Abordagem à pessoa nos Serviço de Urgência e Unidade de Cuidados Intensivos após a pandemia COVID-19: scoping review / Approach to the person in emergency and intensive care after the pandemic covid-19: scoping review

Objetivo: Perceber quais as alterações que ocorreram na abordagem à pessoa em situação crítica no Serviço de Urgência e Unidade de Cuidados Intensivos após início da pandemia COVID-19. Método: A estratégia de pesquisa para a scopingreview foi realizada nas bases de dados Medline via PubMed, EBSCO Host, BioMed Central, ScienceDirect, BVS e Scielo através da utilização de descritores MeSH e DeCS, artigos com fulltext gratuito, publicados em língua portuguesa, inglesa e espanhola, com datas de publicação entre 2019 e 2021, implementados critérios de inclusão e exclusão.Resultados: Foram identificados 4 estudos elegíveis para análise, publicados em 2020, nenhum dos estudos em Português. Conclusão: As principais alterações estão relacionadas com a utilização de equipamento de proteção individual, colocando o enfoque na segurança dos profissionais de saúde.(AU)

Aim: To understand the changes that occurred in the approach to critically ill patients in the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: The search strategy for the scoping review was conducted in Medline databases via PubMed, EBSCO Host, BioMed Central, ScienceDirect, BVS and Scielo by using MeSH and DeCS descriptors, articles with free full text, published in Portuguese, English and Spanish language, with publication dates between 2019 and 2021, implemented inclusion and exclusion criteria.Results: Four eligible studies were identified for analysis, published in 2020, and none of the studies was in Portuguese. Conclusion: The main changes are related to the use of personal protective equipment, focusing on the safety of health professionals.(AU)

Objetivo: Conocer qué cambios se han producido en el abordaje a los pacientes críticos en el Servicio de Urgencia y enUnidades de Cuidados Intensivos tras el inicio de la pandemia COVID-19.Método: La estrategia de búsqueda para la revisión se realizó en las bases de datos Medline e PubMed, EBSCO Host, BioMed Central, ScienceDirect, BVS y Scielo con el uso de descriptores MeSH y DeCS, artículos con libre acceso a texto completo, publicados en portugués, inglés y español, entre el 2019 y 2021, usando criterios de inclusión y exclusión.Resultados: Identificamos 4 estudios elegibles para el análisis, todos publicados en 2020, e ninguno en portugués.Conclusión: Los principales cambios están relacionados con el uso de equipamientos de protección personal, conel enfoque en la seguridad de los profesionales de salud.(AU)

Pattern and determinants of outcomes of neurological emergencies admitted into children emergency ward in a tertiary hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Neurological emergencies are life-threatening central nervous system disorders, significantly contributing to childhood morbidity and mortality. The sequelae may be irreversible and may impact negatively on the quality of life of affected children and their families. This study identified the morbidity pattern and determinants of the outcomes of children with neurological emergencies in the Children Emergency Room (CHER) of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH). Method: A 4-year retrospective study was carried out in the CHER. Data on demography, diagnosis and outcomes of children with neurological disorders were extracted from the records. Data analysed with SPSS 24 were expressed in percentages and frequency tables. Results: Of the 3040 children admitted in the CHER, 364(12%) aged 0-15 years had neurological emergencies, commoner among males (59.3%) and children aged less than five years (70.9%). Meningitis (40.2%) and febrile convulsion (28.2%) were the topmost diagnoses made. Raised intracranial pressure (17.4%) and head injuries (25.5%) were significantly more prevalent among children aged five years and above. The mortality rate was 61(16.8%) and more among adolescents (30.6%). All the mortalities took place within the first 48hours of admission especially among those with head injuries (46.5%) and perinatal asphyxia (95%), (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Meningitis and febrile convulsion were the commonest neurologic emergencies seen in this study. Mortality rate was high, especially in the first 48 hours of admission and mainly from perinatal asphyxia and head injuries. Education on the prevention and management of neurologic emergencies should be strengthened

Interventions to improve health literacy in Nigeria: systematic review of effectiveness and policy recommendations

