Articles: emergency-services.
-
Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
Multicenter Study Observational StudyHospitalisations for non-specific low back pain in people presenting to South Australian public hospital emergency departments.
The present study sought to investigate predictors of hospitalisation in adults diagnosed with non-specific low back pain (LBP) and/or sciatica from an ED. ⋯ Certain patient characteristics and ED clinical activity are associated with hospitalisations for LBP. Understanding these factors will better inform the design and delivery of appropriate high-quality care.
-
Multicenter Study
The effects of the 2022 computed tomography IV contrast shortage on the emergency department diagnosis of abdominal pathology.
A COVID-19 lockdown in China resulted in a global disruption in IV contrast media production, which resulted in a hospital system advisory limiting contrast studies. The purpose of this study was to describe the effects of the IV contrast shortage on the ED diagnosis of emergent abdominopelvic pathology. ⋯ We did not identify differences in diagnoses during the contrast shortage period compared to the control period, and did not identify any missed important diagnoses as a consequence of the IV contrast shortage.
-
Multicenter Study
Pediatric firearm injuries and socioeconomic vulnerability before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pediatric firearm injuries disproportionately affect groups experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage. Firearm injuries increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the impact on communities by degree of socioeconomic disadvantage is unknown. We examined the association between socioeconomic vulnerability and change in pediatric firearm injuries before versus during the pandemic. ⋯ The increase in pediatric firearm injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted youth in all but the lowest deprivation quartile. Efforts at curbing gun violence should identify and amplify protective effects in under-resourced communities.
-
Multicenter Study
90-Day Emergency Department Utilization and Readmission Rate After Full-Endoscopic Spine Surgery: A Multicenter, Retrospective Analysis of 821 Patients.
Emergency department (ED) utilization and readmission rates after spine surgery are common quality of care measures. Limited data exist on the evaluation of quality indicators after full-endoscopic spine surgery (FESS). The objective of this study was to detect rates, causes, and risk factors for unplanned postoperative clinic utilization after FESS. ⋯ This analysis demonstrates the safety of FESS, as evidenced by acceptable rates of ED utilization, clinic readmission, and revision surgery. Future studies are needed to further elucidate the safety profile of FESS in comparison with traditional spinal procedures.
-
Multicenter Study Observational Study
Characteristics of emergency department patients with confirmed diagnoses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease vs patients with respiratory symptoms and a suspected diagnosis.
To describe differences in patient characteristics and case management between patients attended in emergency departments (EDs) with confirmed diagnoses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) vs those with respiratory symptoms in whom COPD is suspected. ⋯ Clinical characteristics and management of emergency care differ between patients with confirmed vs suspected COPD. Patients with suspected COPD had more limited access to certain diagnostic, therapeutic, and follow-up resources.