The performance of the EMS triage (RETTS-p) and the agreement between the field assessment and final hospital diagnosis: a prospective observational study among children < 16 years

Abstract Background The rapid triage and treatment system for paediatrics (RETTS-p) has been used by the emergency medical services (EMS) in the west of Sweden since 2014. The performance of the RETTS-p in the pre-hospital setting and the agreement between the EMS nurse’s field assessment and the hospital diagnosis is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the RETTS-p in the EMS and the agreement between the EMS field assessment and the hospital diagnosis. Methods A prospective observational study was conducted among 454 patients < 16 years of age who were assessed and transported to the PED. Two instruments were used for comparison: 1) Classification of an emergent patient according to predefined criteria as compared to the RETTS-p and 2) Agreement between the EMS nurse’s field assessment and the hospital diagnosis. Results Among all children, 11% were identified as having vital signs associated with an increased risk of death and 7% were diagnosed in hospital with a potentially life-threatening condition. Of the children triaged with RETTS-p (85.9%), 149 of 390 children (38.2%) were triaged to RETTS-p red or orange (life-threatening, potentially life-threatening), of which 40 (26.8%) children were classified as emergent. The hospitalised children were triaged with the highest frequency to level yellow (can wait; 41.5%). In children with RETTS-p red or orange, the sensitivity for a defined emergent patient was 66.7%, with a corresponding specificity of 67.0%. The EMS field assessment was in agreement with the final hospital diagnosis in 80% of the cases. Conclusions The RETTS-p sensitivity in this study is considered moderate. Two thirds of the children triaged to life threatening or potentially life threatening were later identified as non-emergent. Of those, one in six was discharged from the PED without any intervention. Further, one third of the children were under triaged, the majority were found in the yellow triage level (can wait). The highest proportion of hospitalised patients was found in the yellow triage level. Our result is in agreement with previous studies using other triage instruments. A computerised decision support system might help the EMS triage to increase sensitivity and specificity.

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Association of the patterns of use of medications with mortality of COVID-19 infection: a hospital-based observational study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050051 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. e050051

Author(s):

Arthur W Wallace ◽

Piera M Cirillo ◽

James C Ryan ◽

Nickilou Y Krigbaum ◽

Anusha Badathala ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Propensity Score ◽

Observational Study ◽

Ace Inhibitors ◽

Proportional Hazards ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Angiotensin Receptor Blockers ◽

Cox Proportional Hazards ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Hospitalised Patients ◽

Increased Risk

ObjectivesSARS-CoV-2 enters cells using the ACE2 receptor. Medications that affect ACE2 expression or function such as angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and ACE inhibitors (ACE-I) and metformin have the potential to counter the dysregulation of ACE2 by the virus and protect against viral injury. Here, we describe COVID-19 survival associated with ACE-I, ARB and metformin use.DesignThis is a hospital-based observational study of patients with COVID-19 infection using logistic regression with correction for pre-existing conditions and propensity score weighted Cox proportional hazards models to estimate associations between medication use and mortality.SettingMedical record data from the US Veterans Affairs (VA) were used to identify patients with a reverse transcription PCR diagnosis of COVID-19 infection, to classify patterns of ACE inhibitors (ACE-I), ARB, beta blockers, metformin, famotidine and remdesivir use, and, to capture mortality.Participants9532 hospitalised patients with COVID-19 infection followed for 60 days were analysed.Outcome measureDeath from any cause within 60 days of COVID-19 diagnosis was examined.ResultsDiscontinuation of ACE-I was associated with increased risk of death (OR: 1.4; 95% CI 1.2–1.7). Initiating (OR: 0.3; 95% CI 0.2–0.5) or continuous (OR: 0.6; 95% CI 0.5–0.7) ACE-I was associated with reduced risk of death. ARB and metformin associations were similar in direction and magnitude and also statistically significant. Results were unchanged when accounting for pre-existing morbidity and propensity score adjustment.ConclusionsRecent randomised clinical trials support the safety of continuing ACE-I and ARB treatment in patients with COVID-19 where indicated. Our study extends these findings to suggest a possible COVID-19 survival benefit for continuing or initiating ACE-I, ARB and metformin medications. Randomised trials are appropriate to confirm or refute the therapeutic potential for ACE-I, ARBs and metformin.

