J Emerg Med
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Several studies reported that the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) has shown superiority over other screening tools in discriminating emergency department (ED) patients who are likely to progress to septic shock. ⋯ The discrimination power of the model for screening septic shock using NEWS, age, gender, and the six vital signs collected at ED triage outperformed the baseline NEWS model.
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Patients leaving the emergency department (ED) before treatment completion (LBTC) is a common universal occurrence. We hypothesized that the characteristics of the Israeli health care system, as well as its policy, intended to reduce the burden of nonurgent ED visits, may have an impact on factors associated with LBTC. ⋯ These findings reflect the strengths of the Israeli health care system. Despite the policy intended to reduce the burden of nonurgent ED visits, there are possible shortcomings in the system that should be addressed.
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Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children is a phenomenon that has emerged during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. There are, however, few reported cases of a similar disease in adults. ⋯ We describe a 25-year-old man who presented with prolonged fever and conjunctivitis and was found to have a post-COVID inflammatory syndrome. His symptoms improved with colchicine, steroids, and a truncated course of intravenous immunoglobulin. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Post-COVID inflammatory syndrome has the potential to lead to dangerous complications. In addition, the identification of occult COVID infections could have public health implications.
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Babesiosis, a tick-borne illness spread by Ixodes scapularis, is an emerging infectious disease in the Northeastern and upper Midwestern United States. Infection can present as a flu-like illness with anemia, thrombocytopenia, and jaundice. This disease can even be fatal in the immunocompromised or highly infected patient. Co-infection with other tick-borne illnesses is common, and prompt treatment with antiprotozoal agents and antibiotics is indicated to prevent adverse outcomes. ⋯ We describe a patient who presented to the emergency department with flu-like symptoms, but had history concerning for environmental exposure to babesiosis. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Early detection is important to prevent severe sequalae of the disease. This is a disease that can imitate a viral syndrome but should be considered in the differential for a patient with a concerning history.