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

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

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

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

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

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

Emergency department clinical performance of ADVIA Centaur n-terminal prohormone of B-type natriuretic peptide assay.

BACKGROUND: Natriuretic peptide testing is guideline recommended as an aid to the diagnosis of heart failure (HF). We sought to evaluate the performance of the ADVIA Centaur (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Tarrytown, NY) NT-proBNPII assay (PBNPII) in emergency department (ED) dyspneic patients. METHODS: Eligible patients presented to the ED with dyspnea, with their gold standard diagnosis determined by up to 3 cardiologists blinded to the PBNPII results. Patients were stratified into 3 groups based on PBNPII resultsa rule out group of NT-proBNP<300  pg/mL, an age-specific rule in group using cutoffs of 450, 900, and 1800 pg/mL, for <50, 50-75, and > 75 years respectively, and an intermediate cohort for results between the rule out and rule in groups. RESULTS: Of 3128 eligible patients, 1148 (36.7 %) were adjudicated as acute heart failure (AHF). The gold standard AHF diagnosis rate was 3.7, 24.3, and 67.2 % for patients with NTproBNPII in the negative, indeterminate, and positive groups, respectively. Overall likelihood ratios (LR) were 0.07 (95 % CI: 0.05,0.09), 0.55 (0.45,0.67), and 3.53 (3.26,3.83) for the same groups, respectively. Individual LR+for age dependent cutoffs were 5.01 (4.25,5.91), 3.71 (3.25,4.24), and 2.38 (2.10,2.69), respectively. NTproBNPII increased with increasing severity of HF when stratified by NYHA classification. CONCLUSIONS: The ADVIA Centaur PBNPII assay demonstrates acceptable clinical performance using the recommended single rule out and age dependent rule in cutoffs for an AHF diagnosis in dyspneic ED patients.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the treatment of acute cholangitis caused by choledocholithiasis: A single-center retrospective study in Japan.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the treatment of acute cholangitis caused by choledocholithiasis. Methods: The Japanese government declared a state of emergency in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 309 patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for acute cholangitis caused by choledocholithiasis between April 2017 and December 2022. Results: Patients were categorized into a pregroup (n = 134) and a postgroup (n = 175), depending on whether they were diagnosed before or after the state of emergency declaration. The total number of ERCP cases and the number of ERCP cases with endoscopic stone removals increased after the state of emergency declaration. Compared with the pregroup, the numbers of patients with performance status of 0-1 and surgically altered anatomy increased, whereas the numbers of patients taking oral antiplatelets or anticoagulants and those with cerebrovascular disease decreased in the postgroup. The number of single-stage endoscopic stone removals increased and hospital stays were significantly shorter in the postgroup. No differences in adverse event rates were detected between the two groups. Conclusions: Although our hospital provides tertiary care, the number of patients with cholangitis in good general condition and no underlying disease increased after the state of emergency declaration. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an increase in the number of single-stage endoscopic treatments and shortened hospital stays for patients with acute cholangitis caused by choledocholithiasis. No safety issues with ERCP were detected, even during the pandemic.

Assessment of the approach to managing medical emergencies during dental procedures.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the knowledge of dental interns and post-graduated doctors regarding dental emergencies and their occurrence in the clinic and examine the doctors' ability to intervene in these emergencies. METHODS: Note that, 150 dental interns and 101 post-graduated doctors were surveyed with sixteen questions regarding their knowledge and experience with syncope, orthostatic hypotension, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, asthma, and anaphylactic shock. Also, post-graduate doctors answered nine additional questions about their emergency response capabilities. RESULTS: This study found that interns and doctors exhibited similar knowledge about emergencies. Nonetheless, the count of dental interns encountering emergencies is relatively limited. Syncope was the most frequently encountered condition (61.8%). Doctors' increase in years of experience correlated positively with a higher rate of intervention in epilepsy, orthostatic hypotension, and anaphylactic shock (p = 0.001, 0.024, and 0.02, respectively). The ability to check the carotid pulse and to perform intramuscular injections was high in post-graduated doctors (90.09% and 81.2%, respectively). DISCUSSION: Although interns believe their knowledge about emergencies to be sufficient, their intervention skills may need to be improved due to the low frequency of encounters. After graduation, their inability to intervene adequately during emergencies in the clinic can lead to fatal consequences. The lack of improvement in doctors' knowledge and intervention abilities with experience could be attributed to insufficient training after completing their formal education. To prevent such scenarios, regular training sessions should be provided to interns and doctors, focusing on the emergencies they may encounter.

