bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of an emergency department sepsis protocol on time to antibiotics in severe sepsis
Authors: Francis Marc , Rich Tom , Williamson Tyler , Peterson Daniel
Published: July 2016

Objective:

We sought to evaluate the time to antibiotics for emergency department (ED) patients meeting criteria for severe sepsis before and after the implementation of an ED sepsis protocol. Compliance with published guidelines for time to antibiotics and initial empiric therapy in sepsis was also assessed.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was conducted. Emergency department patient encounters with International Classification of Diseases codes related to severe infections were screened during a 3-month period before and after the implementation of a sepsis protocol. Encounters meeting criteria for severe sepsis were further assessed. The time to initiation of antibiotics was determined as well as the initial choice of antimicrobial therapy based on the presumed source of infection.

Results:

We reviewed 213 unique ED patient encounters meeting criteria for severe sepsis. Analysis of the period before implementation showed a median time from the time criteria for severe sepsis were met to delivery of antibiotics of 163 minutes (95% confidence interval [CI] 124 to 210 min). Analysis of the period after implementation of the protocol revealed a median time of 79 minutes (95% CI 64 to 94 min), representing an overall reduction of 84 minutes (95% CI 42 to 126 min). Before the implementation of the protocol, 47% of patients received correct antibiotic coverage for the presumed source of infection in compliance with locally published guidelines. After the initiation of the protocol, 73% received appropriate initial antibiotics, for an overall improvement of 26%.

Conclusion:

A guideline-based ED sepsis protocol for the evaluation and treatment of the septic patient appears to improve the time to administration of antibiotics as well as the appropriateness of initial antibiotic therapy in patients with severe sepsis.
A stone down below: a urethral stone causing acute urinary retention and renal failure
Authors: Bielawska Hanna , Epstein Norman L.
Published: July 2016

Impaction of a kidney stone in the male urethra is a rare sequela of an otherwise common disease process. Case reports of urethral stones in the recent literature are scarce. We report a case of a 48-year-old man who presented with an impacted urethral stone as a complication of nephrolithiasis. The pathology was twice missed, even with computed tomography showing the stone in the prostatic urethra, which highlights the challenges of making this diagnosis. We review the existing literature outlining the pathogenesis, clinical features and therapeutic considerations as they relate to urethral stones. We underscore the role of the emergency physician in the diagnosis and initial management of this entity, and draw attention to the need to evaluate not just the upper but also the lower genitourinary tracts when interpreting computed tomographic images obtained for the diagnosis of renal colic.
Dilute proparacaine for the management of acute corneal injuries in the emergency department
Authors: Michael Ball Ian , Seabrook Jamie , Desai Nimesh , Allen Larry , Anderson Scott
Published: July 2016

Objective:

Dogma discourages the provision of topical anesthetics to patients with corneal injuries discharged from the emergency department because of the toxicity of concentrated solutions. We compared the analgesic efficacy of dilute topical proparacaine with placebo in emergency department patients with acute corneal injuries.

Methods:

We conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial of adults with corneal injuries presenting to one of 2 tertiary care emergency departments in London, Ont. Patients were randomly assigned to groups receiving either 0.05% proparacaine or placebo drops as outpatients and were followed up to healing by a single ophthalmologist. Our primary outcome was pain reduction as measured on a 10-cm visual analog scale.

Results:

Fifteen participants from the proparacaine group and 18 participants from the placebo group completed the study. The mean age of the patients was 38.7 (standard deviation 12.3) years and the majority were male (85%). Pain reduction was significantly better in the proparacaine group than in the placebo group, with a median improvement of 3.9 (interquartile range [IQR] 1.5–5.1 ) cm on the visual analog scale versus a median improvement of 0.6 (IQR 0.2–2.0) cm (p= 0.007). The proparacaine group was more satisfied (median level of satisfaction 8.0 [IQR 6.0–9.0] cm on a 10-cm visual analog scale v. 2.6 [IQR 1.0–8.0] cm,p= 0.027). There were no ocular complications or signs of delayed wound healing in either group.

Conclusion:

Dilute topical proparacaine is an efficacious analgesic for acute corneal injuries. Although no adverse events were observed in our study population, larger studies are required to evaluate safety.
Perceptions of emergency medicine residents and fellows regarding competence, adverse events and reporting to supervisors: a national survey
Authors: Friedman Steven Marc , Sowerby Robert J. , Guo Ray , Bandiera Glen
Published: July 2016

Objective:

We sought to characterize the perceptions of emergency medicine (EM) residents and fellows of their clinical and procedural competence, as well as their attitudes, practices and perceived barriers to reporting these perceptions to their supervisors.

Methods:

A Web-based survey was distributed to residents and fellows, via their residency directors, in all Canadian EM residency programs outside of Quebec.

