scholarly journals Non-COVID Neurological Emergencies: A Silent Killer Going Unnoticed during COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikita Dhar ◽  
Govind Madhaw ◽  
Mritunjai Kumar ◽  
Niraj Kumar ◽  
Ashutosh Tiwari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Poor Compliance ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Significant Delay ◽  
Neurological Emergencies ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective This study assesses the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the pattern of neurological emergencies reaching a tertiary care center. Materials and Methods This is a retrospective and single center study involving 295 patients with neurological emergencies mainly including acute stroke, status epilepticus (SE), and tubercular meningitis visiting emergency department (ED) from January 1 to April 30, 2020 and divided into pre- and during lockdown, the latter starting from March 25 onward. The primary outcome was number of neurological emergencies visiting ED per week in both periods. Secondary outcomes included disease severity at admission, need for mechanical ventilation (MV), delay in hospitalization, in-hospital mortality, and reasons for poor compliance to ongoing treatment multivariate binary logistic regression was used to find independent predictors of in-hospital mortality which included variables with p <0.1 on univariate analysis. Structural break in the time series analysis was done by using Chow test. Results There was 53.8% reduction in number of neurological emergencies visiting ED during lockdown (22.1 visits vs. 10.2 visits per week, p = 0.001), significantly affecting rural population (p = 0.004). Presenting patients had comparatively severe illness with increased requirement of MV (p < 0.001) and significant delay in hospitalization during lockdown (p < 0.001). Poor compliance to ongoing therapy increased from 34.4% in pre-lockdown to 64.7% patients during lockdown (p < 0.001), mostly due to nonavailability of drugs (p < 0.001). Overall, 35 deaths were recorded, with 20 (8.2%) in pre-lockdown and 15 (29.4%) during lockdown (p = 0.001). Lockdown, nonavailability of local health care, delay in hospitalization, severity at admission, and need for MV emerged as independent predictors of poor outcome in stroke and delay in hospitalization in SE. Conclusion COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown resulted in marked decline in non-COVID neurological emergencies reporting to ED, with more severe presentations and significant delay from onset of symptoms to hospitalization.

scholarly journals Pre-hospital delay in patients with myocardial infarction: an observational study in a tertiary care hospital of northern Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Abdur Rafi ◽  
Md. Zahidus Sayeed ◽  
Papia Sultana ◽  
Saw Aik ◽  
Golam Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Tertiary Care Hospital ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Primary Care Center ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Delayed hospital presentation is a hindrance to the optimum clinical outcome of modern therapies of Myocardial infarction (MI). This study aimed to investigate the significant factors associated with prolonged pre-hospital delay and the impact of this delay on in-hospital mortality among patients with MI in Northern Bangladesh.Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in December 2019 in cardiology ward of a 1000-bed tertiary care hospital of Bangladesh. Patients admitted in the ward with the diagnosis of myocardial infarction were included in the study. Socio demographic data, clinical features and patients’ health seeking behavior was collected in a structured questionnaire from the patients. Median with interquartile range (IQR) of pre hospital delay were calculated and compared between different groups. Chi-square (χ²) test and binary logistic regression were used to estimate the determinants of pre-hospital delay and effect of pre-hospital delay on in-hospital mortality.Results: 337 patients was enrolled in the study and their median (IQR) pre-hospital delay was 9.0 (13.0) hours. 39.5% patients admitted in the specialized hospital within 6 hours. In logistic regression, determinants of pre-hospital delay were patients age (for <40 years aOR 2.43, 95% CI 0.73-8.12; for 40 to 60 years aOR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21-0.93), family income (for lower income aOR 5.74, 95% CI 0.89-37.06; for middle income aOR 14.22, 95% CI 2.15-94.17), distance from primary care center £5 km (aOR 0.42, 95% CI 0.12-0.90), predominant chest pain (aOR 0.15, 95% CI 0.05-0.48), considering symptoms as non-significant (aOR 17.81, 95% CI 5.92-53.48), referral from primary care center (for government hospital aOR 4.45, 95% CI 2.03-9.74; for private hospital OR 98.67, 95% CI 11.87-820.34); (R2= 0.528) and not having family history of MI (aOR 2.65, 95% CI 1.24-5.71). Risk of in-hospital mortality was almost four times higher who admitted after 6 hours compared to their counterpart (aOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.12-0.66); (R2 =0.303).Conclusion: Some modifiable factors contribute to higher pre-hospital delay of MI patients, resulting in increased in-hospital mortality. Patients’ awareness about cardiovascular diseases and improved referral pathway of the existing health care system may reduce this unexpected delay.

