scholarly journals TP9.2.17Developing Novel Referral Pathways in Emergency Surgery

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Morrison-Jones ◽  
Katherine Pearson ◽  
Ian Bailey ◽  
Vasileios Trompetas ◽  
David Berry
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Surgical Patients ◽  
Admission Criteria ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
Direct Admission ◽  
Pregnancy Status ◽  
Protocol Compliance ◽  
Surgical Unit

Abstract Introduction In line with the principles of GIRFT and recognising the demand on the Emergency Department (ED) the Acute Surgical Unit (ASU) developed a direct admission pathway entitled ‘ASU Direct’ (ASUD). Nurse led ED triage with adherence to a referral proforma allows direct admission of suitable surgical patients eliminating medical ED review or discussion with the on-call Registrar. Aim Investigate the usefulness of the ASUD pathway and adherence to admission criteria. Method Two retrospective audits of ASUD referrals were completed and compared with concurrent traditional registrar referrals. Inter-departmental discussions occurred between audit cycles. Results Audit 1: 13 days, 150 cases (8 excluded). 75 (53%) referred via ASUD, 67 (47%) via surgical registrar. Sixteen ASUD cases (22%) breached pathway protocols including 3 young women referred without pregnancy tests. Seventeen (25%) cases referred via the Registrar fulfilled ASUD criteria. Documentation complete in 56% of ASUD cases. Audit 2: (3 weeks after feedback) - 10 days, 120 patients (25 excluded). Fifty one ASUD cases (54%) and 44 (46%) registrar referrals. 24% cases breached ASUD criteria, 7 registrar referrals (15%) appropriate for ASUD. ASUD documentation completed in 60% with 100% pregnancy status recorded. Conclusions Proportion of ASUD / registrar referrals remained constant but there were fewer missed opportunities for ASUD. Inappropriate ASUD admissions remained similar. While ASUD worked well for visible pathology, less-so for protocol-driven abdominal pain. Senior ‘front-door’ triage in ED might improve protocol compliance, helping to develop such pathways, observing GIRFT and avoid unnecessary transfer of patients (especially during the COVID pandemic).

scholarly journals 244 Does Direct Admission to ICU In Emergency Laparotomy Patients with A NELA Score ≥ 10% Affect Outcome at Fiona Stanley Hospital?

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Shepherd ◽  
A Foster
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Surgical Patients ◽  
Emergency Laparotomy ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Code Blue ◽  
Retrospective Audit ◽  
Direct Admission ◽  
Surgical Unit

Abstract Introduction The Australian and New Zealand Emergency Laparotomy Audit (ANZELA) is a quality improvement project based on UK NELA. Direct admission to ICU post-operatively for patients with a NELA ≥ 10% is recommended. In the current pandemic, the use of critical care beds must be rationalised. We investigated if patients with NELA ≥ 10% experienced worse outcomes if admitted to the ward post-operatively (instead of ICU). Method We performed a retrospective audit of emergency laparotomies at Fiona Stanley Hospital over 6 months December 2019 – May 2020. NELA scores were obtained from the ANZELA database and patient notes reviewed to identify post-operative unplanned ICU admissions and mortalities. Results Twenty-four (30%) emergency laparotomy patients had a NELA ≥ 10%. Ten (42%) patients were admitted to the ward post-operatively. There were no unplanned ICU admissions in this group. Two (20%) patients had a documented ‘code blue’ but were managed conservatively on the ward. No patients in this group died within 30 days. Conclusions Post-operative ward admission in selected patients with NELA ≥ 10% does not result in unplanned ICU admissions or increased mortality at a tertiary Acute Surgical Unit. This data is reassuring as we expect future ICU bed shortages for non-COVID surgical patients during the pandemic.

