Emergencias
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To determine the validity of 2 triage systems: the 3M Triage Assistance System (3M-TAS) and the combined Spanish Triage System and Andorran Triage Model (SET-MAT) for predicting hospitalization and use of emergency resources; and to estimate the level of agreement between them. ⋯ Agreement between the 3M-TAS and SET-MAT triage systems was poor, although they predicted similar use of resources in the ED. The 3M-TAS was better able to predict hospital admission than the SET-MAT.
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To describe the characteristics of frequent users of hospital emergency departments and analyze whether characteristics varied in relation to how revisits were distributed over the course of the year studied. ⋯ Our study shows that the frequent user has specific characteristics and loyally comes to the same emergency department over the course of a year. Patients whose revisits are dispersed over a longer period have more complex problems and use more resources during their initial visit.
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To determine the probability of finding significant coronary lesions, the time to diagnosis, and the safety of a new diagnostic approach based on high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hsTnT) testing followed by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in patients with chest pain of possible coronary origin. The method was compared with our hospital emergency department's standard practice. ⋯ The new strategy could accelerate diagnosis and increase the probability of finding significant coronary lesions, but we found no significant differences in adverse events in the 3 months following diagnosis. These findings should be confirmed in studies with larger numbers of patients.
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To determine prognostic factors in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests managed with semiautomatic external defibrillators (SAEDs) by emergency health service responders in Galicia, Spain. ⋯ Prognostic factors related to survival of SAED-managed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Galicia were the presence of a shockable rhythm, shorter response time, continuation of basic life support measures including advanced airway management, bystander life-support maneuvers, an urban location, and night timing of the arrest.
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The return-visit rate has been suggested as a measure of emergency department quality of care. We aimed to identify the reasons for emergency revisits and the percentage of returns related to problems with quality of care in the previous visit. ⋯ Most emergency department revisits are related to the progression of the disease that led to the first visit. Only a small percentage can be linked to diagnostic or treatment errors in the previous visit.