scholarly journals Observational cohort study of the triggers, diagnoses and outcomes of the medical emergency team (MET) response in adult psychiatry inpatients colocated with acute medical services in Australia

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. e046110
Author(s):  
Meor Azraai ◽  
Jeanette H Pham ◽  
Wenye F Looi ◽  
Daniel Wirth ◽  
Ashley S L Ng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Medical Emergency Team ◽  
Final Diagnosis ◽  
Medical Emergency ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Emergency Team ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Drug Adverse Effects

ObjectivesMedical emergencies in psychiatric inpatients are challenging due to the model of care and limited medical resources. The study aims were to determine the triggers and outcomes of a medical emergency team (MET) call in psychiatric wards, and the risk factors for MET activation and mortality.DesignRetrospective multisite cohort study.SettingPsychiatry units colocated with acute medical services at three major metropolitan hospitals in Melbourne, Australia.ParticipantsWe studied 487 adult inpatients who experienced a total of 721 MET calls between January 2015 and January 2020. Patients were relatively young (mean age, 45 years) and had few medical comorbidities, but a high prevalence of smoking, excessive alcohol intake and illicit drug use.Outcome measuresWe performed a descriptive analysis of the triggers and outcomes (transfer rates, investigations, final diagnosis) of MET calls. We used logistic regression to determine the factors associated with the primary outcome of inpatient mortality, and the secondary outcome of the need for specific medical treatment compared with simple observation.ResultsThe most common MET triggers were a reduced Glasgow Coma Scale, tachycardia and hypotension, and 49% of patients required transfer. The most frequent diagnosis was a drug adverse effect or toxidrome, followed by infection and dehydration. There was a strong association between a leave of absence and MET calls, tachycardia and the final diagnosis of drug adverse effects. Mortality occurred in 3% after MET calls. Several baseline and MET clinical variables were associated with mortality but a model with age (per 10 years, OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.01) and hypoxia (OR 3.59, 95% CI 1.43 to 9.04) independently predicted mortality.ConclusionVigilance is required in patients returning from day leave, and drug adverse effects remain a challenging problem in psychiatric units. Hypoxic older patients with cardiovascular comorbidity have a higher risk of death.

scholarly journals A point-of-care thoracic ultrasound protocol for hospital medical emergency teams (METUS) improves diagnostic accuracy

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Blans M.J ◽  
Bousie E ◽  
Hoeven van der J.G ◽  
Bosch F.H
Keyword(s):  
Point Of Care ◽  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Medical Emergency Team ◽  
Final Diagnosis ◽  
Medical Emergency ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Emergency Team ◽  
Medical Emergency Teams ◽  
The Us ◽  
Few Data

Abstract Background Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has proven itself in many clinical situations. Few data on the use of POCUS during Medical Emergency Team (MET) calls exist. In this study, we hypothesized that the use of POCUS would increase the number of correct diagnosis made by the MET and increase MET’s certainty. Methods Single-center prospective observational study on adult patients in need for MET assistance. Patients were included in blocks (weeks). During even weeks, the MET physician performed a clinical assessment and registered an initial diagnosis. Subsequently, the POCUS protocol was performed and a second diagnosis was registered (US+). During uneven weeks, no POCUS was performed (US−). A blinded expert reviewed the charts for a final diagnosis. The number of correct diagnoses was compared to the final diagnosis between both groups. Physician’s certainty, mortality and possible differences in first treatment were also evaluated. Results We included 100 patients: 52 in the US + and 48 in the US−  group. There were significantly more correct diagnoses in the US+ group compared to the US− group: 78 vs 51% (P  = 0.006). Certainty improved significantly with POCUS (P  <  0.001). No differences in 28-day mortality and first treatment were found. Conclusions The use of thoracic POCUS during MET calls leads to better diagnosis and increases certainty. Trial registration. ClinicalTrials.gov. Registered 12 July 2017, NCT03214809 https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03214809?term=metus&cntry=NL&draw=2&rank=1

scholarly journals Predictive Value of Quick Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Scores following Sepsis-Related Medical Emergency Team Calls: A Retrospective Cohort Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 688-694 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Boulos ◽  
Y. Shehabi ◽  
J. A. Moghaddas ◽  
M. Birrell ◽  
A. Choy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Organ Failure ◽  
Medical Emergency Team ◽  
Medical Emergency ◽  
Multi Drug Resistance ◽  
Causative Organism ◽  
Suspected Sepsis ◽  
Emergency Team ◽  
Tertiary Centre ◽  
Qsofa Score

We conducted a cohort study of adult ward patients who had a Medical Emergency Team (MET) call triggered by confirmed or suspected sepsis in an Australian tertiary centre to assess the predictive utility of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and quick Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) scores for 28-day mortality over a 12-month period. Sepsis was the causative aetiology in 970 MET calls for 646 patients with a mean age of 68 years and median Charlson Comorbidity score (CCS) of 3.0. Four hundred and seven (63%) patients had microbiological identification of a causative organism with 35 (9%) demonstrating multi–drug resistance. The 28-day mortality rate was 22%. Independent risk factors for 28-day mortality included age (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.038; P <0.001) and CCS (IRR 1.102; P <0.001). qSOFA positive patients had a threefold risk of 28-day mortality compared to those who were negative (IRR 3.15; P=0.02). Both the SIRS and qSOFA score had poor sensitivity (86% versus 62%, respectively) for mortality as a sole diagnostic tool and should be investigated as part of a multiparameter panel within a large prospective study.