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Pre-hospital triage performance and emergency medical services nurse’s field assessment in an unselected patient population attended to by the emergency medical services: a prospective observational study

Scandinavian Journal of Trauma Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine ◽

10.1186/s13049-020-00766-1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Carl Magnusson ◽

Johan Herlitz ◽

Christer Axelsson

Keyword(s):

Observational Study ◽

Emergency Medical Services ◽

Prospective Observational Study ◽

Hospital Setting ◽

Early Warning Score ◽

Medical Services ◽

Emergency Medical ◽

Field Assessment ◽

High Acuity ◽

Sensitive Conditions

Abstract Background In Sweden, the rapid emergency triage and treatment system (RETTS-A) is used in the pre-hospital setting. With RETTS-A, patients triaged to the lowest level could safely be referred to a lower level of care. The national early warning score (NEWS) has also shown promising results internationally. However, a knowledge gap in optimal triage in the pre-hospital setting persists. This study aimed to evaluate RETTS-A performance, compare RETTS-A with NEWS and NEWS 2, and evaluate the emergency medical service (EMS) nurse’s field assessment with the physician’s final hospital diagnosis. Methods A prospective, observational study including patients (≥16 years old) transported to hospital by the Gothenburg EMS in 2016. Three comparisons were made: 1) Combined RETTS-A levels orange and red (high acuity) compared to a predefined reference emergency, 2) RETTS-A high acuity compared to NEWS and NEWS 2 score ≥ 5, and 3) Classification of pre-hospital nurse’s field assessment compared to hospital physician’s diagnosis. Outcomes of the time-sensitive conditions, mortality and hospitalisation were examined. The statistical tests included Mann–Whitney U test and Fisher’s exact test, and several binary classification tests were determined. Results Overall, 4465 patients were included (median age 69 years; 52% women). High acuity RETTS-A triage showed a sensitivity of 81% in prediction of the reference patient with a specificity of 64%. Sensitivity in detecting a time-sensitive condition was highest with RETTS-A (73%), compared with NEWS (37%) and NEWS 2 (35%), and specificity was highest with NEWS 2 (83%) when compared with RETTS-A (54%). The negative predictive value was higher in RETTS-A (94%) compared to NEWS (91%) and NEWS 2 (92%). Eleven per cent of the final diagnoses were classified as time-sensitive while the nurse’s field assessment was appropriate in 84% of these cases. Conclusions In the pre-hospital triage of EMS patients, RETTS-A showed sensitivity that was twice as high as that of both NEWS and NEWS 2 in detecting time-sensitive conditions, at the expense of lower specificity. However, the proportion of correctly classified low risk triaged patients (green/yellow) was higher in RETTS-A. The nurse’s field assessment of time-sensitive conditions was appropriate in the majority of cases.

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Rationale and design of multicenter prospective observational study of types, GRAde, VariabilITY, associations and prognosis of orthostatic responses in Heart Failure (GRAVITY-HF)

Russian Journal of Cardiology ◽

10.15829/1560-4071-2020-1-3662 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 78-82

Author(s):

E. V. Shlyakhto ◽

S. V. Villevalde ◽

A. E. Soloveva ◽

N. E. Zvartau ◽

M. Yu. Sitnikova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Observational Study ◽

Prospective Observational Study ◽

Prognostic Significance ◽

Adult Mortality ◽

Population Based ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Multicenter Prospective Observational Study ◽

Predictive Risk

Heart failure (HF) is one of the leading causes of adult mortality. Increased risk of death determines need for better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms, predictive risk stratification models and applicable methods to improve prognosis. One of the unfavorable prognostic factors may be an inadequate hemodynamic response to orthostatic stress. Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is known to be an independent predictor of many cardiovascular diseases, particularly HF, and death. Singlecenter study of HF population revealed that systolic blood pressure within 3-5 minutes after standing up may be a predictor of long-term unfavorable outcomes. Nevertheless, data about OH in patients with HF are limited and inconsistent due to heterogeneity of populations and different methodology in published studies. In this regard, a population-based study of the orthostatic response in patients with HF (stable and decompensated) is needed. The article describes the rationale and design of a multicenter prospective observational study aimed to assess the clinical and prognostic significance of orthostatic responses in HF patients.

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Cross-sectional observational study of epidemiology of COVID-19 and clinical outcomes of hospitalised patients in North West London during March and April 2020

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044384 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. e044384

Author(s):

Guduru Gopal Rao ◽

Alexander Allen ◽

Padmasayee Papineni ◽

Liyang Wang ◽

Charlotte Anderson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Ventilation ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Severe Infection ◽

Older Age ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

North West ◽

Icu Admission ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Hospitalised Patients ◽

Increased Risk

ObjectiveThe aim of this paper is to describe evolution, epidemiology and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in subjects tested at or admitted to hospitals in North West London.DesignObservational cohort study.SettingLondon North West Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH).ParticipantsPatients tested and/or admitted for COVID-19 at LNWH during March and April 2020Main outcome measuresDescriptive and analytical epidemiology of demographic and clinical outcomes (intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation and mortality) of those who tested positive for COVID-19.ResultsThe outbreak began in the first week of March 2020 and reached a peak by the end of March and first week of April. In the study period, 6183 tests were performed in on 4981 people. Of the 2086 laboratory confirmed COVID-19 cases, 1901 were admitted to hospital. Older age group, men and those of black or Asian minority ethnic (BAME) group were predominantly affected (p<0.05). These groups also had more severe infection resulting in ICU admission and need for mechanical ventilation (p<0.05). However, in a multivariate analysis, only increasing age was independently associated with increased risk of death (p<0.05). Mortality rate was 26.9% in hospitalised patients.ConclusionThe findings confirm that men, BAME and older population were most commonly and severely affected groups. Only older age was independently associated with mortality.

