scholarly journals P094: Meeting patient expectations in the emergency department: preliminary findings from the preparing emergency patients and providers study

CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (S1) ◽  
pp. S110
Author(s):  
J. Nunn ◽  
C. Cassidy ◽  
D. Chiasson ◽  
S. MacPhee ◽  
J. Curran

Introduction: Effective communication to develop a shared understanding of patient expectations is critical in establishing a positive medical encounter in the emergency department (ED). However, there is limited research examining patient/caregiver expectations in the ED, and their impact on the beliefs, attitudes and behaviours during and after an ED visit. The objective of this study is to examine patient/caregiver expectations and satisfaction with care in the ED using a patient expectation questionnaire and a follow up survey. Methods: As a part of a larger 3-phase study on patient/caregiver expectations in adult and pediatric EDs, a 7-item, paper-based questionnaire was distributed to all patients and/or caregivers who presented to one of four EDs in Nova Scotia with a Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) score of 2 to 5. A follow-up survey was distributed to all willing participants via email to determine their satisfaction with care received in ED. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze responses. Results: Phase 1 was conducted from January to September 2016. In total, 24,788 expectation questionnaires were distributed to ED patients/caregivers, 11,571 were collected (47% response rate), and 509 patients were contacted for a follow-up survey. Preliminary analysis of 4,533 questionnaires shows the majority of patients (67.1%) made the decision by themselves to present to the ED, while others were advised by a family/friend (22%). Respondents were most worried about an injury (17.8%) followed by illness (15.6%) and expected to talk to a physician (69.9%) and receive an x-ray (39.3%). The majority of physicians (53.3%) reported the expectation tool helped in caring for the patient and 87.5% felt they met patient expectations. There were 147 patient/caregiver responses to a follow-up survey (29% response rate) and 87.1% of responders reported that ED clinicians met their expectations. Conclusion: Patient/caregivers have a variety of concerns, questions, and expectations when presenting to the ED. Obtaining expectations early in the patient encounter may provide opportunities for improved communication between clinicians and patients while enhancing satisfaction with care received. Further analysis is needed to determine the impact of the expectation questionnaire on productivity in the ED.

CJEM ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Lee ◽  
Mariana Deevska ◽  
Karly Stillwell ◽  
Tyler Black ◽  
Garth Meckler ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo evaluate the psychometric properties of HEARTSMAP, an emergency psychosocial assessment and management tool, and its impact on patient care and flow measures.MethodsWe conducted the study in two phases: first validating the tool using extracted information from a retrospective cohort, then evaluating implementation on a prospective cohort of youth presenting with mental health complaints to a tertiary Pediatric Emergency Department (PED). In phase 1, six PED clinicians applied HEARTSMAP to extracted narratives and we calculated inter-rater agreement for referral recommendations using Cohen’s Kappa and the sensitivity and specificity for identifying youth requiring psychiatric consultation and hospitalization. In phase 2, PED clinicians prospectively used HEARTSMAP and we assessed the impact of the tool’s implementation on patient-related outcomes and Emergency department (ED) flow measures.ResultsWe found substantial agreement (κ=0.7) for cases requiring emergent psychiatric consultation and moderate agreement for cases requiring community urgent and non-urgent follow-up (κ=0.4 each). The sensitivity was 76% (95%CI: 63%, 90%) and specificity was 65% (95%CI: 55%, 71%) using retrospective cases. During pilot implementation, 62 patients received HEARTSMAP assessments: 46 (74%) of HEARTSMAP assessments triggered a recommendation for ED psychiatry assessment, 39 (63%) were evaluated by psychiatry and 13 (21%) were admitted. At follow-up, all patients with HEARTSMAP’s triggered recommendations had accessed community resources. For those hospitalized for further psychiatric care at their index or return visit within 30 days, 100% were initially identified by HEARTSMAP at the index visit as requiring ED psychiatric consultation.ConclusionsHEARTSMAP has strong reliability, and when applied prospectively is a safe and effective management tool.


CJEM ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (S1) ◽  
pp. S98
Author(s):  
J. Nunn ◽  
D. Chiasson ◽  
C. Cassidy ◽  
S. MacPhee ◽  
B. Rose-Davis ◽  
...  

