Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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To improve care of adolescents in mental health crisis, the role of routine follow-up calls in discharged patients with referral plans after emergency department (ED) presentation to a children's hospital was explored. Main outcome measure was patient attendance at referral sites. In 113 mental health patients with follow-up appointments, either patient/carers or corresponding referral services could be contacted. ⋯ Eighty-three per cent (95% CI 75% to 90%) were compliant with the discharge plan without prompting from the ED staff. Fourteen per cent (95% CI 8% to 22%) did not comply after being called by ED staff, and only 3% (95% CI 1% to 7%) were persuaded to attend their outpatient care after being prompted by ED staff. Routine follow-up calls for adolescent mental health patients after ED care are not warranted in all settings.
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The violent forces generated by the strong paraspinal muscles during generalised tonic-clonic seizures are known to be associated with numerous musculoskeletal injuries. Vertebral fractures following epileptic seizures are typically compression fractures, occurring in the mid thoracic region, usually without resultant neurological deficit. ⋯ Clinicians managing post-ictal patients should maintain a high degree of suspicion for secondary injury and conduct a detailed clinical examination. If there remains any doubt regarding diagnosis, appropriate imaging should be employed.