Background: Health literacy plays a crucial role in enabling individuals to navigate and make informed decisions within the healthcare system. It encompasses the ability to understand, interpret, and act upon medical information and instructions, as well as the capacity to source and analyse relevant health information for preventive measures and self-care. This paper explores the interventions aimed at improving health literacy in Nigeria and synthesizes policy recommendations for the Nigerian government. Method: A systematic literature review based on the PRISMA methods was carried out to identify published interventions and reported effectiveness in the Nigerian population. A search strategy using key words health literacy and health interventions was executed in PubMed, Embase and African Index Medicus. A total of 268 records were screened for relevance and 18 were identified. Results: Of the 18 reports identified, 13 interventions were effective, 3 interventions had mixed results reporting effectiveness in some domains and ineffectiveness in other important domains, while 2 interventions were not effective. The nature of effectiveness in the interventions was based on the outcomes as reported in the identified studies. Conclusion: The health literacy situation in Nigeria provides a background into some of the challenges faced in achieving universal health coverage and promoting health in Nigeria. Low literacy rates, particularly in its many rural areas, the lack of functional, communicative, and critical health literacy competencies among many adults, as conceptualised in literature pose a significant obstacle to health literacy development in Nigeria. Many of the health literacy interventions have been effective to address various aspects of health literacy on a rather small scale. To comprehensively address the problem, collaborative efforts involving the government, healthcare professionals, non-governmental organisations, media, and the community are necessary.

Pattern and determinants of outcomes of neurological emergencies admitted into children emergency ward in a tertiary hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Neurological emergencies are life-threatening central nervous system disorders, significantly contributing to childhood morbidity and mortality. The sequelae may be irreversible and may impact negatively on the quality of life of affected children and their families. This study identified the morbidity pattern and determinants of the outcomes of children with neurological emergencies in the Children Emergency Room (CHER) of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH). Method: A 4-year retrospective study was carried out in the CHER. Data on demography, diagnosis and outcomes of children with neurological disorders were extracted from the records. Data analysed with SPSS 24 were expressed in percentages and frequency tables. Results: Of the 3040 children admitted in the CHER, 364(12%) aged 0-15 years had neurological emergencies, commoner among males (59.3%) and children aged less than five years (70.9%). Meningitis (40.2%) and febrile convulsion (28.2%) were the topmost diagnoses made. Raised intracranial pressure (17.4%) and head injuries (25.5%) were significantly more prevalent among children aged five years and above. The mortality rate was 61(16.8%) and more among adolescents (30.6%). All the mortalities took place within the first 48hours of admission especially among those with head injuries (46.5%) and perinatal asphyxia (95%), (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Meningitis and febrile convulsion were the commonest neurologic emergencies seen in this study. Mortality rate was high, especially in the first 48 hours of admission and mainly from perinatal asphyxia and head injuries. Education on the prevention and management of neurologic emergencies should be strengthened.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurses' psychological well being in an emergency room / Efeitos da pandemia de COVID-19 no bem-estar psicológico dos enfermeiros de um serviço de urgência / Efectos de la pandemia de COVID-19 en el bienestar psicológico de los enfermeros de un servicio de urgencia

ABSTRACT Objectives: to assess the level of anxiety of nurses in an emergency room in view of the new Coronavirus and describe the relationship between the degrees of anxiety and their sociodemographic variables. Methods: quantitative descriptive-correlational study with a sample of 60 nurses. A questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument based on the Hamilton Anxiety Assessment Scale. Results: the nurses' average anxiety is mild. A statistically significant relationship was found between anxiety and the variables "sex" and "children", with women having higher levels of anxiety than men, and nurses who do not have children showing mild, moderate, or severe anxiety. Conclusions: COVID-19 triggers anxiety in nurses, sometimes at pathological levels. Being female and not having children increase the anxiety experienced. Sex can be considered the determining factor for the level of anxiety experienced.

RESUMO Objetivos: avaliar o nível de ansiedade dos enfermeiros de um serviço de urgência em face do novo coronavírus e descrever a relação entre os níveis de ansiedade e as variáveis sociodemográficas. Métodos: estudo quantitativo descritivo-correlacional com uma amostra de 60 enfermeiros. Recorreu-se à aplicação de um questionário como instrumento de coleta de dados baseando-se na Escala de Avaliação de Ansiedade de Hamilton. Resultados: o escore médio de ansiedade dos enfermeiros é leve. Verificou-se que existe uma relação estatisticamente significante entre a ansiedade e a variável "sexo" e "filhos", com as mulheres apresentando níveis de ansiedade superiores aos homens e os enfermeiros sem filhos apresentando níveis de ansiedade leve, moderada ou severa. Conclusões: a COVID-19 desencadeia ansiedade nos enfermeiros, por vezes a níveis patológicos; e ser do sexo feminino e não ter filhos a aumenta. É possível afirmar que o sexo foi o fator determinante para o nível de ansiedade experimentado.