Introduction: Effective communication to develop a shared understanding of patient/caregiver (P/C) expectations is critical during emergency department (ED) encounters. However, there is limited research examining the use of communication tools of P/C expectations to improve communication in the ED. The objective of this study was to examine satisfaction with a patient expectations questionnaire, known as the PrEPP tool, and its impact on communication and management of patients in the ED. Methods: The PrEPP tool collected P/C expectations over 3 phases of the study. In phase1, the PrEPP tool was distributed to all P/Cs (CTAS score of 2 to 5) in four EDs in Nova Scotia. In phase 2 the PrEPP tool was refined to a 5-item questionnaire. In phase 3 the PrEPP tool was re-implemented over a six-month period. Follow-up surveys were distributed to P/Cs via email (phase 1, 3) and HCPs on iPads in the ED (phase 3) to determine the impact of the tool on communication and management of patients. Entries were compiled on a REDCap database and descriptive statistics were used to analyze responses related to satisfaction.The PrEPP tool collected P/C expectations over 3 phases of the study. In phase1, the PrEPP tool was distributed to all P/Cs (CTAS score of 2 to 5) in four EDs in Nova Scotia. In phase 2 the PrEPP tool was refined to a 5-item questionnaire. In phase 3 the PrEPP tool was re-implemented over a six-month period. Follow-up surveys were distributed to P/Cs via email (phase 1, 3) and HCPs on iPads in the ED (phase 3) to determine the impact of the tool on communication and management of patients. Entries were compiled on a REDCap database and descriptive statistics were used to analyze responses related to satisfaction. Results: In Phase 1, 11418 PrEPP tools and 147 surveys (29% response rate) were collected from January-June 2016. The majority of P/Cs found the PrEPP questionnaire easy to complete (95.9%) and felt HCPs met their expectations (87.1%). In Phase 3, 951 P/C (31.1% response rate) and 128 HCP surveys were collected. Of P/C respondents 45.9% felt PrEPP helped to communicate expectations, while 49.7% said that they would like to use it on future ED visits. The majority of P/C respondents (75.4%) indicated their expectations were met during their visit to the ED. Of those whose expectations were not met, 69% felt their expectations were not discussed. The majority of HCP respondents (90.4%) indicated they used the PrEPP tool at least sometimes. Also, 78.4% said it influenced patient communication and 42% indicated the tool influenced management of patients at least sometimes. Conclusion: Obtaining expectations early in the patient encounter may provide opportunities for improved communication in the ED. P/Cs found the PrEPP tool easy to use to communicate their expectations and HCPs felt it influenced communication and management of patients in the ED. Further qualitative thematic analysis is needed to explore how the PrEPP tool impacted ED visits.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anneloes NJ Huijgens ◽  
Laurens J van Baardewijk ◽  
Carolina JPW Keijsers

Abstract BACKGROUND: At the emergency department, there is a need for an instrument which is quick and easy to use to identify geriatric patients with the highest risk of mortality. The so- called ‘hanging chin sign’, meaning that the mandibula is seen to project over one or more ribs on the chest X-ray, could be such an instrument. This study aims to investigate whether the hanging chin sign is a predictor of mortality in geriatric patients admitted through the emergency department. METHODS: We performed an observational retrospective cohort study in a Dutch teaching hospital. Patients of ≥ 65 years who were admitted to the geriatric ward following an emergency department visit were included. The primary outcome of this study was mortality. Secondary outcomes included the length of admission, discharge destination and the reliability compared to patient-related variables and the APOP screener.RESULTS: 396 patients were included in the analysis. Mean follow up was 300 days; 207 patients (52%) died during follow up. The hanging chin sign was present in 85 patients (21%). Patients with the hanging chin sign have a significantly higher mortality risk during admission (OR 2.94 (1.61 to 5.39), p < 0.001), within 30 days (OR 2.49 (1.44 to 4.31), p = 0.001), within 90 days (OR 2.16 (1.31 to 3.56), p = 0.002) and within end of follow up (OR 2.87 (1.70 to 4.84),p < 0.001). A chest X-ray without a PA view or lateral view was also associated with mortality. This technical detail of the chest x-ray and the hanging chin sign both showed a stronger association with mortality than patient-related variables or the APOP screener. CONCLUSIONS: The hanging chin sign and other details of the chest x-ray were strong predictors of mortality in geriatric patients presenting at the emergency department. Compared to other known predictors, they seem to do even better in predicting mortality.


