scholarly journals Examining emergency department inequities between Māori and non-Māori: do they exist?

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Curtis ◽  
S Paine ◽  
Y Jiang ◽  
P Jones ◽  
I Raumati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Predictor Variable ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Area Deprivation ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Emergency Department Care ◽  
Positive Indicators

Abstract Despite Māori (Indigenous population of New Zealand, NZ) having high Emergency Department (ED) use, few studies have explored for ethnic inequities in ED within NZ. ED healthcare can be time-pressured, complex and demanding. Clinical decision-making in this context may facilitate provider prejudice, stereotyping and bias. The Examining Emergency Department Inequities (EEDI) is a retrospective observational study, designed from a Kaupapa Māori Research position, examining ED admissions in NZ between 2006 and 2012 using the existing Shorter Stays in Emergency Department National Research Project dataset combined with clinical information extracted from NZ’s National Minimum Dataset. The key predictor variable is patient ethnicity with covariates: sex, age-group, area deprivation, mode of presentation, referral method, Australasian Triage Scale and the Multimorbidity Measure (M3 Index) for co-morbidities. Generalised linear regression models investigated the associations between pre-admission variables and the measures of ED care, and mortality. There were a total of 5,972,102 ED events (1,168,944 Māori, 4,803,158 non-Māori). We found an increasing proportion of ED events/year, a higher proportion of Māori ED events from younger age groups and areas of high deprivation compared to non-Māori. Māori had a higher proportion of self-referral and were triaged to be seen within a longer timeframe compared to non-Māori. After controlling for year of ED event, gender, triage category, age at presentation, NZ Deprivation decile and M3 Comorbidity score: Māori had shorter ED arrival to assessment time; shorter ED Length of Stay and less Access Block (>8 hour ED LOS before ward admission). Despite this, Māori mortality within ED or within 10 days of discharge was higher than non-Māori. These findings suggest different patterns in ED usage between Māori and non-Māori. Of concern, inequities in mortality exist despite positive indicators of ED care. Key messages There is evidence of different patterns in emergency department use between Māori and non-Māori in New Zealand. Māori:non-Māori inequities in mortality exist despite positive indicators of emergency department care.

scholarly journals Clinical decision making in the emergency department setting using rapid PCR: Results of the CLADE study group

2018 ◽  
Vol 102 ◽  
pp. 42-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glen T. Hansen ◽  
Johanna Moore ◽  
Emily Herding ◽  
Tami Gooch ◽  
Diane Hirigoyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Rapid Pcr ◽  
Emergency Department Setting

Why are people increasingly attending the emergency department? A study of the French healthcare system

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (9) ◽  
pp. 548-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helene Colineaux ◽  
Fanny Pelissier ◽  
Laure Pourcel ◽  
Thierry Lang ◽  
Michelle Kelly-Irving ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Average Increase ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Clinical Classification ◽  
Therapeutic Procedures ◽  
Ed Visits

ObjectiveIt is often asserted that the crowding phenomenon in emergency departments (ED) can be explained by an increase in visits considered as non-urgent. The aim of our study was to quantify the increase in ED visit rates and to determine whether this increase was explained by non-severe visit types.MethodsThis observational study covers all ED visits between 2002 and 2015 by adult inhabitants of the Midi-Pyrénées region in France. Their characteristics were collected from the emergency visit summaries. We modelled the visit rates per year using linear regression models, and an increase was considered significant when the 95% CIs did not include zero. The severity of the patients’ condition during ED visit was determined through the ‘Clinical Classification of Emergency’ score. Non-severe visits were those where the patient was stable, and the physician deemed no intervention necessary. Intermediate-severity visits concerned patients who were stable but requiring diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.ResultsThe 37 studied EDs managed >7 million visits between 2002 and 2015. There was an average increase of +4.83 (95% CI 4.33 to 5.32) visits per 1000 inhabitants each year. The increase in non-severe visit types was +0.88 (95% CI 0.42 to 1.34) per 1000 inhabitants, while the increase in intermediate-severity visit types was +3.26 (95% CI 2.62 to 3.91) per 1000 inhabitants. This increase affected all age groups and all sexes.DiscussionIt appears that the increase in ED use is not based on an increase in non-severe visit types, with a greater impact of intermediate-severity visit types requiring diagnostic or therapeutic procedures in ED.

scholarly journals Utility and Acceptability of Influenza Surveillance amongst Emergency Providers

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea F. Dugas ◽  
Howard Burkom ◽  
Anna L. DuVal ◽  
Richard Rothman
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Surveillance Data ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Provider Surveys

We provided emergency department providers with a real-time laboratory-based influenza surveillance tool, and evaluated the utility and acceptability of the surveillance information using provider surveys. The majority of emergency department providers found the surveillance data useful and indicated the additional information impacted their clinical decision making regarding influenza testing and treatment.

