Comparison of Emergency Department Wait Times in Adults with Sickle Cell Disease Versus Other Painful Etiologies.

Sickle cell disease is characterized by intermittent painful crises often requiring treatment in the emergency department (ED). Past examinations of time-to-provider (TTP) in the ED for patients with sickle cell disease demonstrated that these patients may have longer TTP than other patients. Here, we examine TTP for patients presenting for emergency care at a single institution, comparing patients with sickle cell disease to both the general population and to those with other painful conditions, with examination of both institutional and patient factors that might affect wait times. Our data demonstrated that at our institution patients with sickle cell disease have a slightly longer average TTP compared to the general ED population (+16 min.) and to patients with other painful conditions (+4 min.) However, when confounding factors were considered, there was no longer a significant difference between TTP of patients with sickle cell disease and the general population nor between patients with sickle cell disease and those with other painful conditions. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that gender, race, age, high utilizer status, fast track use, time of presentation, acuity and insurance type, were all independently associated with TTP, with acuity, time of presentation and use of fast track having the greatest influence. We concluded that the longer TTP observed in patients with sickle cell disease can at least partially be explained by institutional factors such as the use of fast track protocols. Further work to reduce TTP for sickle cell disease and other patients is needed to optimize care.

Pain scores show no monotonic upward or downward trend over time.

BACKGROUND: Self-reported pain scales are commonly used in emergency departments (EDs). The 11-point (0-10) numerical rating scale is a commonly used scale for adults visiting EDs in the United States. Despite their widespread use, little is known about whether distribution of pain scores has remained consistent over time. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to determine if there were upwards or downwards (monotonic) trends in pain scores over time at a single hospital. METHODS: Retrospective chart review for the years 2003-2011. All pain scores for May 1(st) and 2(nd) of those years were collected. Multinomial logistic regression was used to model the probability of a patient rating their pain in each of 11 categories (scores 0 to 10) as a function of the calendar year. Additional analysis was carried out with pain scores grouped into four categories. RESULTS: Data were collected from 2934 patient charts. Pain scores were recorded in 2136 charts, and 1637 of these pain scores were above zero (i.e., 1-10). The pain score distribution differed significantly over time (p = 0.001); however, there was no monotonic (single-direction) trend. CONCLUSION: Although there were significant shifts in pain scores over time, there is not a significant monotonic trend. At this hospital, there was no "inflation" or "deflation" in pain scores over time. Shifts in distribution, even when not in a single direction, may be important for researchers examining pain scores in the ED.

Meningococcal epiglottitis in a diabetic adult patient: a case report.

BACKGROUND: After deployment of the Haemophilus influenzae vaccination, the range of pathogens causing acute epiglottitis has changed, as has the epidemiology from a primarily pediatric syndrome towards more frequent adult onset. OBJECTIVES: We present a case of acute-onset meningococcal epiglottitis in an adult patient, to our knowledge one of a few reported cases in the medical literature. We review the historic changes and outcomes of similar episodes. CASE REPORT: A 37-year-old diabetic man presented to our Emergency Department in acute respiratory distress. Examination revealed epiglottitis; his airway subsequently closed rapidly and was secured by surgical cricothyroidotomy; blood cultures showed the primary pathogen to be Neisseria meningitidis type C. CONCLUSION: Neisseria meningitidis has been found to be an emerging cause of acute epiglottitis in adult patients over the last decade, possibly having worsened outcomes compared to other etiologies.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Impact Acute Care Utilization in Sickle Cell Disease.

Sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited red blood cell disorder, is characterized by anemia, end-organ damage, unpredictable episodes of pain, and early mortality. Emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations are frequent, leading to increased burden on patients and increased health care costs. This study assessed the effects of a multidisciplinary care team intervention on acute care utilization among adults with SCD. The multidisciplinary care team intervention included monthly team meetings and development of individualized care plans. Individualized care plans included targeted pain management plans for management of uncomplicated pain crisis. Following implementation of the multidisciplinary care team intervention, a significant decrease in ED utilization was identified among those individuals with a history of high ED utilization. Findings highlight the potential strength of multidisciplinary interventions and suggest that targeting interventions toward high-utilizing subpopulations may offer the greatest impact.

Overreliance on symptom quality in diagnosing dizziness: results of a multicenter survey of emergency physicians.

OBJECTIVE: To assess emergency physicians' diagnostic approach to the patient with dizziness, using a multicenter quantitative survey. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: We anonymously surveyed attending and resident emergency physicians at 17 academic-affiliated emergency departments with an Internet-based survey (September 1, 2006, to November 3, 2006). The survey respondents ranked the relative importance of symptom quality, timing, triggers, and associated symptoms and indicated their agreement with 20 statements about diagnostic assessment of dizziness (Likert scale). We used logistic regression to assess the impact of "symptom quality ranked first" on odds of agreement with diagnostic statements; we then stratified responses by academic rank. RESULTS: Of the 505 individuals surveyed, 415 responded for an overall response rate of 82%. A total of 93% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90%-95%) agreed that determining type of dizziness is very important, and 64% (95% CI, 60%-69%) ranked symptom quality as the most important diagnostic feature. In a multivariate model, those ranking quality first (particularly resident physicians) more often reported high-risk reasoning that might predispose patients to misdiagnosis (eg, in a patient with persistent, continuous dizziness, who could have a cerebellar stroke, resident physicians reported feeling reassured that a normal head computed tomogram indicates that the patient can safely go home) (odds ratio, 6.74; 95% CI, 2.05-22.19). CONCLUSION: Physicians report taking a quality-of-symptoms approach to the diagnosis of dizziness in patients in the emergency department. Those relying heavily on this approach may be predisposed to high-risk downstream diagnostic reasoning. Other clinical features (eg, timing, triggers, associated symptoms) appear relatively undervalued. Educational initiatives merit consideration.