RESUMEN Objetivos: evaluar nivel de ansiedad de enfermeros de un servicio de urgencia frente al nuevo coronavirus y describir la relación entre niveles de ansiedad y variables sociodemográficas. Métodos: estudio cuantitativo descriptivo-correlacional con una muestra de 60 enfermeros. Recorrido a la aplicación de una encuesta como instrumento de recolecta de datos basándose en la Escala de Evaluación de Ansiedad de Hamilton. Resultados: el escore mediano de ansiedad de los enfermeros es leve. Verificado que hay una relación estadísticamente significante entre la ansiedad y la variable "sexo" e "hijos", con mujeres presentando niveles de ansiedad superiores a los hombres y los enfermeros sin hijos presentando niveles de ansiedad leve, moderada o severa. Conclusiones: la COVID-19 desencadena ansiedad en los enfermeros, por veces a niveles patológicos; y ser del sexo femenino y no tener hijos la aumenta. Es posible afirmar que el sexo fue el factor determinante para el nivel de ansiedad experimentado.

Geographic information system-based mapping of air pollution & emergency room visits of patients for acute respiratory symptoms in Delhi, India (March 2018-February 2019)

Background & objectives: Studies assessing the spatial and temporal association of ambient air pollution with emergency room visits of patients having acute respiratory symptoms in Delhi are lacking. Therefore, the present study explored the relationship between spatio-temporal variation of particulate matter (PM)2.5 concentrations and air quality index (AQI) with emergency room (ER) visits of patients having acute respiratory symptoms in Delhi using the geographic information system (GIS) approach. Methods: The daily number of ER visits of patients having acute respiratory symptoms (less than or equal to two weeks) was recorded from the ER of four hospitals of Delhi from March 2018 to February 2019. Daily outdoor PM2.5 concentrations and air quality index (AQI) were obtained from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee. Spatial distribution of patients with acute respiratory symptoms visiting ER, PM2.5 concentrations and AQI were mapped for three seasons of Delhi using ArcGIS software. Results: Of the 70,594 patients screened from ER, 18,063 eligible patients were enrolled in the study. Winter days had poor AQI compared to moderate and satisfactory AQI during summer and monsoon days, respectively. None of the days reported good AQI (<50). During winters, an increase in acute respiratory ER visits of patients was associated with higher PM2.5 concentrations in the highly polluted northwest region of Delhi. In contrast, a lower number of acute respiratory ER visits of patients were seen from the ‘moderately polluted’ south-west region of Delhi with relatively lower PM2.5 concentrations. Interpretation & conclusions: Acute respiratory ER visits of patients were related to regional PM2.5 concentrations and AQI that differed during the three seasons of Delhi. The present study providessupport for identifying the hotspots and implementation of focused, intensive decentralized strategies to control ambient air pollution in worst-affected areas, in addition to the general city-wise strategies.

Prevalence of burnout syndrome among nursing professionals in an emergency room and in an intensive care unit / Síndrome de burnout em profissionais de enfermagem de unidade de pronto atendimento e de terapia intensiva

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the presence of burnout syndrome among nursing professionals in the emergency room and intensive care unit for adults of the University Hospital of Maringá. Methods: This is an exploratory and descriptive research study with a quantitative approach. It was developed by applying a questionnaire containing 22 questions from the Maslach Burnout Inventory instrument, which identifies the symptomatology dimensions of the burnout syndrome. Data analysis of the Maslach Burnout Inventory instrument was performed by adding up each dimension (Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization and Professional Fulfillment) of each questionnaire separately, according to the nursing professional's answers to each question. The values obtained were compared to the reference values of the Nucleus for Advanced Studies on Burnout Syndrome. Results: It was found that 31.36% of the nursing professionals at the University Hospital of Maringá emergency room had high Emotional Exhaustion, 30.92% had low Professional Fulfillment, and 39.25% had high Depersonalization. Regarding the nursing professionals in the Intensive Care Unit for Adults, 36.36% had high Emotional Exhaustion, 36.36% had low Professional Fulfillment, and 22.73% had high Depersonalization. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the Intensive Care Unit for Adults in the morning shift is the highest stressor and with a greater probability of the professionals developing burnout syndrome.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar a existência da síndrome de burnout entre os profissionais de enfermagem de pronto atendimento e unidade de terapia intensiva adulto do Hospital Universitário de Maringá. Métodos: Trata-se de pesquisa exploratória, descritiva e de abordagem quantitativa. O estudo foi desenvolvido por meio da aplicação de um questionário contendo 22 questões do instrumento Maslach Burnout Inventory, o qual identifica as dimensões sintomatológicas da síndrome de burnout. A análise dos dados do instrumento Maslach Burnout Inventory foi realizada por meio do somatório de cada dimensão (exaustão emocional, despersonalização e realização profissional) de cada questionário, separadamente, de acordo com as respostas que o profissional de enfermagem respondeu em cada questão. Os valores obtidos foram comparados com os valores de referência do Núcleo de Estudos Avançados sobre a Síndrome de Burnout. Resultados: Constatou-se que 31,36% dos profissionais de enfermagem do pronto atendimento do Hospital Universitário de Maringá apresentaram alta exaustão emocional, 30,92%, baixa realização profissional e 39,25%, alta despersonalização. Com relação aos profissionais de enfermagem da unidade de terapia intensiva adulto, 36,36% apresentaram alta exaustão emocional, 36,36%, baixa realização profissional e 22,73%, apresentaram alta despersonalização. Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem que o setor de unidade de terapia intensiva adulto do período matutino é o maior estressor e com maior probabilidade de os profissionais desenvolverem a síndrome de burnout.

