The American journal of emergency medicine
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Observational Study
The status of patient portal use among Emergency Department patients experiencing houselessness: A large-scale single-center observational study.
Patient portal (PP) use has rapidly increased in recent years. However, the PP use status among houseless patients is largely unknown. We aim to determine 1) the PP use status among Emergency Department (ED) patients experiencing houselessness, and 2) whether PP use is linked to the increase in patient clinic visits. ⋯ Houselessness is a potential risk factor preventing patient portal use. In addition, using patient portals could potentially increase clinic visits among the houseless patient population.
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We aimed to investigate the association between bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with and without automated external defibrillator (AED) use and neurological outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in Korea. ⋯ Bystander CPR was associated with better neurological recovery compared to no bystander CPR; however, the benefits of AED use were not significant. Efforts to disseminate bystander AED availability and ensure proper utilisation are warranted.
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In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between blood lactate levels and lactate kinetics (lactate clearance and Δ lactate) for predicting mortality in patients with COVID-19 admitted to the emergency department. ⋯ In COVID-19, 2nd highest blood lactate and lactate kinetics were found to be prognostic indicators of the disease. High 2nd highest lactate levels and low lactate kinetics in patients with high clinical severity were guiding physicians regarding the outcome of the disease.
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Observational Study
Palliative care patient emergency department visits at tertiary university-based emergency department in Ireland.
Palliative care patients often present to the emergency department (ED) for various reasons e.g., acute illness, pain, altered mental status, and complications of therapy. Many visits involve less severe etiologies e.g., dyspnea, constipation, fear as patients approach the end of life, which may be more effectively and efficiently managed outside of the ED. The objective of this study is to identify and assess the frequency of presenting complaints, primary diagnosis, triage acuity, need for admission, in an Irish setting. ⋯ Palliative care patients utilize ED services not uncommonly. Though many of these patients presented with higher acuity triage scores, 42% had lower ESI scores and may be effectively managed outside of the ED. These data suggest developing mechanisms for these patients to be urgently evaluated in their homes or facilities obviating the need for an ED evaluation.
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The Roth score is an alternative strategy to estimate oxygen saturation by using a simple verbal test. We designed this clinical study to assess the validity of the Roth score (Spanish version) as a screening test for hypoxemia. A secondary objective was to evaluate the agreement and consistency between the oxygen saturation obtained via pulse oximetry (SpO2) and arterial blood gas test (SaO2). ⋯ The Roth score performed in Spanish is not a valid test for hypoxemia screening. There is sufficient agreement and consistency between SaO2 and SpO2 measurements.