bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
P063: Ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous access in the emergency department: a randomized controlled trial comparing single and dual-operator technique
Authors: Hart A. , Chenkin J. , Craig B. , Simard R. , Alexandre C.
Published: May 2018

Introduction: Ultrasound-guided intravenous (UGIV) insertion performed by nurses has been shown to be more effective than the blind approach for patients with difficult intravenous (IV) access in the emergency department (ED). While both the single-operator (SO) (where a single operator holds the IV and probe) and dual-operator (DO) (where a second operator holds the probe) techniques have been described, the DO is more resource-intensive, requiring a second operator to be present. The objective of this study is to compare the first-attempt cannulation success rates between a SO and DO technique in ED patients with predicted difficult access. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled non-inferiority trial using a convenience sample of adult ED patients. Participating ED nurses received a one-hour UGIV training session including didactic and practical training on simulated arms. Patients were enrolled if they met any of three criteria for difficult access: (1) history of difficult access, (2) no visible or palpable veins, or (3) two failed blind attempts. Patients requiring active resuscitation, lack of suitable veins on US, or those unable to consent or comply with the procedure were excluded. Eligible patients were randomized to the SO or DO technique and a maximum of two UGIV attempts were allowed. The primary outcome was first-attempt success rate. Additional outcomes included overall success rate, number of attempts, time to successful cannulation, patient pain scores, operator ease of use scores, and complications 30 minutes after insertion. The chi-square test was used to compare success rates between groups and t-tests used for all other secondary outcomes. Results: 42 eligible patients have been approached for our study. 14 were excluded due to lack of visible veins on US or due to ongoing resuscitation. A total of 33 UGIV attempts were performed on 28 patients (17 in SO group, 16 in DO group). There was no statistically significant difference in first attempt success rates between the SO group of 76.5% (95% CI [50.1% to 93.2%]) and the DO group of 68.8% (95% CI [41.3% to 89%]) (p=0.62). There were also no statistically significant differences between the SO and DO groups in time to cannulation (140 vs 165 seconds, p=0.36), patient preference on a 10-point scale (7.0 vs 7.9, p=0.49), patient pain score (6.3 vs 6.6, p=0.87) or nursing ease of use (5.3 vs 6.5 p=0.23) respectively. There were no complications noted in either arm of the study. Conclusion: To date, the SO technique appears to be non-inferior to the DO technique for successful UGIV cannulation. Our results support the use of the SO technique, reducing the need for additional nursing resources when performing this procedure.
P069: Hardened tendencies: persistence of initial appraisals following simulation-based stress training
Authors: Hicks C. , LeBlanc V.
Published: May 2018

Introduction: Stress has been shown to impair performance during acute events. The goal of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of two simulation-based training interventions and baseline demographics (gender, age) on stress responses to simulated trauma scenarios. Methods: Sixteen (16) Emergency Medicine and Surgery residents were randomly assigned to one of two groups: Stress Inoculation Training (SIT) or Crisis Resource Management (CRM). Residents served as trauma team leaders in simulated trauma scenarios pre and post intervention. CRM training focused on non-technical skills required for effective teamwork. The SIT group focused on cognitive reappraisal, breathing and mental rehearsal. Training lasted 3 hours, involving brief didactic sessions and practice scenarios with debriefing focused on either CRM or SIT. Stress responses were measured with the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (anxiety), cognitive appraisal (degree to which a person interprets a situation as a threat or challenge) and salivary cortisol levels. Results: Because the pre-intervention stress responses were different between the two groups, the results were analyzed with stepwise regression analyses. The only significant predictor of anxiety and cortisol responses were the residents appraisal responses to that scenario, explaining 31% of the variance in anxiety and cortisol. Appraisals of the post-intervention scenarios were predicted by their appraisals of the pre-intervention scenario and gender, explaining 73% of the variance. Men were more likely than women to appraise the scenarios as threatening. There were no differences in subjective anxiety, cognitive appraisal or salivary cortisol responses as a result of either intervention. Conclusion: Male residents, as well as those who appraised an initial simulated trauma scenario as threatening, were more likely to interpret a subsequent scenario as threatening, and were more likely to have larger subjective (anxiety) and physiological (cortisol) responses a subsequent scenario. Both CRM and SIT training were not effective in overcoming initial appraisals of potentially stressful events.
P070: Excluding ectopic pregnancy in patients presenting to a community emergency department with first trimester bleeding
Authors: Hoe E. , Varner C. , Ivankovic M.
Published: May 2018