scholarly journals Weekend Mortality in an Italian Hospital: Immediate versus Delayed Bedside Critical Care Treatment

2022 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 767
Author(s):  
Antonio Gallo ◽  
Anna Anselmi ◽  
Francesca Locatelli ◽  
Eleonora Pedrazzoli ◽  
Roberto Petrilli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Medical Emergency Team ◽  
Total Mortality ◽  
Weekend Effect ◽  
Medical Emergency ◽  
Organizational Model ◽  
Emergency Team ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Risk Of Death

Background: a number of studies highlighted increased mortality associated with hospital admissions during weekends and holidays, the so–call “weekend effect”. In this retrospective study of mortality in an acute care public hospital in Italy between 2009 and 2015, we compared inpatient mortality before and after a major organizational change in 2012. The new model (Model 2) implied that the intensivist was available on call from outside the hospital during nighttime, weekends, and holidays. The previous model (Model 1) ensured the presence of the intensivist coordinating a Medical Emergency Team (MET) inside the hospital 24 h a day, 7 days a week. Methods: life status at discharge after 9298 and 8223 hospital admissions that occurred during two consecutive periods of 1185 days each (organizational Model 1 and 2), respectively, were classified into “discharged alive”, “deceased during nighttime–weekends–holidays” and “deceased during daytime-weekdays”. We estimated Relative Risk Ratios (RRR) for the associations between the organizational model and life status at discharge using multinomial logistic regression models adjusted for demographic and case-mix indicators, and timing of admission (nighttime–weekends–holidays vs. daytime-weekdays). Results: there were 802 and 840 deaths under Models 1 and 2, respectively. Total mortality was higher for hospital admissions under Model 2 compared to Model 1. Model 2 was associated with a significantly higher risk of death during nighttime–weekends–holidays (IRR: 1.38, 95% CI 1.20–1.59) compared to daytime–weekdays (RRR: 1.12, 95% CI 0.97–1.31) (p = 0.04). Respiratory diagnoses, in particular, acute and chronic respiratory failure (ICD 9 codes 510–519) were the leading causes of the mortality excess under Model 2. Conclusions: our data suggest that the immediate availability of an intensivist coordinating a MET 24 h, 7 days a week can result in a better prognosis of in-hospital emergencies compared to delayed consultation.

Comparison of policies for recognising and responding to clinical deterioration across five Victorian health services

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Considine ◽  
Anastasia F. Hutchison ◽  
Helen Rawson ◽  
Alison M. Hutchinson ◽  
Tracey Bucknall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Safety ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Medical Emergency Team ◽  
National Standards ◽  
Clinical Deterioration ◽  
Medical Emergency ◽  
Emergency Team ◽  
Subacute Care ◽  
Guidance Documents ◽  
Activation Criteria

Objectives The aim of the present study was to describe and compare organisational guidance documents related to recognising and responding to clinical deterioration across five health services in Victoria, Australia. Methods Guidance documents were obtained from five health services, comprising 13 acute care hospitals, eight subacute care hospitals and approximately 5500 beds. Analysis was guided by a specific policy analysis framework and a priori themes. Results In all, 22 guidance documents and five graphic observation and response charts were reviewed. Variation was observed in terminology, content and recommendations between the health services. Most health services’ definitions of physiological observations fulfilled national standards in terms of minimum parameters and frequency of assessment. All health services had three-tier rapid response systems (RRS) in place at both acute and subacute care sites, consisting of activation criteria and an expected response. RRS activation criteria varied between sites, with all sites requiring modifications to RRS activation criteria to be made by medical staff. All sites had processes for patient and family escalation of care. Conclusions Current guidance documents related to the frequency of observations and escalation of care omit the vital role of nurses in these processes. Inconsistencies between health services may lead to confusion in a mobile workforce and may reduce system dependability. What is known about the topic? Recognising and responding to clinical deterioration is a major patient safety priority. To comply with national standards, health services must have systems in place for recognising and responding to clinical deterioration. What does this paper add? There is some variability in terminology, definitions and specifications of physiological observations and medical emergency team (MET) activation criteria between health services. Although nurses are largely responsible for physiological observations and escalation of care, they have little authority to direct frequency of observations and triggers for care escalation or tailor assessment to individual patient needs. Failure to identify nurses’ role in policy is concerning and contrary to the evidence regarding nurses and MET activations in practice. What are the implications for practitioners? Inconsistencies in recommendations regarding physiological observations and escalation of care criteria may create patient safety issues when students and staff work across organisations or move from one organisation to another. The validity of other parameters, such as appearance, pain, skin colour and cognition, warrant further consideration as early indicators of deterioration that may be used by nurses to identify clinical deterioration earlier. A better understanding of the relationship between the sensitivity, specificity and frequency of monitoring of particular physiological observations and patient outcomes is needed to improve the predictive validity for identification of clinical deterioration.

Features of an Intensive Care based Medical Emergency Team nurse training program in a University Teaching Hospital

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Topple ◽  
Brooke Ryan ◽  
Richard McKay ◽  
Damien Blythe ◽  
John Rogan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Medical Emergency Team ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Medical Emergency ◽  
Nurse Training ◽  
Emergency Team
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