Defining the role of risk stratification and duplex ultrasound in the diagnosis of acute lower extremity deep vein thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: Risk stratification using the plasma D-dimer level and Wells score has been proposed as a safe strategy to rule out acute lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and limit the use of duplex ultrasound (DUS) for low-risk patients. A widely used diagnostic protocol defining the role of pretest probability and D-dimer testing in lieu of DUS has not been reported. Our aim was to define the risk of DVT in a standard population of emergency department patients who had presented with acute lower extremity symptoms and determine the role of DUS for these patients. METHODS: Outpatients presenting to the emergency department with symptoms concerning for lower extremity DVT were prospectively enrolled. All the patients underwent whole leg DUS and clinical and laboratory assessments for DVT using the Wells criteria and plasma D-dimer testing. The patients were stratified into three groups according to the combination of their Wells score and plasma D-dimer level. The prevalence of DVT and the statistical performance of the combined Wells score and plasma D-dimer were compared. RESULTS: A total of 3087 patients were enrolled. Most of the patients had had a negative plasma D-dimer level and Wells score (n = 2290 patients). A total of 222 patients had had a positive plasma D-dimer level and Wells score. The overall prevalence of acute DVT in the present study was 7.3%. Of the 2290 patients with a negative Wells score and negative plasma D-dimer level, 4 had had a diagnosis of DVT (negative predictive value, 99.8%). In contrast, DVT was present in 181 of 222 patients (81.5%) with a positive Wells score and plasma D-dimer level (positive predictive value, 81.5%). The plasma D-dimer level also correlated with the DVT location, and the D-dimer levels were highest for the patients with proximal DVT. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of a negative Wells score and negative plasma D-dimer level can safely exclude the presence of DVT. Patients with a negative Wells score and negative plasma D-dimer level are unlikely to benefit from DUS. In contrast, patients with a positive D-dimer level and positive Wells score will benefit from whole leg DUS to rule out the presence of high-risk DVT.

What's Love Got to Do With It: Teaching the Next Generation of Nurses.

Many professional medical and nursing organizations call for the reform and revision of formal nursing education. As nursing faculty work to prepare the next generations of nurses, the model of Relationship-Based Care is an ideal infrastructure for curriculum design. This paper responds to the call for transforming nursing education with a model that includes love, Relationship-Based Care, the I2E2 Model of Change, and an academic-practice partnership.

Fear of pain as a predictor of concurrent and downstream PTSD symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Pain anxiety has been associated with more severe posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. However, the unique role of individual domains of pain anxiety has yet to be explored in the prediction of PTSD severity. This study examined whether specific pain anxiety domains (i.e., cognitive anxiety, escape/avoidance, fear of pain, and physiological anxiety) predict both concurrent and downstream PTSD symptoms above and beyond other PTSD risk factors. METHOD: Participants were 63 survivors of traumatic events with moderate to high baseline pain treated in the emergency department and assessed for PTSD symptoms and pain anxiety at 3- and 12-months. RESULTS: Three-month pain anxiety domains of fear of pain and physiological anxiety (inversely related) significantly predicted concurrent 3-month PTSD symptoms above and beyond other established PTSD risk factors (i.e., sex, age, pain, and trauma type). However, only 3-month fear of pain significantly predicted 12-month PTSD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the relevance of specific pain anxiety domains in concurrent and future PTSD symptoms and suggest the importance of evaluating pain anxiety among patients with PTSD. Interventions focused on increasing willingness to experience and tolerate fear of pain may help mitigate this risk, thereby improving outcomes for individuals with acute PTSD symptoms.

Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of 217 COVID-19 Patients in Northwest Ohio, United States.