Introduction: Current guidelines recommend patients with first trimester bleeding without previously documented intrauterine pregnancy undergo urgent transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) to exclude ectopic pregnancy. However, in Canadian practice to receive urgent TVUS, particularly out of daytime hours is difficult, if not impossible. Thus, when TVUS is not available to exclude ectopic pregnancy, providers use point of care ultrasound (POCUS) or their best clinical judgment to determine if the patient can be safely discharged home while awaiting outpatient follow-up. The objective of this study was to determine what proportion of first trimester patients presenting to a community hospital emergency department (ED) with vaginal bleeding undergo either TVUS or POCUS to exclude ectopic pregnancy. Methods: This is an ongoing retrospective chart review of pregnant women gestational age (GA) less than 20 weeks presenting to a community hospital ED (103,000 visits/year) with a discharge diagnosis of vaginal bleed, first trimester bleed, threatened abortion, spontaneous abortion, missed abortion, rule out ectopic pregnancy, and ectopic pregnancy from January 2016 - January 2017. Patients are excluded if they are diagnosed with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy during their index ED visit. To date, 98 patient charts have been reviewed. Results: Of the 98 included patients, 13 (13.3%) had a viable pregnancy, 37 (37.8%) had a spontaneous or missed abortion, 4 (4.1%) had an ectopic pregnancy, and 45 (45.9%) had unknown outcomes. Of included patients, 4 (4.1%) only had POCUS, 66 (67.4%) only had a radiologist-interpreted TVUS, and 3 (3.1%) had both POCUS and radiologist-interpreted TVUS during their ED index visits. Thus, 73 (74.5%) had either a radiologist-interpreted TVUS or ED provider-performed POCUS during their index ED visit. After their index ED visits, 2 (2.0%) patients returned with ruptured ectopic pregnancies, 1 of whom had not undergone initial US investigations. Conclusion: Although TVUS is standard of care to exclude ectopic pregnancy in patients presenting with first trimester bleeding or abdominal pain, our preliminary results show some patients are not receiving this diagnostic modality nor POCUS during their index ED visit. Particularly in a setting, such as this ED, without rapid access to an early pregnancy clinic, patients should be counselled about their risk of ectopic pregnancy at the time of ED discharge.
P072: The effect of infographic promotion on research dissemination and readership: a randomized control trial
Authors: Huang S. Y. , Martin L. , Chin A. , Yeh C. , Murray H. , Mohindra R. , Sanderson W. B. , Chan T. M. , Thoma B.
Published: May 2018

Introduction: With the increasing volume of medical literature published each year, it is difficult for clinicians to translate the latest research into practice. Awareness is the first step of knowledge translation and journals have begun using social media to increase the dissemination and awareness of their publications. Infographics can describe research findings visually, are shared broadly on social media, and may be a more effective way to convey information. We hypothesized that infographic abstracts would increase the social media dissemination and online readership of research articles relative to traditional abstracts. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 24 original research articles were chosen from the six issues of the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine (CJEM) published between July 2016 and May 2017 (4 articles per issue). Half were randomized to the infographic and control groups within each issue. Infographic articles were promoted using a visual infographic outlining the findings of the article. Control articles were promoted using a screen capture image of each articles abstract. Both were disseminated through the journals social media accounts (Twitter and Facebook) along with the link to the selected article. Infographics were also published on CanadiEM.org. Abstract views, full text views, and the change in Altmetric score were tracked for 30 days and compared between groups. Unpaired two-tailed t-tests were used to detect significant differences. Results: Abstract views (mean, SD) were significantly higher for infographic articles (378.9, 162.0) than control articles (175.5, 69.2, p<0.001). Mean Altmetric scores were significantly higher for infographic articles (26.4, 13.8) than control articles (3.4, 1.7, p<0.0001). There was no statistically significant difference in full-text views between infographic (49.7, 90.4) and control articles (25.3, 12.3). Conclusion: CJEM articles promoted on social media using infographics had higher abstract viewership and Altmetric scores than those promoted with traditional abstracts. Although there was no difference in full-text readership, our results suggest that infographic abstracts may have a role in increasing the dissemination of medical literature.
P074: Comparison of unmanned aerial vehicle technology versus standard practice in triaging casualties by paramedic students in a mass casualty incident scenario
Authors: Jain T. , Sibley A. , Stryhn H. , Hubloue I.
Published: May 2018

Introduction: The proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology has the potential to change the way medical incident commanders respond to mass casualty incidents (MCI) in triaging victims. The aim of this study was to compare UAV technology to standard practice (SP) in triaging casualties at a MCI Methods: A randomized comparison study was conducted with forty paramedic students from the Holland College Paramedicine Program. Using a simulated motor vehicle collision with moulaged casualties, iterations of twenty students were used for both a day and a night trial. Students were randomized to an UAV or a SP group. After a brief narrative participants either entered the study environment or used UAV technology where total time to triage completion, green casualty evacuation, time on scene, triage order and accuracy was recorded Results: A statistical difference in the time to completing of 3.63 minutes (95% CI: 2.45, 4.85, p=0.002) during the day iteration and a difference of 3.49 minutes (95% CI: 2.08,6.06, p=0.002) for the night trial with UAV groups was noted. There was no difference found in time to green casualty evacuation, time on scene or triage order. One hundred percent accuracy was noted between both groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the feasibility of using an UAV at a MCI. A non clinical significant difference was noted in total time to completion between both groups. There was no increase in time on scene by using the UAV while demonstrating the feasibility of remotely triaging green casualties prior to first responder arrival.
P078: If you build it they will come: use of live actor patients during a hospital-wide mass casualty simulation exercise to garner institutional commitment to long term drills
Authors: Kester-Greene N. , Cocco C. , DeSousa S. , Thomas-Boaz W. , Nathens A. , Burgess R. , Ramagnano S. , Filipowska C. , Mazurik L.
Published: May 2018