2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 146
Author(s):  
Kenneth C. Schneider ◽  
James C. Johnson

This article examines the impact of follow-up techniques (designed to increase the survey response rate) on uninformed responses to factual survey questions. Such questions of fact can be used as filters to measures a respondents base of information, knowledge or experience on a topic prior to measuring his/her opinions on that topic, but only if uninformed responses are less likely to be given to the factual filter questions than to the opinion/attitude questions. Previous research suggests that response pressure (including follow-up contact) tends to exacerbate the uninformed response rate to opinion or attitude questions. However, the research reported here suggests that is not so with factual questions; follow-up contract does not result in increased levels of uninformed response to questions of fact.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vida V. Bliokas ◽  
Alex R. Hains ◽  
Jonathan A. Allan ◽  
Luise Lago ◽  
Rebecca Sng

Abstract Background Suicide is a major public health issue worldwide. Those who have made a recent suicide attempt are at high risk for dying by suicide in the future, particularly during the period immediately following departure from a hospital emergency department. As such the transition from hospital-based care to the community is an important area of focus in the attempt to reduce suicide rates. There is a need for evaluation studies to test the effectiveness of interventions directed to this stage (termed ‘aftercare’ interventions). Methods A controlled non-randomised two group (intervention vs treatment-as-usual control) design, using an intention-to-treat model, will evaluate the effectiveness of a suicide prevention aftercare intervention providing follow-up after presentations to a hospital emergency department as a result of a suicide attempt or high risk for suicide. The intervention is a community-based service, utilising two meetings with a mental health clinician and follow-up contacts by peer workers via a combination of face-to-face and telephone for four weeks, with the option of extension to 12 weeks. Seventy-five participants of the intervention service will be recruited to the study and compared to 1265 treatment-as-usual controls. The primary hypotheses are that over 12 months, those who participate in the aftercare follow-up intervention are less likely than controls to present to a hospital emergency department for a repeat suicide attempt or because of high risk for suicide, will have fewer re-presentations during this period and will have lower all-cause mortality. As a secondary aim, the impact of the intervention on suicide risk factors for those who participate in the service will be evaluated using pre- and post-intervention repeated measures of depression, anxiety, stress, hopelessness, belongingness, burdensomeness, and psychological distress. Enrolments into the study commenced on 1 November 2017 and are anticipated to cease in November 2019. Discussion The study aims to contribute to the understanding of effective interventions for individuals who have presented to a hospital emergency department as a result of a suicide attempt or at high risk for suicide and provide evidence in relation to interventions that incorporate peer-workers. Trial registration ACTRN12618001701213. Registered on 16 October 2018. Retrospectively registered.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (S338) ◽  
pp. 53-60
Author(s):  
Aaron Tohuvavohu ◽  
Jamie A. Kennea ◽  

AbstractSwift’s rapid slewing, flexible planning, and multi-wavelength instruments make it the most capable space-based follow-up engine for finding poorly localized sources. During O1 and O2 Swift successfully tiled hundreds of square-degrees of sky in the LVC localization regions, searching for, and identifying, possible X-ray and UV/O transients in the field. Swift made important contributions to the discovery and characterization of the kilonova AT 2017gfo, discovering the UV emission and providing the deepest X-ray upper limits in the first 24 hours after the trigger, strongly constraining the dynamics and geometry of the counterpart. Swift tiled 92% of the galaxy convolved error region down to average X-ray flux sensitivities of 10−12 erg cm−2 s−1, significantly increasing our confidence that AT 2017gfo is indeed the counterpart to GW 170817 and sGRB 170817. However, there remains significant room for improvement of Swift’s follow-up in preparation for O3. This will take the form of both revised observation strategy based on detailed analysis of the results from O2, and significant changes to Swift’s operational capabilities. These improvements are necessary both for maximizing the likelihood that Swift finds a counterpart, and minimizing the impact that follow-up activities have on other Swift science priorities. We outline areas of improvement to the observing strategy itself for optimal tiling of the LVC localization regions. We also discuss ongoing work on operational upgrades that will decrease latency in our response time, and minimize impact on pre-planned observations, while maintaining spacecraft health and safety.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 292-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph M Connors ◽  
Stephen Ansell ◽  
Steven I. Park ◽  
Michelle A. Fanale ◽  
Anas Younes