Background There is limited data on the clinical characteristics and predictors of mortality of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in North West Ohio. We performed a retrospective review of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the ProMedica Health System in Northwest Ohio from March 25 to June 16, 2020. The study aims to identify epidemiological, clinical characteristics, and predictors of Mortality of COVID-19 patients in Northwest Ohio. Methods This study was conducted on 217 COVID-19 patients admitted to ProMedica Health System Hospitals in Northwest Ohio from March 25 to June 16, 2020. We collected data, including clinical signs, symptoms, and outcomes of the COVID-19 patients. We compared clinical signs and symptoms along with comorbidities of survivors and non-survivors. Results Of the 217 patients included in the study, the mean age of the population was 63.13 (SD 17.8), of which 194 (89.4%, mean age 61.7 years) survived while 23 (10.6%, mean age 74.6 years) died. Among them, 53% were females and 47% male. Common presenting symptoms were chest pain (91.71%), shortness of breath (79.7%), cough (71%), and fever (64%). Mortality was associated with age greater than 63 (p-value 0.0052) and hypertension (p-value: 0.0058) with marginal significance with gender (p-value: 0.0642), chest pain (p-value: 0.0944), and history of cancer (p-value: 0.0944). Conclusions Advanced age and hypertension (HTN) are independent predictors for increased mortality. History of cancer and chest pain are associated with increased mortality with marginal significance. Awareness among physicians about predictors of mortality is essential in dealing with COVID-19 patients. It is essential to educate the public about preventative strategies such as wearing masks to decrease mortality and morbidity from this pandemic.

Predictors of mortality in 217 COVID-19 patients in Northwest Ohio, United States: A retrospective study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study aims to identify specific lab markers, complications, and treatments that may be associated with increased mortality in COVID-19 patients. This study is retrospective in nature; it included 217 COVID-19 positive patients who were admitted to a ProMedica Health System hospital in Northwest Ohio, United States, between March 25 and June 16, 2020. We collected various laboratory values, complications, and treatment courses. T test and χ2 analyses were used to predict mortality. COVID-19 test was confirmed via polymerase chain reaction. Of 217 patients included in the study, the mean age of the population was 63.13 (SD, 17.8), of which 194 (89.4%, mean age 61.7 years) survived while 23 (10.6%, mean age 74.6 years) died. Among them, 53% were females and 47% male. Laboratory values that were associated with mortality were low hemoglobin (p = .0046), elevated INR (p = .0005), low platelets (p = .0246) and elevated procalcitonin (p = .0472). Marginally significant laboratory values included elevated troponin (p = .0661), and elevated creatinine (p = .0741). Treatment with either antibiotic, antifungals, antivirals, blood transfusion, steroids, and intubation were all statistically significant for mortality. COVID-19 related complications with either ARDS, myocarditis, elevated INR, septic shock, or age greater than 63 were significant predictors of mortality. Low hemoglobin, elevated INR, Low platelet, elevated procalcitonin, treated with either antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral, blood transfusion, steroids, and intubation are associated with high mortality related to COVID-19 infection. Healthcare professionals must be aware of these predictors.

Emotion Dysregulation Prospectively Predicts Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Severity 3 Months After Trauma Exposure.

Despite growing evidence in support of emotion dysregulation as a risk factor for the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following trauma exposure, few studies have examined temporal relations between emotion dysregulation and the onset and/or worsening of PTSD symptoms over time. The aim of the present study was to extend research on temporal associations between emotion dysregulation and PTSD in a sample of individuals recruited from hospital emergency departments soon after a traumatic event. Adult participants (N = 85; 62.4% female) completed self-report measures of emotion dysregulation and PTSD symptoms within 2 weeks of experiencing a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD were assessed approximately 3 months posttrauma. The results of a hierarchical linear regression analysis demonstrated that the inclusion of emotion dysregulation accounted for a significant amount of unique variance, ß = .23, ΔR2 = .04, p = .042, in 3-month PTSD symptom severity over and above other risk factors and baseline PTSD symptoms. No specific facet of emotion dysregulation emerged as a significant predictor of 3-month PTSD symptoms when all facets were included on the same step of the model, ßs = -.04-.33, ps = .133-.954. These results demonstrate that posttraumatic emotion dysregulation may predict PTSD symptoms 3 months after trauma exposure. These findings are consistent with a growing body of literature that speaks to the relevance of emotional processes to the onset and maintenance of PTSD following exposure to a traumatic event.

Relationship of Hippocampal Volumes and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Over Early Posttrauma Periods.

