Percepção de aprendizagem on-line na disciplina de biomateriais / Perception of online learning in the biomaterials course

Com as universidades fechadas e a implementação do Ensino Remoto Emergencial, as atividades curriculares ocorreram através de plataformas digitais. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a percepção de aprendizagem on-line na disciplina de Biomateriais da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal Fluminense no período da pandemia. O questionário COLLES (Constructivist OnLine Learning Environment Survey) foi enviado individualmente por e-mail aos cinquenta alunos, apresentando 24 declarações divididas em seis quesitos: relevância, reflexão crítica, interatividade, apoio dos tutores, apoio entre os colegas e compreensão; e para cada declaração cinco opções de resposta: quase sempre, frequentemente, algumas vezes, raramente e quase nunca. Quarenta e um alunos responderam. A soma das médias obtidas em quase sempre e frequentemente foi de 87,2% para relevância, 70% para reflexão crítica, 33,9% para interatividade, 47,6% para apoio dos tutores, 44,2% para apoio dos colegas e 89,5% para compreensão. Concluiu-se que a relevância, a reflexão crítica e a compreensão apresentaram melhores resultados, enquanto a interatividade, o apoio entre os colegas e o apoio dos tutores demonstraram necessidade de aprimoramento. E apesar das limitações do ERE, a avaliação positiva dos alunos evidenciou esta modalidade de educação on-line como uma solução plausível.

With universities closed and the implementation of Emergency Remote Teaching, curricular activities took place through digital platforms. The objective of this study was to assess the perception of online learning in the Biomaterials course at the Dental School of the Federal Fluminense University during the pandemic. The COLLES questionnaire (Constructivist OnLine Learning Environment Survey) was individually sent via email to fifty students, presenting 24 statements divided into six aspects: relevance, critical reflection, interactivity, tutor support, peer support, and comprehension. For each statement, there were five response options: almost always, often, sometimes, rarely, and almost never. Forty-one students responded. The sum of the averages obtained for almost always and often was 87.2% for relevance, 70% for critical reflection, 33.9% for interactivity, 47.6% for tutor support, 44.2% for peer support, and 89.5% for comprehension. It was concluded that relevance, critical reflection, and comprehension showed better results, while interactivity, peer support, and tutor support demonstrated a need for improvement. Despite the limitations of Emergency Remote Teaching, the positive evaluation from the students highlighted this mode of online education as a plausible solution.

Hyperbaric Medicine in Pediatrics — reality of a Portuguese reference center / Medicina Hiperbárica em Pediatria — realidade de um centro de referência português

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify and characterize the population of Pediatric patients referred to our hyperbaric oxygen therapy center. Methods: Retrospective and observational study, including pediatric patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, from 2006 to 2021, at the hyperbaric medicine reference center in the north of Portugal. Variables of interest were extracted from electronic medical records. Results: Our study included 134 patients. The most frequent reasons for referral were carbon monoxide poisoning (n=59) and sudden sensorineural hearing loss (n=41). In 75 cases (56%), treatment was initiated in an urgent context. Symptom presentation at Emergency Department varied among patients, the most frequent being headache and nausea/vomiting. Concerning carbon monoxide poisoning, the most common sources were water heater, fireplace/brazier, and boiler. Regarding adverse effects, it was identified one case of intoxication by oxygen and four cases of middle ear barotrauma. Conclusions: The most frequent cause for referral was carbon monoxide poisoning. All patients evolved favorably, with few side effects being reported, emphasizing the safety of this therapy. While most pediatricians may not be aware of the potential benefits arising with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, it is of upmost importance to promote them, so that this technique is increasingly implemented.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar e caracterizar a população de casos pediátricos encaminhados para o nosso centro de oxigenoterapia hiperbárica. Métodos: Estudo retrospetivo e observacional, que incluiu doentes pediátricos tratados com oxigenoterapia hiperbárica, de 2006 a 2021, no centro de referência de medicina hiperbárica do norte de Portugal. As variáveis de interesse foram extraídas dos processos clínicos eletrônicos. Resultados: O nosso estudo incluiu 134 casos. Os motivos de encaminhamento mais frequentes foram intoxicação por monóxido de carbono (n=59) e surdez súbita neurossensorial (n=41). Em 75 casos (56%) o tratamento foi iniciado em contexto de urgência. Os sintomas de apresentação à admissão variaram entre os diferentes casos, sendo os mais frequentes cefaleias e náuseas/vômitos. No que diz respeito à intoxicação por monóxido de carbono, as fontes mais comuns foram o aquecedor, lareira/braseiro e caldeira. Com relação aos efeitos adversos, foram identificados um caso de intoxicação por oxigênio e quatro casos de barotrauma do ouvido médio. Conclusões: A causa mais frequente de encaminhamento foi a intoxicação por monóxido de carbono. Todos os pacientes evoluíram favoravelmente e foram registrados poucos efeitos adversos, o que enfatiza a segurança desta terapia. Uma vez que a maioria dos pediatras pode não estar informada sobre os potenciais benefícios da oxigenoterapia hiperbárica, é de extrema importância promovê-los para que esta técnica seja cada vez mais implementada.