Results:

Of 220 residents and fellows contacted in 9 of 10 EM programs of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and 12 of 13 EM programs of The College of Family Physicians of Canada, 82 (37.3%) completed all or part of the survey. Response rates varied slightly by question; 25 of 82 respondents (30.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) 19.9%–41.1%]) agreed with the statement, “I sometimes feel unsafe or unqualified with undertaking unsupervised responsibilities or procedures, but I do not report this to my senior physician” and 32 of 81 (39.5% [95% CI 28.2%–50.8%]) had felt this within the past 6 months. Moreover, 34 of 82 (41.5% [95% CI 30.2%–52.7%]) reported their lack of competence to a supervisor half the time or less. Trainees reported worry about loss of trust, autonomy or respect (38/80, 47.5% [95% CI 35.9%–59.1%]) or reputation (32/80, 40.0% [95% CI 28.6%–51.4%]). Nights on-call (30/79, 38% [95% CI 26.6%–49.3%]), admission decisions (13/79, 16.5% [7.6%–25.3%]) and central line insertion (13/79, 16.5% [95% CI 7.6%–25.3%]) were reported to be frequently undertaken despite not feeling competent. Suggestions to improve reporting included encouragement to report without penalty (41/82, 50.0% [95% CI 38.6%–61.4%]) and a less judgmental environment (32/82, 39.0% [95% CI 27.9%–50.2%]).

Conclusion:

Emergency medicine trainees report that they frequently do not feel competent when undertaking responsibilities without supervision. Barriers to reporting these feelings or reporting adverse events appear to relate to social pressures and authority gradients. Modifications to the training culture are encouraged to improve patient safety.
Hypothermic modulation of anoxic brain injury in adult survivors of cardiac arrest: a review of the literature and an algorithm for emergency physicians
Authors: Green Robert S. , Howes Daniel
Published: July 2016

Anoxic brain injury is a common outcome after cardiac arrest. Despite substantial research into the pathophysiology and management of this injury, a beneficial treatment modality has not been previously identified. Recent studies show that induced hypothermia reduces mortality and improves neurological outcomes in patients resuscitated from ventricular fibrillation. This article reviews the literature on induced hypothermia for anoxic brain injury and summarizes a treatment algorithm proposed by the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians Critical Care Committee for hypothermia induction in cardiac arrest survivors.
Vasopressin versus epinephrine for out–of–hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Authors: Worster Andrew , Upadhye Suneel , Fernandes Christopher M.B.
Published: July 2016

Clinical question

Does the use of vasopressin for adult patients suffering a non-traumatic, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest improve the rates of survival to hospital admission (and discharge) better than epinephrine?
A survey to describe sleep-facilitating substances used by Canadian emergency physicians
Authors: Bailey Benoit , Alexandrov Lubomir
Published: July 2016

Background:

Because night shifts disrupt the normal circadian rhythm, sleep management is crucial for emergency physicians. The purpose of the survey was to describe the use of sleep-facilitating substances (SFSs) by emergency physicians before or after a night shift and to evaluate factors associated with their use.

Methods:

All members of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians with a Canadian postal address were mailed a copy of the survey. Canadian physicians were eligible if they worked at least one night shift per month and spent 50% or more of their time in emergency medicine. Logistic regression was used to identify characteristics most predictive of using SFSs before or after a night shift.

Results:

Of the 1621 surveys mailed, 805 were returned completed, for a response rate of 49.6%. Of these, 628 respondents met inclusion criteria and 215 respondents (34%) reported consuming at least one SFS in their career to help them sleep around a night shift. The use of an SFS before a night shift was associated with the use of SFSs after a night shift (odds ratio [OR] 3.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4–5.9) and the use of SFSs at other times (OR 3.8; 95% CI 2.1–6.6). The use of SFSs after a night shift was associated with the use of a sleep-facilitating technique before a night shift (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.3–3.3); use of an SFS before a night shift (OR 4.0; 95% CI 2.4–6.4); use of SFSs at other times (OR 4.7; 95% CI 2.6–8.4); and success of a nap before the night shift (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.25–0.83).

Conclusion:

The rate of SFS use is similar in emergency physicians and other shift workers. Emergency physicians who use SFSs before or after a night shift are more likely to use them at other times as well, and less likely to use them if they nap successfully prior to a night shift.
Understanding receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves
Authors: Fan Jerome , Upadhye Suneel , Worster Andrew
Published: July 2016

In this issue of the Journal, Auer and colleagues conclude that serum levels of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), a biochemical marker of ischemic brain injury, may have clinical utility for the prediction of survival to hospital discharge in patients experiencing the return of spontaneous circulation following at least 5 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The authors used a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to illustrate and evaluate the diagnostic (prognostic) performance of NSE. We explain ROC curve analysis in the following paragraphs.
Performance of emergency medicine residents on a novel practice examination using visual stimuli
Authors: Blouin Danielle , Dagnone Luigi Eugene , McGraw Robert
Published: July 2016

Objectives:

In 2004, the format of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada certification exam in Emergency Medicine was modified to include an audiovisual session. Residents' performance on such stimuli is unknown. This study aims to determine the performance of Emergency Medicine postgraduate year 5 (PGY-5) on a novel practice examination using visual stimuli, in an effort to guide residents' preparatory study, and to help educators focus the teaching related to visual stimuli.