scholarly journals The Impact of Smoking, Alcohol Use, Recurrent Disease, and Age on the Development of Neck Fibrosis in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Following Radiation Therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Connor L. Pratson ◽  
Michael C. Larkins ◽  
Brandon H. Karimian ◽  
Caitrin M. Curtis ◽  
Pamela A. Lepera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Neck Cancer ◽  
Recurrent Disease ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
The Impact

There is a paucity of information regarding the demographic factors associated with the development of neck fibrosis in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients following radiotherapy. A retrospective review of all patients being treated for HNC at a tertiary care center between 2013 and 2017 was performed. Chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to identify differences in incidence and grade of fibrosis, respectively, between populations. A total of 90 patients aged 19 to 99 years were included. Factors associated with an increased incidence of fibrosis included smoking during radiotherapy (p &lt; 0.001), alcohol use (p = 0.026), recurrent disease (p = 0.042), and age less than 60 (p &lt; 0.001) on univariate analysis. Factors associated with increased grade of fibrosis in HNC patients included recurrent HNC (p = 0.033), alcohol use (p = 0.013), patient age younger than 60 years (p = 0.018), smoking during radiotherapy (p &lt; 0.001), and non-Caucasian race (p = 0.012). Identification and intervention directed at patients that possess risk factors associated with fibrosis prior to treatment has the potential to improve the long-term quality of life for HNC patients.

scholarly journals Pre-hospital delay in patients with myocardial infarction: an observational study in a tertiary care hospital of northern Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Abdur Rafi ◽  
Md. Zahidus Sayeed ◽  
Papia Sultana ◽  
Saw Aik ◽  
Golam Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Tertiary Care Hospital ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Primary Care Center ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Delayed hospital presentation is a hindrance to the optimum clinical outcome of modern therapies of Myocardial infarction (MI). This study aimed to investigate the significant factors associated with prolonged pre-hospital delay and the impact of this delay on in-hospital mortality among patients with MI in Northern Bangladesh.Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in December 2019 in cardiology ward of a 1000-bed tertiary care hospital of Bangladesh. Patients admitted in the ward with the diagnosis of myocardial infarction were included in the study. Socio demographic data, clinical features and patients’ health seeking behavior was collected in a structured questionnaire from the patients. Median with interquartile range (IQR) of pre hospital delay were calculated and compared between different groups. Chi-square (χ²) test and binary logistic regression were used to estimate the determinants of pre-hospital delay and effect of pre-hospital delay on in-hospital mortality.Results: 337 patients was enrolled in the study and their median (IQR) pre-hospital delay was 9.0 (13.0) hours. 39.5% patients admitted in the specialized hospital within 6 hours. In logistic regression, determinants of pre-hospital delay were patients age (for <40 years aOR 2.43, 95% CI 0.73-8.12; for 40 to 60 years aOR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21-0.93), family income (for lower income aOR 5.74, 95% CI 0.89-37.06; for middle income aOR 14.22, 95% CI 2.15-94.17), distance from primary care center £5 km (aOR 0.42, 95% CI 0.12-0.90), predominant chest pain (aOR 0.15, 95% CI 0.05-0.48), considering symptoms as non-significant (aOR 17.81, 95% CI 5.92-53.48), referral from primary care center (for government hospital aOR 4.45, 95% CI 2.03-9.74; for private hospital OR 98.67, 95% CI 11.87-820.34); (R2= 0.528) and not having family history of MI (aOR 2.65, 95% CI 1.24-5.71). Risk of in-hospital mortality was almost four times higher who admitted after 6 hours compared to their counterpart (aOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.12-0.66); (R2 =0.303).Conclusion: Some modifiable factors contribute to higher pre-hospital delay of MI patients, resulting in increased in-hospital mortality. Patients’ awareness about cardiovascular diseases and improved referral pathway of the existing health care system may reduce this unexpected delay.

