scholarly journals The effectiveness of an emergency physician–led frailty unit for the living-alone elderly: A pilot retrospective cohort study

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 162-167
Author(s):  
Tsz-Hang Leung ◽  
Sai-Choi Leung ◽  
Chi-Keung Gordon Wong
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
Acute Hospital ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Attendance Rate ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: We are facing an ageing population in Hong Kong. In response to the surge in service demand resulted from Silver Tsunami, a six-bed frailty unit was established in the Emergency Medicine Ward of Queen Elizabeth Hospital in December 2015. Frailty unit offers a bundle of multi-disciplinary approach for geriatric patients with an aim for early supported discharge. Objective: To evaluate whether this novel frailty care pathway, compared to the conventional general care pathway, would improve the outcome of the local elderly who were living alone. Method: This is a retrospective cohort study. Patients who were admitted from 1 September 2015 to 31 October 2017 were included in this study. Data were retrieved from the electronic patient record (ePR) of Hospital Authority. The outcome measurements are lengths of stay in acute and convalescent hospitals, transferral rate to a convalescent hospital and 28-day re-attendance rate. Results: A total of 190 patients were recruited (150 frailty vs 40 general). Baseline characteristics, including age, gender distribution, vital signs, laboratory results, use of mobility aids, Morse fall risk scale, Norton ulcer scale and Barthel Index were similar in both groups; except a higher diastolic blood pressure in novel frailty-care pathway. The length of stay in the acute hospital is significantly shortened (2.38 vs 3.27 days, p = 0.00018). The transferral rate to a convalescent hospital was less in frailty group (21.3% vs 42.5%, p = 0.00655). There was no significant difference in terms of total (7.10 vs 10.99 days, p = 0.09638) and convalescent (22.09 vs 18.16 days, p = 0.48183) length of stay between frailty group and general group, respectively; while the 28-day re-attendance rate was similar (26.7% vs 15.0%, p = 0.12589). Conclusion: This is a pilot study to first report a novel frailty-care model for the local geriatric population. It has shown a reduction in length of stay in acute hospital and transferral rate to convalescent hospitals, while introducing a non-significant reduction in total hospital stay, maintaining 28-day re-attendance rate and at an expense of a probable increase in the convalescent stay.

scholarly journals Dual versus triple therapy for uncomplicated brucellosis: A retrospective cohort study

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 1380-1386
Author(s):  
Rawan O Al-Madfaa ◽  
Mai A Alalawi ◽  
Lana O Basudan ◽  
Shahad F Alhejaili ◽  
Khalid Eljaaly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Clinical Cure ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
World Health ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics

Introduction: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella spp. affecting multiple body systems and may lead to complications. Saudi Arabia is a country where brucellosis is endemic. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics of uncomplicated brucellosis and to assess outcomes of different antibiotic regimens. Methodology: A retrospective cohort study in a Saudi tertiary academic medical center. Adults with confirmed uncomplicated brucellosis between January 2008 and December 2018 who received antibiotics were included. The primary endpoint was clinical cure. Secondary endpoints included all-cause mortality and length of stay. Results: Fifty-four patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Twenty five patients received a combination of doxycycline, rifampin, and aminoglycoside (group 1), whereas 29 patients received doxycycline and rifampin (group 2). There was no significant difference between the two groups in clinical cure, all-cause mortality, length of stay, and end of therapy parameters, including temperature, white blood cells count, C-reactive protein levels, and erythrocyte sedimentation rates. Conclusions: Due to lack of differences in clinical outcomes, mortality, length of stay, and end of therapy parameters between the two groups, a regimen comprising two, rather than three, agents can be sufficient for uncomplicated brucellosis. This finding conforms to previous studies. Therefore, replacing rifampin with an aminoglycoside for its presumed superior efficacy as per the World Health Organization's guidelines is not substantiated by our study. Further studies with a larger sample size are required to confirm these findings.

Extubation to High-Flow Nasal Cannula in Infants Following Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Stevens ◽  
Julien Gallant ◽  
Jennifer Foster ◽  
David Horne ◽  
Kristina Krmpotic
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Surgery ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Rescue Therapy ◽  
High Flow ◽  
Nasal Cannula ◽  
High Flow Nasal Cannula ◽  
Significant Difference