EP.FRI.943 Time to surgical review in NELA patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Kenny ◽  
Ahmed Waqas ◽  
Elizabeth Hall
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Royal College ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Surgical Care ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Surgical Patients ◽  
Emergency Laparotomy ◽  
Pain Pathway ◽  
National Emergency

Abstract Introduction The Royal College of Surgeons standards on unscheduled surgical care state that an ST3 or above should review emergency cases within 60 minutes of referral from the Emergency Department (ED). Method Data was gathered from all admissions (n = 50), from 01/9/19 to 31/10/19, registered on the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA).  After exclusions, there were 20 patients who were admitted to surgery from ED.  14 of these had both time of referral and time of review documented. Results On average, patients were reviewed 2 hours and 23 minutes after referral.  9 of these patients (64%) were referred overnight (20:00-08:00) and their average time to review was longer; 2 hours and 49 minutes. 7 of all 50 NELA patients (14%) were never referred to surgery from ED. Conclusion Limitations include that ED doctors did not document what time patients were referred to surgery, and a small sample size; partially due to poor documentation. The recommended 60 minutes time to registrar review is not being achieved but data is limited. To improve this, surgical registrars will be asked to document time of referral. Data on time to review will continue to be gathered. An abdominal pain pathway will be introduced to improve ED’s recognition of surgical patients. A re-audit which will encompass patients admitted via ED and ambulatory care, as well as including data on time to decision to operate is currently underway.

Bedside ultrasound in the emergency department and abdominal pain

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (S 01) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Algaba Montes ◽  
AÁ Oviedo García ◽  
M Patricio Bordomás
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Bedside Ultrasound

A Rare Case of Bilateral Incarcerated Obturator Hernias and a Right-Side Femoral Hernia

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Jinping Xu ◽  
Jinping Xu ◽  
Ruth Wei ◽  
Salieha Zaheer
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Femoral Hernia ◽  
Rare Case ◽  
Hernia Recurrence ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Diagnostic Challenge ◽  
Abdominal Ct ◽  
Abdominal Ct Scan ◽  
History Of

Obturator hernias are rare but pose a diagnostic challenge with relatively high morbidity and mortality. Our patient is an elderly, thin female with an initial evaluation concerning for gastroenteritis, and further evaluation revealed bilateral incarcerated obturator hernias, which confirmed postoperatively as well as a right femoral hernia. An 83-year-old female presented to the outpatient office initially with one-day history of diarrhea and one-week history of episodic colicky abdominal pain. She returned 4 weeks later with diarrhea resolved but worsening abdominal pain and left inner thigh pain while ambulating, without changes in appetite or nausea and vomiting. Abdominal CT scan then revealed bilateral obturator hernias. Patient then presented to the emergency department (ED) due to worsening pain, and subsequently underwent hernia repair. Intraoperatively, it was revealed that the patient had bilateral incarcerated obturator hernias and a right femoral hernia. All three hernias were repaired, and patient was discharged two days later. Patient remained well postoperatively, and 15-month CT of abdomen showed no hernia recurrence.

scholarly journals Lactobacillus Reuteri DSM 17938 (Limosilactobacillus reuteri) in Diarrhea and Constipation: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 643
Author(s):  
Angela Saviano ◽  
Mattia Brigida ◽  
Alessio Migneco ◽  
Gayani Gunawardena ◽  
Christian Zanza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Bowel Disease ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Bowel Disease ◽  
Chronic Constipation ◽  
Lactobacillus Reuteri ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel

Background and Objectives: Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (L. reuteri) is a probiotic that can colonize different human body sites, including primarily the gastrointestinal tract, but also the urinary tract, the skin, and breast milk. Literature data showed that the administration of L. reuteri can be beneficial to human health. The aim of this review was to summarize current knowledge on the role of L. reuteri in the management of gastrointestinal symptoms, abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation, both in adults and children, which are frequent reasons for admission to the emergency department (ED), in order to promote the best selection of probiotic type in the treatment of these uncomfortable and common symptoms. Materials and Methods: We searched articles on PubMed® from January 2011 to January 2021. Results: Numerous clinical studies suggested that L. reuteri may be helpful in modulating gut microbiota, eliminating infections, and attenuating the gastrointestinal symptoms of enteric colitis, antibiotic-associated diarrhea (also related to the treatment of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection), irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and chronic constipation. In both children and in adults, L. reuteri shortens the duration of acute infectious diarrhea and improves abdominal pain in patients with colitis or inflammatory bowel disease. It can ameliorate dyspepsia and symptoms of gastritis in patients with HP infection. Moreover, it improves gut motility and chronic constipation. Conclusion: Currently, probiotics are widely used to prevent and treat numerous gastrointestinal disorders. In our opinion, L. reuteri meets all the requirements to be considered a safe, well-tolerated, and efficacious probiotic that is able to contribute to the beneficial effects on gut-human health, preventing and treating many gastrointestinal symptoms, and speeding up the recovery and discharge of patients accessing the emergency department.

