scholarly journals Emergency physicians’ attitudes and perceived barriers to the implementation of take-home naloxone programs in Canadian emergency departments

CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Lacroix ◽  
Lisa Thurgur ◽  
Aaron M. Orkin ◽  
Jeffrey J. Perry ◽  
Ian G. Stiell
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Face Validity ◽  
Opioid Overdose ◽  
Emergency Physicians ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Canadian Association ◽  
National Public Health

AbstractObjectivesRates of opioid-related deaths have reached the level of national public health crisis in Canada. Community-based opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) programs distribute naloxone to people at risk, and the emergency department (ED) may be an underutilized setting to deliver naloxone to these people. The goal of this study was to identify Canadian emergency physicians’ attitudes and perceived barriers to the implementation of take-home naloxone programs.MethodsThis was an anonymous Web-based survey of 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. Respondent demographics were collected, and Likert scales were used to assess attitudes and barriers to the prescription of naloxone from the ED.ResultsA total of 459 physicians responded. The majority of respondents were male (64%), worked in urban tertiary centres (58.3%), and lived in Ontario (50.6%). Overall, attitudes to OEND were strongly positive; 86% identified a willingness to prescribe naloxone from the ED. Perceived barriers included support for patient education (57%), access to follow-up (44%), and inadequate time (37%). In addition to people at risk of overdose, 77% of respondents identified that friends and family members may also benefit.ConclusionsCanadian emergency physicians are willing to distribute take-home naloxone, but thoughtful systems are required to facilitate opioid OEND implementation. These data will inform the development of these programs, with emphasis on multidisciplinary training and education.

scholarly journals P071: Emergency physician attitudes and perceived barriers to take-home naloxone programs in Canadian emergency departments

CJEM ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
pp. S102-S102
Author(s):  
L. Lacroix ◽  
I.G. Stiell ◽  
L. Thurgur ◽  
A. Orkin
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Emergency Physician ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Physician Attitudes ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Opioid Overdose ◽  
Emergency Physicians ◽  
Canadian Association ◽  
Health Support

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.

scholarly journals P103: How knowledgeable are Canadian emergency physicians about the risk factors of completing suicide in patients presenting to the ED with suicidal thoughts?

CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
pp. S102-S102
Author(s):  
J. Fernandes ◽  
A. Chakraborty ◽  
F. Scheuermeyer ◽  
S. Barbic ◽  
D. Barbic
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Emergency Physicians ◽  
Suicidal Thoughts ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Personal Lives ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Canadian Association ◽  
Attending Physician ◽  
Risk Factors For Suicide

Introduction: Suicide is the 9th leading cause of death in Canada, and a common reason for patients to present to Canadian emergency departments (ED). Little knowledge exists around Canadian emergency physicians (EPs) knowledge about the risk factors of completing suicide in patients presenting to the ED with suicidal thoughts. Methods: We developed a web-based survey on suicide knowledge, which was pilot tested by two emergency physicians and one psychiatrist for clarity and content. The survey was distributed via email to attending physician members of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians. Data were described using counts, means, medians and interquartile ranges. Results: 193 EPs responded to the survey (response rate 16%), with 42% of EPs practicing in Ontario. 35% of EPs were female, the mean age was 48 (95% CI 47.3-48.7), and mean years in practice was 17 (95% CI 16.3-17.7). Academic practice location was reported by 55% of EPs, and 81% reported access to an inpatient psychiatry service. Twenty four (12%) EPs had personally considered suicide, and 45% had experience with suicide in their personal lives. The top three risk factors for suicide identified by EPs were: intent for suicide (90%); a plan for suicide (89%); prior suicide attempt (88%). A majority of EPs were able to correctly identify the other risk factors for completion of suicide except for the following: diagnosis of anxiety disorder (25%), chronic substance use (43%), prior non-suicidal self-injury (37%), low socioeconomic status (34%). Conclusion: Canadian EPs have substantial personal experience with suicide. A majority of EPs were able to correctly identify known risk factors for suicide completion, yet important gaps in knowledge exist.