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Mortality and high risk of major adverse events in patients with COVID-19 and history of cardiovascular disease

Open Heart ◽

10.1136/openhrt-2020-001526 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. e001526

Author(s):

Elena Tessitore ◽

David Carballo ◽

Antoine Poncet ◽

Nils Perrin ◽

Cedric Follonier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hospital Mortality ◽

Male Gender ◽

Hospital Death ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

University Hospitals ◽

Adverse Cardiovascular Event ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Hospitalised Patients ◽

Increased Risk ◽

History Of

ObjectiveHistory of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) may influence the prognosis of patients hospitalised for COVID-19. We investigated whether patients with previous CVD have increased risk of death and major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) when hospitalised for COVID-19.MethodsWe included 839 patients with COVID-19 hospitalised at the University Hospitals of Geneva. Demographic characteristics, medical history, laboratory values, ECG at admission and medications at admission were collected based on electronic medical records. The primary outcome was a composite of in-hospital mortality or MACE.ResultsMedian age was 67 years, 453 (54%) were males and 277 (33%) had history of CVD. In total, 152 (18%) died and 687 (82%) were discharged, including 72 (9%) who survived a MACE. Patients with previous CVD were more at risk of composite outcomes 141/277 (51%) compared with those without CVD 83/562 (15%) (OR=6.0 (95% CI 4.3 to 8.4), p<0.001). Multivariate analyses showed that history of CVD remained an independent risk factor of in-hospital death or MACE (OR=2.4; (95% CI 1.6 to 3.5)), as did age (OR for a 10-year increase=2.2 (95% CI 1.9 to 2.6)), male gender (OR=1.6 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.3)), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR=2.1 (95% CI 1.0 to 4.2)) and lung infiltration associated with COVID-19 at CT scan (OR=1.9 (95% CI 1.2 to 3.0)). History of CVD (OR=2.9 (95% CI 1.7 to 5)), age (OR=2.5 (95% CI 2.0 to 3.2)), male gender (OR=1.6 (95% CI 0.98 to 2.6)) and elevated C reactive protein (CRP) levels on admission (OR for a 10 mg/L increase=1.1 (95% CI 1.1 to 1.2)) were independent risk factors for mortality.ConclusionHistory of CVD is associated with higher in-hospital mortality and MACE in hospitalised patients with COVID-19. Other factors associated with higher in-hospital mortality are older age, male sex and elevated CRP on admission.

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Routine use of immunosuppressants is associated with mortality in hospitalised patients with COVID-19

Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety ◽

10.1177/2042098620985690 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. 204209862098569

Author(s):

Phyo K. Myint ◽

Ben Carter ◽

Fenella Barlow-Pay ◽

Roxanna Short ◽

Alice G. Einarsson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Attention ◽

Close Monitoring ◽

Plain Language ◽

Discharge Data ◽

Specific Patient ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Hospitalised Patients ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact

