European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
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A new nationwide guideline for minor head injury was introduced in the Netherlands in 2010. The effect on computed tomography (CT) ratio and hospital admission ratio after introduction of the guideline is unknown. The aim was to reduce these numbers as part of cost-effective health care. Therefore, we assessed the effect on these variables after introduction of the guideline. ⋯ Between 2007 and 2015, a marked increase in CT ratio and hospital admissions has been observed. The increase in CT ratio seems to be caused both by the new guideline and by a secular trend to perform more CT scans. Adaptations to the guideline should be considered to improve patient care and cost-effectiveness in patients with minor head injury.
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Multicenter Study
Validation of the Bacterial Meningitis Score in adults consulting at an emergency department: a retrospective multicentric study.
The Bacterial Meningitis Score (BMS) is recommended by pediatric academic societies to rule out the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the BMS to identify adults at no risk for bacterial meningitis. ⋯ Among patients with a diagnosis of meningitis in ED, a BMS of 0 may safely rule out bacterial meningitis.