The American journal of emergency medicine
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We investigated the extent to which demographic characteristics, clinical care aspects, and relevant biomarkers predicted sepsis-related mortality among patients transferred from a rural, low-volume emergency department (ED) to an urban, high-volume, level-2 trauma center. ⋯ Early identification of sepsis, as well as attention to prior ICU admission or comorbidities and abnormal red cell distribution width, could facilitate better care and prevent mortality among patients with sepsis who are transferred from a rural, low-volume emergency department to an urban-high volume facility.
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Mass Casualty Events (MCI) which have a direct and persisting impact on the safety and well-being of an emergency department (ED) and its staff, secondary to specific targeting of the healthcare setting, represent a distinct and complex operational challenge. ED physicians may be faced with the prospect of providing ongoing patient care while simultaneously experiencing direct threats to their own health or physical safety. In our study we considered the unique operational challenges encountered, and management strategies adopted, by the ED staff and its leadership to an all-hazard MCI impacting an academic urban emergency department. ⋯ Findings from our observational study suggested that in the absence of larger public health interventions a manmade MCI, with direct threats to an ED and its staff, could force EDs to concurrently address the unique clinical needs of two distinct patient populations while simultaneously needing to take measures to protect hospital staff. Additionally, a higher burden of patient volumes and clinical acuity are likely to be encountered by select specialty consultation services. Further studies could focus on quantitative analysis to better understand the operational impact of these types of events on both patients and staff.