European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
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The aim of this study was to perform a comprehensive systematic review of emergency department performance indicators in relation to evidence. A systematic search was performed through PUBMED, EMBASE, CINAHL and COCHRANE databases with (and including synonyms of) the search words: [emergency medicine OR emergency department] AND [quality indicator(s) OR performance indicator(s) OR performance measure(s)]. Articles were included according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria using the PRISMA protocol. ⋯ Sixty-six articles (51%) were good retrospective quality (level 2b or better), whereas the remaining articles were either intermediate quality (25% level 3a or 3b) or poor quality (17% level 4 or 5). We found limited evidence for most emergency department performance indicators, with the majority presenting a low level of evidence. Thus, a core group of evidence-based performance indicators cannot currently be recommended on the basis of this broad review of the literature.
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The MISSED score was derived and validated in emergency department (ED) patients with sepsis who were admitted to the ICU. This score has now been refined and simplified. The independent variables associated with mortality are age at least 65 years, serum albumin 27 g/l or less, and an international normalized ratio at least 1.3. The simplified MISSED score ranges from 0 to 3 depending on the number of variables present. ⋯ The simplified MISSED score could be used to risk stratify septic patients in the ED.
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Comparative Study
Why do patients with nonurgent conditions present to the Emergency Department despite the availability of alternative services?
The aim of this study was to investigate why nonurgent patients present to the Emergency Department (ED) despite availability of alternative services; also to assess impact of the UK Choose Well Campaign. A convenience sample of nonurgent ED attenders was surveyed in North Wales, UK. More than half of patients sought advice from friends, family, carer or GP before attending ED. ⋯ Twenty per cent of patients reported they would have changed their decision about attending ED if they had known more about alternatives. Only 12% were aware of Choose Well. Analysis suggests that though Choose Well effectively provides information on alternatives, it does not translate into more appropriate attendance.
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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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Sepsis is associated with high mortality. Because early therapy has proven to decrease mortality, a risk stratification tool that quickly and easily quantifies mortality risk of patients will be helpful to guide appropriate treatment. We investigated five scores in terms of (a) predicting 28-day mortality and (b) their feasibility for use in the emergency department (ED). ⋯ The MEDS and CURB-65 scores are the most adequate and feasible tools for the prediction of total 28-day mortality in septic patients presenting at the ED, but they need local recalibration before use in the ED.