Síntomas reveladores de la presencia de reacciones de estrés en personal de primera respuesta a emergencias en Cali, Colombia / Revealing symptoms of the presence of stress reactions in first responders to emergencies in Cali, Colombia

Resumen Introducción: Los trabajadores de primera respuesta a emergencias se encuentra expuestos a factores psicosociales que pueden incrementar el riesgo de estrés, debido, entre otras variables, a las condiciones propias de las funciones ejercidas lo cual puede menoscabar el estado de salud de esta población. Objetivo: Determinar los síntomas reveladores de la presencia de reacciones de estrés en personal de primera respuesta a emergencias y su asociación con la edad y la antigüedad en la institución. Método: Se realizó un estudio transversal que incluyó el personal de primera respuesta a emergencias de una institución de bomberos en Colombia, 215 participantes. Se realizó asociación entre el nivel de estrés y las variables edad y antigüedad. Resultados: Se encontró un nivel de estrés alto y muy alto del 50.3%. Los síntomas fisiológicos y de comportamiento social presentaron los niveles más altos. Los trabajadores con mayor edad presentaron mayor estrés. No se presentó asociación con la antigüedad en el cargo. Conclusión: Más de la mitad de la población tiene niveles de estrés alto y muy alto. Los trabajadores de primera respuesta a emergencias con mayor edad fueron los que presentaron niveles de riesgo más alto de estrés.

Abstract Introduction: First responders in emergencies are exposed to psychosocial factors that can increase the risk of stress, due, among other variables, to the conditions of the functions performed, which can undermine the health status of this population. Objective: Determine the symptoms that reveal the presence of stress reactions in first responders to emergencies and their association with age and seniority in the institution. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out that included first responders to emergencies from a fire department in Colombia, 215 participants. An association was made between the level of stress and the variables age and seniority. Results: A high and very high stress level of 50.3% was found. Physiological and social behavior symptoms presented the highest levels. Older workers had greater stress. There was no association with length of service. Conclusion: More than half of the population has high and very high stress levels. The oldest emergency first responders were those with the highest risk levels of stress.

Inferior vena cava collapsibility index and trauma severity in elderly fall injuries

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Falls are a serious cause of morbidity and mortality among older people. One of the underlying causes of falls is dehydration. Therefore, ultrasonography has become an essential tool for evaluating volume status in the emergency department. However, the effect of volume status on falls in older people has not been evaluated before. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the inferior vena cava collapsibility index and the injury severity score in older patients who presented with fall-related injuries to the emergency department. METHODS: A total of 66 patients were included in the study. The injury severity score was used as the trauma severity score, and the Edmonton Frail Scale was used as the frailty scale. Volume status was evaluated with inferior vena cava collapsibility index. The primary outcome measure was defined as the correlation between inferior vena cava collapsibility index and injury severity score. Secondary outcome measures were defined as the effect of inferior vena cava collapsibility index and injury severity score on hospitalization and mortality. RESULTS: There was no significant correlation between injury severity score and inferior vena cava collapsibility index (p=0.342). Neither inferior vena cava collapsibility index nor injury severity score was an indicator of the mortality of these patients. However, injury severity score was an indicator of hospitalization. The mean Edmonton Frail Scale score was an indicator of mortality among older people who experienced falls (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Inferior vena cava collapsibility index cannot be used to predict trauma severity in older patients who have experienced falls admitted to the emergency department.