Background: The ABVD regimen containing doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine is a common standard of care for the frontline treatment of advanced stage Hodgkin lymphoma (Santoro 1987; Duggan 2003) and is curative for the majority of patients; however, up to 30% of patients require a secondary therapy. Hodgkin Reed-Sternberg cells of classical HL (cHL) typically express CD30. In a pivotal phase 2 trial brentuximab vedotin (A, ADCETRIS®), comprised of an anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody conjugated by a protease-cleavable linker to a microtubule-disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) induced an objective response rate (ORR) of 75% and complete response rate (CR) of 34% in highly treatment-refractory patients with cHL (Younes 2012). Methods: We conducted a phase 1, open-label, multicenter study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of A when administered in combination with standard therapy (ABVD) or the same regimen without bleomycin (AVD) (Younes 2013). Adult patients with newly diagnosed advanced stage (II bulky, II B, III or IV; 80% stage III or IV) received doses of 0.6, 0.9, or 1.2 mg/kg A with standard doses of ABVD or 1.2 mg/kg with AVD, depending on cohort assignment on Days 1 and 15 of each 28-day cycle for up to 6 cycles of therapy. Previously we reported that among patients assessable for response 95% of patients given ABVD+A achieved a CR, as did 96% of patients given AVD+A. None of 26 patients given AVD+A but 11 of 25 (44%) given ABVD+A experienced pulmonary toxicity, including 2 deaths, establishing that A cannot be safely combined with bleomycin. In this current study we provide the long term survival and safety data on patients enrolled in the phase 1 trial. Results: In total 51 patients were assigned to either ABVD+A (n=25) or AVD+A (n=26). 1 patient who withdrew from the trial during the first cycle of ABVD+A is excluded from this analysis and 1 patient who received 3 cycles of ABVD+A, then withdrew, then received 3 cycles of ABVD alone and 2 patients who died during treatment (pulmonary toxicity) are included (total n=50). Median follow-up from diagnosis for the 24 patients treated with ABVD+A is 41 months (range 9-51 months) and for the 26 patients treated with AVD+A, 31 months (range 9-35 months). All 26 patients treated with AVD+A have been followed longer than the longest time to relapse (7 months). 45 patients remain in first CR and 5 treatment failures have occurred: 4 in the ABVD+A cohort (2 toxic deaths; 2 relapses (9 and 23 months from diagnosis)) and 1 after AVD+A (7 months from diagnosis). 3y-failure-free survival (3y-FFS) is 83% and 96% for ABVD+A and AVD+A, respectively, and 3y-overall survival (3y-OS), is 92% and 100%. No additional toxic deaths have occurred in follow-up. Conclusions: These updated outcomes reflecting the impact of adding brentuximab vedotin (1.2 mg/kg) to standard doses of AVD for classical Hodgkin lymphoma, demonstrating 96% 3y-FFS and 100% 3y-OS with no major unexpected toxicity, strongly support the current large international trial comparing AVD-A (AVD+1.2mg/kg brentuximab vedotin) to standard ABVD (ECHELON-1, clinicaltrials.gov NCT01712490), which may identify a new, less toxic gold standard treatment for advanced stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Disclosures Connors: Seattle Genetics: Research Funding. Off Label Use: brentuximab vedotin in phase 1 trial. Ansell:Seattle Genetics: Research Funding. Park:Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Millennium/Takeda: Research Funding. Fanale:Seattle Genetics: Research Funding. Younes:Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Millennium/Takeda: Research Funding.


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