Appropriate dose of tranexamic acid in the topical treatment of anterior epistaxis, 500 mg vs 1000 mg: A double-blind randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: Patients with epistaxis typically visit the emergency department for initial treatment. According to recent studies, tranexamic acid (TXA) is effective in the treatment of epistaxis. This study compared the therapeutic superiority of saline to that of 500 and 1000 mg doses of topical TXA for the treatment of anterior epistaxis. Materials and methods: This phase 4 clinical trial was a randomized, controlled, and double-blind trial. A total of 152 patients were divided into three groups. Group 1 was treated with 1000 mg TXA, Group 2 with 500 mg TXA, and Group 3 with saline. Results: Based on multinomial logistic regression analysis, the bleeding frequency at the 5th minute was 2.9 times and rebleeding status was 4.3 times less in Group 1 (1000 mg TXA) than in Group 3 (saline). There were no differences between the three groups in terms of side effects or salvage therapy. Conclusion: In addition to its superiority in treatment, 1000 mg of TXA is recommended because of the decreased rate of recurrent bleeding and low incidence of side effects.

Establishing Triage Competencies and Verification Processes: A Survey Study.

INTRODUCTION: Although the ED triage function is a critical means of ensuring patient safety, core competencies for ED triage are not well defined in the literature. The purpose of the study was to identify and validate emergency triage nursing competencies and to develop a competency verification process. METHODS: A sample of 1181 emergency nurses evenly divided between roles with oversight of triage training and competency assessment (manager-level and staff nurses performing triage) completed an online survey evaluating competency elements that comprised the following in terms of frequency and importance, training modalities, and evaluation methods: expert assessment, clinical judgment, management of medical resources, communication, and timely decisions. RESULTS: Both manager-level and triage nurses agreed on the importance of the identified competencies. Gaps in training and evaluation were reported by both staff nurses and manager-level nurses. Triage nurses reported less training offered and less competency evaluation compared with manager-level nurses. Triage nurses reported performing all competencies more frequently and at higher level of competency than manager-level nurses reporting on triage nurse performance. DISCUSSION: This study provides both a standard set of triage competencies and a method by which to evaluate them. Managers and educators might consider this standard to establish initial triage role competency and periodic competency assessment per institutional guidelines. The gap in perceived education and evaluation suggests that standard education and evaluation processes be adopted across emergency departments.

Development of an Emergency Department Safety Checklist through a global consensus process.

Emergency departments (EDs) are at high risk for medical errors. Checklist implementation programs have been associated with improved patient outcomes in other high-risk clinical settings and when used to address specific aspects of ED care. The aim of this study was to develop an ED Safety Checklist with broad applicability across different international ED settings. A three-round modified Delphi consensus process was conducted with a multidisciplinary and multinational panel of experts in emergency medicine and patient safety. Initial checklist items were identified through a systematic review of the literature. Each item was evaluated for inclusion in the final checklist during two rounds of web-based surveys and an online consensus meeting. Agreement for inclusion was defined a priori with a threshold of 80% combined agreement. Eighty panel members from 34 countries across all seven world regions participated in the study, with comparable representation from low- and middle-income and high-income countries. The final checklist contains 86 items divided into: (1) a general ED Safety Checklist focused on diagnostic evaluation, patient reassessment, and disposition and (2) five domain-specific ED Safety Checklists focused on handoff, invasive procedures, triage, treatment prescription, and treatment administration. The checklist includes key clinical tasks to prevent medical errors, as well as items to improve communication among ED team members and with patients and their families. This novel ED Safety Checklist defines the essential elements of high-quality ED care and has the potential to ensure their consistent implementation worldwide.

[Prehospital blood transfusion : Opportunities and challenges for the German emergency medical services]. / Prähospitale Bluttransfusion : Chancen und Herausforderungen für den deutschen Rettungsdienst.