Methods:

In this prospective observational study, 30 PGY-5 residents from 12 Emergency Medicine programs across Canada participated in a practice examination in which they had to answer 133 questions related to 80 visual stimuli. The stimuli included electrocardiograms, medical imaging and clinical photographs. Three experienced faculty provided “reference standard” answers for the visual stimuli. For analysis purpose, stimuli were classified into 9 clinical domains, outlined in The Model of the Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine.

Results:

Insufficient question numbers in 3 domains prevented reliable inferences. Correct answers were given for 65% of remaining questions, with the following domain distribution: 69% respiratory, 64% trauma, 73% cardiovascular, 62% head–eyes–ears–nose–throat (HEENT), 63% musculoskeletal and 69% cutaneous. Seventy-four percent of ECGs, 64% of imaging, and 62% of photograph-related questions were answered correctly. Incorrect answers were related to a lack of knowledge as well as imprecise or incomplete responses.

Conclusions:

PGY-5 subjects scored lowest in the HEENT and musculoskeletal domains. Medical educators should emphasize these domains in their teaching, and insist on precision and completeness of answers.
Turning a stroke into a TIA: curative thrombolysis with combined intravenous and intra-arterial tPA
Authors: Gladstone David J. , Aviv Richard I. , Jahromi Babak , Black Sandra E. , Baryshnik Devra , Caratao Rochelle , Fox Allan J.
Published: July 2016

Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is standard treatment for eligible patients with acute ischemic stroke, but may be less effective for very severe strokes caused by proximal intracranial artery occlusions. We report the case of a woman with a devastating stroke who recovered completely following emergency revascularization of an occluded proximal middle cerebral artery using a novel treatment approach that combines both intravenous (IV) and intra-arterial (IA) tPA. This case illustrates the potential value of the combined IV–IA thrombolytic approach, which is an emerging investigational treatment strategy for selected patients with severe acute ischemic stroke.
Use of lidocaine and fentanyl premedication for neuroprotective rapid sequence intubation in the emergency department
Authors: Kuzak Nick , Harrison David W. , Zed Peter J.
Published: July 2016

Introduction:

Autoregulation is dysfunctional in the injured brain. Increases in intracranial and arterial pressure may therefore result in extension of the primary injury. Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is a well-known cause of surges in both arterial pressure and intracranial pressure. Neuroprotective agents, namely lidocaine and fentanyl, have the potential to minimize the pressure surges implicated in secondary brain injury. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency with which neuroprotective agents were used for neuroprotective RSI in the emergency department.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective chart review of all 139 patients intubated in the emergency department of Vancouver General Hospital between March and October 2003. Patients were eligible if there was an indication for neuroprotective agents defined as presumed intracranial pathology and a mean arterial pressure (MAP) > 85 mm Hg. Contraindications to fentanyl included MAP < 85 mm Hg or allergy to fentanyl.

Results:

Seventy-seven patients were intubated for primary neurological indications. Indication for intubation included non-traumatic causes (n = 37) (including cerebrovascular accident or intracranial hemorrhage) and closed head injury (n = 40). The mean age (± standard deviation) was 52.3 ± 20.4 years, and 31.4% were female. Fifty-seven (74.0%) patients had indications for neuroprotective agents, without contraindications. When neuroprotective agents were indicated, lidocaine was used in 84.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 72.6%–91.5%) of patients while fentanyl was used in 33.3% (95%CI 22.4%–46.3%) of patients. Eleven percent of the intubations were performed with a fentanyl dose of Δ 2 mcg/kg, which is the lower limit considered effective.

Conclusions:

Despite the potential benefit of using lidocaine and fentanyl in appropriate patients undergoing neuroprotective RSI in the emergency department, our study identified a significant underutilization of optimal premedication. The identification of barriers to use and the implementation of strategies to optimize use are necessary.
Health promotion and disease prevention in the emergency department: a feasibility study
Authors: Cummings Garnet Edward , Francescutti Louis Hugo , Predy Gerald , Cummings Greta
Published: July 2016

Background:

Health promotion and disease prevention have been increasingly recognized as activities that may be within the scope of emergency medicine. The purpose of this feasibility study was to identify health risks and offer immediate interventions to adult patients who have drug and/or alcohol problems, incomplete immunization, are overdue for a Pap (Papanicolaou) smear, and/or are smokers.

Methods:

The study took place in a busy tertiary Emergency Department (ED) serving an inner-city population with a significant proportion of patients who are homeless, substance abusers, working poor, and/or recent immigrants. A convenience sample of patients completed a computer-based health-risk survey. Trained health promotion nurses offered appropriate interventions to patients following review and discussion of their self-reported data. Interventions included counseling for problem drinking, substance abuse, and smoking cessation, screening for cervical cancer, and immunization.

Results:

From October 20, 2000 to June 30, 2003, we enrolled 2366 patients. One thousand and eleven subjects (43%) reported substance abuse and 1095 (46%) were smokers. Of the 158 smokers contacted in follow-up, 19 (12%) had quit, 63 (40%) had reduced the number of cigarettes/day and 76 (48%) reported no change. Of 1248 women surveyed, 307 (25%) were overdue for a Pap smear and 54 (18%) received this intervention. Forty-four percent of subjects were overdue for at least one immunization and of those, 414 (40%) were immunized in the ED.

