scholarly journals Ophthalmic emergency-room visits during the Covid-19 pandemic – a comparative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronika Yehezkeli ◽  
Ygal Rotenstreich ◽  
Liron Naftali Ben Haim ◽  
Ifat Sher ◽  
Asaf Achiron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Emergency Room ◽  
Healthcare Resource ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Control Period ◽  
Emergency Room Visits ◽  
Surgical Interventions ◽  
Patient Demographics ◽  
Chief Complaints ◽  
Demographic Distribution

Abstract Background The goal of this study is to compare ophthalmic emergency room (OER) visits during the Coronavirus disease-19 (Covid-19) pandemic to those during a control period. Methods We compared all visits to the OER to Meir Medical Center in Israel, from March 15th to April 15th, 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic and government mandated quarantine, to the same period in 2019. Factors analyzed were patient demographics, chief complaints, referral patterns, exam findings, treatments given, hospitalizations and surgical interventions. Results We included in this study 1311 visits of 1158 patients, 477 during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic and 834 during the same period in 2019. The demographic distribution (age, gender, and ethnicity) was similar between the two periods. LogMAR visual acuity at presentation was worse during the Covid-19 pandemic (0.42 ± 0.6 and 0.34 ± 0.5 in 2020 and 2019 respectively; p = 0.025) and the number of emergent surgeries was higher (3.7% in 2020 vs 1.8% in 2019, p = 0.026). In 2019 there was a higher likelihood of involvement of both segments of the eye (4.82% versus 1.2%, p < 0.01) and more diagnoses were given to each patient (1 ± 0.5 versus 0.93 ± 0.35, p = 0.001; During the Covid − 19 pandemic medications (both topical and systemic) were prescribed more often (1.22 ± 0.95 in 2020 and 0.84 ± 0.67 in 2019, p < 0.001). Conclusions OER visits were less frequent during the Covid − 19 pandemic as compared to 2019, though the demographics of the patients remained unchanged. Visits during the pandemic tended to be for more severe ocular conditions, with worse visual acuity at presentation and required more medical and surgical treatment which imply higher necessity of ocular evaluation. This analysis can aid healthcare resource management in similar scenarios in the future.

scholarly journals Ophthalmic Emergency-Room Visits During The COVID-19 Pandemic – A Comparative Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronika Yehezkeli ◽  
Ygal Rotenstreich ◽  
Liron Naftali Ben Haim ◽  
Ifat Sher ◽  
Asaf Achiron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Emergency Room ◽  
Healthcare Resource ◽  
Control Period ◽  
Emergency Room Visits ◽  
Referral Patterns ◽  
Surgical Interventions ◽  
Patient Demographics ◽  
Chief Complaints ◽  
Demographic Distribution

Abstract Purpose: To compare ophthalmic emergency room (OER) visits during the COVID-19 pandemic to those during a control period.Methods: We compared all visits to the OER from March 15th to April 15th, 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic and government mandated quarantine, to the same period in 2019. Factors analyzed were patient demographics, chief complaints, referral patterns, exam findings, treatments given, hospitalizations and surgical interventions.Results: We included in this study 1311 visits of 1158 patients, 477 during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and 834 during the same period in 2019. The demographic distribution (age, gender, and ethnicity) was similar between the two periods. LogMAR visual acuity at presentation was worse during the COVID-19 pandemic (0.42±0.6 and 0.34±0.5 in 2020 and 2019 respectively; p=0.025) and the number of emergent surgeries was higher (3.8% in 2020 vs 1.8% in 2019, p=0.024). There was a higher likelihood of involvement of both segments of the eye (4.82% versus 1.2%, p<0.01) and more diagnoses were given to each patient (1±0.5 versus 0.93±0.35, p=0.001; During the COVID-19 pandemic medications (both topical and systemic) were prescribed more often (1.22±0.95 in 2020 and 0.84±0.67 in 2019, p < 0.001).Conclusions: OER visits were less frequent during the COVID-19 pandemic as compared to 2019, though the demographics of the patients remained unchanged. Visits during the pandemic tended to be for more severe ocular conditions and required more medical and surgical treatment. This analysis can aid healthcare resource management in similar scenarios in the future.

