scholarly journals Emergency Department Management of Heart Failure and COPD: A National Survey of Attitudes and Practice

CJEM ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 429-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael K.P. Hale ◽  
Ian G. Stiell ◽  
Catherine M. Clement

AbstractObjectivesThe Ottawa Heart Failure Risk Scale (OHFRS) and the Ottawa COPD Risk Scale (OCRS) were developed in order to estimate medical risk and to help guide disposition decisions for patients presenting to the ED with acute exacerbations of heart failure (HF) and COPD. We sought to determine physician attitudes towards these two new risk scales and to identify potential barriers to their ED implementation.MethodsTwo self-administered online surveys were distributed to the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians. The surveys each consisted of 16 questions relating to the OHFRS and OCRS. The primary outcome measures were the overall physician rating of the two risk scales. Secondary outcome measures assessed the likelihood of risk scale implementation into Canadian EDs, as well as the perceived barriers to such implementation. Descriptive statistics were used.ResultsFor the OHFRS survey, we received responses from 195 emergency physicians (35.7%). Overall, 74.4% approved of the risk scale based on a Likert rating of 4 or 5 and 66.7% believed that the risk scale would be implemented at their hospital. For the OCRS survey, we received responses from 208 emergency physicians (38.1%). Overall, 76.9% approved of the risk scale based on a Likert rating of 4 or 5 and 70.2% believed that the risk scale would be implemented at their hospital.ConclusionsCanadian emergency physicians are very supportive of the new OHFRS and OCRS. We believe these risk scales will assist physicians with making safe and efficient disposition decisions and improve outcomes for patients suffering from HF and COPD.

CJEM ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
pp. S102-S102
Author(s):  
L. Lacroix ◽  
I.G. Stiell ◽  
L. Thurgur ◽  
A. Orkin

Introduction: Unintentional overdose is the leading cause of injurious death among Americans aged 25-64 years. A similar epidemic is underway in Canada. Community-based opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution (OOEND) programs distribute take-home naloxone kits to people at risk of overdose in several cities across Canada. Due to the high rate of drug-related visits, recurrent opioid prescribing, and routine encounters with opioid overdose, Emergency Departments (ED) may represent an under-utilized setting to deliver naloxone to people at risk of opioid overdose or likely to witness overdose. The goal of this study was to identify Canadian emergency physician attitudes and perceived barriers to the implementation of take-home naloxone programs. Methods: This was an anonymous web-based survey of physician and trainee members of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians. Survey questions were developed by the research team and piloted for face validity and clarity. Two reminder emails were sent to non-responders at 2-week intervals, per the modified Dillman method. Respondent demographics were collected and Likert scales used to assess attitudes and barriers to the prescription of naloxone from the ED. Results: A total of 347/1658 CAEP members responded (20.9%). Of the respondents, 62.1% were male and residents made up 15.6%. The majority (48.2%) worked in Ontario and 55.7% worked in an urban tertiary centre. Overall attitudes to OOEND were strongly positive: 86.6% of respondents identified a willingness to prescribe naloxone from the ED. Perceived barriers included allied health support for patient education (56.4%), access to follow-up (40.3%), and inadequate time in the clinical encounter (37.7%). In addition to people at risk of overdose, 78% of respondents identified that friends and family members may benefit from OOEND programs. Conclusion: Canadian emergency physicians are willing to prescribe take-home naloxone to at-risk patients, but better systems and tools are required to facilitate opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution implementation. This data will inform the development of these programs, with emphasis on allied health support, training and education.


CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
pp. S84-S84
Author(s):  
M. Munn ◽  
J. Laraya ◽  
G. Boivin-Arcouette ◽  
E. van der Linde ◽  
A. Lund ◽  
...  

