scholarly journals P140: Variability in practice patterns in the emergency department treatment of hyperkalemia

CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
pp. S115-S115
Author(s):  
R. Alaraimi ◽  
S. Gosselin ◽  
G. Clark ◽  
H. Gangatharan ◽  
R. Tam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Bicarbonate ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Beta Adrenergic ◽  
Adrenergic Agents ◽  
Electrolyte Disturbance ◽  
Severe Hyperkalemia ◽  
Ed Visits ◽  
Exchange Resins

Introduction: Hyperkalemia is a common electrolyte disturbance associated with morbidity and mortality. Commonly used therapies for hyperkalemia include IV calcium, sodium bicarbonate, insulin, beta-adrenergic agents, ion-exchange resins, diuretics and hemodialysis. This study aims to evaluate which treatments are more commonly used to treat hyperkalemia and to examine factors which influence those clinical decisions. Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of all cases of hyperkalemia encountered in 2017 at a Canadian adult ED. Potassium values were classified as mild (5.5 - 6.5 mEq/L), moderate (>6.5 - 7.5 mEq/L) and severe (>7.5 mEq/L). Treatment choices were then recorded and matched to hemodynamic stability, degree of hyperkalemia and ECG findings. More statistical methods to test correlation between treatment and specific variables will be performed over the next 2 months, including logistic regression to highlight potential determinants of treatment and Chi-square tests to verify randomness and to construct 95% confidence intervals. Results: 1867 ED visits were identified, of which 479 met the inclusion criteria. 89.1% of hyperkalemia cases were mild, 8.2% were moderate, and 2.7% were severe. IV insulin was used in 22.1% of cases, followed by Kayexalate in 20.5%, sodium bicarbonate in 12.3%, IV calcium in 9.4%, frusemide in 7.3%, salbutamol in 2.7%, and dialysis in 1.9%. Moderate and severe hyperkalemia were associated with higher use of insulin (79.5% and 64.3% respectively), IV calcium (41% and 64.3% respectively), sodium bicarbonate (56.4% and 85.7% respectively). Bradycardia was associated with higher insulin and IV calcium use (46.7% and 33.3% respectively). Hypotension was associated with a similar increase in use of insulin and IV calcium (34.2% and 23.7% respectively). There were only 15 cases of cardiac arrest in which sodium bicarbonate and IV calcium were more frequently used (80% and 60% respectively). Conclusion: This study demonstrates variability in the ED management of hyperkalemia. We found that Insulin and Kayexalate were the 2 most common interventions, with degree of hyperkalemia, bradycardia and hypotension influencing rates of treatment. Overuse of kayexalate for emergent treatment of hyperkalemia is evident despite weak supporting evidence. Paradoxically, beta adrenergic agents were underutilized despite their rapid effect and safer profile. The development of a widely accepted guideline may help narrow the differences in practice and potentially improve outcomes.

Follow up after burn injury is disturbingly low and linked with social factors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina P Karashchuk ◽  
Eve A Solomon ◽  
David G Greenhalgh ◽  
Soman Sen ◽  
Tina L Palmieri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social History ◽  
Drug Dependence ◽  
Burn Injury ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Burn Patients ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Ed Visits ◽  
Zip Code

Abstract For medical and social reasons, it is important that burn patients attend follow up appointments (FUAs). Our goal was to examine the factors leading to missed FUAs in burn patients. A retrospective chart review was conducted of adult patients admitted to the burn center from 2016-2018. Data collected included burn characteristics, social history, and zip code. Data analysis was conducted using chi-square, Wilcox Rank Sum tests, and multivariate regression models. A total of 878 patients were analyzed, with 224 (25.5%) failing to attend any FUAs and 492 (56.0%) missing at least one appointment (MA). Patients who did not attend any FUAs had smaller burns (4.5 (8)% vs. 6.5 (11)% median (inter quartile range)), traveled farther (70.2 (111.8) vs. 52.5 (76.7) miles), and were more likely to be homeless (22.8% vs. 6.9%) and have drug dependence (47.3% vs. 27.2%). Patients who had at least one MA were younger (42 (26) vs. 46 (28) years) and more likely to be homeless (17.5% vs. 2.6%) and have drug dependence (42.5% vs. 19.4%). On multivariate analysis, factors associated with never attending a FUA were: distance from hospital (odds ratio (OR) 1.004), burn size (OR 0.96), and homelessness (OR 0.33). Factors associated with missing at least one FUA : age (OR 0.99), drug dependence (OR 0.46), homelessness (OR 0.22), and ED visits (OR 0.56). A high percentage of patients fail to make any appointment following their injury and/or have at least one MA. Both FUAs and MAs are influenced by social determinants of health.