Background: Whilst there is literature on the impact of SARS viruses in the severely immunosuppressed, less is known about the link between routine immunosuppressant use and outcome in COVID-19. Consequently, guidelines on their use vary depending on specific patient populations. Methods: The study population was drawn from the COPE Study (COVID-19 in Older People), a multicentre observational cohort study, across the UK and Italy. Data were collected between 27 February and 28 April 2020 by trained data-collectors and included all unselected consecutive admissions with COVID-19. Load (name/number of medications) and dosage of immunosuppressant were collected along with other covariate data. Primary outcome was time-to-mortality from the date of admission (or) date of diagnosis, if diagnosis was five or more days after admission. Secondary outcomes were Day-14 mortality and time-to-discharge. Data were analysed with mixed-effects, Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression models using non-users of immunosuppressants as the reference group. Results: In total 1184 patients were eligible for inclusion. The median (IQR) age was 74 (62–83), 676 (57%) were male, and 299 (25.3%) died in hospital (total person follow-up 15,540 days). Most patients exhibited at least one comorbidity, and 113 (~10%) were on immunosuppressants. Any immunosuppressant use was associated with increased mortality: aHR 1.87, 95% CI: 1.30, 2.69 (time to mortality) and aOR 1.71, 95% CI: 1.01–2.88 (14-day mortality). There also appeared to be a dose–response relationship. Conclusion: Despite possible indication bias, until further evidence emerges we recommend adhering to public health measures, a low threshold to seek medical advice and close monitoring of symptoms in those who take immunosuppressants routinely regardless of their indication. However, it should be noted that the inability to control for the underlying condition requiring immunosuppressants is a major limitation, and hence caution should be exercised in interpretation of the results. Plain Language Summary Regular Use of Immune Suppressing Drugs is Associated with Increased Risk of Death in Hospitalised Patients with COVID-19 Background: We do not have much information on how the COVID-19 virus affects patients who use immunosuppressants, drugs which inhibit or reduce the activity of the immune system. There are various conflicting views on whether immune-suppressing drugs are beneficial or detrimental in patients with the disease. Methods: This study collected data from 10 hospitals in the UK and one in Italy between February and April 2020 in order to identify any association between the regular use of immunosuppressant medicines and survival in patients who were admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Results: 1184 patients were included in the study, and 10% of them were using immunosuppressants. Any immunosuppressant use was associated with increased risk of death, and the risk appeared to increase if the dose of the medicine was higher. Conclusion: We therefore recommend that patients who take immunosuppressant medicines routinely should carefully adhere to social distancing measures, and seek medical attention early during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Accuracy of the general practitioner’s sense of alarm when confronted with dyspnoea and/or chest pain: a prospective observational study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034348 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. e034348 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Marie Barais ◽

Emilie Fossard ◽

Antoine Dany ◽

Tristan Montier ◽

Erik Stolper ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chest Pain ◽

Observational Study ◽

Likelihood Ratio ◽

Prospective Observational Study ◽

Positive Likelihood Ratio ◽

Negative Likelihood Ratio ◽

Final Diagnosis ◽

Test Accuracy ◽

Index Test ◽

Life Threatening

ObjectivesDyspnoea and chest pain are symptoms shared with multiple pathologies ranging from the benign to life-threatening diseases. A Gut Feelings Questionnaire (GFQ) has been validated to measure the general practitioner’s (GPs) sense of alarm or sense of reassurance. The aim of the study was to estimate the diagnostic test accuracy of GPs’ sense of alarm when confronted with dyspnoea and chest pain.Design and settingsProspective observational study in general practice.ParticipantsPatients aged between 18 and 80 years, consulting their GP for dyspnoea and/or chest pain, were considered for enrolment. These GPs had to complete the GFQ immediately after the consultation.Primary outcome measuresLife-threatening and non-life-threatening diseases have previously been defined according to the pathologies or symptoms in the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC)-2 classification. The index test was the sense of alarm and the reference standard was the final diagnosis at 4 weeks.Results25 GPs filled in 235 GFQ questionnaires. The positive likelihood ratio for the sense of alarm was 2.12 (95% CI 1.49 to 2.82), the negative likelihood ratio was 0.55 (95% CI 0.37 to 0.77).ConclusionsWhere the physician experienced a sense of alarm when a patient consulted him/her for dyspnoea and/or chest pain, the post-test odds that this patient had, in fact, a life-threatening disease was about twice as high as the pretest odds.Trial registration numberNCT02932982.

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Increased risk of dislocation after primary total hip arthroplasty in inflammatory arthritisA prospective observational study of 410 hips

Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica ◽

10.1080/00016470410004049 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 75 (6) ◽

pp. 684-690 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Rob Zwartelé ◽

Ronald Brand ◽

H Doets

Keyword(s):

Total Hip Arthroplasty ◽

Observational Study ◽

Hip Arthroplasty ◽

Prospective Observational Study ◽

Total Hip ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty

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Safety of Topical Minoxidil Solution: A One-Year, Prospective, Observational Study

Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery ◽

10.1007/s10227-002-0121-6 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 322-329 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Jerry Shapiro

Keyword(s):

Pregnancy Outcomes ◽

Prospective Observational Study ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Usage Patterns ◽

Topical Minoxidil ◽

Pregnancy Status ◽

Hospital Stays ◽

Adverse Pregnancy ◽

One Year

Background: Topical minoxidil solution (TMS) is widely used for androgenetic alopecia (AGA), and this is the first report of a large safety trial. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety profile of TMS by comparing hospitalization and death rates among subjects using TMS with controls. Cardiovascular safety and pregnancy outcomes were evaluated, and usage patterns were described. Methods: All subjects were followed at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Usage patterns, pregnancy status, overnight hospital stays, and cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated. Subjects rated effectiveness of TMS in the treatment of AGA. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine if TMS was associated with an increased risk of death or hospitalization. Results: TMS is a safe and effective treatment for AGA. There were no increases in cardiovascular events and no apparent increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Conclusions: This large, prospective study demonstrated the overall safety of TMS in the treatment of AGA.

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