Introduction: Emergency patients with decreased level of consciousness often undergo intubation purely for airway protection from aspiration. However, the true risk of aspiration is unclear and intubation poses risks. Anecdotally, experienced emergency physicians often defer intubation in these patients while others intubate to decrease the perceived clinical and medico-legal consequences. No literature exists on the intubation practices of emergency physicians in these cases. Methods: An online questionnaire was circulated to members of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians. Participants were asked questions regarding two common clinical cases with decreased level of consciousness : (1) acute, uncomplicated alcohol intoxication and (2) acute, uncomplicated seizure. For each case, providers’ perceptions of aspiration risk, the standard of care, and the need for intubation were assessed. Results: 128 of the 1546 Canadian physicians contacted (8.3%) provided responses. Respondents had a median of 15 years of experience, 88% had CCFP-EM or FRCPC certification, and most worked in urban centers. When intubating, 98% agreed they were competent and 90% agreed they were well supported. A minority (17.4%) considered GCS < 8 an independent indication for intubation. For the alcohol intoxication case, 88% agreed that aspiration risk was present but only 11% agreed they commonly intubate. Only 17% agreed intubation was standard care, and only 0.8% felt their colleagues always intubate such patients. For the seizure case, 65% agreed aspiration risk existed but only 3% agreed they commonly intubate, 1% felt colleagues always intubated, and 5% agreed intubation was standard of care. Additional factors felt to compel intubation (394 total) and support non-intubation (366 total) were compiled and categorized; the most common themes emerging were objective evidence of emesis or aspiration, other standard indications for intubation, head trauma, co-ingestions, co-morbidities and clinical instability. Conclusion: It is acceptable and standard practice to avoid intubating a select subset of intoxicated and post-seizure emergency department patients despite aspiration risk. Most physicians do not view the dogma of “GCS 8, intubate” as an absolute indication for intubation in these patients. Future research is aimed at identifying key factors and evidence supporting intubation for the prevention of aspiration, as well as the development of a validated clinical decision rule for common emergency presentations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Leon-Justel ◽  
Jose I. Morgado Garcia-Polavieja ◽  
Ana Isabel Alvarez-Rios ◽  
Francisco Jose Caro Fernandez ◽  
Pedro Agustin Pajaro Merino ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) is a major and growing medical and economic problem, with high prevalence and incidence rates worldwide. Cardiac Biomarker is emerging as a novel tool for improving management of patients with HF with a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods This is a before and after interventional study, that assesses the impact of a personalized follow-up procedure for HF on patient’s outcomes and care associated cost, based on a clinical model of risk stratification and personalized management according to that risk. A total of 192 patients were enrolled and studied before the intervention and again after the intervention. The primary objective was the rate of readmissions, due to a HF. Secondary outcome compared the rate of ED visits and quality of life improvement assessed by the number of patients who had reduced NYHA score. A cost-analysis was also performed on these data. Results Admission rates significantly decreased by 19.8% after the intervention (from 30.2 to 10.4), the total hospital admissions were reduced by 32 (from 78 to 46) and the total length of stay was reduced by 7 days (from 15 to 9 days). The rate of ED visits was reduced by 44% (from 64 to 20). Thirty-one percent of patients had an improved functional class score after the intervention, whereas only 7.8% got worse. The overall cost saving associated with the intervention was € 72,769 per patient (from € 201,189 to € 128,420) and €139,717.65 for the whole group over 1 year. Conclusions A personalized follow-up of HF patients led to important outcome benefits and resulted in cost savings, mainly due to the reduction of patient hospitalization readmissions and a significant reduction of care-associated costs, suggesting that greater attention should be given to this high-risk cohort to minimize the risk of hospitalization readmissions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyoungwon Baik ◽  
Seon Myeong Kim ◽  
Jin Ho Jung ◽  
Yang Hyun Lee ◽  
Seok Jong Chung ◽  
...  