scholarly journals Influenza With an Infiltrate: Investigating the New Community-Acquired Pneumonia Guidelines

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s302-s302
Author(s):  
Amanda Barner ◽  
Lou Ann Bruno-Murtha
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Data ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Vaccination Rate ◽  
Community Acquired Pneumonia ◽  
Teaching Hospitals ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
Radiographic Findings ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Background: The Infectious Diseases Society of America released updated community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) guidelines in October 2019. One of the recommendations, with a low quality of supporting evidence, is the standard administration of antibiotics in adult patients with influenza and radiographic evidence of pneumonia. Procalcitonin (PCT) is not endorsed as a strategy to withhold antibiotic therapy, but it could be used to de-escalate appropriate patients after 48–72 hours. Radiographic findings are not indicative of the etiology of pneumonia. Prescribing antibiotics for all influenza-positive patients with an infiltrate has significant implications for stewardship. Therefore, we reviewed hospitalized, influenza-positive patients at our institution during the 2018–2019 season, and we sought to assess the impact of an abnormal chest x-ray (CXR) and PCT on antibiotic prescribing and outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all influenza-positive admissions at 2 urban, community-based, teaching hospitals. Demographic data, vaccination status, PCT levels, CXR findings, and treatment regimens were reviewed. The primary outcome was the difference in receipt of antibiotics between patients with a negative (<0.25 ng/mL) and positive PCT. Secondary outcomes included the impact of CXR result on antibiotic prescribing, duration, 30-day readmission, and 90-day mortality. Results: We reviewed the medical records of 117 patients; 43 (36.7%) received antibiotics. The vaccination rate was 36.7%. Also, 11% of patients required intensive care unit (ICU) admission and 84% received antibiotics. Moreover, 109 patients had a CXR: 61 (55.9%) were negative, 29 (26.6%) indeterminate, and 19 (17.4%) positive per radiologist interpretation. Patients with a positive PCT (OR, 12.7; 95% CI, 3.43–60.98; P < .0007) and an abnormal CXR (OR, 7.4; 95% CI, 2.9–20.1; P = .000003) were more likely to receive antibiotics. There was no significant difference in 30-day readmission (11.6% vs 13.5%; OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.21–3.08; P = 1) and 90-day mortality (11.6% vs 5.4%; OR, 2.37; 95% CI, 0.48–12.75; P = .28) between those that received antibiotics and those that did not, respectively. Furthermore, 30 patients (62.5%) with an abnormal CXR received antibiotics and 21 (43.7%) had negative PCT. There was no difference in 30-day readmission or 90-day mortality between those that did and did not receive antibiotics. Conclusions: Utilization of PCT allowed selective prescribing of antibiotics without impacting readmission or mortality. Antibiotics should be initiated for critically ill patients and based on clinical judgement, rather than for all influenza-positive patients with CXR abnormalities.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

scholarly journals Demographic and Risk Factor Differences between Children with “One-Time” and “Repeat” Visits to the Emergency Department for Asthma

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 486
Author(s):  
Pavani Rangachari ◽  
Jie Chen ◽  
Nishtha Ahuja ◽  
Anjeli Patel ◽  
Renuka Mehta
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Childhood Asthma ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Primary Research ◽  
Ed Visits ◽  
The Individual

This retrospective study examines demographic and risk factor differences between children who visited the emergency department (ED) for asthma once (“one-time”) and more than once (“repeat”) over an 18-month period at an academic medical center. The purpose is to contribute to the literature on ED utilization for asthma and provide a foundation for future primary research on self-management effectiveness (SME) of childhood asthma. For the first round of analysis, an 18-month retrospective chart review was conducted on 252 children (0–17 years) who visited the ED for asthma in 2019–2020, to obtain data on demographics, risk factors, and ED visits for each child. Of these, 160 (63%) were “one-time” and 92 (37%) were “repeat” ED patients. Demographic and risk factor differences between “one-time” and “repeat” ED patients were assessed using contingency table and logistic regression analyses. A second round of analysis was conducted on patients in the age-group 8–17 years to match another retrospective asthma study recently completed in the outpatient clinics at the same (study) institution. The first-round analysis indicated that except age, none of the individual demographic or risk factors were statistically significant in predicting of “repeat” ED visits. More unequivocally, the second-round analysis revealed that none of the individual factors examined (including age, race, gender, insurance, and asthma severity, among others) were statistically significant in predicting “repeat” ED visits for childhood asthma. A key implication of the results therefore is that something other than the factors examined is driving “repeat” ED visits in children with asthma. In addition to contributing to the ED utilization literature, the results serve to corroborate findings from the recent outpatient study and bolster the impetus for future primary research on SME of childhood asthma.