Introduction: BACKGOUND In the modern era of terrorism and senseless violence, it is essential that hospital staff have expertise in implementation of a mass casualty incident (MCI) plan. OBJECTIVES 1. To assess current gaps in implementation of an academic urban hospital code orange plan using live simulation and tabletop exercise. 2. To identify and educate front-line staff to champion a hospital-wide MCI plan. INNOVATION Historically, in order to limit resource utilization and impact on patient care, disaster response training of front-line staff involved tabletop exercises only. The tenets of experiential learning suggest that learner engagement through realistic active practice of skills achieves deeper uptake of new knowledge. We enhanced the traditional tabletop approach through novel use of live actor patients presenting to an academic, urban emergency department (ED) during a hospital-wide MCI simulation. Methods: To assess the current code orange plan, an interprofessional, committee comprising expert leaders in trauma, emergency preparedness, emergency medicine and simulation integrated tabletop and live simulation to stage a MCI based on a mock incident at a new subway station. ED staff, the trauma team and champions from medicine, surgery and critical care participated along with support departments such as Patient Flow, Patient Transport, Environmental Services and the Hospital Emergency Operations Centre. Ten live actor patients and eight virtual patients presented to the ED. The exercise occurred in situ in the ED. Other participating departments conducted tabletop exercises and received live actor patients. Results: CURRICULUM Staff decanted the ED and other participating units using their current knowledge of hospital code orange policy. Live and virtual patients were triaged and managed according to severity of injuries. Live actor patients were assessed, intervened and transported to their designated unit. Virtual patients were managed through verbal discussion with the simulation controllers. An ED debrief took place using a plus/delta approach followed by a hospital-wide debrief. Conclusion: CONCLUSION An interprofessional hospital-wide MCI simulation revealed important challenges such as communication, command and control and patient-tracking . The exercise ignited enthusiasm and commitment to longitudinal practice and improvement for identified gaps.
P079: Transition to practice: evaluating the need for formal training in supervision and assessment techniques among senior emergency medicine residents and new to practice emergency physicians
Authors: Kilbertus S. , Pardhan K. , Bandiera G. , Zaheer J.
Published: May 2018

Introduction: Final year emergency medicine residents may be transitioning to practice with little to no training on how to effectively supervise and assess trainees. It remains unclear how comfortable final year residents and new-to-practice physicians are with these competencies. The goal of our study was to examine physician comfort with supervision and assessment, whether there was a perceived need for formal training in these areas, and what gaps, barriers and enablers would exist in implementing it. Methods: Qualitative data were collected in two phases during September 2016-November 2017 through interviews of PGY5 emergency residents and new-to-practice staff at the University of Toronto and McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. A semi-structured interview guide was developed and used during the first round of interviews at the University of Toronto during phase one. Results from phase one were used to refine the interview guide, to be used in phase two, to ensure that all potential areas of thematic generation were touched upon. Phase two occurred at the University of Toronto and McMaster University using the refined interview guide. All transcripts were coded, analyzed, and collapsed into themes. Data analysis was guided by a constructivist grounded theory based in a relativist paradigm. Results: Thematic analysis revealed five themes. Residents and staff alike described acquiring the skills of supervision and assessment passively, primarily through modeling the behaviours of others; the training that is available in these areas is variably used, creating a diversity of physician comfort levels within these two competencies; the many competing priorities in the emergency department represent significant barriers to improving supervision and assessment; providing negative feedback is universally difficult and often avoided, sometimes resulting in struggling trainees not being identified until late in residency; the move towards competency based education (CBE) will act as an impetus for more formal curriculum being required in these areas. Conclusion: As residency programs transition to a CBE model, there will be a greater need for formal training in supervision and assessment to achieve a standard level of comfort and competence among senior residents physicians in independent practice. These competencies will also need an emphasis on how to identify struggling trainees, and how to approach negative and constructive feedback.
P082: Kingston emergency department utilization of adults who have experienced adverse childhood experiences
Authors: Korpal D. , Purkey E. , Bartels S. A. , Beckett T. , Davidson C. , MacKenzie M. , Soucie K.
Published: May 2018