scholarly journals Association between Ambient Temperature, Particulate Air Pollution and Emergency Room Visits for Conjunctivitis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
soltan khalaila ◽  
Tara Coreanu ◽  
Alina Vodonos ◽  
Itai Kloog ◽  
Alexandra Shtein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Emergency Room ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Emergency Room Visits ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Coarse Particulate Matter

Abstract Background: Numerous studies have confirmed the association of ambient temperature and air pollution with a higher risk of morbidities, yet few have addressed their effect on the ocular system. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between temperature, air pollution, and emergency room visits for conjunctivitis.Methods: In this case-crossover study, the records of all emergency room visits to Soroka University Medical Center (SUMC) from 2009 to 2014 were reviewed for patients with conjunctivitis. Daily exposure to fine and coarse particulate matter and temperature were determined by a hybrid model involving satellite sensors.Results: 6001 patients were diagnosed with conjunctivitis in the SUMC emergency room. We discovered a positive association between temperature increments and incidence of conjunctivitis. The strongest effect was found during summer and autumn, with an immediate (lag0) incidence increase of 8.1% for each 1 °C increase in temperature (OR 1.088 95%CI 1.046;1.132) between 24 and 28 °C in the summer and 7.2% for each 1 °C increase in temperature (OR 1.072 95%CI 1.036;1.108) between 13 and 23 °C in the autumn. There was no statistically significant association between fine and coarse particulate matter and conjunctivitis incidence.Conclusion: Temperature increases during summer and autumn are significantly associated with an increased risk of conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is not associated with non-anthropogenic air pollution. These findings may help community clinics and hospital emergency rooms better predict conjunctivitis cases and will hopefully lead to improved prevention efforts that will lower the financial burden on both the individual and the public.

A 10-Year Analysis of Head and Neck Injuries Involving Nonpowder Firearms

2017 ◽  
Vol 156 (5) ◽  
pp. 853-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kartik V. Dandu ◽  
Eric T. Carniol ◽  
Saurin Sanghvi ◽  
Soly Baredes ◽  
Jean Anderson Eloy
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Room ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Neck Region ◽  
National Database ◽  
Neck Injuries ◽  
Emergency Room Visits ◽  
Injury Surveillance System ◽  
Cross Sectional

Objectives Firearms have an enduring and visible presence within American culture. However, the public health impact of nonpowder firearms and other “toy” guns has not been fully studied. These guns—including BB guns (ie, ball bearing), paintball guns, and pellet guns—are typically marketed to a younger audience. The objective of this study is to analyze head and neck injuries related to nonpowder firearms. Study Design Cross-sectional analysis of a national database. Setting Academic medical center. Subjects and Methods The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System was queried for head and neck injuries involving nonpowder guns, including air, BB, and pellet guns, and associated ammunition. Analysis of age, sex, incidence, injury location, and diagnosis was performed. Results From 2005 to 2014, there were 1695 cases recorded, or 55,060 estimated emergency room visits, due to injuries related to nonpowder guns and fired ammunition. The majority of patients were male (80.9%). These injuries were most common in children 6 to 12 years of age (37.9%), followed by those 13 to 18 years old (27.1%) and adults (≥19 years old; 17.8%), while preschool children (0-5 years) represented 17.2%. The most common injury diagnosis was penetrating foreign body (34.9%), followed by lacerations (24.3%) and contusions/abrasions (13.7%). Conclusion Nonpowder and other nonlethal firearm-related injuries to the head and neck region are a frequent source of emergency room visits nationally. Safety measures and public education on a mainstream level are required.

scholarly journals Association between ambient temperature, particulate air pollution and emergency room visits for conjunctivitis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Khalaila ◽  
T. Coreanu ◽  
A. Vodonos ◽  
I. Kloog ◽  
A. Shtein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Emergency Room ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Emergency Room Visits ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Coarse Particulate Matter