BACKGROUND: Exsanguination is the leading cause of preventable death in severe trauma. Immediate hemorrhage control and transfusion of blood products are critical to maintain oxygen delivery and address trauma-induced coagulopathy. While prehospital blood product transfusion (PHBT) is established in neighboring countries, the fragmented configuration of Germany's emergency medical service (EMS) infrastructure has delayed the adoption of widespread PHBT programmes. This review aims to provide an updated perspective on the evolution, international practices and research needs of PHBT within the German context. METHODS: This narrative review is based on a PubMed search using the search terms "prehospital" and "blood*". From an initial 4738 articles, 333 were directly related to PHBT and were subjected to further detailed examination. The literature, including referenced studies, was categorized into areas such as history, rationale, international practices, and evidence, and analyzed for quality. RESULTS: The benefit of early blood transfusion in major trauma has been established since WW1, explaining the efforts to initiate this lifesaving intervention as early as possible in the care pathway, including the prehospital field. Recent randomized trials have faced design and recruitment challenges, reflecting the complexity of the research question. These trials have yielded inconclusive results regarding the survival benefits of PHBT in civilian settings. This scenario raises doubts about the capability of randomized trials to resolve questions concerning survival advantages. Despite these difficulties, there is a discernible trend indicating potential improvements in patient outcomes. In Germany, the incidence of trauma-associated shock stands at 38 per 100,000 individuals per year. It is estimated that between 300 and 1800 patients annually possibly benefit from PHBT. CONCLUSION: Prehospital Blood Transfusion appears to be promising but identifying patient groups most likely to benefit as well as the most suitable blood products remain unresolved issues. In Germany PHBT programs are not yet widely established. Paradoxically, this situation, paired with the extensive German Trauma Registry, provides a prime opportunity for comprehensive prospective cohort studies, addressing the balance between PHBT benefits, logistical feasibility, and implementation strategies. Such studies are essential for establishing guidelines and integrating PHBT efficiently into German trauma care protocols.

Silent severe aortic regurgitation due to blunt chest trauma: ignore it at your peril-a case report.

Background: Blunt chest trauma (BCT) presenting to the emergency department is common and may cause life-threatening cardiac complications. Whilst complications causing haemodynamic instability are generally detected promptly, others may present late with long-term consequences. We describe a rare, serious complication of BCT presenting five years after a road traffic accident (RTA). Case summary: A 23-year-old man was incidentally found to have a murmur. Past history was notable only for BCT with rib fracture sustained in a RTA 5 years prior. Examination revealed a hyperdynamic pulse, loud decrescendo diastolic murmur, and Duroziez's sign over the femoral arteries. Echocardiography showed severe valvular aortic regurgitation (AR) from a hole in the left coronary cusp and holodiastolic flow reversal in the descending aorta. The left ventricle (LV) showed marked dilatation in diastole, mild dilatation in systole, and preserved systolic function. The aorta was normal. Severe AR was attributed to his previous BCT, with AR causing subsequent LV dilatation. He underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) with rapid recovery. He remains well, and his echo shows a well-functioning AVR with normalization of LV dimensions. Discussion: Aortic regurgitation following BCT is rare but well-recognized, most often resulting from RTAs. Only a third of cases are diagnosed acutely. In others, lack of haemodynamic instability means that emergency echocardiography is not routinely performed, such that this may go unrecognized with long-term consequences. Clinicians should be aware of possible valve damage following BCT. Prompt echocardiography should be routinely performed for all BCT at initial presentation, even without haemodynamic instability.

Laparoscopic Transabdominal Needle-free Emergency Cerclage in the Early Second Trimester of Pregnancy after Failed Transvaginal Cerclage: Two Case Reports and a Review of the Literature.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to describe the preventive option and safety of laparoscopic transabdominal emergency cerclage in pregnant women with advanced cervical shortening after failed vaginal cerclage or in whom vaginal cerclage is no longer possible. Method: Laparoscopic isthmo-cervical emergency cerclage was carried out in two patients at 13+0 and 15+5 weeks of gestation (GW) respectively. Both patients had cervical shortening and it was no longer possible to expose the cervix after conization or re-conization. The attempts to carry out transvaginal cerclage were unsuccessful. The technical aspects, feasibility, safety, and pregnancy outcomes after laparoscopic transabdominal cerclage are presented here, based on two case reports. Results: The cerclages were placed after blunt dissection of the uterine vessels and careful introduction of a KELLY forceps through the avascular space between the ascending and descending branches of the uterine vessels without using a needle. The operating times were 93 and 134 minutes (min), respectively. The estimated blood loss during the procedure was less than 50 ml and neither perioperative nor postoperative complications occurred. The subsequent course of both pregnancies was uneventful and fetal development in both cases was normal. In the first case, the baby was delivered by secondary cesarean section following premature rupture of membranes in week 35+4 of gestation. The baby had a birthweight of 2786 g, APGAR scores of 8/9/10 and an umbilical cord arterial pH of 7.36. In the second case, delivery was by primary cesarean section in week 39+5 of gestation. The infant had a birth weight of 4160 g, APGAR scores of 5/9/10 and an umbilical cord arterial pH of 7.20. Conclusion: Laparoscopic transabdominal cerclage is a safe and effective treatment option, even early in the second trimester of pregnancy, for patients in whom transvaginal cerclage is no longer possible due to anatomical factors. The method is technically very feasible and is associated with positive obstetric outcomes. The overall risk of perioperative complications is within acceptable limits.