scholarly journals New Zealand paramedics are ready for an autonomous pre-hospital thrombolysis protocol

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Davis ◽  
Graham Howie ◽  
Bridget Dicker
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Advanced Life Support ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Multiple Choice Questions ◽  
Common Error ◽  
Paramedic Education ◽  
Written Test

IntroductionInternationally, autonomous paramedic-delivered pre-hospital thrombolysis (PHT) administration for ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients has proven to be a highly effective strategy in facilitating expedited delivery of this treatment modality. However, current New Zealand models rely on physician authorised telemetry-based systems which have proved problematic, particularly due to technological failings. The aim of this study is to establish whether current paramedic education in New Zealand is sufficient for the introduction of an autonomous paramedic clinical decision-making model of PHT.MethodsA one-hour workshop introduced a new PHT protocol to 81 self-selected paramedic participants – both rural and metropolitan based – from New Zealand. Paramedics were then tested in protocol application through completion of a scenario-based standardised written test. Four written scenarios constructed from actual field cases assessed 12-lead electrocardiogram interpretation, understanding of protocol inclusion/exclusion criteria, and treatment rationale. Ten multiple-choice questions further tested cardiac and pharmacology knowledge as well as protocol application.Results Overall clinical decision-making showed a sensitivity of 92.0% (95% CI: 84.8–96.5), and a specificity of 95.6% (95% CI: 89.1–98.8). Electrocardiogram misinterpretation was the most common error. University educated paramedics (n=44) were significantly better at clinical decision-making than in-house industry trained paramedics (n=37) (p=0.001), as were advanced life support paramedics (n=36) compared to paramedics of lesser practice levels (n=45) (p=0.006).Conclusion Our New Zealand paramedic sample demonstrated an overall clinical decision-making capacity sufficient to support the introduction of a new autonomous paramedic PHT protocol. Recent changes in paramedic education toward university degree programs are supported.

scholarly journals Recovery from profound acidosis (pH 6.685) in multi-organ dysfunction syndrome

2019 ◽  
pp. 175114371987010
Author(s):  
Eryl A Davies ◽  
Christopher Saleh ◽  
Jonathan Bannard-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Organ Dysfunction ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Circulatory Shock ◽  
Arterial Ph ◽  
Multi Organ Dysfunction Syndrome

Acidosis is a common feature of patients referred to critical care from the emergency department. We present the case of a 49-year-old female with multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and an arterial pH of 6.685 on arrival to the emergency department. This case is unique as the patient was in circulatory shock with MODS from rhabdomyolysis on arrival and had not suffered a cardiac arrest. We believe this to be the first reported case of full recovery from such an extreme metabolic disturbance in this context, and discuss the relevance of profound acidosis to early clinical decision-making.

scholarly journals Emotionally evocative patients in the emergency department: a mixed methods investigation of providers’ reported emotions and implications for patient safety

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (10) ◽  
pp. 1.3-2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda M Isbell ◽  
Julia Tager ◽  
Kendall Beals ◽  
Guanyu Liu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Safety Risks ◽  
Recent Patient

BackgroundEmergency department (ED) physicians and nurses frequently interact with emotionally evocative patients, which can impact clinical decision-making and behaviour. This study introduces well-established methods from social psychology to investigate ED providers’ reported emotional experiences and engagement in their own recent patient encounters, as well as perceived effects of emotion on patient care.MethodsNinety-four experienced ED providers (50 physicians and 44 nurses) vividly recalled and wrote about three recent patient encounters (qualitative data): one that elicited anger/frustration/irritation (angry encounter), one that elicited happiness/satisfaction/appreciation (positive encounter), and one with a patient with a mental health condition (mental health encounter). Providers rated their emotions and engagement in each encounter (quantitative data), and reported their perception of whether and how their emotions impacted their clinical decision-making and behaviour (qualitative data).ResultsProviders generated 282 encounter descriptions. Emotions reported in angry and mental health encounters were remarkably similar, highly negative, and associated with reports of low provider engagement compared with positive encounters. Providers reported their emotions influenced their clinical decision-making and behaviour most frequently in angry encounters, followed by mental health and then positive encounters. Emotions in angry and mental health encounters were associated with increased perceptions of patient safety risks; emotions in positive encounters were associated with perceptions of higher quality care.ConclusionsPositive and negative emotions can influence clinical decision-making and impact patient safety. Findings underscore the need for (1) education and training initiatives to promote awareness of emotional influences and to consider strategies for managing these influences, and (2) a comprehensive research agenda to facilitate discovery of evidence-based interventions to mitigate emotion-induced patient safety risks. The current work lays the foundation for testing novel interventions.

