CJEM
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International guidelines now recommend nonantibiotic treatment of uncomplicated diverticulitis. We assessed physicians' current management strategies for uncomplicated diverticulitis, their awareness of the updated recommendations, and barriers to practice change. ⋯ Physicians' awareness of practice guidelines recommending nonantibiotic treatment for uncomplicated diverticulitis and their application are suboptimal. Knowledge transfer activities, educational interventions and optimization of local protocols are needed to ensure the rational use of antibiotics.
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Elder abuse is associated with impaired physical and psychological health. It is, however, rarely identified in emergency departments (EDs). The objective was to determine the prevalence and the predictors of elder abuse among older adults visiting EDs. ⋯ When questioned directly, 5.1% of older adults attending EDs reported experiencing abuse. Female sex, functional impairment, social vulnerability, and mental health comorbidities are associated with elder abuse. Given its importance and relatively high prevalence, ED professionals should have a low threshold to ask directly about elder abuse.
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Little evidence exists studying the benefits of pre-hospital trauma team activation. Our study measured the impact of pre-hospital trauma team activation on 24-h survival. Our secondary objectives assessed the effects of pre-hospital trauma team activation on time to emergency procedure, computed tomography, blood transfusion, and critical administration threshold, as well as emergency department length of stay. ⋯ When controlling for key covariates, pre-hospital trauma team activation did not have a significant effect on 24-h mortality, but did result in a significant reduction in time to emergency procedure, computed tomography, and blood transfusion, as well as emergency department length of stay. Our study demonstrates that pre-hospital trauma team activation can expedite patient intervention and disposition.