3-Dimensional Printed Alternative to the Standard Synthetic Flocked Nasopharyngeal Swabs Used for Coronavirus Disease 2019 Testing.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), can be detected in respiratory samples by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or other molecular methods. Accessibility of diagnostic testing for COVID-19 has been limited by intermittent shortages of supplies required for testing, including flocked nasopharyngeal (FLNP) swabs. METHODS: We developed a 3-dimensional printed nasopharyngeal (3DP) swab as a replacement of the FLNP swab. The performance of 3DP and FLNP swabs were compared in a clinical trial of symptomatic patients at 3 clinical sites (n = 291) using 3 SARS-CoV-2 emergency use authorization tests: a modified version of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel and 2 commercial automated formats, Roche Cobas and NeuMoDx. RESULTS: The cycle threshold-C(t)-values from the gene targets and the RNase P gene control in the CDC assay showed no significant differences between swabs for both gene targets (P = .152 and P = .092), with the RNase P target performing significantly better in the 3DP swabs (P < .001). The C(t) values showed no significant differences between swabs for both viral gene targets in the Roche cobas assay (P = .05 and P = .05) as well as the NeuMoDx assay (P = .401 and P = .484). The overall clinical correlation of COVID-19 diagnosis between all methods was 95.88% (Kappa 0.901). CONCLUSIONS: The 3DP swabs were equivalent to standard FLNP in 3 testing platforms for SARS-CoV-2. Given the need for widespread testing, 3DP swabs printed onsite are an alternate to FLNP that can rapidly scale in response to acute needs when supply chain disruptions affect availability of collection kits.

Effect of Antithrombotic Therapy on Clinical Outcomes in Outpatients With Clinically Stable Symptomatic COVID-19: The ACTIV-4B Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Acutely ill inpatients with COVID-19 typically receive antithrombotic therapy, although the risks and benefits of this intervention among outpatients with COVID-19 have not been established. Objective: To assess whether anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy can safely reduce major adverse cardiopulmonary outcomes among symptomatic but clinically stable outpatients with COVID-19. Design, Setting, and Participants: The ACTIV-4B Outpatient Thrombosis Prevention Trial was designed as a minimal-contact, adaptive, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to compare anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy among 7000 symptomatic but clinically stable outpatients with COVID-19. The trial was conducted at 52 US sites between September 2020 and June 2021; final follow-up was August 5, 2021. Prior to initiating treatment, participants were required to have platelet count greater than 100 000/mm3 and estimated glomerular filtration rate greater than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2. Interventions: Random allocation in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to aspirin (81 mg orally once daily; n = 164), prophylactic-dose apixaban (2.5 mg orally twice daily; n = 165), therapeutic-dose apixaban (5 mg orally twice daily; n = 164), or placebo (n = 164) for 45 days. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was a composite of all-cause mortality, symptomatic venous or arterial thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, stroke, or hospitalization for cardiovascular or pulmonary cause. The primary analyses for efficacy and bleeding events were limited to participants who took at least 1 dose of trial medication. Results: On June 18, 2021, the trial data and safety monitoring board recommended early termination because of lower than anticipated event rates; at that time, 657 symptomatic outpatients with COVID-19 had been randomized (median age, 54 years [IQR, 46-59]; 59% women). The median times from diagnosis to randomization and from randomization to initiation of study treatment were 7 days and 3 days, respectively. Twenty-two randomized participants (3.3%) were hospitalized for COVID-19 prior to initiating treatment. Among the 558 patients who initiated treatment, the adjudicated primary composite end point occurred in 1 patient (0.7%) in the aspirin group, 1 patient (0.7%) in the 2.5-mg apixaban group, 2 patients (1.4%) in the 5-mg apixaban group, and 1 patient (0.7%) in the placebo group. The risk differences compared with placebo for the primary end point were 0.0% (95% CI not calculable) in the aspirin group, 0.7% (95% CI, -2.1% to 4.1%) in the 2.5-mg apixaban group, and 1.4% (95% CI, -1.5% to 5.0%) in the 5-mg apixaban group. Risk differences compared with placebo for bleeding events were 2.0% (95% CI, -2.7% to 6.8%), 4.5% (95% CI, -0.7% to 10.2%), and 6.9% (95% CI, 1.4% to 12.9%) among participants who initiated therapy in the aspirin, prophylactic apixaban, and therapeutic apixaban groups, respectively, although none were major. Findings inclusive of all randomized patients were similar. Conclusions and Relevance: Among symptomatic clinically stable outpatients with COVID-19, treatment with aspirin or apixaban compared with placebo did not reduce the rate of a composite clinical outcome. However, the study was terminated after enrollment of 9% of participants because of an event rate lower than anticipated. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04498273.