Occupational accidents in mining workers: scoping review of studies published in the last 13 years.

OBJECTIVE: Mining activity represents one of the most hazardous occupations related to health, with 8% of fatal injuries concentrated in this sector worldwide. Thus, it is crucial to timely identify the factors involved in such injuries. We aimed to explore the sociodemographic and occupational/organisational factors associated with injuries, causative agents and subsequent disabilities and fatality of workers exposed to occupational injuries in the mining sector. DESIGN: A secondary scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. DATA SOURCES: Scopus, Embase, Virtual Health Library, SciELO and PubMed databases were searched in February 2022 and updated in October 2023. The protocol was developed in April 2022. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: We included observational studies published within the last 13 years (2010-2022) which provided information on injuries of the mining workers and reported associated factors as well as health consequences. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two independent reviewers examined the eligibility criteria, screened and coded the extracted information using prevalidated data extraction tools, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Extension for Scoping Reviews reporting guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 123 studies were found, of which nine were selected for inclusion in this review. Participants were between 15 and 80 years old, and the rate of injuries ranged from 4.4% to 10.6% of reported cases. Among the total selected studies, mechanical agents were identified as the leading cause of injuries in six studies. The factors associated with injuries included age, gender (female) and biochemical characteristics. On the other hand, occupational and organisational factors encompassed work shift, outsourcing (contractors) and less than 2 years of experience in the sector. CONCLUSION: This review emphasises that both work-related and individual characteristics are significantly related factors of injuries. Moreover, commonly reported health consequences of injuries encompass mortality, average days lost and permanent, partial or total disability.

IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON EMERGENCY UPPER LIMB SURGERIES IN A QUATERNARY HOSPITAL.

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a global crisis in health systems worldwide. Emergency care services have been overloaded, and there have been different changes in the patient's profile and the most frequent diagnoses. The aim of the study was to compare the number of emergency surgeries in the Hand and Microsurgery group of the quaternary hospital (IOT-FMUSP) from March 2020 to February 2022, the pandemic period, with the previous two years, March 2018 to February 2020. Two hundred and seventy-two patients were evaluated, with a mean age of 39.54 ± 17 years (range 1 to 90 years), 12.50% (n = 34) women and 87.50% (n = 238) men. Between March 2018 and February 2020, 142 (52.21%) emergency upper limb surgeries were performed; between March 2020 and February 2022, 130 surgeries were performed (47.79%). There was a reduction in upper limb surgeries in patients between 26-45 years and blunt injury surgeries. There was also an increase in surgeries in patients over 46, amputations, fractures, re-implantation procedures, and open fracture fixation. Level of evidence III, Retrospective Comparative Study.

A pandemia por COVID-19 desencadeou uma crise global nos sistemas de saúde ao redor do mundo. Serviços de atendimento de urgência sofreram sobrecarga e diferentes mudanças no perfil do paciente atendido bem como dos diagnósticos mais frequentes. O objetivo do estudo foi comparar o número de cirurgias de urgência, no grupo de Mão e Microcirurgia, do hospital quaternário (IOT-FMUSP) ocorridos de março de 2020 a fevereiro de 2022, período pandêmico; com os dois anos anteriores, de março de 2018 a fevereiro de 2020. No total foram avaliados 272 pacientes com idade média de 39,54 ± 17 anos (variação 1 a 90 anos), sendo 12,50% (n = 34) de mulheres e 87,50 % (n = 238) de homens. Entre março de 2018 a fevereiro de 2020 foram realizadas 142 (52,21%) cirurgias de urgência em membro superior e de março de 2020 a fevereiro de 2022, 130 cirurgias foram realizadas (47,79%). Identificou-se redução do número de cirurgias em membro superior em pacientes entre 26-45 anos e do número de cirurgias por ferimentos corto contusos. Além do aumento no número de cirurgias em pacientes acima de 46 anos, número de casos de amputações, fraturas, procedimentos de reimplante e fixação por fraturas expostas. Nível de evidência III, Estudo restrospectivo comparativo.

