Can J Emerg Med
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To identify the proportion of high-frequency users of the emergency department (ED) who have chronic pain. ⋯ Chronic pain, specifically chronic abdominal pain, is a significant driver of ED visits among patients who frequently use the ED. Interventions to support high-frequency users with chronic pain that take into account the complexity of patient's physical and mental health needs will likely achieve better clinical outcomes and reduce ED utilization.
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Observational Study
Prehospital ultrasound use among Canadian aeromedical service providers - A cross-sectional survey.
Evidence suggests that prehospital point of care ultrasound (POCUS) may change patient management. It serves as an aid in triage, physical examination, diagnosis, and patient disposition. The rate of adoption of POCUS among aeromedical services throughout Canada is unknown. The objective of this study was to describe current POCUS use among Canadian aeromedical services providers. ⋯ Prehospital POCUS is available in Western Canada with one third of the Canadian population having access to aeromedical services using ultrasound. The Maritimes and the Yukon Territory will further extend POCUS use on fixed-wing aircraft. While there are barriers to POCUS use, those bases that have adopted POCUS consider it valuable.
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Somatization is a common phenomenon that can severely complicate youths' functioning and health. The burden of somatization on pediatric acute care settings is currently unclear; better understanding it may address challenges clinicians experience in effectively caring for somatizing patients. In this study, we estimate the prevalence of somatization in a pediatric emergency department (ED). ⋯ A considerable proportion of non-mental health-related visits may involve a somatizing component, indicating the burden of mental health concerns on the ED may be underestimated. A higher index of suspicion for the possibility of somatization may support clinicians in managing somatizing patients.
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One in four cases of acute aortic syndrome are missed. This national survey examined Canadian Emergency physicians' opinion on risk stratification, the need for a clinical decision aid to risk stratify patients, and the required sensitivity of such a tool. ⋯ Our national survey determined that emergency physicians would use a highly sensitive clinical decision aid to determine which patients are at low, medium, or high-risk for acute aortic syndrome. The majority of clinicians have a low threshold (<1%) for investigating for acute aortic syndrome, but accept that a zero miss-rate is not feasible.
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To determine the incidence, risk, and timing of mortality (unnatural and natural causes) among youth seen in a pediatric emergency department (ED) for mental health concerns, compared with matched non-mental health ED controls. ⋯ While youth seeking emergency mental health care are at increased risk of death by unnatural causes, their overall mortality risk is lower than non-mental health controls. The protracted duration from initial presentation to suicide highlights the need for long-term surveillance and preventative care for youth seen in the ED for all mental health concerns.