Abstract Background Numerous studies have confirmed the association of ambient temperature and air pollution with a higher risk of morbidities, yet few have addressed their effect on the ocular system. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between temperature, air pollution, and emergency room visits for conjunctivitis. Methods In this case-crossover study, the records of all emergency room visits to Soroka University Medical Center (SUMC) from 2009 to 2014 were reviewed for patients with conjunctivitis. Daily exposure to fine and coarse particulate matter and temperature were determined by a hybrid model involving satellite sensors. Mean relative humidity was obtained from the Ministry of Environmental Protection meteorological monitoring station located in Beer-Sheva. Results Six hundred one patients were diagnosed with conjunctivitis in the SUMC emergency room. We discovered a positive association between temperature increments and incidence of conjunctivitis. The strongest effect was found during summer and autumn, with an immediate (lag0) incidence increase of 8.1% for each 1 °C increase in temperature (OR = 1.088, 95%CI: 1.046–1.132) between 24 and 28 °C in the summer and 7.2% for each 1 °C increase in temperature (OR = 1.072, 95%CI: 1.036–1.108) between 13 and 23 °C in the autumn. There was no statistically significant association between fine and coarse particulate matter and conjunctivitis incidence. Conclusion Temperature increases during summer and autumn are significantly associated with an increased risk of conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is not associated with non-anthropogenic air pollution. These findings may help community clinics and hospital emergency rooms better predict conjunctivitis cases and will hopefully lead to improved prevention efforts that will lower the financial burden on both the individual and the public.

scholarly journals Association between Ambient Temperature, Particulate Air Pollution and Emergency Room Visits for Conjunctivitis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
soltan khalaila ◽  
Tara Coreanu ◽  
Alina Vodonos ◽  
Itai Kloog ◽  
Alexandra Shtein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Emergency Room ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Emergency Room Visits ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Coarse Particulate Matter

Abstract Background Numerous studies have confirmed that ambient temperature and air pollution are associated with higher risk of morbidities to different systems of the human body, yet few have addressed their effect on the ocular system. The purpose of this study is to determine the association between temperature, air pollution and emergency room visits for non-specific conjunctivitis Methods In this retrospective cohort study, the records of all emergency room visits to Soroka University Medical Center (SUMC) from 2009 to 2014 were reviewed for patients with conjunctivitis. Exposure to fine and coarse particulate matter and temperature were assessed by a hybrid model that incorporated daily satellite remote sensing. Results The records of the 6001 patients who visited the SUMC emergency room with conjunctivitis, together with the meteorological data, revealed a positive association between temperature increment and incidence of conjunctivitis. The strongest effect was found during summer and autumn: the incidence increased 8.1% for each 1oC rise in temperature between 24oC and 28oC in the summer, and 7.2% for each 1oC rise in temperature between 13oC and 23oC in autumn. The association between fine and coarse particulate matter and incidence of conjunctivitis was not statistically significant. Conclusion High ambient temperature is significantly associated with an increased risk of nonspecific conjunctivitis in summer and autumn and not in spring and winter. Conjunctivitis is not associated with air pollution. The findings can assist community clinics and hospital emergency rooms prepare for the upticks in the condition during certain seasons and acute rises in temperatures, lowering the financial costs to both the individual and the public.

scholarly journals Association between Ambient Temperature, Particulate Air Pollution and Emergency Room Visits for Conjunctivitis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soltan Khalaila ◽  
Tara Coreanu ◽  
Alina Vodonos ◽  
Itai Kloog ◽  
Alexandra Shtein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Emergency Room ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Emergency Room Visits ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Coarse Particulate Matter