Implementation of an early attention strategy to reduce emergency room overcrowding in an academic institution in Colombia, a pilot study.

Overcrowding is a worldwide problem, and long waiting times are associated with increased morbidity and even mortality of patients regardless of triage classification. Although there are many tools published in the literature that contribute to the reduction of overcrowding, for the Colombian population there are not many tools evaluated to reduce the length of stay of patients in the emergency department. This is a retrospective analytical study that compared whether there was a difference in patient definition time and ED length of stay between a group attended under an early care protocol (PAT) versus the usual protocol. Of the total of 969 patients included it was found that the group attended under the PAT protocol had a shorter definition time than the usual protocol, also the Emergency department length of stay (EDLOS) was significantly lower in the PAT group compared to the usual protocol. The implementation of the PAT protocol performed by emergency physicians allows a faster contact with the patient by the physician, and leads to a significant reduction of EDLOS, contributing to the reduction of overcrowding in the emergency department.

The Mpox outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern: Implications for mental health and global preparedness.

BACKGROUND: The Mpox, a zoonotic viral disease that has historically affected Central and West Africa, has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization. Rapid transmission and recent dissemination in Africa may imply significant challenges to global health, including mental health. METHODS: We reviewed the mental health implications of the Mpox outbreak according to the published literature. We also discussed the psychological effects of the global spreading of this infection and public health preparedness strategies. Key areas of intervention may include the epidemiological surveillance, vaccine development, and mental health strategies. COMMENTS: The Mpox outbreak calls for a robust global preparedness to address potential health emergencies. Strengthening epidemiological surveillance, ensuring equitable vaccine distribution, and building resilient public health infrastructure are crucial. Additionally, addressing mental health consequences may require immediate, intermediate, and long-term strategies, including telepsychiatry, stress management training, and the integration of mental health into primary care.

Assistance time and peripheral oxygen saturation in prehospital emergency data as predictors of COVID19 hospital outcomes.

To verify if data obtained in the prehospital evaluation of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) during the initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with clinical outcomes: mechanical ventilation, hospital discharge, and death. This is a retrospective analysis involving secondary data from the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) records and the Health Surveillance Information System of patients assisted by the EMS in Manaus, from January to June 2020, the period of the first peak of COVID-19 cases. The combination of the two databases yielded a total of 1.190 patients, who received a first EMS response and were later admitted to hospital with SARS and had data on clinical outcomes of interest available. Patients were predominantly male (754, 63.4%), with a median age of 66 (IQR: 54.0-78.0) years. SARS illness before medical assistance was associated to need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV, p < 0.001). Lower pre-hospital SpO2 was associated to death (p = 0.025). Death was more common among patients with respiratory support needs, especially in the invasive ventilation group (262/287; 91.3%) (p < 0.001). In addition, IMV was more common among elderly individuals (p < 0.001). Patients admitted to ICU had a greater chance of dying when compared to non-ICU admitted patients (p < 0.001), and closely related to IMV (p < 0.001). Patients in ICU were also older (p = 0.003) and had longer hospital stay (p < 0.001). Mortality was associated with mechanical ventilation (p < 0.001), ICU admission (p < 0.001), and older age (p < 0.001). Patients who died had a shorter length of both ICU and total hospital stay (p < 0.001). Prehospital EMS may provide feasible and early recognition of critical patients with SARS in strained healthcare systems, such as in low-resource settings and pandemics.