Introduction: It is critical for planning, clinical care and resource optimization to understand patterns of emergency department (ED) utilization. Individuals who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are known to have more unhealthy behaviors and worse health outcomes as adults and therefore may be more frequent ED users. Adverse childhood experiences include physical, sexual and emotional abuse or neglect, substance abuse in the family, witnessing violence, having a parent incarcerated or parents getting divorced or separated. To date there are few studies exploring the relationship between ACE and ED utilization. Methods: This a mixed qualitative and quantitative study. It includes analysis of data collected through a survey, a retrospective chart review and focus group discussions. The survey was administered to a convenience sample of adult patients (CTAS 2 -5) presenting to EDs in Kingston Ontario, and consisted of two validated tools that measured exposure to ACE and resiliency. Demographic data and ED utilization frequency for 12 months prior to the index visit were extracted from an electronic medical record for each patient completing the survey. A sample of participants with a high ACE burden (ACE score > 4) were invited to participate in focus groups to explore their experiences of care in the ED. Demographic, ED utilization and health status data were summarized and statistically significant patterns between high ACE and lower ACE patients were determined using Chi2t or t-tests. Transcripts from the focus groups were thematically analyzed using NVivo software by 2 independent researchers. Results: 1693 surveys were collected, 301 (18%) were deemed to have a high ACE score, data analysis is ongoing. The primary outcome is the relationship between ACE and the frequency of ED utilization among adult patients presenting to EDs in Kingston, ON. Secondary outcomes include evaluating the role of resilience as a potential mitigating factor, describing the demographics of high ACE burden frequent ED visitors, and the experiences of care for individuals with high ACE burden in the ED. These outcomes will be utilized to inform hypotheses for future studies and potential interventions aimed at optimizing ED utilization and patient care experience. Conclusion: This study provides novel insight into the relationship between ACE burden and ED utilization while also describing the demographics and experiences of care for ED patients with a high ACE score. Data analysis is on-going.
P084: Substituting capillary blood for urine in point-of-care pregnancy tests
Authors: Lafleche M. , Parent A. , Conrad E. Katherine , Bignucolo A.
Published: May 2018

Introduction: When a female presents with abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding, a positive b-hcg level helps in the diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy. A timely diagnosis as well as management is required for these cases. In many emergency departments, there can be delays in laboratory processing of quantitative b-hcg levels as well as qualitative urine pregnancy tests. In others, especially in rural hospitals in Canada, the laboratory closes at night and these tests cannot be processed until the morning. This may also help decrease length of stay for some patients in the emergency department. There are currently new point-of-care b-hcg tests on the market using capillary blood, but these are expensive and not readily available. The purpose of the study is to validate the most inexpensive point of care urine pregnancy tests readily available on the market for use with capillary blood samples. These point-of-care tests have only been studied with urine and whole blood. If validated with capillary blood, it would allow for a very practical, rapid, and inexpensive test which could help doctors and nurses to triage patients in a timely and more efficient fashion. Methods: In our emergency department, 385 patients between the ages of 18-50 with possible pregnancy, abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding will be included in the study. A capillary blood sample will be taken and applied to a cassette point-of-care pregnancy test with four drops of saline. Two independent investigators will assess the test. The results will be compared to a quantitative serum hCG assay and urine. If these tests are not done as part of the patients medical care, the patient will be contacted one month after to enquire if the patient is pregnant or not. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values will be calculated. Results: Data colleciton will begin in January 2018. Conclusion: No conclusions can yet be drawn.
P090: The use of a pediatric pre-arrival and pre-departure trauma checklist to improve clinical care in a simulated trauma resuscitation: a randomized trial
Authors: Lee-Nobbee P. , MacGillivray S. , Lam R. , Guilfoyle J. , Mikrogianakis A. , Lin Y. , Grant V. , Cheng A.
Published: May 2018