scholarly journals Protocol for Take home naloxone In Multicentre Emergency setting (TIME): Feasibility Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Jones ◽  
Fiona Bell ◽  
Jonathan Benger ◽  
Sarah Black ◽  
Penny Buykx ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Adverse Event Rate ◽  
Opioid Overdose ◽  
Emergency Setting ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Emergency Ambulance ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
One Year

Abstract Background Opioids, such as heroin, kill more people worldwide by overdose than any other type of drug, and death rates associated with opioid poisoning in the UK are at record levels (1, 2). Naloxone is an opioid antagonist which can be distributed in ‘kits’ for administration by witnesses in an overdose emergency. This intervention is known as Take Home Naloxone (THN). We know that THN can save lives on an individual level, but there is currently limited evidence about the effectiveness of THN distribution on an aggregate level, in specialist drug service settings or in emergency service settings. Notably, we do not know whether THN kits reduce deaths from opioid overdose in at-risk populations, if there are unforeseen harms associated with THN distribution or if THN is cost-effective. In order to address this research gap, we aim to determine the feasibility of a fully-powered cluster Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of THN distribution in emergency settings. Methods We will carry out a feasibility study for a RCT of THN distributed in emergency settings at four sites, clustered by Emergency Department (ED) and catchment area within its associated ambulance service. THN is a peer-administered intervention. At two intervention sites, emergency ambulance paramedics and ED clinical staff will distribute THN to adult patients who are at risk of opioid overdose. At two control sites, practice will carry on as usual. We will develop a method of identifying a population to include in an evaluation, comprising people at risk of fatal opioid overdose, who may potentially receive naloxone included in a THN kit. We will gather anonymised outcomes up to one year following a 12 month ‘live’ trial period for patients at risk of death from opioid poisoning. We expect approximately 100 patients at risk of opioid overdose to be in contact with each service during the one year recruitment period. Our outcomes will include: deaths; emergency admissions; intensive care admissions; and ED attendances. We will collect numbers of eligible patients attended by participating emergency ambulance paramedics and attending ED; THN kits issued; and NHS resource usage. We will determine whether to progress to a fully-powered trial based on pre-specified progression criteria: sign-up of sites (n = 4); staff trained (>= 50%); eligible participants identified (>= 50%); THN provided to eligible participants (>= 50%); people at risk of death from opioid overdose identified for inclusion in follow up (>= 75% of overdose deaths); outcomes retrieved for high risk individuals (>= 75%); and adverse event rate (<10% difference between study arms).Discussion This feasibility study is the first randomised, methodologically robust investigation of THN distribution in emergency settings. The study addresses an evidence gap related to the effectiveness of THN distribution in emergency settings. As this study is being carried out in emergency settings, obtaining informed consent on behalf of participants is not feasible. We therefore employ novel methods for identifying participants and capturing follow up data, with effectiveness dependent on the quality of the available routine data.Trial registration ISRCTN13232859 (Registered 16/02/2018)

MP034: What is the diagnostic accuracy of Canadian emergency physicians and cardiologists interpreting potential acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) electrocardiograms?

CJEM ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
pp. S77-S78
Author(s):  
D. Barbic ◽  
C. Vadeanu ◽  
B.E. Grunau ◽  
K. Ramanathan ◽  
F.X. Scheuermeyer
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Measurement Theory ◽  
Emergency Physicians ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Predictive Variables ◽  
Canadian Association ◽  
Conflicting Evidence ◽  
Total Response Rate ◽  
St Segment