Entrustable professional activities, emergency medicine and medical education: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) are one way to assess competencies, and are designed to bridge the gap between theoretical competencies and real world clinical practice. AIMS: This was a systematic review which aims to answer the question: "Which EPAs related to Emergency Medicine are described for medical schools?". METHODS: We included original qualitative, interventional and observational studies (cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies) that described EPAs relevant to Emergency Medicine for Medical School. The search strategy was created using a combination of keywords and standardized index terms related to EPAs and Emergency Medicine. RESULTS: The search strategy identified 991 citations. After screening the titles and abstracts, we identified 85 potentially relevant studies. After the full-text review, a total of 11 reports met the criteria for inclusion. CONCLUSION: Recognizing a patient requiring urgent or emergent care and initiating evaluation and management is the most common EPA related to Emergency Medicine described at Medical Schools. Use of EPAs is associated with increased student satisfaction and improved competences. However, there is a lack of undergraduate EM specific EPAs being systematically developed and published, and this should be an area to be explored in future studies.

Damage control surgery in non-traumatic abdominal emergencies: prognostic value of SOFA, APACHEII, and Mannheim peritonitis index.

This study aimed to analyze the prognostic value of the SOFA, APACHE II, and MPI (Mannheim Peritonitis Index) scores in the indication for Damage Control Surgery (DCS) in non-trauma. Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing DCS between 2014 and 2019. SOFA and APACHE II scores were calculated using parameters preceding DCS, while MPI was based on surgical descriptions. Statistical analysis: Qualitative variables were compared using the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, and quantitative variables using Pearson's correlation coefficient. The Student's T test was employed for mean comparisons. The sample comprised 104 patients (59 males), with a median age of 63.5 years, of whom 52 (50%) were ASA IV. Operative findings leading to DCS included peritonitis (54; 51.9%), intestinal ischemia (39; 37.5%), inability to close the abdomen (8; 7.6%), and bleeding (3; 2.9%). The mortality rate was 75% (78/104). Thirty patients (28.8%) died after DCS; the remainder underwent one (35; 33.6%), two (21; 20.2%); three (8; 7.7%), and four or more (10;9.7%) revision procedures. The median lengths of ICU and hospital stays were 12.5 and 20.5 days, respectively. The median score values were as follows: SOFA: 12 (0-38), APACHE II: 25 (2-47), and MPI: 26 (8-43). Besides ASA classification (p = 0.03), mortality risk was influenced by: age (≤ 65 years vs. > 65 years; p = 0.04), SOFA (≤ 10 vs. > 10; p = 0.03), APACHE II (≤ 25 vs. > 25; p = 0.04), and MPI (≤ 25 vs. > 25; p = 0.003). The SOFA, APACHE II, and MPI scores proved to be valuable tools in the prognostic assessment of patients undergoing DCS in non-traumatic abdominal emergencies.

Automated ASPECTS Segmentation and Scoring Tool: a Method Tailored for a Colombian Telestroke Network.

To evaluate our two non-machine learning (non-ML)-based algorithmic approaches for detecting early ischemic infarcts on brain CT images of patients with acute ischemic stroke symptoms, tailored to our local population, to be incorporated in our telestroke software. One-hundred and thirteen acute stroke patients, excluding hemorrhagic, subacute, and chronic patients, with accessible brain CT images were divided into calibration and test sets. The gold standard was determined through consensus among three neuroradiologist. Four neuroradiologist independently reported Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Scores (ASPECTSs). ASPECTSs were also obtained using a commercial ML solution (CMLS), and our two methods, namely the Mean Hounsfield Unit (HU) relative difference (RELDIF) and the density distribution equivalence test (DDET), which used statistical analyze the of the HUs of each region and its contralateral side. Automated segmentation was perfect for cortical regions, while minimal adjustment was required for basal ganglia regions. For dichotomized-ASPECTSs (ASPECTS < 6) in the test set, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.85 for the DDET method, 0.84 for the RELDIF approach, 0.64 for the CMLS, and ranged from 0.71-0.89 for the neuroradiologist. The accuracy was 0.85 for the DDET method, 0.88 for the RELDIF approach, and was ranged from 0.83 - 0.96 for the neuroradiologist. Equivalence at a margin of 5% was documented among the DDET, RELDIF, and gold standard on mean ASPECTSs. Noninferiority tests of the AUC and accuracy of infarct detection revealed similarities between both DDET and RELDIF, and the CMLS, and with at least one neuroradiologist. The alignment of our methods with the evaluations of neuroradiologist and the CMLS indicates the potential of our methods to serve as supportive tools in clinical settings, facilitating prompt and accurate stroke diagnosis, especially in health care settings, such as Colombia, where neuroradiologist are limited.

