Annals of emergency medicine
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Hospital standardized mortality ratios are used for hospital performance assessment. As a first step to develop a ratio variant sensitive to the outcome of patients admitted from the emergency department (ED), we identified International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Canada diagnosis groups in which high-quality ED care would be expected to reduce inhospital mortality (emergency-sensitive conditions). ⋯ We identified 37 diagnosis groups representing emergency-sensitive conditions that will enable the calculation of a hospital standardized mortality ratio relevant to emergency care.
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We evaluate the incidence of potentially incorrect emergency department (ED) diagnoses of Bell's palsy and identify factors associated with identification of a serious alternative diagnosis on follow-up. ⋯ Emergency providers have a very low rate of misdiagnosing Bell's palsy. The association between imaging use and misdiagnosis is likely confounded by patient acuity. Increasing age and diabetes are modest risk factors for misdiagnosis.