Introduction: The accurate interpretation of potential ST-segment elevations on electrocardiograms (ECGs) to diagnose acute myocardial infarction (MI) is a critical competency for emergency physicians (EPs) and cardiologists. There is conflicting evidence on the diagnostic accuracy of EPs and cardiologists interpreting potential STEMI ECGs. Methods: We conducted a web-based assessment of the diagnostic accuracy of potential STEMI ECGs of Canadian EPs and cardiologists. They were identified using the membership lists of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians and the academic departments of cardiology at Canadian medical schools. When provided with 20 ECGs of confirmed STEMI patients, EPs and cardiologists were asked to provide a binary Yes/No answer to the question, “In a patient with ischemic chest pain, does this ECG represent a STEMI?” EPs and cardiologists were blinded to the correct answers while completing the web-based assessment. Descriptive statistics were used to described frequencies and counts. Analysis using Rasch Measurement Theory was used to explore the relationship between correct interpretation of ECGs and predictive variables such as age, years in practice or type of practice. Results: Two hundred and fifty EPs and 30 cardiologists (n=280) responded to our survey (total response rate 25%). Average years in practice were 12.5 for EPs (SD 10.6; median 10) and 14.6 for cardiologists (SD 10.6; median 11); 52% of EPs and 93% of cardiologists practiced in an academic setting. Seven of the cardiologists were interventionalists, while 47.6% of EPs and 97% of cardiologists practiced at hospitals with 24-hour catheterization capability. The diagnostic accuracy of EPs for identifying STEMI ECGs was 75% (SD 15%); cardiologists’ accuracy was 76% (SD 15.5%). The ability to correctly interpret the ECGs was independent of age, years in practice, or type of practice (community vs academic). Conclusion: EPs and cardiologists display similar diagnostic accuracy for interpreting STEMI ECGs, regardless of age, years in practice or type of practice. The findings of our study suggest the need for focused ECG education for both EPs and cardiologists.

scholarly journals PHArmacists’ perspective oN the Take hOme naloxone prograM (The PHANTOM Study)

2017 ◽  
Vol 150 (4) ◽  
pp. 259-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Edwards ◽  
Duane Bates ◽  
Brett Edwards ◽  
Sunita Ghosh ◽  
Mark Yarema
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Opioid Overdose ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Survey Response Rate ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Barriers To Implementation

Objective: To evaluate pharmacists’ attitudes toward the Take Home Naloxone (THN) program and identify areas that could be improved to support pharmacists’ involvement. Methods: Pharmacists on the Alberta College of Pharmacists’ directory were invited to complete an online survey between July 10 and August 8, 2016. The survey consisted of 19 questions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: Four hundred seventy pharmacists completed the survey (response rate = 11.2%). A total of 76.8% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that pharmacists should be screening patients to identify those at risk of opioid overdose. Full-time pharmacists were more likely to agree ( p = 0.02). A total of 79.8% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that pharmacists should be recommending THN kits. Pharmacists working in large population centres ( p = 0.008) and full-time pharmacists ( p = 0.02) were more likely to agree with this statement. Furthermore, 60.6% of pharmacists were extremely willing or very willing to participate in the THN program. Pharmacists in practice for ≤15 years were more willing to participate in the THN program than pharmacists in practice >15 years ( p = 0.03). The most common perceived barriers to implementation of the THN program were lack of time in pharmacists’ current work environment and education about the program. Conclusions: Overall, pharmacists had positive attitudes toward screening patients to identify those at risk of opioid overdose, recommending THN kits and willingness to participate in the program. Factors that may facilitate increased participation in the program include addressing time issues and improving education about the THN program.

CAEP Position Statement: Emergency department management of people with opioid use disorder

CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 768-771
Author(s):  
Justin J. Koh ◽  
Michelle Klaiman ◽  
Isabelle Miles ◽  
Jolene Cook ◽  
Thara Kumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Position Statement ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Opioid Overdose ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Canadian Youth ◽  
National Public Health ◽  
Problematic Substance ◽  
Emergency Department Management

Deaths due to opioid overdose have reached unprecedented levels in Canada; over 12,800 opioid-related deaths occurred between January 2016 and March 2019, and overdose death rates increased by approximately 50% from 2016 to 2018.1 In 2016, Health Canada declared the opioid epidemic a national public health crisis,2 and life expectancy increases have halted in Canada for the first time in decades.3 Children are not exempt from this crisis, and the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada has recently prioritized the prevention of problematic substance use among Canadian youth.4

scholarly journals Comorbid pain and migraine chronicity

Neurology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 89 (5) ◽  
pp. 461-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann I. Scher ◽  
Dawn C. Buse ◽  
Kristina M. Fanning ◽  
Amanda M. Kelly ◽  
Dana A. Franznick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Chronic Migraine ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Episodic Migraine ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Pain Site