Disabilities and medical emergencies: a population-based study in Peru. / Discapacidad y urgencias médicas: análisis de una base poblacional peruana.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association between disability and the demand for medical emergency care by citizens of Peru over the age of 18 years in 2019. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of secondary data from the national survey of budgeted programs (ENAPRES, in its Peruvian abbreviation) of 2019. Disabilities were surveyed based on the criteria of the Washington Group on Disability Statistics. Medical emergencies were queried using 2 questions referring to life-threatening situations. Sociodemographic covariables and variables related to certain medical emergencies were also analyzed as possible confounders. Poisson regression analysis was carried out and crude and adjusted prevalence ratios calculated. Calculations were performed on a complex sample of data from the ENAPRES 2019 survey. RESULTS: Data for 62 959 persons over the age of 18 years were included. Some type of disability was reported by 4.3% of the sample, and 8.7% reported a medical emergency during the past year. Persons with 3 or more disabilities were 2.97-fold more likely to have a medical emergency than persons without disabilities (prevalence ratio, 2.97 (95% CI, 2.28-3.87) after adjustment for multiple confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS: Disabled persons were more likely to have medical emergencies than persons without disabilities in Peru in 2019. The likelihood of medical emergencies was slightly higher in those with 3 or more disabilities.

OBJETIVO: Estimar la asociación entre la condición de discapacidad y la demanda de urgencias médicas en los ciudadanos peruanos mayores de 18 años durante el año 2019. METODO: Se realizó un estudio transversal analítico de datos secundarios de la Encuesta Nacional de Programas Presupuestales (ENAPRES) 2019. La discapacidad se determinó con las preguntas del grupo de Washington y la demanda de urgencias médicas se evaluó con dos preguntas referidas a situaciones que ponen en riesgo la vida de las personas. Se incluyeron covariables sociodemográficas y relacionadas con las urgencias médicas, como posibles confusores. Se llevó a cabo una regresión de Poisson y se estimaron razones de prevalencia (RP) crudas y ajustadas. Todos los cálculos se hicieron de acuerdo con el muestreo complejo de la ENAPRES 2019. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron los datos de 62.959 personas mayores de 18 años. El 4,3% tenía algún tipo de discapacidad y el 8,7% tuvo una urgencia médica en el último año. Las personas con tres o más tipos de discapacidad tuvieron 2,97 veces más probabilidades de tener una urgencia médica, en comparación con las personas sin discapacidad [RP = 2,97 (IC 95%: 2,28-3,87)], ajustado por múltiples variables de confusión. CONCLUSIONES: En el Perú, durante el año 2019, las personas con discapacidad tuvieron más probabilidades de tener una urgencia médica en comparación con las personas sin discapacidad. Estas probabilidades fueron ligeramente mayores cuando las personas tenían tres o más discapacidades.

Association of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio with age and 180-day mortality after emergency surgery.