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to determine if the introduction of a pre-arrival and pre-departure Trauma Checklist as a cognitive aid, coupled with an educational session, will improve clinical performance in a simulated environment. The Trauma Checklist was developed in response to a quality assurance review of high-acuity trauma activations. It focuses on pre-arrival preparation and a pre-departure review prior to patient transfer to diagnostic imaging or the operating room. We conducted a pilot, randomized control trial assessing the impact of the Trauma Checklist on time to critical interventions on a simulated pediatric patient by multidisciplinary teams. Methods: Emergency department teams composed of 2 physicians, 2 nurses and 2 confederate actors were enrolled in our study. In the intervention arm, participants watched a 10-minute educational video modelling the use of the trauma checklist prior to their simulation scenario and were provided a copy of the checklist. Teams participated in a standardized simulation scenario caring for a severely injured adolescent patient with hemorrhagic shock, respiratory failure and increased intracranial pressure. Our primary outcome of interest was time measurement to initiation of key clinical interventions, including intubation, first blood product administration, massive transfusion protocol activation, initiation of hyperosmolar therapy and others. Secondary outcome measures included a Trauma Task Performance score and checklist completion scores. Results: We enrolled 14 multidisciplinary teams (n=56 participants) into our study. There was a statistically significant decrease in median time to initiation of hyperosmolar therapy by teams in the intervention arm compared to the control arm (581 seconds, [509-680] vs. 884 seconds, [588-1144], p=0.03). Time to initiation of other clinical interventions was not statistically significant. There was a trend to higher Trauma Task Performance scores in the intervention group however this did not reach statistical significant (p=0.09). Pre-arrival and pre-departure checklist scores were higher in the intervention group (9.0 [9.0-10.0] vs. 7.0 [6.0-8.0], p=0.17 and 12.0 [11.5-12.0] vs. 7.5 [6.0-8.5], p=0.01). Conclusion: Teams using the Trauma Checklist did not have decreased time to initiation of key clinical interventions except in initiating hyperosmolar therapy. Teams in the intervention arm had statistically significantly higher pre-arrival and pre-departure scores, with a trend to higher Trauma Task Performance scores. Our study was a pilot and recruitment did not achieve the anticipated sample size, thus underpowered. The impact of this checklist should be studied outside tertiary trauma centres, particularly in trainees and community emergency providers, to assess for benefit and further generalizability.
P091: Emergency Critical Care Ultrasound (ECCU) paramedical course: a novel curriculum for training paramedics in ultrasound
Authors: Lewis D. , Gould J. , Atkinson P. , Sibley A. K. , Henneberry R.
Published: May 2018

Introduction: Ultrasonography (US), performed in the Emergency Department (ED) by Emergency Physicians, is well established. Educational studies have shown some promise in training paramedics in US use. We have developed and piloted a novel curriculum for paramedic US education. Methods: Based on an informal needs assessment, an US curriculum for paramedics was developed to include: Basic principles, Focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST), cardiac, and vascular access. Participants included ED-based and pre-hospital paramedics including all paramedics with critical care training who routinely perform vascular access and procedural sedation within our ED. Comparisons were made using paired non-parametric tests (GraphPad). Results: Participants (N=9) were provided pre- reading materials prior to completing a 6-hour course, consisting of a mix of didactic and practical sessions with live models and vascular access phantoms. Each module was introduced with a 30 minute didactic session, led by an Emergency Physician trained in US, followed immediately by a 1 hour hands-on session lead by either an Emergency Physician or an Emergency Medicine Resident at a learner to instructor ratio of 3:1. At the end of the course, participants were asked to complete a short 10 minute survey that included (1) an assessment of the course quality with regard to preparatory material and course content/delivery (4 point Likert scale; excellent, good, fair, poor); (2) self reported US knowledge pre and post course on a scale of 1-10 (10 high, 1 low); (3) general yes/no questions related to the future of ECCU paramedical and (4) a subjective written section for additional comments. All participants rated the content favourably: 97% scoring it as excellent, and 3% as good. The participants median self-reported US knowledge score increased from 2/10 (IQR 2-3) to 8/10 (IQR 7.25-8; p=0.009) post- course. All comments from the text field were positive in nature. Conclusion: We report a paramedic US course curriculum, which when piloted resulted in high learner satisfaction and a high rate of self reported improvement in US knowledge. Further study will include an assessment of knowledge acquisition and practical performance. Future modifications in our curriculum will be based on needs assessment and may include additional modules.
P097: Making emergency room crash carts useful
Authors: Malishewski C.
Published: May 2018

Introduction: Human factors are a neglected when it comes to crash cart design and function. Using observational assessments and in-house surveys, the process improvement team found that staff use of the crash carts in the University of Alberta ED had significate redundancy, inefficiency and often leading to confusion during use. The process improvement team assessed the layout of the adult crash cart and redesigned the cart format based on observational problems/inefficiencies staff had during resuscitations. It was hoped that staff found the new design more efficient and effective during resuscitations when compared to the old cart. Methods: To effect change, the Rapid result change theory method was utilized to implement the new crash cart prototype. The model was used to evoke excitement and staff participation in front line process improvement. With input from senior staff, the cart was redesigned and placed in resus area where it stood the greatest chance of being used frequently. Once a prototype crash cart had gone live, surveys, based on a 7 point Likert scale compared the old and new cart systems. The resus area housed both old and new carts to facilitate the comparison. The survey assessed 6 domains; visibility of the medications, locating medications, overall organization, time savings, mixing medications and comfort level of using each cart. Results: After the trial, the surveys were collected and analyzed using T-test; the results were significant. There was an overwhelming positive result within all domains when comparing the two carts. There was mean difference ranging from 1.7 to 3.5 comparing when comparing the two carts to each domain. Conclusion: The results were so positive; all seven carts were changed to the same format. The overall impact of the new cart design saved time in both application and turnaround time in restocking.
P099: Evaluating the potential impact of an ECPR program at The Ottawa Hospital: a retrospective health records review
Authors: McDonald L. , Mastoras G. N. , Hickey M. , McDonald B. , Kwok E. S.H.
Published: May 2018