Análisis de la demanda asistencial en la urgencia y unidad de hospitalización psiquiátrica en el contexto de pandemia por COVID-19 / Analysis of the demand for care in a psychiatric emergency room and an acute inpatient unit in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCCIÓN: El objetivo consiste en analizar el impacto del COVID-19 en la demanda asistencial de las urgencias y en los ingresos psiquiátricos durante el primer mes de la pandemia. MÉTODOS: Realizamos un estudio transversal observacional retrospectivo en pacientes que acuden a urgencias psiquiátricas entre el 11 de marzo y el 11 de abril de 2019 y 2020 respectivamente. Se incluyeron variables sociodemográficas y clínicas en el estudio. Se realizaron las pruebas de Chi Cuadrado o Test exacto de Fisher para el contraste de hipótesis de variables categóricas y la prueba U Mann-Whitney para el contraste de variables cuantitativas. El nivel de significación estadística se estableció en p<0.05. Los análisis se realizaron con IBM SPSS Statistics. RESULTADOS: Se observa un descenso significativo de la media de pacientes atendidos al día en urgencias entre ambos periodos, siendo esta de 5,91 (±2,53) en 2019 y de 2,41 (±1,81) en 2020 (p<0.001). Se ha visto una disminución significativa de la ocupación media de camas en la UHB, ocupándose un 91,84% (±7,72) de camas en 2019 y un 58,85% (±13,81) en 2020 (p<0,001). En cuanto a la proporción de ingresos de los pacientes que acuden a urgencias, se ha visto un aumento significativo en el año 2020 respecto al año anterior. CONCLUSIONES: La demanda en la urgencia de pacientes psiquiátricos y la ocupación media de camas se ha reducido durante el primer mes tras la declaración de la pandemia. El miedo al contagio puede actuar como modulador de la demanda psiquiátrica.

INTRODUCTION: The aim is to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the demand for emergency care and psychiatric admissions during the first month of the pandemic. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, observational and cross-sectional study. We reviewed the clinical records of all patients attending the psychiatric emergency room (ER) between March 11th and April 11th, of both 2019 and 2020. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were included in the study. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test were performed to compare categorical variables, while U Mann-Whitney U test was used for quantitative variables. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Analysis were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics. RESULTS: The was a significant decrease in the number of patients attended in the ER. An average of 5.91 (±2.53) patients were treated per day in 2019 compared to 2.41 (±1.81) in 2020 (p<0.001). There was also a significant decrease in the occupancy rate at the inpatient psychiatric unit, with a 91.84% (±7.72) of beds occupied in 2019 and only 58.85% (±13.81) in 2020 (p<0.001). Regarding the percentage of patients admitted after assessment in the ER, there was a significant increase in 2020 compared to the previous year. CONCLUSIONS: The demand for care in the psychiatric emergency room and the average bed occupancy have decreased during the first month after the declaration of the pandemic. Fear of contagion may act as a modulator of psychiatric demand.

Factors influencing the length of emergency room stay and hospital stay in non-fatal bicycle accidents: A retrospective analysis / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

PURPOSE@#Lengthy hospitalization places a burden on patients and healthcare resources. However, the factors affecting the length of hospital stay (LHoS) and length of emergency room stay (LERS) in non-fatal bicycle accidents are currently unclear. We investigated these factors to inform efforts to minimize hospitalization.@*METHODS@#We performed a retrospective analysis of data from non-fatal injured bicyclists admitted to the Emergency and Critical Care Center at Kyoto Medical Center between January 2012 and December 2016. We measured LHoS, LERS, mechanism of injury, head injury prevalence, polytrauma, operations performed, injury severity score (ISS), abbreviated injury scale (AIS) score, maximum AIS score, and trauma and injury severity score probability of survival. We conducted multiple regression analysis to determine predictors of LHoS and LERS.@*RESULTS@#Within the study period, 82 victims met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were included. Mean age was (46.0 ± 24.7) years. Overall mean LHoS was (16.8 ± 25.2) days, mean LERS was (10.6 ± 14.7) days, median ISS was 9 (interquartile range (IQR): 3-16), median maximum AIS was 3 (IQR: 1-4), and median trauma and injury severity score probability of survival was 98.0% (IQR: 95.5%-99.6%). Age, maximum AIS, ISS, and prevalence of surgery were significantly greater in long LHoS and LERS group compared with short LHoS and LERS group (p < 0.05). Performance of surgery independently explained LHoS (p = 0.0003) and ISS independently explained LERS (p = 0.0009).@*CONCLUSION@#Surgery was associated with long hospital stays and ISS was associated with long emergency room stays. To improve the quality life of the bicyclists, preventive measures for reducing injury severity or avoiding injuries needing operation are required.