BACKGROUND: To examine the relationship between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), age, and mortality rates after emergency surgery. METHODS: In this observational study, a total of 851 patients undergoing emergency surgery between January 2022 and January 2023 were retrospective examined. Using 30 and 180 days mortality data, NLR differences and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were analyzed using a 65-year threshold. A multiple logistic regression model was constructed incorporating age and NLR. Finally, Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed for mortality. RESULTS: Among 851 patients, the 30 and 180 days mortality rates were 5.2% and 10.8%, respectively. Median NLR in 30 days was 5.6 (3.1 to 9.6) in survivors and 8.7 (4.6 to 13.4) in deceased patients (p < 0.0001); in 180 days, it was 5.5 (3.1 to 9.8) and 8.8 (4.8 to 14.5), respectively (p < 0.0001). In the 30- and 180-days mortality analyses, median NLRs were 5.1 (2.9 to 8.9) and 4.9 (2.9 to 8.8) in survivors and 10.6 (6.9 to 16.6) and 9.3 (5.4 to 14.9) in deceased patients aged < 65 years, respectively. The ROC AUC in patients younger than 65 years was higher for 30 days (AUC 0.75; 95% CI 0.72 to 0.87) and 180 days (AUC 0.73; 95% CI 0.64 to 0.81). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the NLR (odds ratio, 1.03 [95% CI 1.005 to 1.053; p = 0.0133) and age (odds ratio, 1.05 [95% CI 1.034 to 1.064; p < 0.0001) significantly contributed to the model. Survival analysis revealed differences in the 180 days mortality (p = 0.0006). CONCLUSION: We observed differences in preoperative NLR between patients who survived and those who died after emergency surgery. Age impacts the use of NLR as a mortality risk factor. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT06549101, retrospectively registered.

Exploring Prehospital Data for Pandemic Preparedness: A Western Brazilian Amazon Case Study on COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The timely management of rapidly evolving epidemiological scenarios caused by disease outbreaks is crucial to prevent devastating consequences. However, delayed laboratory diagnostics can hamper swift health policy and epidemic response, especially in remote regions such as the western Brazilian Amazon. The aim of the article is to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the volume and characteristics of emergency medical services (EMS) in Manaus, focusing on how the pandemic affected sensitive indicators such as response time and the use of advanced life support ambulances. Additionally, the study seeks to understand how changes in prehospital EMS patterns, triggered by the pandemic, could be utilized as health surveillance tools, enabling a more rapid response in epidemic scenarios. METHODS: This retrospective, descriptive study included data from the SAMU (Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência) medical records between January and June 2020. RESULTS: A total of 45,581 calls resulted in mobile units being dispatched during this period. These patients were predominantly male (28,227, 61.9%), with a median age of 47 years (IQR 30-67). The median response time significantly increased during the pandemic, reaching a median of 45.9 min (IQR 30.6-67.7) (p < 0.001). EMS calls were reduced for trauma patients and increased for other medical emergencies, especially respiratory conditions, concomitantly to an escalation in the number of deaths caused by SARS and COVID-19 (p < 0.001). The employment of advanced life support ambulances was higher during the pandemic phase (p = 0.0007). CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a temporary disorder in the volume and reason for EMS calls in Manaus. Consequently, sensitive indicators like the response time and the employment of advanced life support ambulances were negatively affected. Sudden prehospital EMS pattern changes could play an important role in health surveillance systems, allowing for earlier establishment of countermeasures in epidemics. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prehospital EMS and its role in health surveillance should be further explored.

A National Simulation-Based Study of Pediatric Critical Care Transport Teams Performance.

OBJECTIVES: To assess pediatric critical care transport (CCT) teams' performance in a simulated environment and to explore the impact of team and center characteristics on performance. STUDY DESIGN: This observational, multicenter, simulation-based study enlisted a national cohort of pediatric transport centers. Teams participated in 3 scenarios: nonaccidental abusive head injury, sepsis, and cardiac arrest. The primary outcome was teams' simulation performance score. Secondary outcomes were associations between performance, center and team characteristics. RESULTS: We recruited 78 transport teams with 196 members from 12 CCT centers. Scores on performance measures that were developed were 89% (IQR 78-100) for nonaccidental abusive head injury, 63.3% (IQR 45.5-81.8) for sepsis, and 86.6% (IQR 66.6-93.3) for cardiac arrest. In multivariable analysis, overall performance was higher for teams including a respiratory therapist (0.5 points [95% CI: 0.13, 0.86]) or paramedic (0.49 points [95% CI: 0.1, 0.88]) and dedicated pediatric teams (0.37 points [95% 0.06, 0.68]). Each year increase in program age was associated with an increase of 0.04 points (95% CI: 0.02, 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Dedicated pediatric teams, inclusion of respiratory therapists and paramedics, and center age were associated with higher simulation scores for pediatric CCT teams. These insights can guide efforts to enhance the quality of care for children during interfacility transports.