AbstractHigh-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy is commonly used in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) for postextubation respiratory support. This hypothesis-generating retrospective cohort study aimed to compare postextubation PICU length of stay in infants extubated to HFNC and low flow oxygen (LF) in PICU following cardiac surgery. Of 136 infants (newborn to 1 year) who were intubated and mechanically ventilated in PICU following cardiac surgery, 72 (53%) were extubated to HFNC and 64 (47%) to LF. Compared with patients extubated to LF, those extubated to HFNC had significantly longer durations of cardiopulmonary bypass (152 vs. 109 minutes; p = 0.002), aortic cross-clamp (90 vs. 63 minutes; p = 0.003), and invasive mechanical ventilation (3.2 vs. 1.6 days; p < 0.001), though demographic and preoperative clinical variables were similar. No significant difference was observed in postextubation PICU length of stay between HFNC and LF groups in unadjusted analysis (3.3 vs. 2.6 days, respectively; p = 0.19) and after controlling for potential confounding variables (F [1,125] = 0.17, p = 0.68, R2  = 0.16). Escalation of therapy was similar between HFNC and LF groups (8.3 vs. 14.1%; p = 0.41). HFNC was effective as rescue therapy for six patients in the LF group requiring escalation of therapy. Need for reintubation was similar between HFNC and LF groups (8.3 vs. 4.7%; p = 0.5). Although extubation to HFNC was associated with a trend toward longer postextubation PICU length of stay and was successfully used as rescue therapy for several infants extubated to LF, our results must be interpreted with caution given the limitations of our study.

Nonunion Rates in Hind- and Midfoot Arthrodesis in Current, Ex-, and Nonsmokers

2020 ◽  
pp. 107110072097126
Author(s):  
Jack Allport ◽  
Jayasree Ramaskandhan ◽  
Malik S. Siddique
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Relative Risk ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Modifiable Risk Factor ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: Nonunion rates in hind or midfoot arthrodesis have been reported as high as 41%. The most notable and readily modifiable risk factor that has been identified is smoking. In 2018, 14.4% of the UK population were active smokers. We examined the effect of smoking status on union rates for a large cohort of patients undergoing hind- or midfoot arthrodesis. Methods: In total, 381 consecutive primary joint arthrodeses were identified from a single surgeon’s logbook (analysis performed on a per joint basis, with a triple fusion reported as 3 separate joints). Patients were divided based on self-reported smoking status. Primary outcome was clinical union. Delayed union, infection, and the need for ultrasound bone stimulation were secondary outcomes. Results: Smoking prevalence was 14.0%, and 32.2% were ex-smokers. Groups were comparable for sex, diabetes, and body mass index. Smokers were younger and had fewer comorbidities. Nonunion rates were higher in smokers (relative risk, 5.81; 95% CI, 2.54-13.29; P < .001) with no statistically significant difference between ex-smokers and nonsmokers. Smokers had higher rates of infection ( P = .05) and bone stimulator use ( P < .001). Among smokers, there was a trend toward slower union with heavier smoking ( P = .004). Conclusion: This large retrospective cohort study confirmed previous evidence that smoking has a considerable negative effect on union in arthrodesis. The 5.81 relative risk in a modifiable risk factor is extremely high. Arthrodesis surgery should be undertaken with extreme caution in smokers. Our study shows that after cessation of smoking, the risk returns to normal, but we were unable to quantify the time frame. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

scholarly journals 387. Markers for Mortality in COVID-19 Patients with Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S262-S262
Author(s):  
Kok Hoe Chan ◽  
Bhavik Patel ◽  
Iyad Farouji ◽  
Addi Suleiman ◽  
Jihad Slim
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Prognostic Markers ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
New Onset

Abstract Background Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can lead to many different cardiovascular complications, we were interested in studying prognostic markers in patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter (A. Fib/Flutter). Methods A retrospective cohort study of patients with confirmed COVID-19 and either with existing or new onset A. Fib/Flutter who were admitted to our hospital between March 15 and May 20, 2020. Demographic, outcome and laboratory data were extracted from the electronic medical record and compared between survivors and non-survivors. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were employed to identify the prognostic markers associated with mortality in patients with A. Fib/Flutter Results The total number of confirmed COVID-19 patients during the study period was 350; 37 of them had existing or new onset A. Fib/Flutter. Twenty one (57%) expired, and 16 (43%) were discharged alive. The median age was 72 years old, ranged from 19 to 100 years old. Comorbidities were present in 33 (89%) patients, with hypertension (82%) being the most common, followed by diabetes (46%) and coronary artery disease (30%). New onset of atrial fibrillation was identified in 23 patients (70%), of whom 13 (57%) expired; 29 patients (78%) presented with atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response, and 2 patients (5%) with atrial flutter. Mechanical ventilation was required for 8 patients, of whom 6 expired. In univariate analysis, we found a significant difference in baseline ferritin (p=0.04), LDH (p=0.02), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (p=0.05), neutrophil-monocyte ratio (NMR) (p=0.03) and platelet (p=0.015) between survivors and non-survivors. With multivariable logistic regression analysis, the only value that had an odds of survival was a low NLR (odds ratio 0.74; 95% confidence interval 0.53–0.93). Conclusion This retrospective cohort study of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 demonstrated an association of increase NLR as risk factors for death in COVID-19 patients with A. Fib/Flutter. A high NLR has been associated with increased incidence, severity and risk for stroke in atrial fibrillation patients but to our knowledge, we are first to demonstrate the utilization in mortality predictions in COVID-19 patients with A. Fib/Flutter. Disclosures Jihad Slim, MD, Abbvie (Speaker’s Bureau)Gilead (Speaker’s Bureau)Jansen (Speaker’s Bureau)Merck (Speaker’s Bureau)ViiV (Speaker’s Bureau)