Introduction: Extracorporeal Life Support in the context of cardiac arrest (ECPR) is an emerging resuscitative therapy which has shown promising results for patients who may not otherwise survive. As a resource-intensive intervention, ECPR requires carefully selected patients to maximize its potential benefits and mitigate undue harm. This retrospective health records review sought to identify the characteristics of cardiac arrest patients presenting to two academic tertiary care Emergency Departments (EDs) in order to assess the feasibility and impact of an ECPR program. Methods: We reviewed charts for all patients aged 18-75 years old presenting to two Academic Teaching Hospitals with out-of-hospital or in-ED refractory cardiac arrest from January 2015 to December 2016. Based on a review of existing ECPR literature, we defined two sets of liberal and restrictive criteria associated with survival and applied these to our cohort for possible initiation of ECPR. The chart review was completed by one of the principal investigators, with 10% of charts randomly reviewed by a second investigator to ensure good inter-agreement. Any discrepancies or ambiguities found in the review were resolved collaboratively between both investigators. Results: A total of 220 charts were identified and 191 deemed eligible for inclusion in the study. The median age was 59 (IQR: 49.5-67) years and the cohort was 72% male. The initial presenting rhythm was identified as VT/VF in 47% of patients. 65% of arrests were witnessed, with immediate bystander CPR performed on 50% patients and an additional 12% receiving CPR within 10 minutes of collapse. 60% of patients had cardiac arrest lasting less than 75 minutes. 69% of patients were identified as having a reversible cause of cardiac arrest. A favorable premorbid status was identified in 76% of patients. Application of our two sets of ECPR inclusion criteria revealed that 17% and 3% of patients for the liberal and restrictive criteria respectively, would have been candidates for ECPR. Conclusion: At our centre, we identified that in a two-year period, 3% to 17% of cardiac arrest patients presenting to the ED would have met inclusion criteria for ECPR, translating to an additional 0.2-1.4 patients per month admitted for critical care. These findings would suggest that the implementation of an ECPR program at our institution has the potential to have a positive impact for patients with only a relatively low volume of patients requiring additional resources.
P101: Sex-specific Troponin T cutoffs for ruling out acute myocardial infarction at ED arrival
Authors: McRae A. D. , Graham M. , Abedin T. , Ji J. , Yang H. , Wang D. , Southern D. , Andruchow J. E. , Lang E. S. , Innes G. , Seiden-Long I. , DeKoning L. , Kavsak P.
Published: May 2018

Introduction: ex-specific diagnostic cutoffs may improve the test characteristics of high-sensitivity troponin assays for the diagnosis of myocardial infarction. Sex-specific cutoffs for ruling in MI improve the sensitivity of the assay for MI among women, and improve the specificity of diagnosis among men. We hypothesized that the use of sex-specific high-sensitivity Troponin T (hsTnT) cutoffs for ruling out MI at the time of ED arrival would improve the classification efficiency of the assay by enabling more patients to have MI ruled out at the time of ED arrival while maintaining diagnostic sensitivity. The objective of this study was to quantify the test characteristics of sex-specific cutoffs of an hsTnT assay for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) when performed at ED arrival in patients with chest pain. Methods: This retrospective study included consecutive ED patients with suspected cardiac chest pain evaluated in four urban EDs were, excluding those with ST-elevation AMI, cardiac arrest or abnormal kidney function. The primary outcomes was AMI at 7 days. Secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiac events (MACE: all-cause mortality, AMI and revascularization) and the individual MACE components. We quantified test characteristics (sensitivity, negative predictive value, likelihood ratios and proportion of patients ruled out) for multiple combinations of sex-specific rule-out cutoffs. We calculated net reclassification improvement compared to universal rule-out cutoffs of 5ng/L (the assays limit of detection) and 6ng/L (the FDA-approved limit of quantitation for US laboratories). Results: 7130 patients, including 3931 men and 3199 women, were included. The 7-day incidence of AMI was 7.38% among men and 3.78% among women. Universal cutoffs of 5 and 6 ng/L ruled out AMI with 99.7% sensitivity in 33.6 and 42.2% of patients. The best-performing combination of sex-specific cutoffs (8g/L for men and 6ng/L for men) ruled out AMI with 98.7% sensitivity in 51.9% of patients. Conclusion: Sex-specific hsTnT cutoffs for ruling out AMI at ED arrival may achieve substantial improvement in classification performance, enabling more patients to be ruled out at ED arrival, while maintaining acceptable diagnostic sensitivity for AMI. Universal and sex-specific rule-out cutoffs differ by only small changes in hsTnT concentration. Therefore, these findings should be confirmed in other datasets.
P102: A quality improvement project: identifying and managing latent safety threats though a zone wide emergency department in-situ multidiscipline simulation program
Authors: Mews L. , O’Dochartaigh D. , Chan M. , Brown T. , Robb A. , Ma W.
Published: May 2018