Abstract Background: Numerous studies have confirmed the association of ambient temperature and air pollution with a higher risk of morbidities, yet few have addressed their effect on the ocular system. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between temperature, air pollution, and emergency room visits for conjunctivitis.Methods: In this case-crossover study, the records of all emergency room visits to Soroka University Medical Center (SUMC) from 2009 to 2014 were reviewed for patients with conjunctivitis. Daily exposure to fine and coarse particulate matter and temperature were determined by a hybrid model involving satellite sensors.Results: 6001 patients were diagnosed with conjunctivitis in the SUMC emergency room. We discovered a positive association between temperature increments and incidence of conjunctivitis. The strongest effect was found during summer and autumn, when the incidence increased 8.1% for each 1oC rise in temperature between 24 and 28oC in the summer and 7.2% for each 1oC rise in temperature between 13 and 23oC in the autumn. There was no statistically significant association between fine and coarse particulate matter and conjunctivitis incidence.Conclusion: Temperature increases during summer and autumn are significantly associated with an increased risk of conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is not associated with non-anthropogenic air pollution. These findings may help community clinics and hospital emergency rooms better predict conjunctivitis cases and will hopefully lead to improved prevention efforts that will lower the financial burden on both the individual and the public.

scholarly journals Outcomes of Operative Treatment of Forearm Deformity in Children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta: 18 Cases

Osteology ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-30
Author(s):  
Maegen Wallace ◽  
Paul Esposito
Keyword(s):  
Osteogenesis Imperfecta ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Deformity Correction ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Surgical Interventions ◽  
Patient Demographics ◽  
Impact Function ◽  
Institutional Review ◽  
The University

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) often results in recurrent fractures and/or progressive bowing of the long bones, including the arms. Upper extremity deformity has been shown to negatively impact function. The objective of this retrospective case series is to assess the ability to correct deformity, improve function and evaluate the complications and revision rates in our patients with OI who have undergone forearm deformity correction. A retrospective study, approved by The University of Nebraska Medical Center Institutional Review Board, was conducted with OI patients who underwent forearm osteotomy and fixation of one or both forearm bones between December 2011 and August 2018. There were no exclusion criteria. The electronic medical records were reviewed for patient demographics, surgical details, revisions and complications. A total of 48 procedures on 27 forearms in 18 patients were performed during the study. Surgery was performed in children with forearm deformity and recurrent fractures that were interfering with function. Half of the patients had surgery on one forearm and half had surgery on both forearms. The majority of the patients have Type III OI. There were multiple complications, the most common being wire migration which required either replacement or advancement of the wire. In conclusion, forearm deformity in OI is possible, with good healing of osteotomies and fractures, although many patients may require multiple surgical interventions.

scholarly journals Association between Ambient Temperature, Particulate Air Pollution and Emergency Room Visits for Conjunctivitis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soltan Khalaila ◽  
Tara Coreanu ◽  
Alina Vodonos ◽  
Itai Kloog ◽  
Alexandra Shtein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Emergency Room ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Emergency Room Visits ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Coarse Particulate Matter

Abstract Background Numerous studies have confirmed that ambient temperature and air pollution are associated with higher risk of morbidities to different systems of the human body, yet few have addressed their effect on the ocular system. The purpose of this study is to determine the association between temperature, air pollution and emergency room visits for non-specific conjunctivitis Methods In this retrospective cohort study, the records of all emergency room visits to Soroka University Medical Center (SUMC) from 2009 to 2014 were reviewed for patients with conjunctivitis. Exposure to fine and coarse particulate matter and temperature were assessed by a hybrid model that incorporated daily satellite remote sensing. Results The records of the 6001 patients who visited the SUMC emergency room with conjunctivitis, together with the meteorological data, revealed a positive association between temperature increment and incidence of conjunctivitis. The strongest effect was found during summer and autumn: the incidence increased 8.1% for each 1oC rise in temperature between 24oC and 28oC in the summer, and 7.2% for each 1oC rise in temperature between 13oC and 23oC in autumn. The association between fine and coarse particulate matter and incidence of conjunctivitis was not statistically significant. Conclusion High ambient temperature is significantly associated with an increased risk of nonspecific conjunctivitis in summer and autumn and not in spring and winter. Conjunctivitis is not associated with air pollution. The findings can assist community clinics and hospital emergency rooms prepare for the upticks in the condition during certain seasons and acute rises in temperatures, lowering the financial costs to both the individual and the public.

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