Effect of Air Pollution on Emergency Room Visits for Respiratory Diseases in Lanzhou / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To explore the effect of air pollution on the number of emergency room visits for respiratory diseases in residents at different ages and its seasonal changes in Lanzhou,so as to provide a scientific basis for the early prevention of respiratory diseases in Lanzhou. Methods The daily number of emergency room visits for respiratory diseases in three class A hospitals in Lanzhou from January 1,2013 to December 31,2017,as well as the air pollutants and meteorological data of Lanzhou in the same period,was collected.After controlling the confounding factors including long-term trend of time,meteorological factors and day-of-week effect using a generalized additive model,we analyzed the relationships between air pollutants and the daily number of emergency room visits for respiratory diseases,and explored whether there was a lag effect of air pollutants.Results From 2013 to 2017,the emergency room visits for respiratory diseases in Lanzhou had a total number of 124 871,with an average of 69(1-367)visits per day.The single pollutant model showed that among the six conventional air pollutants monitored in Lanzhou,PM

Diagnóstico y tratamiento de pacientes COVID-19 en Urgencia Pediátrica. Guía para esta pandemia / Diagnosis and treatment of pediatric patients with COVID-19 infectious disease at the emergency room. A guideline for this pandemia

Resumen: La emergencia del virus SARS-CoV-2 (CoV-2), ha producido nuevos y grandes desafíos para la salud pública y la atención de urgencia desde su aparición en Wuhan, China(1). Los desafíos en urgencia, van desde cambios en los flujos de pacientes, áreas de atención, sistemas de trabajo, equipo de protección personal (EPP) necesarios y una gran capacitación para lograr atender adecuadamente a adultos y niños con la enfermedad producida por este virus (COVID-19)(2-4). En esta publicación, se propone una guía de cómo organizar un servicio de urgencias en tiempos de pandemia y cómo atender al niño sospechoso o con COVID-19 que consulta en urgencias. La información necesaria se obtuvo a través de guías nacionales e internacionales y la literatura científica obtenida a través de PubMed, CDC y NIH y de la autoridad sanitaria nacional.

Abstract: The SARS-CoV-2 emergency has caused major new challenges for both public health and medical clinical practice since the first cases reported in Wuhan, China. The challenges in emergency care ran ge from changes in the flow of patients, care areas, ways of working, personal protective equipment, and intensive training in order to properly care for adults and children with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In this publication, we propose guidelines on organizing the emergency department in the face of this pandemic, and how to provide medical care for the pediatric patient with either suspected or confirmed COVID-19 who seek care in the emergency room. We obtained the necessary data from national and international guidelines and the scientific literature available from PubMed, CDC, NIH, and the Chilean national health authorities.

Suicide and suicide attempts in adults: exploring suicide risk 24 months after a psychiatric emergency room visit

Objective: Suicide risk (including attempted and completed suicide) should be measured over short periods of time after contacting health services. The objective of this study was to identify the patterns of attempted and completed suicides within 24-months of a psychiatric emergency department visit, as well as to investigate predictive risk factors, including sociodemographic and clinical variables, previous suicidal behavior, and service utilization. Method: A convenience sample (n=147), recruited at a general hospital's psychiatric emergency room, included patients with suicidal ideation, suicidal plans or previous suicide attempts. These patients were followed for 24 months, focusing on two main outcomes: attempted and completed suicides. Results: After six months there were no completed suicides and 36 suicide attempts, while after 24 months there were seven completed suicides and 69 suicide attempts. A final logistic regression model for suicide attempts at 24 months identified somatic pathology and the number of previous psychiatric hospitalizations as predictive factors, with a good area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Conclusions: The findings showed distinct patterns of attempted and completed suicides over time, indicating the importance of a systematic multidisciplinary suicide risk evaluation in psychiatric emergency rooms.

