Articles: emergency-department.
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J Coll Physicians Surg Pak · Jan 2023
Case ReportsA Unique Case of Dark Brown Plasma: Why Colour Variation should be Reported.
The normal physiological colour of plasma and urine ranges from yellow to straw-coloured. In this case report, we describe the occurrence of unusual, dark brown-coloured plasma and cola-coloured urine in a 42-year-man admitted to the Emergency Department. The patient presented with high-grade fever (102oF), chills, nausea, vomiting, dark stools, and dark urine for three days. ⋯ This case highlights the importance of plasma colour variations and also sheds light on a rare cause of dark brown-coloured plasma. Every case of brown colouration of the plasma must be promptly reported to the clinician and must also be mentioned in the patient report as this will help in timely diagnosis and favourable patient outcomes. Key Words: Blood plasma, Urine, Dengue fever, Rhabdomyolysis.
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Background and Objectives: The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic represents a global public health crisis that has had a serious impact on emergency department (ED) utilization trends. The aim of this study was to investigate the collateral effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on ED utilization trends by patients with mild and severe conditions as well as on 7-day fatality rates. Materials and Methods: We analyzed entries in the Korean National Health Insurance claims database between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2020. ⋯ However, the 7-day fatality rate after ED visits for low-acuity diseases and severe acute respiratory infection diseases increased to 0.04% (p < 0.01), and 1.65% (p < 0.01), respectively, in 2020 compared to that in the control period. Conclusions: During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, ED utilization impacted and 7-day fatality rate after ED visit increased. Health authorities and health care providers must strive to ensure prompt delivery of optimal care in EDs for patients with severe or serious symptoms and time-dependent diseases, even during the ongoing COVID-19 or potential future pandemics.