Anticoagulant Reversal Strategies in the Emergency Department Setting: Recommendations of a Multidisciplinary Expert Panel.

Bleeding is the most common complication of anticoagulant use. The evaluation and management of the bleeding patient is a core competency of emergency medicine. As the prevalence of patients receiving anticoagulant agents and variety of anticoagulants with different mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, indications, and corresponding reversal agents increase, physicians and other clinicians working in the emergency department require a current and nuanced understanding of how best to assess, treat, and reverse anticoagulated patients. In this project, we convened an expert panel to create a consensus decision tree and framework for assessment of the bleeding patient receiving an anticoagulant, as well as use of anticoagulant reversal or coagulation factor replacement, and to address controversies and gaps relevant to this topic. To support decision tree interpretation, the panel also reached agreement on key definitions of life-threatening bleeding, bleeding at a critical site, and emergency surgery or urgent invasive procedure. To reach consensus recommendations, we used a structured literature review and a modified Delphi technique by an expert panel of academic and community physicians with training in emergency medicine, cardiology, hematology, internal medicine/thrombology, pharmacology, toxicology, transfusion medicine and hemostasis, neurology, and surgery, and by other key stakeholder groups.

HIV False-Positive Test in the Setting of CD4 Lymphocytopenia.

In 2016, we implemented a non-targeted Emergency Department (ED)-based HIV screening program at our academic medical center following revised CDC guidelines utilizing the Abbott Alinity 4th generation HIV-1/2 antigen (Ag)/antibody (Ab) immunoassay (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL). Following the CDC algorithm, after reactive fourth-generation testing, HIV-1/2 Ab testing is conducted. Patients undergoing acute seroconversion (acutes) may express p24 Ag but have a negative confirmatory Ab test. Acutes have the same laboratory signature during the ED encounter as those that are false positive (False +), and the two patient groups are denoted as "equivocals" until viral load testing specifies a definitive HIV status. Among False + patients (Ab/Ag positive, Ab negative, viral load undetectable), there have been limited studies on those also demonstrating a reduction in CD4+ count, an uncommon phenomenon known as "idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia." We review a patient with a reactive fourth-generation HIV Ab/p24 Ag test on two separate occasions. Despite lymphopenia with a reduced CD4 count, his symptoms resolved, and an RNA PCR test did not detect any presence of HIV (False +). This patient was unique as False + patient with p24 Ag reactive, as well as a coincidental low CD4 count in the absence of HIV infection. A low CD4 count is often a sign of significant HIV infection.

Exploring lived experiences of gunshot wound survivors: A key to ethnographically informed public health interventions for curbing firearm violence.

INTRO: The high rates of gun violence in the United States are a recognized public health concern with increased attention since the 1990's. The predominant studies used in gun violence research have been epidemiological approaches and quantitative analyses. This study, instead, examines lived experiences of gunshot wound survivors to better understand their situations. This study also compared the different census categories and their types of gunshot wound injuries. Ethnographic informed analyses may inform public health interventions to decrease firearm injuries. METHODS: Data was collected through a series of semi-structured interviews at the emergency department of an urban, Level-1, academic trauma center. 96 patients with gunshot wounds (GSWs) from 2018-2022 were included in the study. Thematic analysis was conducted after coding interview responses. RESULTS: There was a significant difference found between the 2 census categories (White and Minority populations). Those who self-identified as white had more self-inflicted GSWs (6) than other groups. Those who self-identified in the minority population had more GSWs as a result of an altercation (36) or as an innocent bystander (20). Interview data also demonstrated a trend in changing opinions about firearms in a group of participants with remote previous gunshot wounds (pGSW). When compared to the acute gunshot wound group (aGSW) the previous gunshot wound group (pGSW) responses showed support for increased gun safety and policies that limit firearm access. CONCLUSION: Different injury patterns between census groups demonstrates that multiple public health approaches will be needed to decrease firearm violence. Ethnographically informed approaches, including the support of people with previous GSW injuries, may help craft those interventions to reduce injury. Matched peer support programs represent one potential intervention to decrease secondary injury and firearm violence.