Characteristics of Emergency Room Visits by Older Individuals in a Tertiary Government Hospital in Nueva Ecija

@#BACKGROUND: Older individuals are more likely to utilize emergency care services than younger individuals due to the complexity of their condition. The increase in the demand for health services may lead to ER congestion, which may affect the quality of care being rendered. To the best of our knowledge, studies investigating the common medical causes of ER visits among older individuals have not been done in the Philippines. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to determine the characteristics of emergency room visits by older individuals in a tertiary government hospital in Nueva Ecija. METHODS: The study is a single-center, retrospective study conducted in a tertiary government hospital in Nueva Ecija. A total of 270 ER records of Internal Medicine patients aged 60 years old and above seen from June 2019 to September 2019 were included. Patients who absconded or were dead on arrival were excluded. Descriptive statistics were used for the demographic variables and the characteristics of the ER visits. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS: The mean age of older individuals included was 69.72 ± 7.62. The average length of stay in the ER was 3.74 ± 2.34 Hours. Majority of visits occurred during the PM shift and were urgent cases. Majority of the patients seen were self-referral and were discharged. Patients commonly presented with difficulty of breathing. Diseases of the respiratory and circulatory system predominated. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia were the leading causes of ER visits. CONCLUSION: Diseases of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems remain to be the leading causes of ER visits among older individuals. COPD and pneumonia were the most common diagnoses identified. Factors associated with the increase in frequency of these preventable and treatable diseases should be investigated. Older individuals often seek consultation in the ER rather than a primary health care provider. Some of the cases can be managed on an ambulatory care basis.

Factors associated with length of stay in the Emergency Department: A narrative review

@#BACKGROUND: Increasing demand and complex procedures may associate with the length of stay (LOS) in the Emergency Department (ED). Prolonged LOS may decrease the quality of ED care and increase patient harm. Therefore, it is pivotal to analyze factors that may contribute to ED LOS. OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to identify and discuss factors that contribute to the Emergency Department length of stay (ED LOS) to improve the quality of care. METHODS: Relevant healthcare databases including PubMed and CINAHL were searched using the combinations of search terms: length of stay, length of visit, emergency department, emergency room, and patient flow. Inclusion criteria included publications between 2007-2017. RESULTS: A total of 24 relevant papers was selected. The literature indicates that three main factors are associated with ED LOS: input (older patients and acuity level), throughput (diagnostic tests and or radiology, specialist consultation), and output (need for admission and boarding time). CONCLUSION: Input, throughput, and output factors are contributed to ED LOS. Further review is necessary to determine organizational factors that may contribute ED LOS including the number of health staff, staff workload, flow studies, and health system.

Performance of the TWIST Score in Patients with Testicular Torsion that Present to the Emergency Department / Desempeño del puntaje TWIST en pacientes con torsión testicular que se presentan al Departamento de Emergencias

Objective Testicular torsion (TT) is an emergency with an incidence of 1:1,500 in patients < 18 years old. Irreversible changes in the testicular parenchyma may happen. The Testicular Workup for Ischemia and Suspected Torsion (TWIST) questionnaire evaluates signs and symptoms to determine the risk of TT and improve the time of management. The aim of the present study was to compare the intraoperative findings of patients with TT with the result of the preoperative TWIST questionnaire. Methods A cohort of 33 pediatric patients that consulted to the emergency room was evaluated. The TWIST questionnaire was applied in the first approach. Imaging studies, time to the operating room (OR) and intraoperative findings were evaluated. Theoretical and real findings were compared. Results The median age was 13 years old (interquartile range [IQR] 10­15 years old). Edema and scrotal inflammation was the most frequent finding (42.4%), followed by testicular induration (21.2%), nausea and vomiting (15.2%), and horizontal testicle and absence of cremasteric reflex (9.1%). The TWIST stratification was 3% high-risk, 18.2% intermediate-risk and 78.8% low-risk. Testicular Doppler ultrasound was performed in 93.9% of the patients: vascular congestion was found in 21.9%. A total of 30.3% of the kids were taken to surgery after 163 minutes (±116.5). Intraoperative diagnosis of TT was confirmed in the high-risk patient, in 33.3% of the intermediate-risk, and in 50% of the low-risk. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed an accuracy of 60% (p = 0.602). Conclusions The TWIST questionnaire in the first approach allows to take the high-risk patients im

Objetivo La torsión testicular (TT) es una emergencia con incidencia de 1:1.500 en pacientes menores de 18 años. Pueden ocurrir cambios irreversibles en el parénquima testicular. El cuestionario TWIST evalúa signos y síntomas para determinar el riesgo de TT y mejorar los tiempos de atención. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar los hallazgos intraoperatorios de los pacientes con el resultado del TWIST preoperatorio. Métodos Se evaluó una cohorte de 33 pacientes pediátricos que consultaron al Departamento de Emergencias. Se aplicó el cuestionario TWIST en la primera aproximación. Estudios imagenológicos, tiempo de entrada a salas de cirugía y hallazgos intraoperatorios también fueron evaluados. Se compararon los hallazgos teóricos y reales. Resultados La mediana de edad fue de 13 años (rango intercuartil [RIQ]: 10­15). Edema e inflamación escrotal fueron los hallazgos principales, (42,4%) seguidos de induración testicular (21,2%), náusea y vómito (15,2%), y testículo horizontal y ausencia del reflejo cremastérico (9,1%). Estratificación TWIST: 3% alto riesgo, 18,2% intermedio, y 78,8% bajo. Se realizó Doppler testicular en 93,9% de los pacientes: se encontró congestión vascular en 21,9%. Se operaron 30,3% de niños tras 163 minutos (± 116,5). En el intraoperatorio se confirmó TT en el paciente de alto riesgo, en 33,3% de intermedio, y en 50% de bajo riesgo. La curva de característica operativa del receptor (COR) evidencia una exactitud de 60% (p = 0.602). Conclusiones El cuestionario TWIST en la primera aproximación es útil para operar inmediatamente pacientes de alto riesgo. Sin embargo, no ofrece un alto nivel de confianza para el diagnóstico de TT en pacientes de intermedio y bajo riesgo.

