scholarly journals Disparities Between Men and Women in the Time of Initial EKG Acquisition

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beverly McGillivray
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Arrival Time ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Chief Complaint ◽  
Myocardial Infarctions ◽  
Clinical Test ◽  
The World

<p>Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death around the world. Initial treatment is often time dependent. An EKG is the single most important initial clinical test to diagnose acute myocardial infarctions. Recognizing acute coronary symptoms in the initial presentation to an emergency department is critical in order to obtain the initial EKG. Of concern is the likelihood of delay in the initial EKG acquisition for females. The purpose of the research study was to distinguish if there is a disparity between genders to the best practice of door to EKG in 10 minutes from the arrival time in the Emergency department. A retrospective chart review was conducted with a total of 60 charts consisting of 30 females and 30 males who experienced an AMI. The time of initial arrival to the ED and initial EKG acquisition were compared. Results demonstrated that the initial EKG acquisition was shorter for males, average of 15 minutes as compared to females, average of 18 minutes. The data also demonstrated that only 32% (n=19) of patients had an initial EKG in 10 minutes or less and 68% (n=41) in greater than 10 minutes. Average age of females was 72 compared to males at 62. Thirty seven percent (n=22) of the patients presented with a chief complaint other than chest pain. Further research is indicated to determine reasons for delay in initial EKG acquisition between genders.</p>

Harnessing the Chaplain’s Capacity to Identify Unmet Palliative Needs of Vulnerable Older Adults in the Emergency Department

2021 ◽  
pp. 082585972110033
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Hamill Howard ◽  
Rachel Schwartz ◽  
Bruce Feldstein ◽  
Marita Grudzen ◽  
Lori Klein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Emergency Medicine Physician ◽  
Medicine Physician ◽  
One Year

Objective: To explore chaplains’ ability to identify unmet palliative care (PC) needs in older emergency department (ED) patients. Methods: A palliative chaplain-fellow conducted a retrospective chart review evaluating 580 ED patients, age ≥80 using the Palliative Care and Rapid Emergency Screening (P-CaRES) tool. An emergency medicine physician and chaplain-fellow screened 10% of these charts to provide a clinical assessment. One year post-study, charts were re-examined to identify which patients received PC consultation (PCC) or died, providing an objective metric for comparing predicted needs with services received. Results: Within one year of ED presentation, 31% of the patient sub-sample received PCC; 17% died. Forty percent of deceased patients did not receive PCC. Of this 40%, chaplain screening for P-CaRES eligibility correctly identified 75% of the deceased as needing PCC. Conclusion: Establishing chaplain-led PC screenings as standard practice in the ED setting may improve end-of-life care for older patients.

scholarly journals The mortality of ill infants with false tooth extraction in a rural Ugandan emergency department

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amyna Husain ◽  
M. Douglas Baker ◽  
Mark C. Bisanzo ◽  
Martha W. Stevens
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Tooth Extraction ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Cultural Practice ◽  
Fluid Bolus ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
To Receive

False tooth extraction (FTE), a cultural practice in East Africa used to treat fever and diarrhea in infants, has been thought to increase infant mortality. The mortality of clinically similar infants with and without false tooth extraction has not previously been examined. The objective of our retrospective cohort study was to examine the mortality, clinical presentation, and treatment of infants with and without false tooth extraction. We conducted a retrospective chart review of records of infants with diarrhea, sepsis, dehydration, and fever in a rural Ugandan emergency department. Univariate analysis was used to test statistical significance. We found the mortality of infants with false tooth extraction (FTE+) was 18% and without false tooth extraction (FTE−) was 14% (P=0.22). The FTE+ study group, and FTE− comparison group, had similar proportions of infants with abnormal heart rate and with hypoxia. There was a significant difference in the portion of infants that received antibiotics (P=0.001), and fluid bolus (P=0.002). Although FTE+ infants had clinically similar ED presentations to FTE− infants, the FTE+ infants were significantly more likely to receive emergency department interventions, and had a higher mortality than FTE− infants.

Appropriateness of Imaging Decisions for Low Back Pain Presenting to the Emergency Department: A Retrospective Chart Review Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Traeger ◽  
Gustavo C Machado ◽  
Sally Bath ◽  
Martin Tran ◽  
Lucinda Roper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Imaging Modality ◽  
Cauda Equina ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Review Study ◽  
Hospital Emergency Departments

ABSTRACT Background Imaging for low back pain is widely regarded as a target for efforts to reduce low value care. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of overuse and underuse of lumbar imaging in the Emergency Department. Methods Retrospective chart review study of five public hospital Emergency Departments in Sydney, Australia, in 2019/20. We reviewed the clinical charts of consecutive adult patients who presented with a complaint of low back pain and extracted clinical features relevant to a decision to request lumbar imaging. We estimated the proportion of encounters where a decision to request lumbar imaging was inappropriate (overuse) or where a clinician did not request an appropriate and informative lumbar imaging test when indicated (underuse). Results 649 patients presented with a complaint of low back pain of which 158 (24.3%) were referred for imaging. 79 (12.2%) had a combination of features suggesting lumbar imaging was indicated according to clinical guidelines. The prevalence of overuse and underuse of lumbar imaging was 8.8% (57 of 649 cases, 95%CI 6.8% to 11.2%) and 4.3% (28 of 649 cases, 95%CI 3.0% to 6.1%), respectively. 13 cases were classified as underuse because the patient was referred for an uninformative imaging modality (e.g. referred for radiography for suspected cauda equina syndrome). Conclusion In this study of emergency care there was evidence of overuse of lumbar imaging, but also underuse through failure to request lumbar imaging when indicated or referral for an uninformative imaging modality. These three issues seem more important targets for quality improvement than solely focusing on overuse.