Discordance Between Satisfaction and Health Literacy Among Spanish-Speaking Patients with Limited English-Proficiency Seeking Emergency Department Care.

Introduction: The emergency department (ED) is one clinical setting where issues pertaining to health communication uniquely manifest themselves on a daily basis. This pilot study sought to understand satisfaction with care, perceptions of medical staff concern, awareness, and comprehension of medical care among Spanish-speaking patients with limited English-language proficiency (LEP). Methods: A two-phase, mixed-methods approach was employed among Spanish-speaking patients with LEP that presented to an ED in West Central Florida. The prospective phase consisted of semistructured interviews (n = 25). The retrospective phase analyzed existing patient satisfaction data collected at the study site (n = 4,940). Results: Content analysis revealed several linguistic barriers among this patient population including limited individual autonomy, self-blame for being unable to effectively articulate concerns, and lack of clarity in understanding follow-up care plans. Retrospective analysis suggested differences between responses from Spanish-speaking patients when compared with their English-speaking counterparts. Conclusions: Our findings suggest discordance between satisfaction and health literacy in this unique patient population. Although high satisfaction was reported, this appeared to be secondary to comprehension of follow-up care instructions.

Sex Differences in Neurological Emergencies Presenting to Multiple Urban Level 1 Trauma Centers.

Previous studies have suggested that there are sex differences in the treatment and outcome of neurological emergencies; however, research identifying the role these sex differences play in the management of neurological emergencies is lacking. More knowledge of the way sex factors into the pathophysiology of neurological emergencies will be helpful in improving outcomes for these patients. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the prevalence and management of neurological emergencies while evaluating sex differences in the diagnosis and treatment of these emergencies. We analyzed a cohort of 530 adult patients from four level 1 trauma centers over a period of 4 weeks who had a chief complaint of a neurological emergency, including seizures, cerebrovascular events, headache disorders, traumatic brain injuries, and central nervous system infections. Among patients with neurological emergencies, a significantly lower proportion of female patients underwent neurosurgery and were admitted to the intensive care unit compared to male patients, but there were no significant differences between sexes in the time of symptom onset, type of hospital transportation, amount of neuroimaging performed, admission rates, hospital length of stay, and disposition from the emergency department. Although female patients were more likely to have a chief complaint of headache compared to traumatic injuries in male patients, this was not statistically significant. A significantly higher proportion of female patients had health insurance coverage than male patients.

COVID-19 and beyond: Lessons learned from emergency department HIV screening for population-based screening in healthcare settings.

Emergency departments (EDs) have played a major role in the science and practice of HIV population screening. After decades of experience, EDs have demonstrated the capacity to provide testing and linkage to care to large volumes of patients, particularly those who do not otherwise engage the healthcare system. Efforts to expand ED HIV screening in the United States have been accelerated by a collaborative national network of emergency physicians and other stakeholders called EMTIDE (Emergency Medicine Transmissible Infectious Diseases and Epidemics). As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, EDs nationwide are being tasked with diagnosing and managing COVID-19 in a myriad of capacities, adopting varied approaches based in part on know-how, local disease trends, and the supply chain. The objective of this article is to broadly summarize the lessons learned from decades of ED HIV screening and provide guidance for many analogous issues and challenges in population screening for COVID-19. Over time, and with the accumulated experience from other epidemics, ED screening should develop into an overarching discipline in which the disease in question may vary, but the efficiency of response is increased by prior knowledge and understanding.

Patient Safety during Rapid Sequence Intubation When Using Succinylcholine Instead of Nondepolarizing Paralytic Agents: Should We Change a Common Rapid Sequence Intubation Pathway?

