Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
-
The needs of patients with uncompleted visits to the emergency department (ED) are uncertain. The aim was to evaluate ED patients who leave against medical advice (AMA) and who leave without being seen (WBS) regarding repeat ED visits, hospitalisation and mortality within 30 days. ⋯ During 30 days follow-up, AMA and WBS patients had an increased rate of repeat ED visits compared with those patients who completed their ED visits. AMA patients also had an increased rate of hospitalisations.
-
The Phillips Report on traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Ireland found that injury was more frequent in men and that gender differences were present in childhood. This study determined when gender differences emerge and examined the effect of gender on the mechanism of injury, injury type and severity and outcome. ⋯ Falls were responsible for most TBI, the home is the most common place of injury and non-operable TBI was common. These findings relate to all children. Significant gender differences exist from infancy. Boys sustained injuries associated with a greater energy transfer, were less likely to use protective devices and more likely to be injured deliberately. This results in a different pattern of injury, higher levels of associated injury and a higher mortality rate.
-
Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin improves disposition strategies for patients with acute dyspnoea: results from the BACH trial.
To assess the value of mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) in guiding patient disposition from the emergency department (ED), as one of the key factors of hospital resource utilisation, in undifferentiated patients with acute dyspnoea. ⋯ MR-proADM has the potential to guide initial disposition of undifferentiated ED patients with acute dyspnoea and might therefore be helpful to improve resource utilisation and patient care.
-
Early management improves outcome in acute stroke. This study was designed to assess the prehospital path from symptom onset to arrival in hospital and to identify factors associated with prehospital delay. ⋯ Severe strokes, use of ambulance and lower age are associated with reduced prehospital delay. The present study shows that more than half of the delay is caused by the hesitation to contact medical services. Public information campaigns should focus on fast symptom recognition and the importance of immediately contacting the Emergency Medical Services upon symptom onset.