Introduction: High fidelity in-situ simulation has been found to detect system deficiencies, equipment failures, and conditions predisposing to medical errors, also known as latent safety threats (LST). What is not well reported is whether these LSTs are effectively managed. As a part of an ongoing quality improvement project, multidisciplinary, in-situ simulations were conducted across emergency departments (ED) in the Edmonton zone with the aim to identify LST and subsequently manage them to improve patient care. Methods: In 2017 simulations were conducted at EDs in the Edmonton Zone (N=10). Following each simulation, a cross sectional, survey based assessment tool, was completed by participants to identify LST. These LST were shared with the site clinical nurse educator and/or site manager and a management plan made. Two to six months follow-up was made to track progress. For reporting, LST were grouped into themes, progress on LST were coded as either resolved, ongoing, or not managed. Results: A total of 112 LST were identified through 18 separate simulations. The most commonly identified LTS were: resuscitation resource required (n 23), lack of staff training (21), equipment not immediately available (20), IT resource required (8), medication not immediately available (6), staff requiring familiarization (5), medication resource required (5), IT issue (4), large equipment needed (4), small equipment needed (4), lack of staff resource (3), medication needed, (3), equipment malfunction (2), Environment cluttered (2), non-appropriate resource removed (2). Site follow-up identified a total of 52 LST that where resolved, and 60 LST that had ongoing work to manage them. No occurrences of LST not being managed were identified. Conclusion: Simulation was used to effectively identify LST. Creating a structured plan and follow up allowed many LST to be resolved and effectively managed. In 2018 simulation will reassess if LST remain.
P104: Evaluating the use of the pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria in the emergency department
Authors: Sharif S. , Kearon C. , Eventov M. , Li M. , Sneath P. , Jiang R. , Leung R. , de Wit K.
Published: May 2018

Introduction: Diagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) can be challenging because the signs and symptoms are often non-specific. Studies have shown that evidence-based algorithms are not always adhered to in the Emergency Department (ED), which leads to unnecessary CT scanning. The pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria (PERC) can identify patients who can be safely discharged from the ED without further investigation for PE. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of the PERC rule in the ED and to compare the rates of testing for PE if the PERC rule was used. Methods: This was a health records review of ED patients investigated for PE at two emergency departments over a two-year period (April 2013-March 2015). Inclusion criteria were ED physician ordered CT pulmonary angiogram, ventilation-perfusion scan, or D-dimer for investigation of PE. Patients under the age of 18 were excluded. PE was considered to be present during the emergency department visit if PE was diagnosed on CT or VQ (subsegmental level or above), or if the patient was subsequently found to have PE or deep vein thrombosis during the next 30 days. Trained researchers extracted anonymized data. The rate of CT/VQ imaging and the negative predictive value was calculated. Results: There were 1,163 patients that were tested for PE and 1,097 patients were eligible for our analysis. Of the total, 330/1,097 (30.1%; 95%CI 27.4-32.3%) had CT/VQ imaging for PE, and 48/1,097 (4.4%; 95%CI 3.3-5.8%) patients were diagnosed with PE. 806/1,097 (73.5%; 95%CI 70.8-76.0%) were PERC positive, and of these, 44 patients had a PE (5.5%; 95%CI 4.1-7.3%). Conversely, 291/1,097 (26.5%; 95%CI 24.0-29.2%) patients were PERC negative, and of these, 4 patients had a PE (1.4%; 95%CI 0.5-3.5%). Of the PERC negative patients, 291/291 (100.0%; 95%CI 98.7-100.0%) had a D-dimer test done, and 33/291 (11.3%; 95%CI 8.2-15.5%) had a CT angiogram. If PERC was used, CT/VQ imaging would have been avoided in 33/1,097 (3%; 95%CI 2.2-4.2%) patients and the D-dimer would have been avoided in 291/1,097 (26.5%; 95%CI 24.0-29.2%) patients. Conclusion: If the PERC rule was used in all patients with suspected PE, fewer patients would have further testing. The false negative rate for the PERC rule was low.
P106: Systemic thrombolysis for suspected high-risk pulmonary embolism: a retrospective medical record review
Authors: Mulla A. , de Wit K.
Published: May 2018