BACKGROUND: Succinylcholine is a depolarizing agent used for rapid sequence intubation (RIS). While the agent is the most widely used drug of choice in most emergency departments (EDs), the adverse effect profile is lengthy compared to nondepolarizing paralytic agents included rocuronium and vecuronium. OBJECTIVES: Our objective in this analysis is to detect potential safety signals and differences in safety related outcomes between patients that received succinylcholine compared to those that received rocuronium or vecuronium when undergoing RSI. Specifically, we asked whether there was a difference in all-cause mortality, whether succinylcholine was used in patient later found to have contraindications to the medication, as well as differences in the rates of rescue airway or difficult airway algorithms utilized. METHODS: We utilize two clinical cases as a framework to review adverse events among ED patients undergoing RSI when using succinylcholine compared to nondepolarizing agents over a 7 years' period at our institution as part of a quality review project. The review is retrospective and does not allow us to link adverse events specifically with drug but, instead, considers aggregate level event frequency. RESULTS: From January 31, 2013, to January 31, 2018, there were 36,059 intubations with paralytics in the ED (75.39% with succinylcholine and 24.61% with rocuronium or vecuronium). There was no evidence of death or associated adverse events in 98.49% of patients. Of 36,059 intubations, 14 patients expired, representing 0.039% of all RSI encounters. There were 39/100,000 total deaths during RSI events. There was a higher rate of mortality in the combined vecuronium/rocuronium group (90/100,000) compared to the sample of patients intubated with succinylcholine (22/100,000). CONCLUSIONS: While the succinylcholine adverse effect profile is concerning, data from our institution does not support removal of the agent as an available option for RSI as the mortality rate among patients receiving succinylcholine was lower than that of patients receiving non-depolarizing agents. Patient level data will be needed in future work to further understand why the all-cause mortality rate was higher in the group receiving rocuronium or vecuronium and whether those patients had increased risk of mortality from underlying disease at time of presentation.

"If at Least the Patient Could Not Be Forgotten About": Communication in the Emergency Department as a Predictor of Patient Satisfaction.

Press Ganey survey data are used by institutions to understand patient experiences in the emergency department (ED). The present mixed-methods retrospective cohort study examined the effects of hallway placement, pain management reporting, communication approaches, time spent in the ED, and other demographic variables on predicting satisfaction ratings of doctors, nurses, and overall ED care. A total of 4940 patient responses between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2017, were analyzed from 2 EDs associated with an academic institution and tertiary care center. Consensus coding was used to qualitatively capture patient responses that relate to communication issues pertaining to care/empathy and understandings of ED procedures. After controlling for multiple factors, hallway placement, pain management, and understanding of ED procedures were associated with higher odds of negative ratings for doctors, nurses, and overall assessment. Issues with patient communication, particularly regarding understanding of ED procedures, were found to be a strong predictor of negative ratings of doctors, nurses, and overall care. These findings point to the improvements in communication as a potential point of intervention in mitigating negative patient experiences.

Minimizing Variability in Interpretation Modality Among Spanish-Speaking Patients With Limited English Proficiency.

INTRODUCTION: Provider-patient language discrepancies can lead to misunderstandings about follow-up care instructions and decreased adherence to treatment that may contribute to disparities in health outcomes among patients with limited English proficiency (LEP). This observational study aimed to understand how emergency department (ED) staff went about treating patients with LEP and examine the impact of consistent interpretation modality on overall patient satisfaction and comprehension. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Spanish-speaking patients with LEP presenting to the ED. A survey was administered at two different time points: after patients provided their history of present illness and after the patient received information regarding follow-up treatment. RESULTS: Analysis of average visual analog scale (VAS) scores by consistency of interpretation suggested higher overall scores among participants that received care via the same communication modalities during both the history of present illness and at disposition, when compared with patients that did not. At both time points, video-based interpretation was associated with higher VAS scores in comparison to other modalities, whereas phone-based interpretation was associated with lower VAS scores. CONCLUSION: Providing consistent modes of interpretation to patient's with LEP throughout their ED visits improved their overall satisfaction of care provided and understandings of discharge instructions.

Patient Shadowing: A Useful Research Method, Teaching Tool, and Approach to Student Professional Development for Premedical Undergraduates.

