Different triage categorization using Emergency Severity Index (ESI) method in emergency department

Objective

Triage is basically a categorization process to prioritize various treatments for patients based on the types of disease, severity, prognosis and resource availability. However, the term triage is more appropriate to be used in the context of natural disaster or mass casualties. Within the context of emergency situation in emergency department, the term triage refers to a method used to assess the severity of patients’ condition, determine the level of priority, and mobilize the patients to the suitable care unit. ESI is a new concept of triage using five scales in classifying the patients in emergency department. The real implementation of this concept demands nurses have to immediately make assessment about patients’ condition right away, besides they must give their final decision, whether to move the patients to the ward or to let them leave the hospital.

qSOFA评分联合中性粒细胞CD64指数对恶性血液病患者血流感染的早期诊断价值

目的探讨快速序贯器官衰竭评估(qSOFA)评分联合中性粒细胞CD64指数(简称CD64指数)对恶性血液病患者血流感染的早期诊断价值。方法选择该院2019年6月至2020年6月收治的45例恶性血液病血流感染患者为研究对象(感染组),另选择同期恶性血液病无感染患者45例(非感染组)作为对照。测定CD64指数及肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α、白细胞介素(IL)-6、降钙素原(PCT)水平,评估患者的qSOFA评分。分析qSOFA评分、CD64指数与TNF-α、IL-6的相关性。采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析各指标的诊断价值;采用Logistic回归分析血流感染发生的危险因素。结果感染组患者qSOFA评分、CD64指数、TNF-α、IL-6水平明显高于非感染组(P<0.05),感染组中死亡患者qSOFA评分、CD64指数、TNF-α、IL-6水平明显高于非死亡患者(P<0.05);血流感染患者qSOFA评分、CD64指数与TNF-α、IL-6呈正相关(P<0.05)。qSOFA评分诊断恶性血液病患者血流感染的曲线下面积为0.637(95%CI:0.582～0.755),CD...     

Validation of the multiple organ dysfunction (MOD) score in critically ill medical and surgical patients

Objective To validate the Multiple Organ Dysfunction (MOD) score externally.Design Prospective observational cohort study.Setting Mixed medical/surgical ICU in a tertiary referral university hospital.Patients and participants Thousand eight hundred and nine patients admitted to ICU for more than 24 h over a 3-year period.Interventions None.Measurements and results The MOD score was calculated daily for all patients. The criterion validity of the individual organ scores, the maximal MOD score and the change in MOD score were assessed by examining the relationship between increasing scores and ICU mortality. Increased maximal MOD scores and each of the six individual organ scores, and change in MOD scores were associated with increased mortality.Conclusions Maximal and individual organ scores have criterion validity when tested in a different ICU from that in which the scores were derived, indicating that the scoring systems are reproducible. The association of change in MOD score with mortality indicates that the score is responsive. These data, combined with previous data establishing concept and content validity, indicate that the MOD score is a valid measure of multi-organ dysfunction.     

Mortality outcomes based on ED qSOFA score and HIV status in a developing low income country

Objective

To evaluate the utility of the quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score to predict risks for emergency department (ED) and hospital mortality among patients in a sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) setting.

Emergency and critical care applications for contrast-enhanced ultrasound

Introduction

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) using intravascular microbubbles has potential to revolutionize point-of-care ultrasonography by expanding the use of ultrasonography into clinical scenarios previously reserved for computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, or angiography.

Hemodynamic changes after propacetamol administration in patients with febrile UTI in the ED

Objectives

Clinical studies have indicated that transient hypotension can occur after propacetamol administration. This study aimed to analyze the hemodynamic changes after propacetamol administration in patients visiting the ED due to febrile UTI. We also examined the incidence of propacetamol-induced hypotension and compared the clinical characteristics of patients with persistent hypotension, defined as requiring additional fluids or vasopressors, to those with transient hypotension.

Sepsis is frequent in initially non-critical hypotensive emergency department patients and is associated with increased mortality

ObjectiveHypotension, defined as a mean arterial pressure of maximum 70 mmHg, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to determine in initially non-critical hypotensive adult patients the proportion of sepsis and if septic patients had different outcome and clinical factors than non-septic patients.MethodsThis retrospective observational study was conducted over a year on adult hypotensive emergency department patients initially considered by triage as non-critical. Patients were separated into three groups: hypotensive septic patients (HSP), hypotensive non-septic infected patients (HNSIP), and other hypotensive patients (OHP). Clinical scores, signs, length of stay (LOS), and mortality were compared using analysis of variance for continuous variables and chi-square analysis for categorical variables.ResultsThere were 136 (35.5%) septic patients, 37 (9.7%) with non-septic infection, and 210 (54.8%) with another cause of hypotension. Overall in-hospital mortality was 12.0% and total mortality was greater in HSP than in HNSIP (20.6% vs. 5.4%, p = 0.031) or OHP (20.6 vs. 7.6%, p < 0.001). LOS was greater for HSP when compared to HNSIP (median(IQR): 9(6–17) vs. 6(1?13), p = 0.004) and OHP (median(IQR): 9(6–17) vs. 3(1–8) days, p < 0.0001).ConclusionSepsis in a priori non-critical hypotensive adult patients, when compared with other causes of hypotension, is associated with significantly higher mortality and increased LOS. Patients that present to the emergency department and have a MAP of 70mmHg or less must be rigorously evaluated and have consistent follow-up.     

Effectiveness of sepsis bundle application in cirrhotic patients with septic shock: a single-center experience

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of adherence to evidence-based guidelines of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) on the outcome of cirrhotic patients with septic shock admitted to the intensive care unit.

