Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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Computed tomography (CT) imaging is frequently obtained for recurrent abdominal pain after a prior emergency department (ED) evaluation. We evaluate the utility of repeat CT imaging following an indeterminate index CT in low-risk abdominal pain adult ED patients. ⋯ Due to the absence of direct evidence our scoping review is unable to provide high-quality evidence-based recommendations upon which to confidently base an imaging practice guideline. There is no evidence to support or refute performing a CT for low-risk recurrent abdominal pain.
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Recurrent abdominal pain in the emergency department (ED) might represent an opportunity for screening of depression and/or anxiety. ⋯ We were unable to identify any evidence that confirms that depression or anxiety screening in ED patients with recurrent and undifferentiated abdominal pain improves outcomes or changes management downstream.
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Twenty-five percent of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) for a respiratory or cardiovascular medical emergency develop clinically significant posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. It is possible that development of PTSD symptoms in this cohort is associated with subsequent adverse physical health events. Our objective was to test whether clinically significant PTSD symptoms 30 days postdischarge are associated with increased risk for hospital readmission within 24 months after discharge among patients presenting to the ED for a respiratory or cardiovascular emergency. ⋯ Hospital readmission is common among survivors of acute respiratory failure and cardiovascular instability, and PTSD symptoms 30 days postdischarge are an independent predictor of hospital readmission. Survivors of medical emergencies may warrant follow-up evaluation for PTSD symptoms, and future research is warranted to better understand the relationship between psychological trauma and hospital readmission.
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Frequent emergency department (ED) use and incarceration can be driven by underlying structural factors and social needs. If frequent ED users are at increased risk for incarceration, ED-based interventions could be developed to mitigate this risk. The objective of this study was to determine whether frequent ED use is associated with incarceration. ⋯ Frequent ED use is independently associated with incarceration. The ED may be a site for intervention to prevent incarceration among frequent ED users by addressing unmet social needs.