Objective:To identify patterns of noncephalic pain comorbidity in people with episodic migraine (EM; <15 headache-days per month) and chronic migraine (CM; ≥15 headache-days per month) and to examine whether the presence of noncephalic pain is an indicator for the 3-month onset or persistence of CM.Methods:Data from the Chronic Migraine Epidemiology and Outcomes (CaMEO) Study, a prospective, web-based study with cross-sectional modules embedded in a longitudinal design, were analyzed at baseline and the 3-month follow-up. Relationships between the number of noncephalic pain sites and 3-month onset of CM or persistent CM were assessed.Results:Of 8,908 eligible respondents, 8,139 (91.4%) had EM and 769 (8.6%) had CM at baseline. At 3 months, the incidence of CM among those with baseline EM was 3.4%. When adjusted for demographics and headache-day frequency, the odds of CM onset among those with baseline EM increased by 30% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21–1.40, p < 0.001) for each additional noncephalic pain site at baseline. Among those with CM at baseline, 50.1% had persistent CM at the 3-month follow-up. After adjustment for demographics, individuals with CM were 15% (95% CI 1.07–1.25, p < 0.001) more likely to have persistent CM for each additional noncephalic pain site at baseline.Conclusions:These results suggest that noncephalic pain may be a marker for headache chronicity that could be used to identify people with EM at risk of the onset of CM and people with CM at risk of persistent CM.

scholarly journals Protocol for Take home naloxone In Multicentre Emergency setting (TIME): Feasibility Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Jones ◽  
Fiona Bell ◽  
Jonathan Benger ◽  
Sarah Black ◽  
Penny Buykx ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Adverse Event Rate ◽  
Opioid Overdose ◽  
Emergency Setting ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Emergency Ambulance ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
One Year

Abstract Background Opioids, such as heroin, kill more people worldwide by overdose than any other type of drug, and death rates associated with opioid poisoning in the UK are at record levels. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist which can be distributed in ‘kits’ for administration by witnesses in an overdose emergency. This intervention is known as Take Home Naloxone (THN). There is a lack of rigorous experimental research into the effectiveness of THN distribution, with fundamental questions remaining unanswered: do THN kits reduce deaths? are there unforeseen harms associated with THN distribution? and is THN distribution cost-effective? We seek to establish the feasibility of a fully-powered cluster Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of THN distribution in emergency settings to answer these questions.Methods We will carry out a feasibility study for a RCT of THN distributed in emergency settings at four sites, clustered by Emergency Department (ED) and catchment area within its associated ambulance service. At two intervention sites, emergency ambulance paramedics and ED clinical staff will distribute THN to adult patients who are at risk of opioid overdose. At two control sites practice will carry on as usual. THN is a peer-administered intervention. We will develop a method of identifying a population to include in an evaluation, comprising people at risk of opioid overdose, who may potentially receive THN. We will gather anonymised outcomes up to one year following a 12 month ‘live’ trial period for patients at risk of death from opioid poisoning. We expect approximately 100 patients at risk of opioid overdose to be in contact with each service during the one year recruitment period. Our outcomes will include: deaths; emergency admissions; intensive care admissions; and ED attendances. We will collect numbers of eligible patients attended by participating emergency ambulance paramedics and attending ED; THN kits issued; and NHS resource usage. We will determine whether to progress to a fully powered trial based on pre-specified progression criteria: sign-up of sites (n = 4); staff trained (>= 50%); eligible participants identified (>= 50%); THN provided to eligible participants (>= 50%); people at risk of death from opioid overdose identified for inclusion in follow up (>= 75% of overdose deaths); outcomes retrieved for high risk individuals (>= 75%); and adverse event rate (<10% difference between trial arms).Discussion This feasibility study is the first randomised, methodologically robust investigation of THN distribution in emergency settings. The study addresses an evidence gap related to the effectiveness of THN distribution in emergency settings. As this study is being carried out in emergency settings, obtaining informed consent on behalf of participants is not feasible. We therefore employ novel methods for identifying participants and capturing follow up data, the effectiveness of which are dependent on the quality of the available routine data.