scholarly journals The Comparison of Role Conflict Among Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses Working in Acute Care Hospitals in Ontario Canada

2021 ◽  
pp. 084456212110144
Author(s):  
Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia ◽  
Mary T. Fox ◽  
Souraya Sidani ◽  
Sherry Dahlke ◽  
Deborah Tregunno
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Role Conflict ◽  
Acute Care ◽  
Acute Care Hospitals ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical Unit ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
Surgical Unit

Objectives The study aimed to describe and compare nurses’ perceptions of role conflict by professional designation [registered nurse (RN) vs registered practical nurse (RPN)] in three primary areas of practice (emergency department, medical unit, and surgical unit). Methods This analysis used data (n = 1,981) from a large cross-sectional survey of a random sample of RNs and RPNs working as staff nurses in acute care hospitals in Ontario, Canada. Role conflict was measured by the Role Conflict Scale. Results A total of 1,981 participants (RN = 1,427, RPN = 554) met this study’s eligibility criteria and provided complete data. In general, RN and RPN mean total scale scores on role conflict hovered around the scale’s mid-point (2.72 to 3.22); however, RNs reported a higher mean score than RPNs in the emergency department (3.22 vs. 2.81), medical unit (2.95 vs 2.81) and surgical unit (2.90 vs 2.72). Where statistically significant differences were found, the effect sizes were negligible to medium in magnitude with the largest differences noted between RNs and RPNs working in the emergency department. Conclusions The results suggest the need to implement strategies that diminish role conflict for both RNs and RPNs.

scholarly journals Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: A Case Report of an Underdiagnosed Condition

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
João Machado Nogueira ◽  
Inês Fonseca ◽  
Marco Duarte
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Definitive Diagnosis ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Detailed Medical History ◽  
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is characterized by episodic bursts of nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, affecting chronic cannabis users. The clinical picture mimics an acute abdomen, usually leading to multiple assessments in the emergency department. Several complementary diagnostic examinations are performed with non-specific results, making differential diagnosis puzzling. We present a case of a 42-year-old man, who has been admitted multiple times to the emergency department in the last 3 months for abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, without triggering factors and improving only with hot water baths. He was evaluated by different specialties, the various complementary diagnostic tests performed showed no significant results, and no definitive diagnosis was obtained. Treatment resulted only in a partial and transient resolution of symptoms. A more detailed medical history revealed cannabis use for more than 5 years, with a recent increase in the amount consumed. After psychoeducation, explaining the risks associated with consumption and its relationship with the clinical symptoms, which resulted in complete suspension of cannabis, there have been no new symptomatic episodes since then. We present an illustrative case of a poorly reported clinical entity despite having a probable significant prevalence, raising awareness in order that clinicians identify and properly manage these cases.

scholarly journals Ovarian Torsion in a 5-Year Old: A Case Report and Review

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew F. Ryan ◽  
Bobby K. Desai
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Clinical Suspicion ◽  
Ovarian Torsion ◽  
Surgical Emergencies ◽  
High Clinical Suspicion ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Prompt Diagnosis

Ovarian torsion represents a true surgical emergency. Prompt diagnosis is essential to ovarian salvage, and high clinical suspicion is important in this regard. Confounding the diagnosis in general are more commonly encountered abdominal complaints in the Emergency Department (ED) such as constipation, diarrhea, and urinary tract infections and more common surgical emergencies such as appendicitis. Prompt diagnosis can be further complicated in low-risk populations such as young children. Herein, we describe the case of a 5-year-old girl with a seemingly benign presentation of abdominal pain who was diagnosed in the ED and treated for acute ovarian torsion after two prior clinic visits. A brief discussion of evaluation, treatment, and management of ovarian torsion follows.

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