The profile of adolescents assisted by the emergency department of a Brazilian private tertiary hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Adolescents represent an important demographic percentage in the studied population and in Emergency Departments (ED). It is imperative that health professionals and services are prepared to address this population. This work aims to characterize adolescents at the ED of a Brazilian private tertiary hospital. METHODS: The study was an observational, retrospective longitudinal cohort that included 37,450 visits of patients aged 10 to 21 years of age, between January 2018 and June 2022 in the ED of a private tertiary hospital. The study evaluated the reason for the consultation, diagnosis, need for hospitalization, the medical professional responsible for the care, severity, and paying source of care. RESULTS: 53.7% were female. Mean age was 16.2y for girls and 15.6y for boys (p < 0.005). The most common complaints were flu-like symptoms (17.4%), sore throat (8.2%), fever (6.7%) and limb trauma (6.3%). Flu-like symptoms were the main consultations caused in all age groups and genders. 36.8% were attended by a general practitioner, 35.8% by a pediatrician, 15.1% by orthopedics and 5.6% by surgeons. The hospitalization rate was 5.5%. There was a strong correlation between age and hospitalization rate (correlation coefficient [r = 0.93]; p < 0.001). The most prevalent diagnoses in hospitalizations were acute abdomen (12.7%) and trauma (9.4%). 78.2% of the consultations were classified as "not urgent". There was a strong correlation between age and severity (r = 0.86; p < 0.001). 92.7% of the consultations were paid by medical insurance. CONCLUSION: In this study, flu-like symptoms were the single main reason for adolescents to search for immediate health care, in every age subgroup and gender, but represented a small risk for hospital admission. Limb trauma was more common in younger male teenagers. Acute abdominal pain and trauma were the most frequent causes of hospital admissions. There was a significant and strong correlation between age and both admission rate and severity.

Successful emergency surgery for accidental ingestion of multiple neodymium magnets in an Argentine tegu (Salvator merianae).

A large Argentine tegu (Salvator merianae) presented with anorexia. Initial radiographs revealed a metallic foreign body in the stomach. The tegu vomited and became inactive two days later. A follow-up radiograph revealed the persistence of the foreign body in the same region. The foreign body was identified as a cluster of multiple magnets resembling neodymium magnets reported missing by the owner. An emergent laparotomy was performed due to gastrointestinal perforations caused by the multiple magnets. The surgical intervention revealed perforations in the walls of the stomach and small intestine and progressing acute peritonitis. Three magnets were extracted from the abdominal cavity and the tegu showed recovery. At 200 days postoperatively, the tegu continued to demonstrate good appetite and energy levels.

Appendectomy: Cross-sectional study of the effects of COVID-19 in a hospital in South Brazil.

Background: COVID-19 has further burdened the Brazilian healthcare system, especially emergencies. Patients may have delayed seeking care for surgical abdominal pain. Delays in the approach may have impacted clinical evolution and outcomes. This study evaluated appendectomies and their complications performed by the public system during one-year follow-up of COVID-19 in a hospital in southern Brazil. Materials and methods: In this hospital-based cross-sectional study, we included adult patients who underwent appendectomy from March 2019 to April 2021 (n = 162). Patients were divided into pre-pandemic (n = 78) and pandemic (n = 84) groups based on the surgery date. The analyzed variables included hospitalization duration, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, surgical approach, histopathological findings, COVID-19 testing, patient outcomes, and 30-day survival rate. Results: The cohorts exhibited similar epidemiology, with the sex ratio and average age being maintained. No statistical difference was found in the 30-day survival rate and clinical outcomes. Of the four patients admitted to the ICU, three belonged to the pandemic cohort and tested negative for COVID-19. Only 47.6 % of the patients in the pandemic cohort underwent COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction examination; one tested positive (2.5 %). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that there was no increased risk for appendectomies during the first wave of the pandemic. Surgeries were safe during this period. Patients continued to access the emergency service despite surgical abdominal pain and restrictive measures imposed by health authorities. The similar results observed across cohorts are attributed to the readiness of the teams and the availability of medical surgical equipment in safe quantities.