Socio-economic factors and rural-urban differences in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy.

Background: Emergency laparotomy (EL) is a common surgical procedure with high rates of mortality and complications. Socio-economic circumstances and regional differences have an influence on the utilization of care and outcomes in many diagnostic groups, but there are only a few studies focusing on their effect in EL population. The aim of this study was to examine the socio-economic and regional differences in the rate of EL within one tertiary care hospital district. Methods: Retrospective single-center study of 573 patients who underwent EL in Oulu University Hospital between May 2015 and December 2017. The postal code area of each patient's home address was used to determine the socio-economic status and rurality of the location of residence. Results: The age-adjusted rate of EL was higher in patients from low-income areas compared to patients from high-income areas [1.46 ((95% CI 1.27-1.64)) vs. 1.15 (95% CI, 0.96-1.34)]. The rate of EL was higher in rural areas compared to urban areas [1.29 (95% CI 1.17-1.41 vs. 1.42 (1.18-1.67)]. Peritonitis was more common in patients living in low-income areas. There were no differences in operation types or mortality between the groups. Conclusions: The study findings suggest that there are socio-economic and regional differences in the need of EL. The patients living in low-income areas had a higher rate of EL and a higher rate of peritonitis. These differences cannot be explained by patient demographics or comorbidities alone.

Abdominal Ectopic Pregnancy: A Case Report of an Uncommon Complication of Pregnancy Without Prenatal Care.

Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a life-threatening condition requiring a high clinical suspicion. This diagnosis must be considered in all female patients of reproductive age presenting with abdominal pain or discomfort who may possibly be pregnant. Ectopic pregnancies occur in a small percentage of all pregnancies and are a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Abdominal ectopic pregnancy (AEP) is a rare and potentially fatal form of ectopic pregnancy where the implantation occurs in the abdominal cavity. We present the following case of a 23-year-old female who was transferred following an initial workup for abdominal pain and subsequently found to have an abdominal ectopic pregnancy at 37 weeks gestation. After transferring to our emergency department, the patient continued to have abdominal pain and her presenting FAST exam was positive for free fluid concerning for active hemorrhage and hematoma. Her clinical presentation was consistent with ruptured abdominal ectopic pregnancy, and she was taken to the operating room for emergent exploratory laparotomy and delivery. Her clinical course was complicated by adherent placenta and re-bleeding with significant hemoperitoneum requiring re-entry laparotomy and transfusion. We present the details of this case along with the diagnostic imaging and management of the rarely seen and life-threatening condition of secondary abdominal ectopic pregnancy (AEP).

A Prospective Observational Study to Assess the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and C-reactive Protein-to-Albumin Ratio (CAR) in Predicting Morbidity and Mortality Among Patients Undergoing Emergency Abdominal Surgery.

Background Emergency abdominal surgeries pose significant challenges, especially in the Indian population, due to comorbidities, delayed presentations, and limited resources. Accurately predicting morbidity and mortality is crucial for timely interventions and improved patient care. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) have shown potential as prognostic markers, balancing inflammation and nutritional status. Aim The study aims to evaluate the predictive efficacy of NLR and CAR with regard to postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery, thereby contributing to better risk stratification and management strategies. Patients and methods A prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital in northern Karnataka from August 2022 to June 2024, involving 102 patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgeries. The sample size (71) was calculated using G*Power software, targeting a 95% power with a 5% significance level. The inclusion criterion was patients aged over 18 years undergoing emergency abdominal surgeries; those who were immunocompromised, on steroid therapy, having malignancies, undergoing radiotherapy, or having chronic liver diseases were excluded from the study. Patients coming into the surgical inpatient department (IPD) with an acute abdomen requiring emergency abdominal surgeries as an emergency were preoperatively assessed using complete blood count (CBC), CRP, and serum albumin tests. NLR and CAR were evaluated preoperatively and at 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. The outcome measures included surgical site infection rates, hospital stay duration, and outcome in the form of recovery or death. SPSS version 20 was used for statistical analyses. Results The study included 102 patients whose mean age was 43.7 ± 18.9 years; 74 of the participants (72.5%) were male. The most common procedures were exploratory laparotomy (64 patients; 62.7%) and appendicectomy (32 patients; 31.4%). A significant increase in CAR levels was observed on postoperative days 1 and 2 compared to baseline (p < 0.05). Preoperative NLR ≥ 8 was significantly associated with higher mortality (65% vs. 50%, p < 0.01). Preoperative albumin > 3.2 g/dL was associated with better outcomes (recovery in 54 patients; 65.9%) compared to < 3.2 g/dL (15 patients; 75% mortality). This study showed that NLR and CAR are valuable predictors of postoperative outcomes, with CAR indicating the risk for surgical site infections (SSI) and NLR predicting mortality. Conclusion The preoperative NLR had a significant association with mortality among the patients. Hence the NLR can be a good marker for the worst outcome and CAR during the postoperative period can be considered as a marker to detect the risk of SSI. NLR and CAR are simple, inexpensive tests readily available from routine blood investigations. The utility of NLR and CAR as valuable prognostic markers in the perioperative assessment of patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery could enhance the prediction of patient outcomes and guide more effective management strategies to improve patient outcomes in high-risk emergency abdominal surgery.

