European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
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Multicenter Study
OBESICA study: relationship between BMI and acute heart failure outcome.
The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between BMI and outcome of acute heart failure (AHF). ⋯ BMI seems to be related to AHF and death, although this relationship disappeared on considering other prognostic factors and confounding variables. This finding limits the use of BMI by emergency physicians when estimating the risk of emergency department reconsultation or death in AHF patients.
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This study aimed to develop an innovative prioritizing model for conducting medication reconciliation (MR) at a fast-paced workflow emergency department (ED) and to implement an efficient working model for MR. ⋯ This innovative prioritizing model is designed to be practical in the fast-paced workflow at the ED and can identify what patients are at increased risk of having crMDs. The multidisciplinary working model was proven time efficient and could contribute towards increased patient safety.
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The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between rapid response team (RRT) or cardiac arrest team (CAT) activation within 72 h of emergency admission and (i) physiological status in the emergency department (ED) and (ii) risk for ICU admission and in-hospital mortality. ⋯ CAT/RRT activations within 72 h of emergency admission are associated with higher mortality and increased length of stay. Factors associated with CAT/RRT activation in the wards are often identifiable when patients are in the ED. Further studies are required to determine whether early identification and intervention in patients at risk for RRT or CAT activation can improve their eventual outcomes.
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Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) emergencies need particular hospital preparedness and resources availability. Also, specific skills and capabilities are required for efficient response to these types of events. The aim of this study was to develop an assessment tool to evaluate hospital preparedness and response performance with respect to CBRN emergencies. ⋯ Hospitals need a specific level of preparedness to enable an effective response to CBRN emergencies. The assessment tool, developed through experts' consensus in this study, provides a standardized method for the evaluation of hospital preparedness and response performance with respect to CBRN emergencies. The feasibility and reliability of this assessment tool could be evaluated before and during simulated exercises in a standardized manner.