scholarly journals This is Sparta - A Five-Year Obstacle Course Racing Injury Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s41-s41
Author(s):  
Haddon Rabb ◽  
Jillian Coleby
Keyword(s):  
Life Support ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Sporting Events ◽  
Injury Rates ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Medical Teams ◽  
The Impact

Introduction:Obstacle Course Races (OCR) are mass participation sporting events, challenging participants to complete physical and mental tasks over a variety of distances and terrains. The case series studied, Spartan Race, has races occurring in urban, rural, and wilderness venues, ranging from 5 to 42 kilometers, while incorporating 20 to 60 obstacles.Aim:To understand the injury rates, injury and illness patterns, and transport considerations within OCRs.Methods:A secondary data analysis of de-identified medical charts from 56 Spartan Race events occurring in Eastern Canada from 2014 to 2018 was performed. The scope of practice was first aid from 2014 to 2017, with the addition of advanced life support onsite in 2018.Results:Over 5 years, 2,387 injuries occurred among 127,481 participants, creating a patient presentation rate of 18.7/1000. Although the majority of injuries (92%; n=2,204) were treated onsite, a transport to hospital rate of 1.2/1000 (n=154) occurred along with an ambulance transport rate of 0.23/1000 (n=29). Lacerations (55%) and musculoskeletal (36%) injuries were the most frequent clinical presentations observed, whereas life-threatening emergencies (affecting airway, breathing, and circulation) were infrequent (n=10). Transport to the closest local tertiary care center was on average 49.8 kilometers (25.3 kilometers) and 40.5 minutes (17.9 minutes) away from the venue.Discussion:These results suggest that there may be an upper limit to the injury rates within Spartan Races. The majority of patient presentations were able to be treated onsite, supporting the need for a qualified onsite medical team to mitigate the strain on local healthcare systems. Although life-threatening emergencies were uncommon, they do occur, and medical teams must be appropriately prepared. Further research is needed to understand the staffing and equipment requirements of medical teams, the demographic information of the injured, and the examination of the impact OCR events have on the local health care systems.

Early Rebleeding after Brain Arteriovenous Malformation Rupture, Clinical Impact and Predictive Factors: A Monocentric Retrospective Cohort Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 304-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eimad Shotar ◽  
Silvia Pistocchi ◽  
Idriss Haffaf ◽  
Bruno Bartolini ◽  
Alice Jacquens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽  
Predictive Factors ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Altered Consciousness ◽  
Hemorrhagic Events ◽  
Spontaneous Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Distal Flow

Background: Brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs) are a leading cause of intracranial hemorrhage in young adults. This study aimed to identify individual predictive factors of early rebleeding after BAVM rupture and determine its impact on prognosis. Methods: Early rebleeding was defined as a spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage within 30 days of BAVM rupture in patients with nonobliterated BAVMs. One hundred fifty one patients with 158 BAVM hemorrhagic events admitted to a tertiary care center during 14 years were included. Univariate followed by multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the impact of early rebleeding on in-hospital mortality and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score beyond 3 months and to identify independent predictors of early rebleeding. Results: Eight early rebleeding events were observed, 6 of which occurred during the first 7 days. Early rebleeding was independently and significantly associated with poor outcome (mRS ≥3 beyond 3 months, p = 0.004) but not with in-hospital mortality (p = 0.9). Distal flow-related aneurysms (p = 0.009) and altered consciousness with a Glasgow coma scale score of 3 (p = 0.01) were independently associated with early rebleeding. Conclusions: Early rebleeding is a severe complication that can occur after BAVM-related hemorrhage. Distal flow-related aneurysms and initial altered consciousness are associated with early rebleeding.

