Articles: emergency-department.
-
Our previous research showed that, in Alberta, Canada, a higher proportion of visits to emergency departments and urgent care centres by First Nations patients ended in the patient leaving without being seen or against medical advice, compared with visits by non-First Nations patients. We sought to analyze whether these differences persisted after controlling for patient demographic and visit characteristics, and to explore reasons for leaving care. ⋯ Emergency department visits by First Nations patients were more likely to end with them leaving without being seen or against medical advice than those by non-First Nations patients. As leaving early may delay needed care or interfere with continuity of care, providers and departments should work with local First Nations to develop and adopt strategies to retain First Nations patients in care.
-
Background and Objectives. In emergency departments, chest pain is a common concern, highlighting the critical importance of distinguishing between acute coronary syndrome and other potential causes. Our research aimed to introduce and implement the HEAR score, specifically, in remote emergency outposts in Bosnia and Herzegovina. ⋯ Conclusions. In conclusion, the outcomes of this study align with existing research, underscoring the effectiveness of the HEAR score in risk stratification for patients with chest pain. In practical terms, the implementation of the HEAR score in clinical decision-making processes holds significant promise.
-
Finding a reliable preoperative predictor of complicated acute appendicitis (AA) has been a challenging diagnostic problem. The present study aimed to identify potential factors that may predict complicated AA in the pediatric emergency department (ED) based on routine, widely available laboratory tests on admission to the ED, including plasma sodium concentration. ⋯ We identified mild hyponatremia and elevated CRP and WBC values as potential markers for distinguishing complicated from uncomplicated pediatric AA with implications for surgical approaches for treating complicated AA and conservative approaches for treating uncomplicated AA.