Conclusion:

At-risk patients can be identified using a computer-based screening tool, and appropriate interventions can be given to a proportion of these patients in a busy inner city ED without increasing wait time.
Impact of A Pressure-Responsive Flow-Limiting Valve on Bag–valve–mask Ventilation in an Airway Model
Authors: M. Busko Jonnathan , Blackwell Thomas H.
Published: July 2016

Objective:

Using a simulated airway model, we compared ventilation performance by emergency medical services (EMS) providers using a traditional bag–valve–mask (Easy Grip®) resuscitator to their performance when using a new device, the SMART BAG® resuscitator, which has a pressure-responsive flow-limiting valve.

Methods:

We recruited EMS providers at an EMS educational forum and performed a randomized, non-blinded, prospective crossover comparison of ventilation with 2 devices on a non-intubated simulated airway model. Subjects were instructed to ventilate a Mini Ventilation Training Analyzer® as they would an 85-kg adult patient in respiratory arrest. After being randomized to order of device use, they performed ventilation for 1 minute with each device. Primary outcomes were ventilation rates and peak airway pressures. We also measured average tidal volume, gastric inflation volume, minute ventilation and inspiratory:expiratory (I:E) ratio, and compared our results to the American Heart Association standards (2005 edition).

Results:

We observed statistically significant differences between the SMART BAG® and the traditional bag–valve–mask for respiratory rate (12 v. 14 breaths/min), peak airway pressure (15.6 v. 18.9 cm H2O), gastric inflation (239.6 v. 1598.4 mL), minute ventilation (7980 v. 8775 mL), and I:E ratio (1.3 v. 1.1). Average tidal volume was similar with both devices (679.6 v. 672.2 mL).

Conclusion:

The SMART BAG® provided ventilation performance that was more consistent with American Heart Association guidelines and delivered similar tidal volumes when compared with ventilation with a traditional bag–valve–mask resuscitator.
Safety and effectiveness of intravenous regional anesthesia (Bier block) for outpatient management of forearm trauma
Authors: Mohr Bruce
Published: July 2016

Objective:

To assess the safety and effectiveness of intravenous regional anesthesia (Bier block) in the management of forearm injuries (i.e., forearm, wrist or hand) by primary care physicians at a diagnostic and treatment facility.

Methods:

A retrospective review was conducted of all patients at a single centre who underwent a Bier block for forearm injuries between September 2000 and March 2005.

Results:

1816 Bier blocks were performed on 1804 patients (64% male) during the study period. Patient age ranged from 4–70 (mean 25) years. Wrist fractures requiring reduction were the most common diagnosis. Adverse events were recorded in 9 cases (0.50%, 95% confidence interval 0.23%–0.94%): 1 case of medication error (0.06%); 3 of improper cuff inflation (0.17%); and 5 of inadequate analgesia (0.28%). None of the adverse events resulted in failure to complete the procedure or in serious morbidity or mortality.

Conclusion:

Bier block anesthesia is a safe, effective and reliable technique in an outpatient primary care setting. This technique is a useful modality for physicians who manage acute upper-extremity injuries.
Potential impact of N-terminal pro-BNP testing on the emergency department evaluation of acute dyspnea
Authors: Murray Heather , Cload Bruce , Collier Christine P. , Sivilotti Marco L.A.
Published: July 2016

Objectives:

Measurement of the serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level and more recently its precursor,N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP), has been advocated to facilitate the diagnosis of heart failure in the emergency department (ED). We sought to determine the potential impact of adding NT-proBNP testing to the routine evaluation of emergency patients with acute dyspnea.

Methods:

This prospective cohort study enrolled a convenience sample of acutely dyspneic patients at a tertiary care ED. We excluded trauma patients and those under 30 years of age. Patients underwent standard evaluation, including radiography when indicated. At the point of final diagnosis and blinded to the NT-proBNP result, physicians documented the likelihood that heart failure accounted for the patient's acute dyspnea on a 7-point Likert scale, the data from which was subsequently collapsed to 3 categories for analysis purposes. The primary outcome was the agreement between clinical impression and the NT-proBNP assay classified using manufacturer-recommended, age-specific cut-offs. Newly proposed cut-offs from a recent study were also evaluated.

Results:

One hundred and twenty-nine patients making 139 ED visits were enrolled (median age 76 years; 59% admitted). The serum NT-proBNP assay was positive in 119 (86%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 80%–91%) cases, including 75% (43/57, 95% CI 62%–86%) of the cases that the treating physician felt were not caused by heart failure, and 86% (25/29, 95% CI 68%–96%) where the treating physician was unsure. The median NT-proBNP concentration was higher in patients clinically believed to have heart failure rather than pneumonia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; however, the ranges of these values overlapped extensively (median 4361 pg/mL; interquartile range [IQR] 2386–10877 v. 1651 pg/mL; IQR 370–4745, respectively).