Safety and tolerability of i.v. push piperacillin/tazobactam within an emergency department

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (13) ◽  
pp. 1051-1053
Author(s):  
William Blake Hays ◽  
Tara Flack
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Single Dose ◽  
Allergic Reaction ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Drug Reactions ◽  
Broad Spectrum Antibiotic ◽  
Peripheral Site

Abstract Purpose Piperacillin/tazobactam is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is widely used and commonly administered via the intravenous (i.v.) piggyback route over 0.5 to 4.0 hours. Recommendations for i.v. push (IVP) administration of piperacillin/tazobactam are lacking due to the high osmolality of the solution. The primary objective of this study was to retrospectively assess the safety and tolerability of piperacillin/tazobactam administered peripherally by IVP. Methods. A retrospective chart review was conducted to evaluate adverse drug reactions after administration of a single dose of IVP piperacillin/tazobactam through a peripheral line in an emergency department from August 2016 through November 2017. Results A total of 1,813 patients received 1 dose of IVP piperacillin/tazobactam during the study timeframe. Three hundred patients were randomly selected for assessment of safety and tolerability. Two hundred ninety-nine patients (99.7%) tolerated IVP piperacillin/tazobactam. One patient had an allergic reaction that included itching and hives. No infusion-related reactions were documented. Conclusion IVP administration of piperacillin/tazobactam through a peripheral site is safe and tolerable for adult patients.

Evaluating the Standardization of Transitions of Care in a Texas-Mexico Border Academic Family Medicine Practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 491-496
Author(s):  
Rachel A. Kennedy ◽  
Margie E. Padilla ◽  
Sweta Andrews ◽  
Emily J. Christenberry ◽  
Stella Winters ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Medicine ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Transitional Care ◽  
Care Service ◽  
High Risk Patient ◽  
Outpatient Service ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Transitions Of Care ◽  
Improvement Project

Purpose This quality improvement project aimed to assess the elements of the current workflow process that meets requirements for transitions of care from a family medicine inpatient to outpatient service following the Transitional Care Management (TCM) program developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The purpose of the study was to assess the current family medicine workflow and determine whether the current process meets the criteria for billing and calculate the potential loss of reimbursement. Methods Interviews with key personnel, review of practice policies, and a retrospective chart review were performed for clinic patients discharged from the inpatient to outpatient family medicine service. Results A total of 37 patients met inclusion criteria for the chart review. Of these, 8% of patients seen at the outpatient clinic met all criteria for TCM. Potential reimbursement for those who met TCM criteria was $293.14 USD; the estimated potential TCM reimbursement for patients not meeting criteria was $1997.76 USD. Conclusion Standardized, team-based TCM services have shown to decrease readmission rates for high-risk patient populations. Results from this project identified processes in place at the family medicine practice to facilitate the development of a standardized transitional care service which could meet both TCM and best practice models.

scholarly journals P047: Emergency department practice patterns of UTI investigation among the delirious elderly: a retrospective chart review

CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
pp. S81-S81
Author(s):  
R. Pinnell ◽  
P. Joo
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Urinary Symptoms ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Indwelling Catheter ◽  
Exact Test

Introduction: Delirium is a common emergency department (ED) presentation in elderly patients. Urinary tract infection (UTI) investigation and treatment are often initiated in delirious patients in the absence of specific urinary symptoms, despite a paucity of evidence to support this practice. The purpose of this study is to describe the prevalence of UTI investigation, diagnosis and treatment in delirious elderly patients in the ED. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of elderly patients presenting to the ED at The Ottawa Hospital between January 15-July 30, 2018 with a chief complaint of confusion or similar. Exclusion criteria were pre-existing and current UTI diagnosis, Glasgow Coma Scale <13, current indwelling catheter or nephrostomy tube, transfers between hospitals, and leaving without being seen. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients for whom urine tests (urinalysis or culture) or antibiotic treatment were ordered. Secondary outcomes were associations between patient characteristics, rates of UTI investigation, and patient outcomes. Descriptive values were reported as proportions with exact binomial confidence intervals for categorical variables and means with standard deviations for continuous variables. Comparisons were conducted with Fischer's exact test for categorical variables and t-tests for continuous variables. Results: After analysis of 1039 encounters with 961 distinct patients, 499 encounters were included. Urine tests were conducted in 324 patients (64.9% [60.6-69.1]) and antibiotics were prescribed to 176 (35.2% [31.1-39.6]). Overall 57 patients (11.4% [8.8-14.5]) were diagnosed with UTI, of which only 12 (21.1% [11.4-33.9]) had any specific urinary symptom. For those patients who had no urinary symptoms or other obvious indication for antibiotics (n = 342), 199 (58.2% [52.8-63.5]) received urine tests and 62 (18.1% [14.2-22.6]) received antibiotics. Patients who received urine tests were older (82.4 ± 8.8 vs. 78.3 ± 8.4 years, p < 0.001) but did not differ in sex distribution from those than those who did not. Additionally, patients who received antibiotics were more likely to be admitted (OR = 2.6 [1.48-4.73]) and had higher mortality at 30 days (OR = 4.2 [1.35-12.91]) and 6 months (OR = 3.2 [1.33-7.84]) than those who did not. Conclusion: Delirious patient without urinary symptoms in the ED were frequently investigated and treated for UTI despite a lack of evidence regarding whether this practice is beneficial.

High-flow oxygen in patients undergoing procedural sedation in the emergency department: A retrospective chart review

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-39
Author(s):  
David Thomson ◽  
Timothy Cowan ◽  
Conrad Loten ◽  
Christina Botfield ◽  
Elizabeth Holliday ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
High Flow ◽  
Procedural Sedation ◽  
High Flow Oxygen
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