AbstractWe investigated the efficacy of donepezil for mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease (PD-MCI). This was a prospective, non-randomized, open-label, two-arm study. Eighty PD-MCI patients were assigned to either a treatment or control group. The treatment group received donepezil for 48 weeks. The primary outcome measures were the Korean version of Mini-Mental State Exam and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores. Secondary outcome measures were the Clinical Dementia Rating, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III, Clinical Global Impression scores. Progression of dementia was assessed at 48-week. Comprehensive neuropsychological tests and electroencephalography (EEG) were performed at baseline and after 48 weeks. The spectral power ratio of the theta to beta2 band (TB2R) in the electroencephalogram was analyzed. There was no significant difference in the primary and secondary outcome measures between the two groups. However, the treatment group showed a significant decrease in TB2R at bilateral frontotemporoparietal channels compared to the control group. Although we could not demonstrate improvements in the cognitive functions, donepezil treatment had a modulatory effect on the EEG in PD-MCI patients. EEG might be a sensitive biomarker for detecting changes in PD-MCI after donepezil treatment.


2021 ◽  
pp. 105566562110131
Author(s):  
Farrukh R. Virani ◽  
Evan C. Chua ◽  
Mary Roz Timbang ◽  
Tsung-yen Hsieh ◽  
Craig W. Senders

Objective: To determine the current applications of 3-dimensional (3D) printing in the care of patients with cleft lip and palate. We also reviewed 3D printing limitations, financial analysis, and future implications. Design: Retrospective systematic review. Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines were used by 3 independent reviewers. Articles were identified from Cochrane library, Ovid Medline, and Embase. Search terms included 3D printing, 3 dimensional printing, additive manufacturing, rapid prototyping, cleft lip, and cleft palate. Exclusion criteria included articles not in English, animal studies, reviews without original data, oral presentations, abstracts, opinion pieces, and articles without relevance to 3D printing or cleft lip and palate. Main Outcome Measures: Primary outcome measure was the purpose of 3D printing in the care of patients with cleft lip and palate. Secondary outcome measures were cost analysis and clinical outcomes. Results: Eight-four articles were identified, and 39 met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Eleven studies used 3D printing models for nasoalveolar molding. Patient-specific implants were developed via 3D printing in 6 articles. Surgical planning was conducted via 3D printing in 8 studies. Eight articles utilized 3D printing for anatomic models/educational purposes. 3-Dimensional printed models were used for surgical simulation/training in 6 articles. Bioprinting was utilized in 4 studies. Secondary outcome of cost was addressed in 8 articles. Conclusion: 3-Dimensional printing for the care of patients with cleft lip and palate has several applications. Potential advantages of utilizing this technology are demonstrated; however, literature is largely descriptive in nature with few clinical outcome measures. Future direction should be aimed at standardized reporting to include clinical outcomes, cost, material, printing method, and results.


2021 ◽  
pp. bmjnph-2020-000225
Author(s):  
Jennifer Griffin ◽  
Anwar Albaloul ◽  
Alexandra Kopytek ◽  
Paul Elliott ◽  
Gary Frost

ObjectiveTo examine the effect of the consumption of ultraprocessed food on diet quality, and cardiometabolic risk (CMR) in an occupational cohort.DesignCross-sectional.SettingOccupational cohort.Participants53 163 British police force employees enrolled (2004–2012) into the Airwave Health Monitoring Study. A total of 28 forces across the UK agreed to participate. 9009 participants with available 7-day diet record data and complete co-variate data are reported in this study.Main outcome measuresA CMR and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension score were treated as continuous variables and used to generate measures of cardiometabolic health and diet quality. Secondary outcome measures include percentage of energy from fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, protein and non-milk extrinsic sugars (NMES) and fibre grams per 1000 kcal of energy intake.ResultsIn this cohort, 58.3%±11.6 of total energy intake was derived from ultraprocessed (NOVA 4) foods. Ultraprocessed food intake was negatively correlated with diet quality (r=−0.32, p<0.001), fibre (r=−0.20, p<0.001) and protein (r = −0.40, p<0.001) and positively correlated with fat (r=0.18, p<0.001), saturated fat (r=0.14, p<0.001) and nmes (r=0.10, p<0.001) intake . Multivariable analysis suggests a positive association between ultraprocessed food (NOVA 4) consumption and CMR. However, this main effect was no longer observed after adjustment for diet quality (p=0.209). Findings from mediation analysis indicate that the effect of ultraprocessed food (NOVA 4) intake on CMR is mediated by diet quality (p<0.001).ConclusionsUltraprocessed food consumption is associated with a deterioration in diet quality and positively associated with CMR, although this association is mediated by and dependent on the quality of the diet. The negative impact of ultraprocessed food consumption on diet quality needs to be addressed and controlled studies are needed to fully comprehend whether the relationship between ultraprocessed food consumption and health is independent to its relationship with poor diet quality.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 232470962110050
Author(s):  
Vikram Sangani ◽  
Naseem Sunnoqrot ◽  
Kurdistan Gargis ◽  
Akshay Ranabhotu ◽  
Abbas Mubasher ◽  
...  