Pharmacologic responsiveness of isolated single eccrine sweat glands

1981 ◽  
Vol 240 (1) ◽  
pp. R44-R51 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Sato ◽  
F. Sato
Keyword(s):  
Dose Response ◽  
Dissociation Constants ◽  
Sweat Rate ◽  
Sweat Glands ◽  
Adrenergic Agonist ◽  
Beta Adrenergic ◽  
Adrenergic Agents ◽  
Eccrine Sweat Glands ◽  
Eccrine Sweat

Pharmacologic responsiveness of the eccrine sweat gland has never been studied under well-defined in vitro experimental conditions. Using isolated cannulated single monkey palm eccrine sweat glands, the dose response to both cholinergic and alpha- and beta-adrenergic agents and the effects of various antagonists on agonists were studied. The maximal sweat rate was highest after stimulation with cholinergic agonists, was lower with the beta-adrenergic agonist, and was least with the alpha-adrenergic agonist. Each secretory response was inhibited by its specific antagonist. Attempts to demonstrate the spare receptor, if any, by means of preincubation of the glands with N-(2-chlorethyl)dibenzylamine (Dibenamine) were unsuccessful. From the hyperbolic dose-response curves the values for KA and KB, dissociation constants for agonists and antagonists, respectively, were thus tentatively estimated according to Clark's classical receptor theory. Schild plots for each agonist-antagonist interaction produced straight lines with slopes of near unity, indicating the adequacy of the methodology. It was concluded that the isolated eccrine sweat glands retain their pharmacologic viability in vitro and show responsiveness to cholinergic as well as both alpha- and beta-adrenergic stimulations.

Oral Dexamethasone to Control Wheezing in Children at an Outpatient Clinic

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela S. Volk ◽  
Stephanie A. Marton ◽  
Brittany S. Richardson ◽  
Luis Rauda ◽  
Heidi L. Schwarzwald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Acute Asthma ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Office Visit ◽  
Asthma Exacerbations ◽  
Oral Dexamethasone ◽  
Cost Effective Treatment ◽  
Ed Visits ◽  
Acute Asthma Exacerbations

Asthma, a chronic childhood disease, has resulted in increased emergency department (ED) visits with high costs. Many asthma ED visits are nonemergent and could be treated in outpatient clinics. Literature has concluded that a 2-day course of oral dexamethasone has comparable outcomes to a 5-day course of prednisone in the ED and hospital setting. A retrospective chart review was performed on children requiring in-house treatment with a corticosteroid (dexamethasone n = 23, prednisone n = 40) for acute asthma exacerbations at an ambulatory medical home. The rates of hospital admissions, ED visits, and symptom follow-up were similar between the 2 groups ( P > .05). The cost for a course of dexamethasone was US$1.28 versus US$16.20 for prednisolone. The average cost for an asthma exacerbation office visit was US$79.89 compared with US$3113.28 for an ED visit. A 2-day course of oral dexamethasone appears to be a promising clinical and cost-effective treatment for acute asthma exacerbations at the primary care level.

scholarly journals Utilisation of Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty Transfer: Evidence from the Upper West Region of Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Moses Naiim Fuseini ◽  
Francis Enu-Kwesi ◽  
Kwabena Barima Antwi
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
West Region ◽  
Self Sufficiency ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Social Cash Transfers

The emergence of social cash transfers, including Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) scheme, in Ghana was due to the need to mitigate poverty. However, prior assessment studies focused on the entirety of the programmes, and not solely on assessing the utilisation of grants from such programmes. Consequently, this study examined the utilisation of the LEAP grant, by employing a cross-sectional study design. A sample of 302 LEAP beneficiaries was selected by means of stratified random sampling. Data from beneficiaries were gathered via a questionnaire, while an interview guide was used to collect supporting evidence from key informants. Analysis of data involved descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, chi-square test of independence and thematic analysis. The study found that beneficiaries spent their LEAP grant on both consumption and investments, with consumption appearing dominant. Overall, beneficiaries utilised the grant in meeting their basic needs. It is, therefore, recommended that in order to develop self-sufficiency, beneficiaries must be advised by the programme officials to invest part of their grant in income generating activities to earn extra income to supplement the LEAP grant, and eventually wean them of the programme.

