Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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Extreme weather events due to human activities have significantly increased the frequency and severity of hydrological disasters like floods, impacting human health and healthcare systems worldwide. This study analyses the patterns of emergency service utilisation of the May 2023 flood in Romagna, Italy, and specifically investigates the differences in emergency department (ED) visits and mortality between individuals exposed and not exposed to the flood. ⋯ The May 2023 flood in Romagna revealed enhanced vulnerability of the directly affected population, as shown by higher acuity ED presentations and subsequent hospitalisations, as well as more visits for trauma and mental health.
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Underutilisation of thrombolysis is a major problem in patients with stroke in Bangladesh as patients do not arrive within the therapeutic window due to delays in their way to emergency department. This study aims to assess the time delay from patients' symptom onset to arrival in the hospital and the factors that are associated with it. ⋯ Nearly 90% of the patients were late to arrive (>4.5 hours) at hospital and referral delay comprises the majority of the prehospital delay. Therefore, fast symptom recognition and the urgency of seeking healthcare as soon as symptoms appear should be the focus of public awareness efforts.
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Patients with end-of-life care (EoLC) needs present to the emergency departments (ED) frequently and at times, it can be difficult to provide a high standard of care. Within the Irish setting, there is limited literature on the provision of EoLC in EDs and this study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the perceptions of emergency medicine (EM) clinicians regarding the provision of EoLC in EDs in Ireland. ⋯ EM clinicians agree that they are comfortable breaking bad news and discussing EoLC with patients and families, but disagree that adequate resources and infrastructure are in place to provide a high standard of EoLC in Irish EDs. Challenges exist centred on training and infrastructure and addressing these may lead to enhanced EoLC in the future.
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Sex-based disparities in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) presentations exist and women often have worse outcomes after an ACS event. Calling the emergency medical services (EMS) initiates prehospital diagnosis and treatment and reduces in-hospital time to treatment. This study aims to identify factors affecting the intention to call EMS and EMS usage in Australian women and men. ⋯ Sex differences were identified in the intention and use of EMS during an ACS event based on cultural background, preferred language and residential regionality. These subgroups' characteristics can be targeted with education to improve EMS use.