BACKGROUND: Smaller hippocampal volume is associated with more severe posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms years after traumatic experiences. Posttraumatic stress symptoms appear early following trauma, but the relationship between hippocampal volume and PTSD symptom severity during early posttrauma periods is not well understood. It is possible that the inverse relationship between hippocampal volume and PTSD symptom severity is already present soon after trauma. To test this possibility, we prospectively examined the association between hippocampal volumes and severity of PTSD symptoms within weeks to months after trauma due to a motor vehicle collision. METHODS: Structural magnetic resonance imaging scans of 44 survivors were collected about 2 weeks and again at 3 months after a motor vehicle collision to measure hippocampal volumes. The PTSD Checklist was used to evaluate PTSD symptoms at each scan time. Full (n = 5) or partial (n = 6) PTSD was evaluated using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale at 3 months. RESULTS: Left hippocampal volumes at both time points negatively correlated with PTSD Checklist scores, and with subscores for re-experiencing symptoms at 3 months. Left hippocampal volumes at 3 months also negatively correlated with hyperarousal symptoms at 3 months. Finally, neither left nor right hippocampal volumes significantly changed between 2 weeks and 3 months posttrauma. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that small hippocampal volume at early posttrauma weeks is associated with increased risk for PTSD development. Furthermore, the inverse relationship between hippocampal volume and PTSD symptoms at 3 months did not arise from posttrauma shifts in hippocampal volume between 2 weeks and 3 months after trauma.

Optimal Teams and Performance Feedback Drive Improvements in Processing Measures.

The ED at ProMedica Toledo Hospital, a Level I trauma facility in Toledo, OH, has been able to chart impressive metrics on patient processing measures year after year. Administrators credit an overhaul in their triage process, a comprehensive approach to providing staff with regular feedback on their performance, and a system that relies on optimally sized teams to deliver care. Department leaders are hoping to boost patient satisfaction scores with an initiative that will leverage champions, fresh metrics, and a new mission statement to highlight the importance of the patient experience. Hospital administrators report that the median door-to-bed time in the ED is 23 minutes, and the median bed-to-physician time is eight minutes. The median length of stay for all ED patients stands at 121 minutes, and hospital administrators note that the ED's leave-without-being-seen rate tends to hover beneath 1%, far below the naticnal average. The ED uses a zone system that can adjust from two to five zones, depending on patient volume. The charge nurse is responsible for assigning patients to specific zones for care.

The management of acute hypertension in patients with renal dysfunction: labetalol or nicardipine?

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To compare the safety and efficacy of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-recommended doses of labetalol and nicardipine for hypertension (HTN) management in a subset of patients with renal dysfunction (RD). DESIGN: Randomized, open label, multicenter prospective clinical trial. SETTING: Thirteen United States tertiary care emergency departments. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS: Subgroup analysis of the Evaluation of IV Cardene (Nicardipine) and Labetalol Use in the Emergency Department (CLUE) clinical trial. The subjects were 104 patients with RD (i.e., creatinine clearance < 75 mL/min) who presented to the emergency department with a systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 180 mmHg on 2 consecutive readings and for whom the emergency physician felt intravenous antihypertensive therapy was desirable. INTERVENTIONS: The FDA recommended doses of either labetalol or nicardipine for HTN management. MEASUREMENTS: The number of patients achieving the physician's predefined target SBP range within 30 minutes of treatment. RESULTS: Patients treated with nicardipine were within target range more often than those receiving labetalol (92% vs. 78%, P = 0.046). On 6 SBP measures, patients treated with nicardipine were more likely to achieve the target range on either 5 or all 6 readings than were patients treated with labetalol (46% vs. 25%, P = 0.024). Labetalol patients were more likely to require rescue medication (27% vs. 17%, P = 0.020). Adverse events thought to be related to either treatment group were not reported in the 30-minute active study period, and patients had slower heart rates at all time points after 5 minutes (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In severe HTN with RD, nicardipine-treated patients are more likely to reach a target blood pressure range within 30 minutes than are patients receiving labetalol. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Within 30 minutes of administration, nicardipine is more efficacious than labetalol for acute blood pressure control in patients with RD.