Author Response: Outcome Predictors of an Intracerebral Hemorrhage also Depend on the Causes of the Bleeding.

How to cite this article: Hazra D. Author Response: Outcome Predictors of an Intracerebral Hemorrhage also Depend on the Causes of the Bleeding. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(9):892-893.

Prevalence and Outcomes of Carbamazepine Toxicity in the Emergency Department: A Single-center Retrospective Study.

Background: Carbamazepine (CBX) is widely used for various medical conditions, but its associated toxicity poses significant clinical concerns. This study aims to provide insights into the clinical presentations, management strategies, and outcomes of CBX toxicity cases in an emergency department (ED) setting. Methodology: This was a 10-year retrospective cohort chart review study, including all patients with elevated CBX levels. Data on clinical features, CBX levels, laboratory findings, electrocardiograms (ECGs), patient management, and outcomes were analyzed. Cases were categorized as acute or chronic toxicity. Results: Out of the 1,965 medical charts reviewed, we included 70 patients with CBX levels above the therapeutic range (prevalence: 3.6%). Chronic CBX toxicity cases (55.7%) were predominant, with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms being the most common. Most patients presented with isolated CBX overdoses (88.6%), while mixed overdoses (11.4%) were less frequent. Patients were categorized based on CBX levels: 44 had mild toxicity (>51 µmol/L), and 26 had moderate toxicity (>85 µmol/L). Within the mild group, 15 patients experienced acute toxicity, compared to 16 patients in the moderate group. Four patients who had mixed overdoses and low sensorium required intubation and mechanical ventilation. Three patients received activated charcoal (AC), and another 3 patients received multiple doses of AC to reduce drug absorption. The majority of patients (65.7%) required hospital admission, underscoring the seriousness of CBX toxicity. There were no fatalities among these 70 patients. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the importance of a systematic approach to assessing and managing CBX toxicity, considering its diverse clinical presentations and variations in serum CBX levels. How to cite this article: Hazra D, Ellouze NF, Abri SA. Prevalence and Outcomes of Carbamazepine Toxicity in the Emergency Department: A Single-center Retrospective Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(9):866-870.

Development of a method to use standard hospital gamma cameras as triage whole body monitors in UK emergencies.

This paper outlines the process by which a medical gamma camera can be utilised to support assessment of internal radionuclides for the public. While hospital based gamma cameras are able to detect photopeaks, they are often limited to an energy range of 40-540 keV. However, radionuclides with photopeak energies above 540 keV can still be detected as the partial collection of photon energy increases the count rate at lower energies. By combining extensive mathematical modelling with empirical calibration of multiple gamma cameras it is possible to develop a linear correlation between the efficiency of counting point sources and the overall counting efficiency for the camera. Once established, a simple protocol can be used to characterise any gamma camera, using optimal system settings, and hence generate a system efficiency with sufficient accuracy to allow the camera to be used in a triage process to committed effective doses of 2 mSv. .

Assessing the frontline competency gap: Emergency care perceptions among nurses in Yemen's conflict zone.