scholarly journals The change of coagulation profile in two-staged arthroplasty for periprosthetic joint infection patients: a retrospective cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Li ◽  
Rui Li ◽  
L. L. Li ◽  
Wei Chai ◽  
Chi Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Periprosthetic Joint Infection ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Persistent Infection ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Joint Infection ◽  
Diagnostic Study ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Coagulation Profile ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Aims Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a serious complication of total joint arthroplasty. We performed a retrospective cohort study to evaluate (1) the change of coagulation profile in two-staged arthroplasty patients and (2) the relationship between coagulation profile and the outcomes of reimplantation. Method Between January 2011 and December 2018, a total of 202 PJI patients who were operated on with two-staged arthroplasty were included in this study initially. This study continued for 2 years and the corresponding medical records were scrutinized to establish the diagnosis of PJI based on the 2014 MSIS criteria. The coagulation profile was recorded at two designed points, (1) preresection and (2) preimplantation. The difference of coagulation profile between preresection and preimplantation was evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were used to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of the coagulation profile and change of coagulation profile for predicting persistent infection before reimplantation. Results The levels of APTT, INR, platelet count, PT, TT, and plasma fibrinogen before spacer implantation were significantly higher than before reimplantation. No significant difference was detected in the levels of D-dimer, ACT, and AT3 between the two groups. The AUC of the combined coagulation profile and the change of combined coagulation profile for predicting persistent infection before reimplantation was 0.667 (95% CI 0.511, 0.823) and 0.667 (95% CI 0.526, 0.808), respectively. Conclusion The coagulation profile before preresection is different from before preimplantation in two-staged arthroplasty and the coagulation markers may play a role in predicting infection eradication before reimplantation when two-stage arthroplasty is performed. Level of evidence Level III, diagnostic study.

scholarly journals Organisational Factors Induce Prolonged Emergency Department Length of Stay in Elderly Patients – A Retrospective Cohort Study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. e0135066 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffie H. A. Brouns ◽  
Patricia M. Stassen ◽  
Suze L. E. Lambooij ◽  
Jeanne Dieleman ◽  
Irene T. P. Vanderfeesten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Organisational Factors

scholarly journals Community-acquired bacteraemia in COVID-19 in comparison to influenza A and influenza B: a retrospective cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julinha M. Thelen ◽  
A. G. ( Noud) Buenen ◽  
Marjan van Apeldoorn ◽  
Heiman F. Wertheim ◽  
Mirjam H. A. Hermans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Blood Culture ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Blood Cultures ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
All Cause Mortality

Abstract Background During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the Netherlands it was noticed that very few blood cultures from COVID-19 patients turned positive with clinically relevant bacteria. This was particularly evident in comparison to the number of positive blood cultures during previous seasonal epidemics of influenza. This observation raised questions about the occurrence and causative microorganisms of bacteraemia in COVID-19 patients, especially in the perspective of the widely reported overuse of antibiotics and the rising rate of antibiotic resistance. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study on blood culture results in influenza A, influenza B and COVID-19 patients presenting to two hospitals in the Netherlands. Our main outcome consisted of the percentage of positive blood cultures. The percentage of clinically relevant blood cultures, isolated bacteria and 30-day all-cause mortality served as our secondary outcomes. Results A total of 1331 viral episodes were analysed in 1324 patients. There was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.47) in overall occurrence of blood culture positivity in COVID-19 patients (9.0, 95% CI 6.8–11.1) in comparison to influenza A (11.4, 95% CI 7.9–14.8) and influenza B patients (10.4, 95% CI 7.1–13.7,). After correcting for the high rate of contamination, the occurrence of clinically relevant bacteraemia in COVID-19 patients amounted to 1.0% (95% CI 0.3–1.8), which was statistically significantly lower (p = 0.04) compared to influenza A patients (4.0, 95% CI 1.9–6.1) and influenza B patients (3.0, 95% CI 1.2–4.9). The most frequently identified bacterial isolates in COVID-19 patients were Escherichia coli (n = 2) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 2). The overall 30-day all-cause mortality for COVID-19 patients was 28.3% (95% CI 24.9–31.7), which was statistically significantly higher (p = <.001) when compared to patients with influenza A (7.1, 95% CI 4.3–9.9) and patients with influenza B (6.4, 95% CI 3.8–9.1). Conclusions We report a very low occurrence of community-acquired bacteraemia amongst COVID-19 patients in comparison to influenza patients. These results reinforce current clinical guidelines on antibiotic management in COVID-19, which only advise utilization of antibiotics when a bacterial co-infection is suspected.

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