PROBLEM: Questions have been raised about whether undergraduate institutions are effectively preparing premedical students in the sociobehavioral and cognitive reasoning content found on the revised Medical College Admission Test, providing opportunities to understand and apply these sociobehavioral and cognitive reasoning concepts in real-world scenarios, and offering career exploration opportunities. APPROACH: The Research in Physician-Patient Interactions course is a 15-week course designed for premedical students and taught through the collaboration of an emergency medicine physician and an applied medical anthropologist. As of January 2016, the course is offered each spring at the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida. The course provides opportunities for patient and physician shadowing within the anthropological methodological framework of participant observation. Other qualitative research methods are also taught, and students complete a group patient experience quality improvement project. OUTCOMES: Thematic analysis of students' field notes and reflection essays and follow-up communications with course alumni revealed 3 salient themes regarding the utility of patient shadowing as a research method that provides unique types of qualitative data, as a teaching tool for premedical students to understand the perspectives of patients, and as an approach to developing the professional skills necessary in health care, such as effective communication styles, establishment of rapport, and empathy. NEXT STEPS: Similar courses should be offered at other universities to premedical students. While it appears that patient shadowing experiences have a great impact during premedical education, there may also be value in integrating a similar experience into medical school and residency training.

Creation and Implementation of an Outpatient Pathway for Atrial Fibrillation in the Emergency Department Setting: Results of an Expert Panel.

Atrial fibrillation and flutter (AF) is a common condition among emergency department (ED) patients in the United States. Traditionally, ED care for primary complaints related to AF focus on rate control, and patients are often admitted to an inpatient setting for further care. Inpatient care may include further telemetry monitoring and diagnostic testing, rhythm control, a search for identification of AF etiology, and stroke prophylaxis. However, many patients are eligible for safe and effective outpatient management pathways. They are widely used in Canada and other countries but less widely adopted in the United States. In this project, we convened an expert panel to create a practical framework for the process of creating, implementing, and maintaining an outpatient AF pathway for emergency physicians to assess and treat AF patients, safely reduce hospitalization rates, ensure appropriate stroke prophylaxis, and effectively transition patients to longitudinal outpatient treatment settings from the ED and/or observation unit. To support local pathway creation, the panel also reached agreement on a protocol development plan, a sample pathway, consensus recommendations for pathway components, sample pathway metrics, and a structured literature review framework using a modified Delphi technique by a technical expert panel of emergency medicine, cardiology, and other stakeholder groups.

TRIAD VIII: Nationwide Multicenter Evaluation to Determine Whether Patient Video Testimonials Can Safely Help Ensure Appropriate Critical Versus End-of-Life Care.

OBJECTIVE: End-of-life interventions should be predicated on consensus understanding of patient wishes. Written documents are not always understood; adding a video testimonial/message (VM) might improve clarity. Goals of this study were to (1) determine baseline rates of consensus in assigning code status and resuscitation decisions in critically ill scenarios and (2) determine whether adding a VM increases consensus. METHODS: We randomly assigned 2 web-based survey links to 1366 faculty and resident physicians at institutions with graduate medical education programs in emergency medicine, family practice, and internal medicine. Each survey asked for code status interpretation of stand-alone Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) and living will (LW) documents in 9 scenarios. Respondents assigned code status and resuscitation decisions to each scenario. For 1 of 2 surveys, a VM was included to help clarify patient wishes. RESULTS: Response rate was 54%, and most were male emergency physicians who lacked formal advanced planning document interpretation training. Consensus was not achievable for stand-alone POLST or LW documents (68%-78% noted "DNR"). Two of 9 scenarios attained consensus for code status (97%-98% responses) and treatment decisions (96%-99%). Adding a VM significantly changed code status responses by 9% to 62% (P ≤ 0.026) in 7 of 9 scenarios with 4 achieving consensus. Resuscitation responses changed by 7% to 57% (P ≤ 0.005) with 4 of 9 achieving consensus with VMs. CONCLUSIONS: For most scenarios, consensus was not attained for code status and resuscitation decisions with stand-alone LW and POLST documents. Adding VMs produced significant impacts toward achieving interpretive consensus.