Effect of teleconsultation on the application of thrombolytic therapy in stroke patients in the emergency department.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, telemedicine has become a widely used method worldwide for the treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke in hospitals where neurologists are unavailable. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy and reliability of treatment decisions made by remote neurologists via teleconference assisted by emergency physicians in acute stroke cases and to determine whether the use of teleconsultation would lead to any delays in assessment and treatment decisions. METHODS: This single-center and prospective study was performed with 104 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Patients were concurrently assessed by a teleneurologist (TN) experienced in stroke and an on-site neurologist (OS-N). The TN performed their assessment via teleconference and assisted by an emergency physician for test results and physical examination. NIHSS (The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) scores, assessment times, treatment decisions by the two neurologists, and patient outcomes were recorded separately. The TN was asked to rate the quality of communication. RESULTS: Of the 104 patients in the study, 59.6% (n = 62) were men and the median age was 66 (interquartile range = 56-78) years. The median duration of assessment by the OS-N was 30 (18-45) min and the median duration of assessment by the TN was 6 (5-8) min; the duration of assessment by the TN was significantly shorter (6.56 min vs. 33.35 min; Z = 8.669; p < 0.001). The median rating assigned by the TN to the quality of teleconsultation was 5.0 (4.25-5.0) (Table 1). The NIHSS scores assigned by both neurologists showed significant correlation (p < 0.001). Analysis of the agreement between the OS-N and TN in their treatment decisions yielded a Kappa value of 74.3% for interrater agreement. CONCLUSIONS: Teleconsultation was a successful and reliable strategy in assessing patients with ischemic stroke and making decisions for IV-tPA. Moreover, patient assessment via teleconsultation was less time consuming. The results of the study are promising for the use of teleconsultation in the future.

Humoral responses to the CoronoVac vaccine in healthcare workers.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody response rate in emergency department (ED) healthcare workers (HCWs) and potential adverse effects after CoronaVac vaccination. METHODS: All included HCWs were grouped based on the previous history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the number of vaccinations. Furthermore, the IgG antibody response was evaluated based on the sex and smoking status of HCWs. Those with a cut-off index of ≥1.00 after vaccination with CoronaVac were considered to have had COVID-19 and had an adequate humoral response. RESULTS: Among 224 ED HCWs, 18% experienced the adverse effects of CoronaVac vaccine, the most prevalent being pain in the injection site. The IgG antibody response rate was 20% after the first dose of vaccine, while the response rate increased to 90% after the second dose. Female HCWs had higher IgG response rates compared with male HCWs (53.8 [15.9-147.0] vs 31.2 [4.5-124.0]). Non-smokers had higher IgG response rate compared with smokers (49.0 [11.5-160.5] vs 23.1 [7.4-98.5]). CONCLUSION: A single dose of CoronaVac does not produce a sufficient antibody response; hence, two doses are recommended. Men have a lower IgG response compared with women. Smokers had a lower IgG response rate compared with non-smokers. Therefore, it may be necessary to carefully assess the humoral responses of men and smokers when implementing a community vaccination program.

Accuracy of emergency physician bedside ultrasonography compared with private teleradiologist for acute appendicitis diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis (AA) is a common cause of abdominal pain resulting in admission to the emergency room. Imaging methods such as ultrasonography and CT are usually used for diagnosing acute appendicitis. Reports regarding CT scans conducted during night shifts are prepared by private teleradiologists. AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound performed by an emergency medicine specialist and private teleradiologists in the diagnosis of AA. METHODS: This study was conducted prospectively and in a single center in the emergency department of a tertiary hospital. Patients who were admitted to the study between 15.09.2020 and 15.09.2021 and were diagnosed with AA who met the study criteria were included. A total of 134 patients diagnosed with AA, who met the inclusion criteria, out of 158 operated patients were included in the study. RESULTS: In the study, 77 were male and 57 were female. The mean age of patients with histopathologically positive AA was 31 and 31.5 in negative patients. The sensitivity and specificity of POCUS performed by the emergency physician and private teleradiology for the diagnosis of AA were 78.4% and 59.3% and 58.8% and 53.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: POCUS performed by an emergency medicine specialist showed a higher sensitivity for the diagnosis of AA compared with private teleradiology. Hence, POCUS is more successful in diagnosing AA than private teleradiology. In conclusion, we recommend the concurrent use of AS and POCUS in emergency departments rather than private teleradiology for the diagnosis of AA.

Humoral responses to the CoronoVac vaccine in healthcare workers

ABSTRACT Background: This study aimed to assess the immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody response rate in emergency department (ED) healthcare workers (HCWs) and potential adverse effects after CoronaVac vaccination. Methods: All included HCWs were grouped based on the previous history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the number of vaccinations. Furthermore, the IgG antibody response was evaluated based on the sex and smoking status of HCWs. Those with a cut-off index of ≥1.00 after vaccination with CoronaVac were considered to have had COVID-19 and had an adequate humoral response. Results: Among 224 ED HCWs, 18% experienced the adverse effects of CoronaVac vaccine, the most prevalent being pain in the injection site. The IgG antibody response rate was 20% after the first dose of vaccine, while the response rate increased to 90% after the second dose. Female HCWs had higher IgG response rates compared with male HCWs (53.8 [15.9-147.0] vs 31.2 [4.5-124.0]). Non-smokers had higher IgG response rate compared with smokers (49.0 [11.5-160.5] vs 23.1 [7.4-98.5]). Conclusion: A single dose of CoronaVac does not produce a sufficient antibody response; hence, two doses are recommended. Men have a lower IgG response compared with women. Smokers had a lower IgG response rate compared with non-smokers. Therefore, it may be necessary to carefully assess the humoral responses of men and smokers when implementing a community vaccination program.

Predictors of mortality in patients less than 50 years old with coronavirus disease 2019: a multicenter experience in Istanbul.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to identify predictors of mortality in young adult patients with coronavirus disease 2019 and to assess the link between blood type and mortality in those patients. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study, which was conducted in seven training and research hospitals in Istanbul, involved young adults who aged ≥18 and <50 years and hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019. RESULTS: Among 1,120 patients, confusion at admission (p<0.001) and oxygen saturation (p<0.001) were significantly predictive factors of mortality. Blood type O was significantly associated with mortality compared to those discharged from the hospital (p<0.001). Among co-morbidities, the most reliable predictive factors were cerebral vascular disease (p<0.001) and chronic renal failure (p=0.010). Among laboratory parameters, high C-reactive protein (p<0.001) and low albumin (p<0.001) levels were predictors of mortality in young adult patients with coronavirus disease 2019. CONCLUSIONS: SpO2 at admission was the best predictor of mortality in young adult patients with coronavirus disease 2019. The mortality rate was increased by cerebral vascular disease and chronic renal failure. Also, high C-reactive protein and low albumin levels were predictive factors of mortality. Moreover, blood type O was associated with a higher mortality rate than the other types.