Methods

This prospective observational cohort study included 38 patients with documented liver cirrhosis and septic shock admitted to a multidisciplinary intensive care unit at a University Hospital from January 2005 to June 2009. In each patient, the compliance to 4 resuscitation (ie, 6-hour bundle) and to 3 management (i.e. 24-hour bundle) interventions recommended by the SSC guidelines and the 30-day mortality were measured.

Results

The 6-hour, 24-hour, and all bundles were completed in 50 %, 52%, and 39% of the patients, respectively. The characteristics at admission and the 30-day mortality of patients with all-bundle compliance (n = 15; mortality 86.6%) were similar to those of patients without bundle compliance (n = 23; mortality 78.2%), except for central venous O₂ saturation. Unadjusted and adjusted regression analysis showed that none of the single sepsis interventions and bundles were independently associated with 30-day mortality.

Conclusions

In our observational study, the adherence to the interventions recommended by the SSC evidence-based guidelines did not provide an improvement in the survival rate of cirrhotic patients with septic shock.     

Requirement for a structured algorithm in cardiac arrest following major trauma: Epidemiology,management errors,and preventability of traumatic deaths in Berlin

Background

Despite continuous innovation in trauma care, fatal trauma remains a significant medical and socioeconomic problem. Traumatic cardiac arrest (tCA) is still considered a hopeless situation, whereas management errors and preventability of death are neglected. We analyzed clinical and autopsy data from tCA patients in an emergency-physician-based rescue system in order to reveal epidemiologic data and current problems in the successful treatment of tCA.

Material and methods

Epidemiological and autopsy data of all unsuccessful tCPR cases in a one-year-period in Berlin, Germany (n = 101, Group I) and clinical data of all cases of tCPR in a level 1 trauma centre in an 6-year period (n = 52, Group II) were evaluated. Preventability of traumatic deaths in autopsy cases (n = 22) and trauma-management failures were prospectively assessed.

Results

In 2010, 23% of all traumatic deaths in Berlin received tCPR. Death after tCPR occurred predominantly prehospital (PH;74%) and only 26% of these patients were hospitalized. Of 52 patients (Group II), 46% required tCPR already PH and 81% in the emergency department (ED). In 79% ROSC was established PH and 53% in the ED. The survival rate after tCPR was 29% with 27% good neurological outcome. Management errors occurred in 73% PH; 4 cases were judged as potentially or definitive preventable death.

Conclusion

Trauma CPR is beyond routine with the need for a tCPR-algorithm, including chest/pericardial decompression, external pelvic stabilization and external bleeding control. The prehospital trauma management has the highest potential to improve tCPR and survival. Therefore, we suggested a pilot prehospital tCPR-algorithm.     

The incidence and significance of bacteremia in out of hospital cardiac arrest

Background

The most common etiology of cardiac arrest is presumed of myocardial origin. Recent retrospective studies indicate that preexisting pneumonia, a form of sepsis, is frequent in patients who decompensate with abrupt cardiac arrest without preceding signs of septic shock, respiratory failure or severe metabolic disorders shortly after hospitalization. The contribution of pre-existing infection on pre and post cardiac arrest events remains unknown and has not been studied in a prospective fashion. We sought to examine the incidence of pre-existing infection in out-of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and assess characteristics associated with bacteremia, the goal standard for presence of infection.

Methods and results

We prospectively observed 250 OHCA adult patients who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) between 2007 and 2009 to an urban academic teaching institution. Bacteremia was defined as one positive blood culture with non-skin flora bacteria or two positive blood cultures with skin flora bacteria. 77 met pre-defined exclusion criteria. Of the 173 OHCA adults, 65 (38%) were found to be bacteremic with asystole and PEA as the most common presenting rhythms. Mortality in the ED was significantly higher in bacteremic OHCA (75.4%) compared to non-bacteremic OHCA (60.2%, p < 0.05). After adjustment for potential confounders, predictive factors associated with bacteremic OHCA were lower initial arterial pH, higher lactate, WBC, BUN and creatinine.

Conclusions

Over one-third of OHCA adults were bacteremic upon presentation. These patients have greater hemodynamic instability and significantly increased short-term mortality. Further studies are warranted to address the epidemiology of infection as possible cause of cardiac arrest.     

Promising utilization areas of therapeutic plasmapheresis in cardiovascular surgery practice

Objective

Apheresis is performed for treatment of numerous diseases by removing auto-antibodies, antigen-antibody complexes, allo-antibodies, paraproteins, non-Ig proteins, toxins, exogenous poisons. In current study, we present our experience of using therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in patients with different types of clinical scenarios.

Comparison of the systematic Inflammatory response syndrome and the quick sequential organ failure assessment for prognostic accuracy in detecting sepsis in the emergency department: A systematic review

BackgroundAwareness and prompt recognition of sepsis are essential for nurses working in the emergency department (ED), enabling them to make an initial assessment of patients and then to sort them according to their condition s severity. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate prognostic accuracy in detecting sepsis in the emergency department by comparing the previous sepsis-2 screening tool, the Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) and the current sepsis-3 screening tool, the Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA).MethodsThis systematic review used the guideline by Bettany-Saltikov and McSherry and was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 checklist. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO. A systematic search was conducted using the CINAHL, EMBASE and MEDLINE databases. Study selection and risk of bias was performed independently by pair of authors.ResultsFive articles were included. Overall, SIRS showed higher sensitivity than qSOFA, while qSOFA showed higher specificity than SIRS. The positive predictive value for qSOFA was superior, while there was a minor deviation in negative predictive value between qSOFA and SIRS.ConclusionThe overall recommendation based on the included studies indicates that qSOFA is the better-suited screening tool for prognostic accuracy in detecting sepsis in the emergency department.