Conclusions:

There is high discordance between the clinical impression of treating physicians and NT-proBNP concentrations, notably in patients who are believed not to have heart failure. Although the reference standard of ED diagnosis is imperfect, the broad overlap in NT-proBNP concentrations suggests poor specificity in this target patient population. The introduction of routine ED NT-proBNP testing using the current cut-offs would be expected to result in substantial indirect costs from further diagnostic testing. It remains unclear whether the introduction of this diagnostic test would have a positive impact on clinically relevant patient outcomes.
Adequacy of antidote stocking in British Columbia hospitals: The 2005 Antidote Stocking Study
Authors: Wiens Matthew O. , Zed Peter J. , Lepik Katherine J. , Abu-Laban Riyad B. , Brubacher Jeffrey R. , Gorman Sean K. , Kent Debra A. , Purssell Roy A.
Published: July 2016

Background:

Inadequate hospital stocking and the unavailability of essential antidotes is a worldwide problem with potentially disastrous repercussions for poisoned patients. Research indicates minimal progress has been made in the resolution of this issue in both urban and rural hospitals. In response to this issue the British Columbia Drug and Poison Information Centre developed provincial antidote stocking guidelines in 2003. We sought to determine the compliance with antidote stocking in BC hospitals and any factors associated with inadequate supply.

Methods:

A 2-part survey, consisting of hospital demographics and antidote stocking information, was distributed in 2005 to all acute care hospital pharmacy directors in BC. The 32 antidotes examined (21 deemed essential) and the definitions of adequacy were based on the 2003 BC guidelines. Availability was reported as number of antidotes stocked per hospital and proportion of hospitals stocking each antidote. For secondary purposes, we assessed factors potentially associated with inadequate stocking.

Results:

Surveys were completed for all 79 (100%) hospitals. A mean of 15.6 ± 4.9 antidotes were adequately stocked per hospital. Over 90% of hospitals had adequate stocks ofN-acetylcysteine, activated charcoal, naloxone, calcium salts, flumazenil and vitamin K; 71%–90% had adequate dextrose 50% in water (D50W), ethyl alcohol or fomepizole, polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution, protamine sulfate, and cyanide antidotes; 51%–70% had adequate folic acid, glucagon, methylene blue, atropine, pralidoxime, leucovorin, pyridoxine, and deferoxamine; and <50% had adequate isoproterenol and digoxin immune Fab. Only 7 (8.9%) hospitals sufficiently stocked all 21 essential antidotes. Factors predicting poor stocking included small hospital size (p < 0.0001), isolation (p = 0.01) and rural location (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion:

Although antidote stocking has improved since the implementation of the 2003 guidelines, essential antidotes are absent in many BC hospitals. Future research should focus on determining the reasons for this situation and the effects of corrective interventions.
Penetrating chest trauma secondary to a composite hockey stick injury
Authors: Kennedy Joel , Green Robert S. , Henteleff Harry
Published: July 2016

Hockey is enjoyed by millions of people around the world and is a sport in which aggression is encouraged and injuries are common. Although body-checking is the most common cause of injury in hockey today, hockey sticks are associated with up to 14% of injuries. We report a case of chest trauma requiring surgical intervention secondary to the penetration of a composite hockey stick into a player's thoracic cavity.
Treatment failure in emergency department patients with cellulitis
Authors: Murray Heather , Stiell Ian , Wells George
Published: July 2016

Objective:

To identify the rate of treatment failure in emergency department patients with cellulitis.

Methods:

This prospective observational convenience study enrolled adult patients with uncomplicated cellulitis. Physicians performed a standardized assessment prior to treatment. To calculate the interrater reliability of the assessment, duplicate data collection forms were completed on a small subsample of patients. Treatment failure was defined as the occurrence of any one of the following events after the initial emergency department visit: incision and drainage of abscess; change in antibiotics (not due to allergy/intolerance); specialist consultation; or, hospital admission. Comparison of means and proportions between the 2 groups was performed with univariate associations, using parametric or non-parametric tests where appropriate.

Results:

Seventy-five patients were enrolled; 57% were male, the mean age was 48 (standard deviation 19), 71 (95%) patients had extremity cellulitis and 10 (13%) had abscess with cellulitis. Fourteen episodes (18.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 11%–28%) were classified as treatment failures, with an oral antibiotic failure rate of 6.8% (95% CI 2%–22%) and an emergency department-based intravenous antibiotic failure rate of 26.1% (95% CI 16%–40%). Patients with treatment failure were older (mean age 59 yr v. 46 yr,p= 0.02) and more likely to have been taking oral antibiotics at enrolment (50% v. 16.4%,p= 0.01). Patients with a larger surface area of infection were also more likely to fail treatment (465.1 cm2v. 101.5 cm2,p< 0.01). Interrater agreement was high for the presence of fever (kappa 1.0) and the size of surface area of infection (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.98), but low for assessments of both severity (kappa 0.35) and need for admission (kappa 0.46).