Growth Analysis of Untreated Meningiomas under Observation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles F. Opalak ◽  
Adam P. Sima ◽  
Matthew Thomas Carr ◽  
Andrew Rock ◽  
Aravind Somasundaram ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri

Abstract Background When meningiomas are small or asymptomatic, the decision to observe rather than treat requires balancing the growth potential of the lesion with the outcome and side effects of treatment. The aim of this study is to characterize the growth patterns of untreated meningiomas to better inform the clinical decision-making process. Methods Patients with meningiomas were identified from 2005 to 2015. Those without treatment who had been followed for 1.5 years, with three magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, were identified. Scans were measured with orthogonal diameters, geometric mean diameters, and volumes using the ABC/2 method. Regression modeling determined what growth pattern these parameters best approximated. Results Two hundred and fifteen MRI scans for 34 female (82.9%) and 7 male (17%) patients with 43 tumors were evaluated. Initial tumor volumes ranged from 0.13 to 9.98 mL. The mean and median initial volumes were 2.44 and 1.52 mL, respectively. Follow-up times ranged from 21 to 144 months, with a median of 70 months. There were 12 tumors (28%) whose growth rates were significantly greater than zero. For all tumors, use of a linear regression model allowed accurate prediction of the future size using prior data. Conclusion Three-quarters of presumptive meningiomas managed conservatively do not grow significantly. The remainder have significant growth over time, and the behavior could be approximated with linear regression models.

A snapshot of venous ultrasound examinations in Australia and New Zealand: Implications for diagnosis and management of chronic venous disease interventions

Ultrasound ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1742271X2110466
Author(s):  
Gaorui Liu ◽  
Jillian L Clarke ◽  
Irwin Mohan
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Anatomical Variations ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Chronic Venous Disease ◽  
Venous Disease ◽  
Medical Terminology ◽  
Examination Techniques

Objective Chronic venous disease is a common vascular condition, affecting up to 60% of the population worldwide. In Australia and New Zealand, chronic venous insufficiency ultrasound examinations are primarily performed by sonographers. This research aimed to explore how ultrasound examinations are being performed, providing insights into current practices and recommendations for quality improvement. Method A questionnaire was distributed to capture demographics, practices of ultrasound, examination techniques, the use of nomenclature and experience of the respondents. Results The analysis of 97 responses showed a heterogeneity in the clinical application of ultrasound. Most sonographers performed less than two scans per day within 30–45 minutes. Deep venous incompetence was routinely excluded by all respondents. The majority used standing, sitting and reverse Trendelenburg position except for a few using supine position. Manual augmentation was the preferred provocation manoeuvre. Anatomical variations at the junctional level were not adequately evaluated. Although Giacomini’s vein was assessed by 80%, 57% of those did not evaluate paradoxical reflux. Seventy-five per cent routinely assessed non-saphenous reflux; however, over 50% were unfamiliar with lymph node venous networks. A significant number of out-dated venous terms were still being used. A low participation rate in continuing professional development was identified, which might be attributable to limited education and training programs. Conclusion The study is a multi-faceted exploration that identified a need for standardized diagnostic and reporting guidelines. Our results could explain discrepancies in diagnostic findings and inconsistencies in the use of medical terminology, with implications for clinical decision making and assessment of surgical outcome.

Establishment of Reference Intervals for Alkaline Phosphatase in Pakistani Children Using a Data Mining Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 484-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sibtain Ahmed ◽  
Jakob Zierk ◽  
Aysha Habib Khan
Keyword(s):  
Data Mining ◽  
Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Chemistry ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
German Society ◽  
Reference Intervals ◽  
Photometric Method ◽  
Data Mining Approach

Abstract Objective To establish reference intervals (RIs) for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in Pakistani children using an indirect data mining approach. Methods ALP levels analyzed on a Siemens Advia 1800 analyzer using the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry’s photometric method for both inpatients and outpatients aged 1 to 17 years between January 2013 and December 2017, including patients from intensive care units and specialty units, were retrieved. RIs were calculated using a previously validated indirect algorithm developed by the German Society of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine’s Working Group on Guide Limits. Results From a total of 108,845 results, after the exclusion of patients with multiple specimens, RIs were calculated for 24,628 males and 18,083 females with stratification into fine-grained age groups. These RIs demonstrate the complex age- and sex-related ALP dynamics occurring during physiological development. Conclusion The population-specific RIs serve to allow an accurate understanding of the fluctuations in analyte activity with increasing age and to support clinical decision making.

scholarly journals FUTURES: Forecasting the Unexpected Transfer to Upgraded Resources in Sepsis

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 187-191
Author(s):  
Alexa Profozich ◽  
Trevor Sytsma ◽  
Ryan Arnold ◽  
Kristen Miller ◽  
Muge Capan
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Initial Point ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Sepsis Management ◽  
Insight Into

Sepsis is one of the most deadly and costly diseases. The Emergency Department (ED) is the initial point of care for most patients who become hospitalized due to sepsis. Quantifying the accuracy of ED clinician forecasting regarding patients’ clinical trajectories and outcomes can provide insight into clinical decision making and inform sepsis management.

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