European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
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Existing data are limited for determining the medical conditions best suited for an emergency department (ED) redirection strategy in a heterogeneous, nonurgent patient population. ⋯ Higher age and abdominal pain were associated with hospital revisitation and hospitalization within 7 days among patients directly discharged or redirected by the triage team. Regardless of the triage system in use, there might be patient groups that should be evaluated more cautiously if a triage-based discharge or redirection strategy is to be considered.
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Observational Study
The association between regional guidelines compliance and mortality in severe trauma patients: an observational, retrospective study.
Trauma is a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Regional trauma systems are the cornerstones of healthcare systems, helping to improve outcomes and avoid preventable deaths in severe trauma patients. ⋯ Increased levels of compliance with the guidelines in severe trauma patients were associated with an increase in survival, notably in the most severe patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Impact of the presence of a mediator on patient violent or uncivil behaviours in emergency departments: a cluster randomised crossover trial.
Several studies reported that violent behaviours were committed by patients against healthcare professionals in emergency departments (EDs). The presence of mediators could prevent or resolve situations of tension. ⋯ The presence of mediators in the ED was not associated with a reduction in violent or uncivil behaviours committed by patients or their relatives. However, the study highlighted that patients had a major need for information regarding their care; improving communication between patients and healthcare professionals might reduce the violence in EDs.
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There seems to be evidence of gender and ethnic bias in the early management of acute coronary syndrome. However, whether these differences are related to less severe severity assessment or to less intensive management despite the same severity assessment has not yet been established. ⋯ In this study, the visualization of simulated patients with different characteristics modified the prioritization decision. Compared to White patients, Black patients were less likely to receive emergency treatment. The same was true for women compared with men.
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Although emergency medical service is focused on providing acute prehospital treatment, it is often used by terminally ill patients and their informal caregivers during the last days of patient's life. Little is known about why they decide to use the emergency medical services. ⋯ For informal caregivers, emergency medical services represented an important source of support while caring for their terminally ill loved ones due to the limited availability of other sources of help, including a lack of specialist palliative care providers. Additionally, informal caregivers had limited knowledge of the dying process and used emergency medical services for professional advice.