Conclusions:

The treatment of cellulitis with daily emergency department–based intravenous antibiotics has a failure rate of more than 25% in our centre. Cellulitis patients with a larger surface area of infection and previous (failed) oral therapy are more likely to fail treatment. Further research should focus on defining eligibility for treatment with emergency department-based intravenous antibiotics.
Comparison views to diagnose elbow injuries in children: a survey of Canadian non-pediatric emergency physicians
Authors: Dowling Shawn , Farion Ken , Clifford Tammy
Published: July 2016

Objectives:

Elbow injuries in children are a common presenting complaint to the emergency department. Although radiography is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of this injury, x-rays of the injured elbow are inherently difficult to interpret. As a result, comparison views of the uninjured arm have traditionally been recommended to provide an anatomically “normal” radiograph. Recent studies have questioned the use of comparison views in the pediatric emergency department. The primary objective of this study was to determine current practices of non-pediatric emergency physicians in the use of comparison views for the diagnosis of elbow injuries in children.

Methods:

A self-administered mail survey was sent to 300 randomly selected emergency physicians, using the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians database.

Results:

Two hundred and forty-two (81%) responses were received; 26 were excluded based on pre-determined criteria. Of eligible respondents, 95% ordered comparison views selectively and 64% of these physicians ordered comparison views infrequently. Eighty-eight percent found the comparison views to be “rarely” to “sometimes” useful. Forty-seven percent of respondents stated that they were only “somewhat” confident when interpreting x-rays of a child's elbow.

Conclusion:

This survey demonstrates that non-pediatric emergency physicians are using comparison views selectively for elbow injuries in children, despite being only “somewhat” confident in interpreting the x-rays.
Variation in emergency department visits for conditions that may be treated in alternative primary care settings
Authors: Altmayer Chris A. , Ardal Sten , Woodward Graham L. , Schull Michael J.
Published: July 2016

The purpose of this report is to examine Ontario's geographic variation in emergency department (ED) visits for conditions that may be treated in alternative primary care settings. We studied all visits to Ontario EDs in 2002/03 and calculated county-specific age-standardized rates. Overall in Ontario, there were 3174 ED visits per 100 000 population aged 1-74 for conditions that could be treated in alternate primary care settings, but rates varied widely across counties. They were higher in rural counties with rates up to 7-fold higher than the provincial average. Urban counties had lower rates, some were less than one-third of the provincial average. Further research is needed to determine the relationship between ED utilization and primary care capacity.
Tunnelled central venous catheter–induced thrombosis: a rare case of superior vena cava syndrome
Authors: Aggarwal Sandeep K. , McCauley William
Published: July 2016

Thrombotic venous obstruction in patients with a tunnelled central venous catheter is a cause of superior vena cava syndrome that is not routinely encountered by emergency physicians. Diagnosis requires identifying patients at risk (e.g., those under treatment for cancer and those who have a tunnelled central venous catheter), recognizing the signs and symptoms of superior vena cava syndrome, usually dyspnea and dilated neck or thoracic veins, and imaging the venous obstruction using computer tomography or sonography. Management involves anticoagulation and local thrombolytic administration. We report the case of a 28-year-old woman who presented with a 2-day history of face, chest and bilateral arm swelling who had been receiving maintenance chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia through a Hickman® catheter. This case demonstrates the need to be vigilant for thrombus formation in patients with long-term, indwelling central venous catheters.
Faculty perceptions and practice impact of a faculty development workshop on emergency medicine teaching
Authors: Bandiera Glen , Lee Shirley , Foote John
Published: July 2016

Background:

Faculty development initiatives to improve emergency department (ED) teaching are compromised by the paucity of information about what behaviours and characteristics are desirable in an emergency medicine (EM) teacher.

Objectives:

To design and evaluate a learner-centred, interactive faculty development workshop based on original ED teaching research.

Methods:

Registrants for a university-based faculty development workshop on ED teaching completed a needs assessment and pre-workshop self-reflection exercise. Responses were grouped into 3 themes derived from the ambulatory teaching literature and a recent survey of expert clinical EM teachers and learners. Participants underwent a half-day workshop consisting of 1 large group interactive session and 3 small group sessions using role playing, practice reflection, real time review of hard copy resources, and brainstorming. Evaluation included a post-event ordinal scale questionnaire and a 4-month follow-up short answer survey, both measuring participants' perceptions of workshop effectiveness.

Results:

Fifteen faculty participated. The needs assessment identified “Common mistakes,” “Teaching efficiently” and “Dealing with the difficult learner” as themes. All 15 completed evaluations, rating the workshop as relevant (4.6/5), specific to their needs (4.4/5) and useful (4.5/5). At 4 months, 10 out of 10 respondents reported success at implementing new techniques and 8 reported greater confidence in teaching. The most common new techniques were: setting better learning objectives, giving better feedback, actively seeking teaching opportunities, and identifying a teaching point.

Conclusions:

Learner-centred faculty development meets perceived needs of faculty and can result in participants trying new teaching strategies.
Penetrating trauma in Ontario emergency departments: a population-based study
Authors: Macpherson Alison K. , Schull Michael J.
Published: July 2016

Background:

There is a paucity of population-based research on health service utilization related to penetrating trauma in Canada, even though such trauma can result in serious injury or death, and gunshot wounds have been labelled the “the new public health issue.” Complete epidemiologic data, including emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations, for penetrating trauma is not available. The objective of this paper is to describe the epidemiology of ED visits for firearm-related and knife-related penetrating trauma in one Canadian province.