scholarly journals Pre-hospital delay in patients with myocardial infarction: an observational study in a tertiary care hospital of northern Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Abdur Rafi ◽  
Md. Zahidus Sayeed ◽  
Papia Sultana ◽  
Saw Aik ◽  
Golam Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Tertiary Care Hospital ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Primary Care Center ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Delayed hospital presentation is a hindrance to the optimum clinical outcome of modern therapies of Myocardial infarction (MI). This study aimed to investigate the significant factors associated with prolonged pre-hospital delay and the impact of this delay on in-hospital mortality among patients with MI in Northern Bangladesh.Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in December 2019 in cardiology ward of a 1000-bed tertiary care hospital of Bangladesh. Patients admitted in the ward with the diagnosis of myocardial infarction were included in the study. Socio demographic data, clinical features and patients’ health seeking behavior was collected in a structured questionnaire from the patients. Median with interquartile range (IQR) of pre hospital delay were calculated and compared between different groups. Chi-square (χ²) test and binary logistic regression were used to estimate the determinants of pre-hospital delay and effect of pre-hospital delay on in-hospital mortality.Results: 337 patients was enrolled in the study and their median (IQR) pre-hospital delay was 9.0 (13.0) hours. 39.5% patients admitted in the specialized hospital within 6 hours. In logistic regression, determinants of pre-hospital delay were patients age (for <40 years aOR 2.43, 95% CI 0.73-8.12; for 40 to 60 years aOR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21-0.93), family income (for lower income aOR 5.74, 95% CI 0.89-37.06; for middle income aOR 14.22, 95% CI 2.15-94.17), distance from primary care center £5 km (aOR 0.42, 95% CI 0.12-0.90), predominant chest pain (aOR 0.15, 95% CI 0.05-0.48), considering symptoms as non-significant (aOR 17.81, 95% CI 5.92-53.48), referral from primary care center (for government hospital aOR 4.45, 95% CI 2.03-9.74; for private hospital OR 98.67, 95% CI 11.87-820.34); (R2= 0.528) and not having family history of MI (aOR 2.65, 95% CI 1.24-5.71). Risk of in-hospital mortality was almost four times higher who admitted after 6 hours compared to their counterpart (aOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.12-0.66); (R2 =0.303).Conclusion: Some modifiable factors contribute to higher pre-hospital delay of MI patients, resulting in increased in-hospital mortality. Patients’ awareness about cardiovascular diseases and improved referral pathway of the existing health care system may reduce this unexpected delay.

scholarly journals The Impact of EGDT on Sepsis Mortality in a Single Tertiary Care Center in Lebanon

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher El Khuri ◽  
Gilbert Abou Dagher ◽  
Ali Chami ◽  
Ralph Bou Chebl ◽  
Tarek Amoun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Septic Shock ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Goal Directed Therapy ◽  
Early Goal Directed Therapy ◽  
Tertiary Center ◽  
The Impact

Background. EGDT (Early Goal Directed Therapy) or some portion of EGDT has been shown to decrease mortality secondary to sepsis and septic shock. Objective. Our study aims to assess the effect of adopting this approach in the emergency department on in-hospital mortality secondary to sepsis/septic shock in Lebanon. Hypothesis. Implementation of the EGDT protocol of sepsis in ED will decrease in-hospital mortality. Methods. Our retrospective study included 290 adult patients presenting to the ED of a tertiary center in Lebanon with severe sepsis and/or septic shock. 145 patients between years 2013 and 2014 who received protocol care were compared to 145 patients treated by standard care between 2010 and 2012. Data from the EHR were retrieved about patients’ demographics, medical comorbidities, and periresuscitation parameters. A multivariate analysis using logistic regression for the outcome in-hospital mortality after adjusting for protocol use and other confounders was done and AOR was obtained for the protocol use. 28-day mortality, ED, and hospital length of stay were compared between the two groups. Results. The most common infection site in the protocol arm was the lower respiratory tract (42.1%), and controls suffered more from UTIs (33.8%). Patients on protocol care had lower in-hospital mortality than that receiving usual care, 31.7% versus 47.6% (p=0.006) with an AOR of 0.429 (p =0.018). Protocol patients received more fluids at 6 and 24 hours (3.8 ± 1.7 L and 6.1 ± 2.1 L) compared to the control group (2.7 ± 2.0 L and 4.9 ± 2.8 L p=<0.001). Time to and duration of vasopressor use, choice of appropriate antibiotics, and length of ED stay were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion. EGDT- (Early Goal Directed Therapy-) based sepsis protocol implementation in EDs decreases in-hospital mortality in developing countries. Adopting this approach in facilities with limited resources, ICU capabilities, and prehospital systems may have a pronounced benefit.