Kratom mainly grows in Southeast Asia. It is widely used for pain management and opioid withdrawal, which is available online for cheaper prices. Alkaloids extracted from kratom such as mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine exhibit analgesic properties by acting through µ receptors. Commonly reported side effects of kratom include hypertension, tachycardia, agitation, dry mouth, hallucinations, cognitive and behavioral impairment, cardiotoxicity, renal failure, cholestasis, seizures, respiratory depression, coma, and sudden cardiac death from cardiac arrest. Rhabdomyolysis is a less commonly reported lethal effect of kratom. Limited information is available in the literature. In this article, we present a case of a 45-year-old female who is overdosed with kratom and presented with lethargy, confusion, transient hearing loss, and right lower extremity swelling and pain associated with weakness who was found to have elevated creatinine phosphokinase. She was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, compartment syndrome, multiorgan dysfunction including acute kidney injury, liver dysfunction, and cardiomyopathy. She underwent emergent fasciotomy and required hemodialysis. Her renal and liver function subsequently improved. We described the case and discussed pharmacology and adverse effects of kratom toxicity with a proposed mechanism and management. We conclude that it is essential for emergency physicians, internists, intensivists, cardiologists, and nephrologists to be aware of these rare manifestations of kratom and consider a multidisciplinary approach.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e040751
Author(s):  
Zachary Blood ◽  
Anh Tran ◽  
Lauren Caleo ◽  
Robyn Saw ◽  
Mbathio Dieng ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo identify patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) in clinical quality registries, for people with cutaneous melanoma, to inform a new Australian Melanoma Clinical Outcomes Registry; and describe opportunities and challenges of routine PROM/PREM collection, especially in primary care.DesignSystematic review.Primary and secondary outcome measuresWhich PROMs and PREMs are used in clinical quality registries for people with cutaneous melanoma, how they are collected, frequency of collection, participant recruitment methods and funding models for each registry.Results1134 studies were identified from MEDLINE, PreMEDLINE, Embase, PsychInfo, Cochrane Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects databases and TUFTS Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Registry, alongside grey literature, from database inception to 5th February 2020. Following screening, 14 studies were included, identifying four relevant registries: Dutch Melanoma Registry, Adelphi Real-World Disease-Specific Programme (Melanoma), Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Initial treatment and Long-term Evaluation of Survivorship Registry, and Cancer Experience Registry. These used seven PROMs: EuroQol-5 Dimensions, Functional Assessment of Cancer-General (FACT-G) and FACT-Melanoma (FACT-M), European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Cancer 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), Fatigue Assessment Scale Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Information System-29 and one PREM; EORTC QLQ-Information Module 26. PROMs/PREMs in registries were reported to improve transparency of care; facilitate clinical auditing for quality assessment; enable cost-effectiveness analyses and create large-scale research platforms. Challenges included resource burden for data entry and potential collection bias toward younger, more affluent respondents. Feedback from patients with melanoma highlighted the relevance of PROMs/PREMs in assessing patient outcomes and patient experiences.ConclusionsClinical registries indicate PROMs/PREMs for melanoma care can be incorporated and address important gaps, however cost and collection bias may limit generalisability.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018086737.


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