Internal and emergency medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Observational Study
The assessment of dermatological emergencies in the emergency department via telemedicine is safe: a prospective pilot study.
The aim of the study was to examine the feasibility and safety of telemedicine for dermatological emergency patients in the emergency department. This observational study was monocentric, open, prospective and two-arm randomized [control group (n = 50) and teledermatology group (n = 50)]. The control group was conventionally recruited directly by a dermatologist. ⋯ The agreement in suspected diagnosis between teledermatological evaluation and clinical evaluation of the same physician in the teledermatology group was 100%. The treatment time [mean (minutes) ± standard deviation] of the control group was 151 ± 71, that of the teledermatology group was 43 ± 38 (p < 0.001). The use of emergency telemedicine is safe and effective and provides a viable alternative for clinical care of emergency patients.
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Review Meta Analysis
What is the prevalence of frequent attendance to emergency departments and what is the impact on emergency department utilisation? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Patients who frequently attend to emergency departments are a varying group and have complex health care needs. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence of patients who have frequent attendance to emergency departments. A systematic review was performed in line with PRISMA guidelines. ⋯ Meta-analysis found substantial heterogeneity between estimates [I2 > 50%]. The prevalence of frequent attendance compared to the total population of patients seeking emergency care was small, but the impact on emergency department utilisation is significant. Early identification of people attending for frequent care at an emergency department provides the opportunity to implement alternative models of care.