European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
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Comparative Study
Infection prevention practices in Swedish emergency departments: results from a cross-sectional survey.
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality. Emergency departments (EDs) are a potential source of HAIs as they are the site for large volumes of patients in tight quarters and often focus on immediate life threats over prevention. We aimed to estimate the extent to which Swedish EDs have adopted evidence-based measures to prevent HAIs. The second aim was to identify predictors of high hand hygiene compliance. ⋯ A minority of Swedish EDs are participating in projects to address hand hygiene and catheter-associated urinary tract infection. Frequent auditing of hand hygiene compliance may improve compliance rates.
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This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) surveillance protocol in the Emergency Department (ED) at Hamad General Hospital. Effectiveness was measured by: (a) reduction in the number of patients admitted into the MERS-CoV tracking system; (b) identification of positive MERS-CoV cases; (c) containment of cross infectivity; and (d) increased efficiency in ED functioning. ⋯ A highly protocolized surveillance system limited the impact of MERS-CoV on ED functioning by identifying and prioritizing high-risk patients. The emergence of new infectious diseases requires constant monitoring of interventions to reduce the impact of epidemics on population health and health services.
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Observational Study
Acute sore throat in children at the emergency department: best medical practice?
Belgian antibiotic (AB) policy guidelines discourage the use of ABs in sore throat in otherwise healthy individuals; yet, 35% of all children with sore throat in our pediatric emergency department receive a prescription for ABs. ⋯ We find several 'practical' factors to have an influence on the AB prescription rate.