Articles: emergency-department.
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ABSTRACTObjective:Postdischarge emergency department (ED) communication with family physicians is often suboptimal and negatively impacts patient care. We designed and piloted an online notification system that electronically alerts family physicians of patient ED visits and provides access to visit-specific laboratory and diagnostic information. ⋯ Introduction of a web-based ED visit communication tool improved ED-family physician communication. The impact of this system on improved continuity of care, timeliness of follow-up, and reduced duplication of investigations and referrals requires additional study.
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ABSTRACTObjective:To determine the outcomes of patients discharged from the emergency department (ED) with a bloodstream infection (BSI) and how these outcomes are influenced by antibiotic treatment. Methods:We identified every BSI in adult patients discharged from our ED to the community between July 1, 2002, and March 31, 2011. The medical records of all cases were reviewed to determine antibiotic treatment in the ED and at discharge. ⋯ Conclusions:BSI patients discharged from the ED have a significantly increased risk of urgent hospitalization and unplanned return to the ED in the subsequent 2 weeks. These risks decrease significantly with the timely provision of appropriate antibiotics. Our results support the aggressive use of measures ensuring that such patients receive appropriate antibiotics as soon as possible.
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Although it has been suggested that the increase in older population contributes to overcrowding in emergency departments (EDs), there are limited data defining this relationship. This study examines whether patients' mean age per day affects length of ED stay. ⋯ The increase in older patients visiting the ED has a direct significant negative effect on overcrowding in the ED.
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The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) Geriatric Emergency Medicine Task Force recommends assessment of delirium for all elderly emergency department (ED) patients. Little is known about emergency physicians' (EPs) opinions regarding care of delirious elderly patients. We sought to determine the knowledge and practice experience of members of the Thai Association for Emergency Medicine regarding the care of delirious elderly ED patients. ⋯ Basic knowledge and perceptions surrounding the recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of delirium in elderly ED patients by Thai EPs vary. Most of the Thai EPs consider delirium in the ED an emergency condition, while far fewer screen for this condition. Future research and quality improvement should determine which single screening tool is appropriate for EPs in regular practice as well as how to standardize delirium management in the ED.
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J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Jan 2014
Certain subphenotypes of aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease distinguished by latent class analysis.
Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is recognized as a distinct asthma phenotype. It usually has a severe course accompanied by chronic hyperplastic eosinophilic sinusitis with nasal polyps, blood eosinophilia, and increased concentrations of urinary leukotriene E4 (LTE4). More insightful analysis of individual patients shows this group to be nonhomogeneous. ⋯ LCA revealed unique AERD subphenotypes, thus corroborating the heterogeneity of this population. Such discrimination might facilitate more individualized treatment in difficult-to-treat patients.