scholarly journals Lack of consensus on corneal abrasion management: results of a national survey

CJEM ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 6 (06) ◽  
pp. 402-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Calder ◽  
Sowmya Balasubramanian ◽  
Ian Stiell
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Body ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Teaching Hospitals ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Emergency Physicians ◽  
Topical Antibiotics ◽  
Canadian Association ◽  
Email Address ◽  
Management Preferences

ABSTRACT:Objectives:Our objective was to determine the practice patterns of Canadian emergency physicians with respect to the management of traumatic corneal abrasions.Methods:After developing our instrument and pilot testing it on a sample of emergency residents, we randomly surveyed 470 members of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians, using a modified Dillman technique. We distributed a pre-notification letter, an 18-item survey, and appropriate follow-up surveys to non-responders. Those members with an email address (n= 400) received a Web-based survey, and those without (n= 70) received a survey by post. The survey focused on the indications and utilization of analgesics (oral and topical), cycloplegics, eye patches and topical antibiotics.Results:Our response rate was 64% (301/470), and the median age of respondents was 38 years. Most (77.7%) were male, 71.8% were full-time emergency physicians, 76.5% were emergency medicine certified, and 64.4% practised in teaching hospitals. Pain management preferences (offered usually or always) included oral analgesics (82.1%), cycloplegics (65.1%) and topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (52.8%). Only 21.6% of respondents performed patching, and most (71.2%) prescribed topical antibiotics, particularly for contact lens wearers and patients with ocular foreign bodies. Two-thirds of the respondents provided tetanus toxoid if a foreign body was present, and 46.2% did so even if a foreign body was not present. Most respondents (88.0%) routinely arranged follow-up.Conclusions:This national survey of emergency physicians demonstrates a lack of consensus on the management of traumatic corneal abrasions. Further study is indicated to determine the optimal treatment, particularly regarding the use of topical NSAIDs.

scholarly journals What are emergency-sensitive conditions? A survey of Canadian emergency physicians and nurses

CJEM ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 154-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Berthelot ◽  
Eddy S. Lang ◽  
Hude Quan ◽  
Henry T. Stelfox
Keyword(s):  
International Classification Of Diseases ◽  
Face Validity ◽  
Professional Status ◽  
Standardized Mortality Ratio ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Emergency Physicians ◽  
Emergency Nurses ◽  
Canadian Association ◽  
Sensitive Conditions

AbstractObjective: In a previous study, we assembled a multidisciplinary Canadian panel and identified 37 International Classification of Diseases-10-Canada Diagnosis Groups (DGs) for which emergency department (ED) management may potentially reduce mortality (emergency-sensitive conditions). Before using these 37 DGs to calculate a hospital standardized mortality ratio (HSMR) specific to emergency care, we aimed to test their face validity with ED care providers.Methods: We conducted a self-administered web survey among Canadian emergency physicians and nurses between November 22 and December 31, 2012. All members (N=2,507) of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians and the National Emergency Nurses Association were surveyed. They were asked to agree or disagree (binary response) with the panel classification for each of the 37 DG emergency-sensitive conditions identified and provide free text responses to identify missing entities.Results: A total of 719 ED providers (719 of 2,507, 29%) completed the survey, of whom 470 were physicians (470 of 1,407, 33%) and 232 were nurses (232 of 1,100, 21%). Information on professional status was not provided for 17 respondents. Of 37 DGs, 32 (e.g., A41 sepsis) were rated by more than 80% of respondents to be emergency-sensitive conditions. The remaining five DGs (e.g., E11 type 2 diabetes mellitus) were rated by 68.5 to 79.7% of the respondents to be emergency-sensitive conditions. Respondents suggested an additional 31 emergency-sensitive diagnoses.Conclusion: We identified 37 emergency-sensitive DGs that had high face validity with emergency physicians and nurses, which will enable the calculation of an ED-HSMR.

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