Intravenous nicardipine and labetalol use in hypertensive patients with signs or symptoms suggestive of end-organ damage in the emergency department: a subgroup analysis of the CLUE trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of Food and Drug Administration recommended dosing of nicardipine versus labetalol for the management of hypertensive patients with signs and/or symptoms (S/S) suggestive of end-organ damage (EOD). DESIGN: Secondary analysis of the multicentre prospective, randomised CLUE trial. SETTING: 13 academic emergency departments in the USA. PARTICIPANTS: Eligible patients had two systolic blood pressure (SBP) measures ≥180 mm Hg at least 10 min apart, no contraindications to nicardipine or labetalol and predefined S/S suggestive of EOD on arrival. INTERVENTIONS: Medications were administered by continuous infusion (nicardipine) or repeat intravenous bolus (labetalol) for a study period of 30 min or until a specified target SBP ±20 mm Hg was achieved. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Percentage of participants achieving a predefined target SBP range (TR) defined as an SBP within ±20 mm Hg as established by the treating physician. RESULTS: Of the 141 eligible patients, 49.6% received nicardipine, 51.7% were women and 81.6% were black. Mean age was 52.2±13.9 years. Median initial SBP did not differ in the nicardipine (210.5 (IQR 197-226) mm Hg) and labetalol (210 (200-226) mm Hg) groups (p=0.862). Nicardipine patients were more likely to have a history of diabetes (41.4% vs 25.7%, p=0.05) but there were no other historical, demographic or laboratory differences between groups. Within 30 min, nicardipine patients more often reached the target SBP range than those receiving labetalol (91.4% vs 76.1%, difference=15.3% (95% CI 3.5% to 27.3%); p=0.01). On multivariable modelling with adjustment for gender and clinical site, nicardipine patients were more likely to be in TR by 30 min than patients receiving labetalol (OR 3.65, 95% CI 1.31 to 10.18, C statistic=0.72). CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of hypertension with suspected EOD, patients treated with nicardipine are more likely to reach prespecified SBP targets within 30 min than patients receiving labetalol. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00765648, clinicaltrials.gov.

CLUE: a randomized comparative effectiveness trial of IV nicardipine versus labetalol use in the emergency department.

INTRODUCTION: Our purpose was to compare the safety and efficacy of food and drug administration (FDA) recommended dosing of IV nicardipine versus IV labetalol for the management of acute hypertension. METHODS: Multicenter randomized clinical trial. Eligible patients had 2 systolic blood pressure (SBP) measures ≥180 mmHg and no contraindications to nicardipine or labetalol. Before randomization, the physician specified a target SBP ± 20 mmHg (the target range: TR). The primary endpoint was the percent of subjects meeting TR during the initial 30 minutes of treatment. RESULTS: Of 226 randomized patients, 110 received nicardipine and 116 labetalol. End organ damage preceded treatment in 143 (63.3%); 71 nicardipine and 72 labetalol patients. Median initial SBP was 212.5 (IQR 197, 230) and 212 mmHg (IQR 200,225) for nicardipine and labetalol patients (P = 0.68), respectively. Within 30 minutes, nicardipine patients more often reached TR than labetalol (91.7 vs. 82.5%, P = 0.039). Of 6 BP measures (taken every 5 minutes) during the study period, nicardipine patients had higher rates of five and six instances within TR than labetalol (47.3% vs. 32.8%, P = 0.026). Rescue medication need did not differ between nicardipine and labetalol (15.5 vs. 22.4%, P = 0.183). Labetalol patients had slower heart rates at all time points (P < 0.01). Multivariable modeling showed nicardipine patients were more likely in TR than labetalol patients at 30 minutes (OR 2.73, P = 0.028; C stat for model = 0.72) CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated with nicardipine are more likely to reach the physician-specified SBP target range within 30 minutes than those treated with labetalol.

Clinical implications of the seat belt sign in blunt trauma.

Patients with the seat belt sign (SBS) from motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) are prone to specific regional injury patterns. Investigators at a Level 1 trauma center analyzed the incidence, clinical implications, and spectrum of regional injuries in patients injured in MVC over 2 years. SBS was seen in 11.3 per cent of patients injured in MVCs and 20.5 per cent of patients with known restraint use. Restrained patients were less severely injured with lower injury severity scores (7.62 vs 11.33) and mortality (1.1 vs 5.7%). Patients with SBS had lower mortality rates than patients without SBS (1.4 vs 3.7%). Thoraco-abdominal injuries were present in 47 per cent (34 of 72) of patients with SBS. Compared with patients without SBS, patients had a higher incidence of hollow viscous injuries (HVI) and solid organ trauma (8 and 17% vs 1 and 3%, P < 0.05); splenic trauma was 24-fold higher (9.7 vs 0.4%), liver injuries 3.1-fold higher (6 vs 3%), and rib fractures 2.4-fold higher (P < 0.05). Children had 2.8-fold higher rates of HVI (18 vs 9%, P < 0.05). SBS is associated with underlying regional injuries in nearly half of patients with a higher prevalence of HVI and solid organ trauma.