Predictors for Postoperative Chyle Leak Following Neck Dissection, a Technique-Based Comparison

2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982199381
Author(s):  
Quinn Dunlap ◽  
Matthew Bridges ◽  
Kurt Nelson ◽  
Deanne King ◽  
Brendan C. Stack ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Technique ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Severe Malnutrition ◽  
Chyle Leak ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Monopolar Electrocautery ◽  
The Impact

Objective Assess the impact of surgical technique used to address level IV on the rate of postoperative chyle leak. Study Design Retrospective chart review. Setting Academic tertiary care center. Methods An analysis of 436 consecutive neck dissections (NDs) in 368 patients was performed by 3 head and neck surgeons between 2014 and 2017. Variation in technique reflects individual approaches to the management of level IV and included suture ligation (SL), monopolar electrocautery (MC), and harmonic scalpel transection (HS). Data points included patient demographics, surgical technique, intraoperative findings, postoperative chyle leaks, and leak management. Correlation between variables was analyzed through χ2 test and Student t test with statistical α set at .05. Results Overall, 12 patients (3.2%) developed chyle leaks postoperatively. Nine of 12 and 3 of 12 presented with left- and right-sided leaks, respectively. Five of 12 leaks occurred following bilateral ND, 5 of 12 following left ND, and 2 of 12 following right ND. Univariate analysis showed a statistically significant difference ( P = .001) favoring SL (1.0%) and MC (1.2%) techniques over the HS technique (8.6%). A statistically significant increase existed in the rate of leak with endocrine vs nonendocrine pathology ( P = .003). Average duration of leak was 13.3 ± 13.5 days. Management included diet modification (n = 11, 91.6%), pressure-dressing placement (n = 7, 58.3%), and octreotide (n = 5, 41.7%). No cases required reoperation, and no mortality or severe malnutrition was observed in this series. Conclusions SL and MC techniques demonstrated superiority over the HS technique in preventative management of chyle leak in level IV, with a significantly higher rate of chyle leak observed in endocrine-related pathology.

scholarly journals Impact of Rapid PCR Influenza Testing on the Rate of Inpatient Admissions During Influenza Season at a Tertiary-Care Center

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s263-s264
Author(s):  
Jordan Polistico ◽  
Avnish Sandhu ◽  
Teena Chopra ◽  
Erin Goldman ◽  
Jennifer LeRose ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Season ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Turnaround Time ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Tertiary Care Center ◽  
Pediatric Hospital ◽  
Rapid Pcr ◽  
The Impact

Background: Influenza causes a high burden of disease in the United States, with an estimate of 960,000 hospitalizations in the 2017–2018 flu season. Traditional flu diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests have a longer (24 hours or more) turnaround time that may lead to an increase in unnecessary inpatient admissions during peak influenza season. A new point-of-care rapid PCR assays, Xpert Flu, is an FDA-approved PCR test that has a significant decrease in turnaround time (2 hours). The present study sought to understand the impact of implementing a new Xpert Flu test on the rate of inpatient admissions. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to compare rates of inpatient admissions in patients tested with traditional flu PCR during the 2017–2018 flu season and the rapid flu PCR during the 2018–2019 flu season in a tertiary-care center in greater Detroit area. The center has 1 pediatric hospital (hospital A) and 3 adult hospitals (hospital B, C, D). Patients with influenza-like illness who presented to all 4 hospitals during 2 consecutive influenza seasons were analyzed. Results: In total, 20,923 patients were tested with either the rapid flu PCR or the traditional flu PCR. Among these, 14,124 patients (67.2%) were discharged from the emergency department and 6,844 (32.7%) were admitted. There was a significant decrease in inpatient admissions in the traditional flu PCR group compared to the rapid flu PCR group across all hospitals (49.56% vs 26.6% respectively; P < .001). As expected, a significant proportion of influenza testing was performed in the pediatric hospital, 10,513 (50.2%). A greater reduction (30% decrease in the rapid flu PCR group compared to the traditional flu PCR group) was observed in inpatient admissions in the pediatric hospital (Table 1) Conclusions: Rapid molecular influenza testing can significantly decrease inpatient admissions in a busy tertiary-care hospital, which can indirectly lead to improved patient quality with easy bed availability and less time spent in a private room with droplet precautions. Last but not the least, this testing method can certainly lead to lower healthcare costs.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

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