Abstract 155: Prevalence and Clinical Correlates of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy by Sokolow-Lyon and Cornell Electrocardiogram Voltage Criteria in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Patients

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Xiao ◽  
Augustin Delago ◽  
Mohammad El-Hajjar ◽  
Batyrjan Bulibek ◽  
Mikhail Torosoff
Keyword(s):  
Aortic Valve ◽  
Aortic Stenosis ◽  
Aortic Valve Replacement ◽  
Valve Replacement ◽  
Severe Aortic Stenosis ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Aortic Valve Area ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cornell Voltage

Background and Hypothesis: The sensitivity of LVH analysis by ECG voltage criteria in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis undergoing trans-catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has not yet been studied. LVH is expected in the TAVR population and would be reflected in voltage criteria by ECG. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted in 176 consecutive TAVR patients without ventricular-paced rhythm. ECG data was collected and analyzed by Sokolow-Lyon and Cornell Voltage criteria. Results were compared to transthoracic echocardiogram. Analyses of variation, correlation, chi-square, and logistic regression were used. The study was approved by the institutional IRB. Results: Sokolow-Lyon and Cornell Voltage criteria for LVH were present and concordant in 19% (33 of 176) of patients; in 49% (86 of 176) of patients, neither criteria was suggestive for LVH. Only 19% (34 of 176) of patients had LVH by Cornell Voltage and 13% (23 of 176) by Sokolow-Lyon criteria, indicative of poor concordance between these two commonly used ECG criteria for LVH (p<0.0001). Ejection fraction, aortic valve gradient, aortic valve area, COPD, PVD, prior stroke, dyslipidemia, and hypertension did not affect the prevalence of LVH by either or both criteria. Women (p<0.01) and patients with rhythm other than atrial fibrillation (p<0.0053) were more likely to have voltage criteria for LVH, while older adults were more likely to meet criteria for LVH. Concordant LVH criteria were noted in patients 84.6 +/- 7.2 years of age, while patients without LVH by ECG voltage criteria were significantly younger at 80.21 +/- 8.1 years of age (p<0.007). Conclusion: The presence of LVH by Sokolow-Lyon and Cornell ECG voltage criteria poorly correlates with the presence of LVH and critical aortic stenosis in TAVR patients. Women are more likely to have voltage criteria for LVH. Therefore, ECG may not be a suitable method of screening patients with severe aortic stenosis for LVH, especially in men.

Abstract 3235: Low LDL is Associated with Hematoma Expansion in Chronic Daily Alcohol Users with Intracranial Hemorrhage

Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gayle R Pletsch ◽  
Christopher Burns ◽  
Karen C Albright ◽  
Amelia K Boehme ◽  
T. M Beasley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chart Review ◽  
Ldl Cholesterol ◽  
Independent Predictor ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Platelet Inhibition ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Hematoma Expansion ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Alcohol Users

Background: Prior studies have reported elevated blood pressure, platelet inhibition, and low LDL cholesterol in chronic daily alcohol users (CDA). Each of these has been shown to be associated with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) growth. We hypothesized that CDA patients with ICH and low LDL were at higher risk for ICH growth than CDA users with high LDL. Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed on patients who presented to Tulane University from 7/1/08-12/31/10 with a spontaneous ICH. Patients who underwent hematoma evacuation were excluded. Clinical and demographic variables were abstracted. Hemorrhages volumes were calculated based on ABC/2 method. LDL was dichotomized into low (<100mg/dl) and high (≥100mg/dl) values. Comparisons were made using t-tests, Chi-square and non-parametric equivalents where appropriate. ICH growth in 24 hours and CDA use were evaluated using linear regression. Results: Of the 99 patients with spontaneous ICH, 25.3% were CDA users. No significant differences were observed when comparing baseline demographics of CDA users with LDL<100 and CDA users with LDL>=100 ( Table 1). Patients with low LDL had larger baseline ICH volumes (21.4 vs. 7.5, p=.03) and were more likely to experience ICH growth (87.5% vs. 57.1%, p=0.0002). Initial LDL was an independent predictor for 24 hour ICH growth. Every 10 points the initial LDL was below 100 predicted 1 cc of growth. LDL did not predict ICH growth in non-CDA users (p=0.9430). Discussion: Our data suggest that initial LDL level in chronic daily alcohol users can be used to predict ICH growth. The role of LDL in the importance of vessel fragility and clot stabilization needs to be further explored as this appears be important in patients who are chronic daily alcohol users.

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