Introduction: Current treatment guidelines advocate for the aggressive management of both high-risk and subsets of moderate-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) with fibrinolytic therapy. However, there is limited evidence on the risks and benefits of fibrinolytic therapy in PE, with mortality improvement still to be proven. This study aimed to report the incidence of major bleeding and death after thrombolysis for PE. Methods: A health records review was performed on data from two hospitals between 2007 and 2017. Pharmacy identified all patients who had received either alteplase or tenecteplase. Trained abstractors reviewed each chart to determine the indication for thrombolytic therapy. Patients were included if they received systemic thrombolysis for diagnosed or presumed PE. Data was extracted on 30-day mortality, International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis defined major bleeding within 30 days, premorbid anticoagulant and antiplatelet prescription, age, sex, comorbidities, renal function, history of bleeding, type and dose of thrombolytic and category of PE (high or moderate risk). Results: 1534 patients were identified, of which 72 received systemic thrombolysis for PE. The median age was 57, 34 were male, 17 with a history of venous thrombosis and 12 with cancer. Fifty-four were classified as having high-risk PE, of whom 39 received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when thrombolysis was administered. Formal confirmatory imagining for PE was obtained in only 23/39 patients who were in cardiac arrest. Eighteen patients were classified as moderate-risk PE. The incidence of major bleeding was 28/54 (52%, 95% CI 39-65%), and 3/18 (17%, 95% CI 6-39%) for the high and moderate risk groups respectively. There were 4 intracranial bleeds, all in the high-risk PE group. The only significant predictor of major bleeding was the need for CPR at the point of administration of the thrombolytic agent (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.0-7.5, adjusted for age). Thirty-four patients died within 30 days (47%, 95% CI 36-59%), all in the high-risk PE group. Death was not associated with any demographic variable on univariate analysis. Death occurred in 28/39 (72%, 95%CI 56-83%) patients who received CPR and 6/33 (18%, 95% CI 9-34%) who did not. Conclusion: We found a high incidence of 30-day major bleeding and death following administration of thrombolysis for PE which will help inform future prognostic discussions in our institution.
P107: The development of a mentorship based, near-peer simulated resuscitation training program for medical trainees
Authors: O’Leary J. R. , Brennan E. , Gilic F.
Published: May 2018

Introduction: High quality Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) saves lives, however skill retention after standard Basic Life support (BLS) courses has been shown to be poor. Our goal was to develop a student-run, mentorship based program to allow repetitive practice of BLS skills while minimizing resource commitment and time requirements. Methods: We developed a top down training program that relied on online teaching resources, regular simulation training and near-peer feedback. First year medical students were given the opportunity to participate in the program and baseline CPR quality was documented. They were then divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group participated in bi-monthly 40-minute small group training sessions directed by senior medical students and monitored by a staff physician. The control group received no further training. At the end of the 8-month study period CPR quality was documented for all participants. Results: We included data from 54 medical students. Overall compression depth and rate were monitored using Laderall SimMan 3G(TM) high-fidelity CPR mannequins. Average rate and depth of compression were significantly improved in the intervention group relative to both the control group that did not receive training, as well as relative to the intervention groups own pre intervention values (both with p values below 0.05 using Mann-Whitney tests and an intention to treat analysis for loss to follow up). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated a significant improvement in CPR quality as a result of our intervention. Survey data also indicated positive feedback from participants in relation to comfort with in-hospital CPR. As such we intend to continue to run this program, identifying participants each year whom can move into training and leadership roles to help foster CPR and basic resuscitation in our medical community.
P114: Blood on board: the development of a prehospital blood transfusion program in a Canadian helicopter emergency medical service
Authors: Piggot Z. , Krook C. , O’Dochartaigh D. , vanWerkhoven G. , Armstrong J. , Painter S. , Deedo R. , McKay D. , Nesdoly D. , Martin D.
Published: May 2018

Introduction: Prehospital blood transfusion has been adopted by many civilian helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) agencies and early outcomes are positive. Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS) operates six bases in Western Canada and in 2013 implemented a prehospital transfusion program. We describe the processes and standard work ensuring safe storage, administration, and stewardship of this precious resource. Our aim was to produce a sustainable and safe blood storage system that could be carried on each mission flown. Methods: Close collaboration with transfusion services and adherence to Canadian Transfusion Standards was key at each step of development. An inexpensive, reusable, temperature controlled thermal packaging device was obtained along with an electronic temperature logger. Conditioning of the device and temperature maintenance (1 6C) was tested to ensure safe storage conditions. Online training programs were developed for air medical crew (AMC) as well as transport physicians (TPs) regarding administration indications, safety, and stewardship processes. Blood traceability and usage was monitored on an ongoing basis for quality assurance. Results: Two units of O negative packed red blood cells (pRBCs) are now carried on each flight. The blood box is conditioned and prepared by transfusion services for routine exchange every 72 hours. If pRBCs are administered the blood bank is immediately notified for preparation of another cooler. Unused blood is returned to blood bank circulation. Conclusion: The introduction of the STARS blood on board program supports the provision of emergent transfusion to selected patients in the pre-hospital environment. Our standard work and stewardship processes minimize wastage of blood products while keeping it readily available for critically ill and injured patients. Subsequent work will aim to describe characteristics and patient centred outcomes.