸降主动脉瘤外科手术中的护理配合,以提高手术配合质量,减少手术相关并发症的发生。方法针对8例行右弓、右降胸降主动脉瘤手术的病例进行术前准备、麻醉配合、体位管理和皮肤保护、术中配合、术后交接等护理配合。结果8例患者于术后4～7h清醒,无左上肢缺血、无皮肤压伤感染等护理问题。结论术前心理护理、麻醉配合、正确的体位摆放以及充分显露术野和娴熟的手术配合是确保手术顺利进行的关键因素之一。     

Point-of-Care Ultrasound to Diagnose Colitis in the Emergency Department: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

BackgroundColitis refers to an inflammatory process of the colon, composed of a variety of different etiologies including inflammatory bowel disease, infectious colitis, ischemic colitis, and allergic colitis. Usually, abdominal computed tomography (CT) is the gold standard in diagnosing the various forms of colitis. However, by the use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), one may occasionally be able to discern wall thickening, pericolic fluid, and adjacent hyperechoic mesenteric fat. One may also see abscesses, fistulae, or ascites.Case SeriesThis is a series of 6 patients who had findings consistent with colitis seen on POCUS performed by an emergency physician. These were confirmed by abdominal CT with contrast. Early detection by POCUS was able to lead to a rapid diagnosis and to expedite treatment.Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?The ability to detect findings of colitis by POCUS can be quickly learned by the emergency physician with a strong background in basic ultrasound. For many of the different subtypes of colitis, the initial treatment in the emergency department is the same: i.v. antibiotics, i.v. fluids, and “bowel rest” by maintaining the patient in nothing-by-mouth status. For the stable patient with high clinical suspicion of an infectious etiology of colitis, ultrasound can help confirm the diagnosis and rule out other etiologies. This may be especially important in certain populations such as children and young women, where one can avoid a significant amount of radiation being directed toward the pelvic area.     

Review article: A scoping review of physiotherapists in the adult emergency department

To provide an overview of the literature that considers physiotherapists working in the ED in relation to their roles, training levels, patient profile, safety, effectiveness, efficiency, cost-effectiveness and the provision of low-value care. We performed a scoping review of the literature. Four databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane CENTRAL) were searched from their inception to December 2016 and we updated searches on PubMed in September 2017. Two reviewers independently screened studies for eligibility. We performed a narrative synthesis of quantitative data. We included 27 studies: five randomised controlled trials (n = 1434), 12 prospective observational studies (n = 153 767), six retrospective studies (n = 9968), two survey studies (n = 61), one case report (n = 3) and one qualitative study (n = 11). Physiotherapists primarily managed patients with low urgency musculoskeletal conditions. Physiotherapists appeared to have similar clinical effectiveness and costs compared to other health providers (four randomised controlled trials). Physiotherapists were associated with increased efficiency (eight observational studies) and reduced low-value care (one observational study). Three observational studies reported very low adverse event rates. However, none of the studies followed participants to measure adverse events that became apparent after the ED visit, nor did they consider unsafe discharge decisions or suboptimal follow-up care. The available evidence suggests that physiotherapists may be as effective as other health providers in managing low urgency musculoskeletal conditions in the ED. There is uncertainty about appropriate training and a lack of robust studies investigating the efficiency, safety and cost-effectiveness of this model of care.     

The chances that an emergency physician will demonstrate three abdominal aortic aneurysms by ultrasound in the emergency department for credentialing: A statistician's view

The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine requires 15 proctored examinations of the aorta for credentialing in ultrasonography for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Furthermore, at least three examinations need to be positive for an aneurysm. In the ED where AAA presentations are sporadic, what are the chances that an emergency physician (EP) will have the opportunity to demonstrate three AAAs in the next 12 months? The probability of an event occurring within a given time‐frame can be modelled by the Poisson distribution. Central to the Poisson distribution is the infrequency of the event such as encountering an AAA in the ED. An EP working 30 clinical hours/week in our tertiary‐referral hospital ED can be expected to encounter 15.6 (3.6 symptomatic + 12 asymptomatic) AAA in the next 12 months. The probability of seeing three or more cases during this time is 99.9%. Assuming a proctor can be found for half the cases, the probability of an EP performing proctored ultrasound examinations in at least three AAAs is 98%. This probability drops to 89% if a proctor can be found for only one‐third of cases. For an EP to be almost 100% certain of meeting the credentialing requirements, he/she would need almost 10 proctored ultrasound cases of AAA to be available within his/her shifts during the year. The Poisson distribution has enabled us to model the probability of encountering a given number of AAA in the ED. Analysis such as this may help rationalise the numbers needed for credentialing.