Methods:

All EDs in the province of Ontario (pop. approx. 12 400 000 at the time of the study) submit data on ED visits to the National Ambulatory Care Reporting System. This database includes patients' demographic information (i.e., age, sex and geographic area of residence), the reason for the visit, disposition (i.e., admitted to hospital or sent home), and other diagnostic information. For visits related to injuries, the cause of injury is also reported (e-codes according to the Canadian Enhancement to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th rev [ICD-10-CA]). All patients seen in Ontario EDs for an injury related to a firearm, knife, or sharp object, were included in our study.

Results:

Of the 1.2 million ED visits in 2002-03 for trauma in Ontario, 40 240 (3.4%) patients were treated for injuries relating to penetrating trauma. Most patients were male, and most were 15–24 years of age. Penetrating trauma was frequently a result of knives or sharp objects (39 654 visits or 98.5%); only 1.5% (n = 586) of these injuries were caused by firearms. Of those hospitalized, 151 were related to firearms and 1455 were related to knives/ sharp objects.

Conclusions:

Analyzing administrative data provides an estimate of the impact of penetrating trauma on a population, thereby providing prevention programs with data upon which to design their strategies. Evidence-based prevention strategies are needed to reduce the burden of penetrating trauma. Monitoring ED and hospitalization data over time will help to assess trends and provide evidence for the effectiveness of such strategies.
Airway management in penetrating neck trauma at a Canadian tertiary trauma centre
Authors: Tallon John M. , Ahmed Jennifer M. , Sealy Beth
Published: July 2016

Objectives:

The optimal approach to airway management in penetrating neck injuries (PNIs) remains controversial. The primary objective of this study was to review the method of endotracheal intubation in PNI at a Canadian tertiary trauma centre. Secondarily, we sought to determine the incidence of PNI in our trauma population and to describe the epidemiologic elements of this population.

Methods:

We conducted a review of patients with PNIs who were enrolled in the Nova Scotia Trauma Registry database. We included all patients 16 years of age or under who presented between April 1, 1994 and March 31, 2005 with penetrating injuries of the neck and an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 9 or less or who underwent Trauma Team activation at our Tertiary Trauma Centre (regardless of ISS) and/or who were identified upon admission as a “major” trauma case. The variables of interest were patient age and sex, injury mechanism, injury location, place of intubation and method of intubation.

Results:

There were 19 people who met inclusion criteria and they were enrolled in our study. The injury mechanisms involved knife (n = 13) or gunshot (n = 5) wounds (one patient's injuries were categorized as “other”). Three patients (15.8%) were not intubated. The remaining 16 patients were intubated during prehospital care (n = 5), in the emergency department (n = 6) or in the operating room (n = 5). Of these, 8 patients (42.1%) underwent awake intubation and 8 (42.1%) underwent rapid sequence intubation.

Conclusion:

There is clear variability of airway management in PNI. We believe that such patients represent a heterogeneous group where the attending physician must have a conservative yet varied approach to airway management based on the individual clinical scenario.
A comparative study of designated trauma team leaders on trauma patient survival and emergency department length-of-stay
Authors: Cummings Garnet E. , Mayes Damon C.
Published: July 2016

Objectives:

There is controversy over who should serve as the Trauma Team Leader (TTL) at trauma-receiving centres. This study compared survival and emergency department (ED) length-of-stay between patients cared for by 3 different groups of TTLs: surgeons, emergency physicians (EPs) on call for trauma cases and EPs on shift in the ED.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective cohort study involving all adult major blunt trauma patients (aged 17 and older) who were admitted to 2 level I trauma centres and who were entered into a provincial Trauma Registry between March 2000 and April 2002. The study was designed to compare the effect of TTL-type on survival and ED length-of-stay, while controlling for sex, age, and trauma severity as defined by the Injury Severity Score (ISS) and the Revised Trauma Score (RTS). Analysis was performed using linear regression modeling (for the ED lenght-of-stay outcome variable), and logistic regression modeling (for the surivial outcome variable).

Results:

There were 1412 patients enrolled in the study. The study population comprised 74% men and 26% women, with a mean age of 44.7 years (43.1, 46.6 and 42.8 years for surgeons, on-call EPs and on-shift EPs, respectively). The overall mean ISS was 23.2 (23.7 for surgeons, 22.9 for on-call EPs and 23.3 for on-shift EPs) and the overall average RTS was 7.6 (7.6 for surgeons, 7.6 for on-call EPs and 7.5 for on-shift EPs). The overall median ED length-of-stay was 5.3 hours (4.5, 5.3 and 5.6 hours for surgeons, on-call EPs and on-shift EPs, respectively;p= 0.07) and the overall survival was 87% (86% surgeon, 88% on-call EP, 87% on-shift EP;p= 0.08). No statistically significant relationship was found between TTL-type and ED length-of-stay (p= 0.42) or survival (p= 0.43) using multivariate modeling.