Disorders of Consciousness: Practical Management in an Emergency Room

Lowering of the level of consciousness is a very common presentation at the emergency room, often without any history that helps finding an etiology. This emergency requires quick empirical measures to reduce neuronal mortality, with additional protection against sequelae. According to the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) guidelines, there are current emergency neurological support protocols, such as the Emergency Neurological Life Support (ENLS) created by the Neurocritical Care Society. The present paper shows how to approach unconscious patients, highlighting possible etiologies and proposed treatments.

Non-Invasive Intracranial Pressure Evaluation in an Emergency Room ­ Point-of-Care Ultrasonography

Point-of-care ultrasound ismodifying conducts in emergency care. The variousmedical specialties, in addition to traditional indications in cases of multiple trauma, are using this technique for rapid diagnosis at the bedside without patient mobilization and without radiation. Point-of-care ultrasound in neurocritical patients, through its transorbital window, can estimate the intracranial pressure by a non-invasive method. Through the measurement of the diameter of the optic nerve sheath 3mmposterior to the retina, the intracranial pressure is estimated if the value of the diameter is >5mm, as it has been verified in other studies. The present article describes the most current data on this topic, and it also highlights the need formoremulticentric and randomized trials to determine the correct cut-off points that represent the high sensibility and specificity of the method.

Pediatric precordial pain, Hospital Español de México's experience / Dolor precordial en pediatría, experiencia en el Hospital Español de México

Abstract Introduction: Pediatric precordial pain is a frequent cause for pediatric consultation in the emergency room (ER) services - about 0.3-0.6% of all consultations - and it can cause a lot of stress to families who tend to associate it with a more severe pathology, this pathology mostly presents itself between the ages of 11 and 14 years. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the precordial pain's etiology and to analyze the semiology and approach toward the ailment by ER service in a private hospital. Methods: A retrospective, observational, descriptive, transversal study that took place from January 2014 to May 2017. Results: A total of 48 precordial pain patients were identified, four of them had a positive family background. Most of the pain was not referred as associated to symptoms, and the type of pain was non-specific in 62% of the cases. The most frequent duration of the pain was < 8 h in 54.1% and without any irradiation. There was only one case associated with the presence of cardiac precordial pain pathology regarding pulmonary hypertension; this signified an incidence of 2%, similar to what has been previously published in other articles.

Resumen Introducción: El dolor precordial en pediatría es una causa frecuente de consulta en los servicios de urgencias, representando entre el 0.3-0.6% de todas las consultas en estos. servicios. Su edad de presentación más frecuente oscila entre los 11 y 14 años de edad. Objetivo: Determinar la etiología del dolor precordial así como analizar la semiología y el abordaje del mismo en el servicio de urgencias en un hospital privado de la ciudad de México. Metodología: Estudio retrospectivo, observacional, descriptivo, transversal, que se desarrolló de Enero del 2014 a Mayo del 2017. Resultados: Se estudiaron 48 pacientes, 4 tenian antecedentes familiares de importancia positivos, en su mayoría, los pacientes no refirieron síntomas asociados. En 62% de los pacientes refirieron un dolor precordial inespecífico en cuanto al tipo de dolor, en 54% la duración del dolor fue de 8 h sin irradiación. Solo se reporta un caso asociado a etiología cardíaca siendo un caso de hipertensión arterial pulmonar; con esto concluímos un incidencia del 2%.