BACKGROUND: Nursing competencies in armed conflict situations are critical for effective response and recovery. This study explores nurses' perceptions regarding their competencies in armed conflict zones to identify areas of proficiency and those requiring further emphasis in training. METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study adhered to the STROBE reporting guidelines. It used a validated questionnaire examining 47 different competencies for nursing in armed conflict zones, which were subsequently ranked to identify those that were valued most and least. RESULTS: In total, 102 questionnaires were returned (85% response rate). The highest-ranked competencies focused on immediate life-saving interventions and personal safety. In contrast, competencies involving broader disaster management, such as understanding organizational disaster plans, post-death care, and risk identification, ranked lower. This observation may indicate a tendency to prioritize direct clinical care over strategic planning and long-term recovery in disaster nursing education. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY: This study highlights the critical need to strengthen emergency care competencies among nurses working in armed conflict zones in Yemen. Its findings underscore the importance of targeted training programs, particularly in complex trauma management and psychological first aid, to address nurses' self-identified competency gaps. Policy implications include prioritizing resource allocation for emergency care infrastructure, implementing competency-based deployment strategies, and ensuring access to mental health support for nurses in working conflict zones. These actions are essential for building a resilient nursing workforce capable of providing quality care amidst the unique challenges of armed conflict.

Disparities in pain management among transgender patients presenting to the emergency department for abdominal pain.

OBJECTIVE: Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals have a gender identity or expression that differs from the sex assigned to them at birth. They are an underserved population who experience health care inequities. Our primary objective was to identify if there are treatment differences between TGD and cisgender lesbian/gay/bisexual/queer (LGBQ) or heterosexual individuals presenting with abdominal pain to the emergency department (ED). METHODS: Retrospective observational cohort study of patients ≥12 years of age presenting to 21 EDs within a health care system with a chief complaint of abdominal pain between 2018 and 2022. TGD patients were matched 1:1:1:1 to cisgender LGBQ women and men and cisgender heterosexual women and men, respectively. Propensity score matching covariates included age, ED site, mental health history, and gastrointestinal history. The primary outcome was pain assessment within 60 min of arrival. The secondary outcome was analgesics administered in the ED. RESULTS: We identified 300 TGD patients, of whom 300 TGD patients were successfully matched for a total cohort of 1300 patients. The median (IQR) age was 25 (20-32) years and most patients were treated in a community ED (58.2%). There was no difference between groups in pain assessment within 60 min of arrival (59.0% TGD vs. 63.2% non TGD, p = 0.19). There were no differences in the number of times pain was assessed (median [IQR] 2 [1-3] vs. 2 [1-4], p = 0.31) or the severity of pain between groups (5.5 [4-7] vs. 6 [4-7], p = 0.11). TGD patients were more likely to receive nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (32.0% vs. 24.9%, p = 0.015) and less likely to receive opioids than non-TGD patients (24.7% vs. 36.9%, p = <0.001). TGD and nonbinary patients, along with LGBQ cisgender women (24.7%) and heterosexual cisgender women (34%), were less likely to receive opioids than LGBQ cisgender men (54%) and heterosexual cisgender men (42.3%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: There was no difference in frequency of pain assessment, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. More cisgender men, compared to TGD and cisgender women, received opioids for their pain.

Prehospital use of spinal precautions by emergency medical services in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: Limited evidence exists to guide the management of children with possible spinal injuries in the prehospital setting. As a first step to address this, we set out to describe the epidemiology and management of children <18 years presenting with possible cervical spinal injuries to EMS in Victoria, Australia. METHODS: Retrospective case record review of all children with concerns of head or neck trauma and/or documented cervical spine collar use presenting to the statewide Ambulance Victoria (AV) EMS service, Victoria, Australia, between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020. Demographic, clinical features, mechanism of injury and spinal immobilisation practices were extracted. RESULTS: 2100 children were included; 61% were male and the median age was 13 years (interquartile range: 9-15). Over half of the children were transported to suburban (32.2%) and rural/regional (22.9%) EDs, with 37.5% taken to designated trauma centres. The most common mechanisms of injury were sports/activity, motor vehicle accidents and falls in 35.4%, 27.9% and 26.3%, respectively. Spinal precaution use was recorded in 93.7% of cases; cervical collar use was the most common procedure recorded (87.1%). Younger age groups were less likely to have spinal precautions initiated; 51% of children aged 0-3 years, compared to 96.3% of children aged 12 and older (odds ratio = 23.8; 95% confidence interval = 14.5-37; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Prehospital spinal precautions were initiated commonly in children, with use increasing with age, and most were transported to suburban, regional and rural hospitals, not trauma centres. These data will inform the integration of emerging paediatric-specific evidence into prehospital guidelines to risk stratify children.