Conclusion:

Our results suggest that surgeons, on-call EPs, or on-shift EPs can act as the TTL without a negative impact on patient survival or ED length-of-stay.
External validation of the San Francisco Syncope Rule in the Australian context
Authors: Cosgriff Teresa M. , Kelly Anne-Maree , Kerr Debra
Published: July 2016

Objective:

The San Francisco Syncope Rule (SFSR) aims to identify patients with syncope who are at risk for short-term serious adverse outcomes. It has been reported to have high sensitivity and the potential to decrease admission rates. The aim of this study was to validate the SFSR in the Australasian setting.

Methods:

Our prospective, observational cohort study identified patients with syncope using emergency department (ED) databases. Data, including demographics, the presence of SFSR predictors and ED disposition, were collected either during ED stay or by explicit medical record review. Patients were followed up after 7 days for defined serious outcomes (i.e., death, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, pulmonary embolism, stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, significant hemorrhage or unplanned ED re-presentation). We analyzed sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. We compared the results with current physician-based clinical practice.

Results:

We studied 89 patients with a median age of 74 years. Of them, 42% were male and the admission rate was 39%. Ten patients (11%) suffered a serious event. The SFSR was 90% sensitive (95% confidence interval [CI] 60%–98%) and 57% specific (95% CI 46%–67%) for predicting patients with a defined serious adverse event. The SFSR also categorized 48% of patients as “high risk.” If the SFSR had been strictly applied, the admission rate would have increased by 9% and 1 serious adverse event would have been missed.

Conclusion:

The SFSR demonstrated 90% sensitivity in this validation study. Strict application of the SFSR would have increased hospital admissions but would not have identified all adverse outcomes. In our setting, clinician judgement performed as well as the syncope rule, with a baseline admission rate of 36%.
Implementation of a novel prehospital advance directive protocol in southeastern Ontario
Authors: Mengual Rose P. , Feldman Michael J. , Jones Gord R.
Published: July 2016

Introduction:

Do not resuscitate (DNR) orders are commonly accepted in most health care settings, but are less widely recognized in the prehospital setting. We describe the implementation of and satisfaction with a prehospital DNR protocol that allows paramedics to honour verbal and non-standard written DNR requests.

Methods:

This prospective observational study reviewed all cardiac arrests in southeastern Ontario between March 1, 2003 and September 31, 2005. Following a verbal or non-standard written DNR request, paramedics completed a questionnaire and a follow-up structured telephone interview was conducted with surrogate decision makers (SDMs).

Results:

There were 1890 cardiac arrests during the study period, of which 86 met our inclusion criteria. Paramedic surveys were available for 82 cases (95%), and surrogate decision makers (SDMs) were successfully contacted in 50 (58%) of them. Two SDMs declined to be interviewed. The mean patient age was 72.7 (standard deviation 13.8) years and 65% were male. Sixty-three (73%) of DNR requests were verbal, and 23 (27%) were written. The mean paramedic comfort was rated 4.9 on a 5-point Likert scale (with 5 being “very comfortable” ) (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.9–5.0). The mean SDM comfort was rated by paramedics as 4.9 (95% CI 4.8 –4.9). SDMs reported comfort in withholding CPR in 47 of 48 cases (98%), and with paramedic care in all cases. One SDM stated that although it was consistent with the patient's wishes, she was uncomfortable having to make the DNR request.

Conclusions:

Satisfaction with this novel prehospital DNR protocol was uniformly high among paramedic and SDM respondents. It appears that such a protocol is feasible and acceptable for the prehospital setting. Our conclusions are limited by a small sample size, the lack of a comparison group, and limited follow-up.
Emergency department visits for acetaminophen overdose: a Canadian population-based epidemiologic study (1997–2002)
Authors: Myers Robert P. , Li Bing , Shaheen Abdel Aziz M.
Published: July 2016

Objective:

We describe the epidemiology of emergency department (ED) visits for acetaminophen overdose in a large Canadian health region, with a focus on sociodemographic risk factors and temporal trends.

Methods:

Patients presenting to an ED in the Calgary Health Region (population ~ 1.1 million) for acetaminophen overdose between 1997 and 2002 were identified using regional administrative data.

Results:

A total of 2699 patients made 3015 ED visits for acetaminophen overdose between 1997 and 2002, corresponding to an age- and sex-adjusted incidence of 45.7 per 100 000 population. Alcohol-related disorders were common (19%) and overdose rates were higher in females, younger patients, Aboriginals and social assistance recipients. The incidence decreased from 52.6 per 100 000 in 1997 to 35.1 per 100 000 in 2002 (34% relative reduction;p< 0.0005). When classified according to suicidal intent, the rates of intentional and unintentional overdose (69% and 25% of all overdoses, respectively) showed similar temporal trends. A marked seasonality was observed, with a peak in spring and early summer.

Conclusions:

ED visit rates for acetaminophen overdose fell between 1997 and 2002. High-risk groups, including young females and marginalized populations, may benefit from preventive and educational initiatives.