Diagnostic accuracy of recognition of stroke in the emergency room scale: a Meta-analysis / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective To systematically evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical applicability of recognition of stroke in the emergency room (ROSIER) scale by systematic review and Meta-analysis. Methods The Chinese and English literatures concerning the diagnostic accuracy of ROSIER published from January 1st 2005 to December 31st 2018 by PubMed, Embase, Wanfang, VIP and CNKI databases were searched comprehensively and systematically. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of ROSIER in total population and subgroup analysis were pooled by using bivariate mixed effects model. Sensitivity analysis was used to evaluate the stability of the results. Deek funnel plot was utilized to evaluate publication bias. The clinical applicability of ROSIER was evaluated by Fagan Nomogram. Results A total of 28 studies incorporating 7 579 subjects were enrolled in this Meta-analysis. Meta-analysis in total population showed that the pooled sensitivity, specificity and DOR of ROSIER was 0.89 [95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.86-0.91, P = 0.00], 0.74 (95%CI = 0.67-0.80, P = 0.00) and 22.09 (95%CI =14.86-32.82, P = 0.00), respectively. Subgroup analysis of pooled sensitivity of ROSIER showed that Asian patients was significantly higher than European patients [0.89 (95%CI = 0.86-0.92) vs. 0.74 (95%CI = 0.66-0.82), P < 0.01], prospective study was significantly higher than retrospective study [0.89 (95%CI = 0.87-0.92) vs. 0.74 (95%CI = 0.61-0.88), P < 0.05], pre-hospital emergency was significantly higher than emergency department [0.87 (95%CI = 0.80-0.94) vs. 0.85 (95%CI = 0.81-0.90), P < 0.01], study with sample size ≤ 200 was significantly higher than study with sample size > 200 [0.88 (95%CI = 0.83-0.93) vs. 0.82 (95%CI = 0.76-0.88), P < 0.05], but there was no significant difference between different evaluators or different male to female ratio subgroups. Subgroup analysis of pooled specificity of ROSIER showed that European patients was significantly higher than Asian patients [0.81 (95%CI = 0.73-0.89) vs. 0.79 (95%CI = 0.73-0.85), P < 0.05], retrospective study was significantly higher than prospective study [0.88 (95%CI =0.78-0.97) vs. 0.79 (95%CI = 0.73-0.84), P < 0.05], pre-hospital emergency was significantly higher than emergency department [0.82 (95%CI = 0.73-0.91) vs. 0.79 (95%CI = 0.73-0.85), P < 0.01], emergency physicians was significantly higher than other medical workers [0.80 (95%CI = 0.74-0.86) vs. 0.79 (95%CI = 0.69-0.90), P < 0.05], study with sample size ≤ 200 was significantly higher than study with sample size > 200 [0.82 (95%CI = 0.76-0.89) vs. 0.78 (95%CI = 0.71-0.85), P < 0.05], but there was no significant difference between different male or female ratio subgroups. Sensitivity analysis showed that there was no significant change in pooled DOR before and after excluding each study, indicating that the results were stable. Funnel plot showed that there was a significant publication bias in the total population (P = 0.04), but there was no publication bias in the European population (P = 0.57) or the Asian population (P = 0.08). According to the results of the Fagan Nomogram, with the pretest probability of 50%, when ROSIER was positive, the probability of being diagnosed with stroke increased to 77%, and when ROSIER was negative, the probability of being diagnosed with non-stroke decreased to 13%. It was suggested that ROSIER had good applicability and high clinical diagnostic value. Conclusions ROSIER has high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, and has high clinical diagnostic value. It is a valid stroke identification tool which can be widely used in Asian population, pre-hospital emergency and be utilized by trained medical worker.

Application of different turnover intervals in preventing stress injury to patients in rescue room / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective@#To investigate the effect of different turnover intervals in preventing stress injury to patients in emergency room.@*Methods@#The 200 eligible patients from July 2016 to July 2017 were divided into 4 groups by random number table method, 50 patients per group, named as the conventional group, test group 1, test group 2 and test group 3. Turning frequency was used for 2.0 h in the conventional group, and 2.5 h, 3.0 h and 3.5 h in the first, second and third groups, respectively. The average body pressure of the shoulder blade, left and right lateral ankle and sacral tail between the four groups at different turning time, the incidence of stress injuries, the comprehensive satisfaction of patients with turn-over nursing were compared.@*Results@#There was no statistically significant difference in the body pressure value of the main compression site between the four groups (P>0.05), and the incidence of stress injury was 2.0% (1/50), 2.0% (1/50), 2.0% (1/50), and 4.0% (2/50), respectively (P>0.05). The comprehensive satisfaction degree of the patients in the four groups was 71.0%(71/100), 75.0%(81/108), 79.8% (83/104), and 86.6% (97/112), respectively, with statistically significant differences (χ2=8.517, P< 0.05). For each of the two groups, only the general group and the experimental group showed statistically significant differences in the comprehensive satisfaction degree of the patients in the three groups (χ2=7.824, P< 0.01).@*Conclusions@#It shows that the 3.5 h turning-over interval can effectively prevent stress injuries, improve patient satisfaction, and reduce the workload of nursing staff without affecting patient treatment, nursing, and stress injury prevention.