RESUMEN
Background Urinary stone disease is a common reason for emergency department (ED) visits, and a computed tomography scan of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder (CT-KUB) is frequently used for diagnosis. The objective of this study was to estimate the positive rate of CT-KUB and identify predictors of emergency interventions for patients with ureteric stones. Methods A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the positive rate of CT-KUB for urinary stone disease and to explore the factors that determine the need for emergency urologic interventions. The study population included adult patients who underwent CT-KUB to rule out urinary stones at King Fahd University Hospital. Results The study included 364 patients, of whom 245 (67.3%) were men and 119 (32.7%) were women. CT-KUB revealed stones in 243 (66.8%) patients, including 32.4% with renal stones and 54.4% with ureteric stones. Female patients were more likely to have normal results than male patients. Approximately 26.8% of patients with ureteric stones required emergency urologic intervention. Multivariable analysis found that the size and location of ureteric stones were independent predictors for emergency intervention. Patients with distal ureteric stones were 35% less likely to need emergency interventions than those with proximal stones. Conclusion The positive rate of CT-KUB was acceptable for patients with suspected urinary stone disease. Most demographic and clinical characteristics were not predictors for emergency interventions, but the size and location of ureteric stones and elevated creatinine levels were significantly associated.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common life-threatening medical emergency that needs prompt diagnosis and management. Providing urgent care is a key determinant of quality in the emergency department (ED) and time-based targets have been implemented to reduce length of stay and overcrowding. The study aimed to determine factors that are associated with having a time-to-disposition of less than 4 h in patients with suspected PE who underwent computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CT-PA) to confirm the diagnosis. METHODS: After obtaining approval from the ethics committee, we conducted a retrospective observational study by examining CT-PA scans that was performed to rule out PE in all adult patients presenting at the ED between January 2018 and December 2019. Demographic information and clinical information, as well as arrival and disposition times were collected from electronic health records. Multivariable regression analysis was used to identify the independent factors associated with meeting the 4-h target in the ED. RESULTS: In total, the study involved 232 patients (76 men and 156 women). The median length of stay in the ED was 5.2 h and the 4-h target was achieved in 37% of patients. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that a positive CT-PA scan for PE was independently associated with meeting the four-hour target in the ED (odds ratio [OR]: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1-4.8). Furthermore, Hemoptysis was the only clinical symptom that served as an independent factor associated with meeting the 4-h target in the ED (OR: 10.4; 95% CI: 1.2-90.8). CONCLUSION: Despite the lower number of staff and higher volume of patients on weekends, patients who presented on weekends had shorter stays and were more likely to meet the 4-h target. Careful clinical assessment, prior to requesting a CT-PA scan, is crucial, since negative CT-PA scans may be associated with failure to meet the 4-h target.