Sickle Cell Disease in the Emergency Department.

Acute painful episodes are the most common reason for emergency department visits among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Early and aggressive pain management is a priority. Emergency providers (EPs) must also diagnose other emergent diagnoses in patients with SCD and differentiate them from vaso-occlusive crisis. EPs should be aware of cognitive biases that may misdirect the diagnostic process. Administration of intravenous fluids should be used judiciously. Blood transfusion may be considered. Coordination of care with hematology is an important part of the effective emergency department and long-term management of patients with SCD.

The insecure airway: a comparison of knots and commercial devices for securing endotracheal tubes.

BACKGROUND: Endotracheal Tubes (ETTs) are commonly secured using adhesive tape, cloth tape, or commercial devices. The objectives of the study were (1) To compare degrees of movement of ETTs secured with 6 different commercial devices and (2) To compare movement of ETTs secured with cloth tape tied with 3 different knots (hitches). METHODS: A 17 cm diameter PVC tube with 14 mm "mouth" hole in the side served as a mannequin. ETTs were subjected to repeated jerks, using a cable and pulley system. MEASUREMENTS: (1) Total movement of ETTs relative to "mouth" (measure used for devices) (2) Slippage of ETT through securing knot (measure used for knots). RESULTS: Among commercial devices, the Dale showed less movement than other devices, although some differences between devices did not reach significance. Among knots, Magnus and Clove Hitches produced less slippage than the Cow Hitch, but these differences did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Among devices tested, the Dale was most secure. Within the scope offered by the small sample sizes, there were no statistically significant differences between the knots in this study.

A Successful Model for a Comprehensive Patient Flow Management Center at an Academic Health System.

This article reports on an innovative approach to managing patient flow at a multicampus academic health system, integrating multiple services into a single, centralized Patient Flow Management Center that manages supply and demand for inpatient services across the system. Control of bed management was centralized across 3 campuses and key services were integrated, including bed management, case management, environmental services, patient transport, ambulance and helicopter dispatch, and transfer center. A single technology platform was introduced, as was providing round-the-clock patient placement by critical care nurses, and adding medical directors. Daily bed meetings with nurse managers and charge nurses drive action plans. This article reports immediate improvements in the first year of operations in emergency department walkouts, emergency department boarding, ambulance diversion, growth in transfer volume, reduction in lost transfers, reduction in time to bed assignment, and bed turnover time. The authors believe theirs is the first institution to integrate services and centralize bed management so comprehensively.

The vexatious vital: neither clinical measurements by nurses nor an electronic monitor provides accurate measurements of respiratory rate in triage.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Of all the vital signs, only respiratory rate is still measured clinically in most US triage systems. Previous studies have demonstrated the inaccuracy, poor interobserver agreement, and low variability of routine measurements of respiratory rate. We assess the variability and accuracy of triage nurses' measurements of respiratory rate against a criterion standard. Also, we assess electronic measurement of respiratory rate against the same criterion standard. METHODS: Consecutive patients presenting to an urban teaching emergency department (ED) were enrolled in this prospective study. Electronic measurement of respiratory rate was recorded throughout the triage encounter when nurses were recording measurements of respiratory rate. Electronic respiratory rate was measured using transthoracic impedance plethysmography. Immediately after each triage evaluation, criterion standard measurements of respiratory rate were made by research assistants using the World Health Organization recommendation of auscultation or observation for 60 seconds. RESULTS: We enrolled 159 patients. Variability was low for triage nurses' measurements of respiratory rate (SD 3.3) and electronic measurement of respiratory rate (SD 4.1) compared with criterion standard measurements of respiratory rate (SD 4.8; P <.05). Triage nurses' measurements of respiratory rate and electronic measurement of respiratory rate showed low sensitivity in detecting bradypnea and tachypnea. In a Bland-Altman analysis, triage nurses' measurements of respiratory rate and electronic measurement of respiratory rate showed poor agreement with criterion standard measurements of respiratory rate. Subgroup analysis of patients presenting with cardiac and respiratory symptoms yielded similar results. CONCLUSION: Neither triage nurses nor an electronic monitor provides accurate measurements of respiratory rate in the ED. Emergency physicians should search for new electronic modalities for measuring respiratory rate to bring respiratory rate into line with other vital signs. Emergency physicians should also consider new clinical strategies for measuring respiratory rate.

Sickle cell disease in the emergency department.

Acute painful episodes are the most common reason for emergency department visits among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Early and aggressive pain management is a priority. Emergency providers (EPs) must also diagnose other emergent diagnoses in patients with SCD and differentiate them from vaso-occlusive crisis. EPs should be aware of cognitive biases that may misdirect the diagnostic process. Administration of intravenous fluids should be used judiciously. Blood transfusion may be considered. Coordination of care with hematology is an important part of the effective emergency department and long-term management of patients with SCD.

Rapid response team activations within 24 hours of admission from the emergency department: an innovative approach for performance improvement.

OBJECTIVES: Performance improvement programs in emergency medicine (EM) have evolved beyond peer reviews of referred cases and now encompass a large set of quality metrics that are measured proactively. However, peer review of cases continues to be an important element of performance improvement, and selection of cases tends to be driven by an ad hoc referral process based on concerns about problems with care in the emergency department (ED). In the past decade, there has been widespread hospital adoption of rapid response teams (RRTs) that respond to patients who decline clinically to reduce adverse outcomes. In an effort to cast a wider net, to take a more systematic approach, and to avoid "blind spots" from individual variability in criteria for referring cases, the institution instituted a new process for selecting cases for ED peer review based on RRT activations within 24 hours of admission from the ED. The hypothesis was that a formal process for review of these activation cases would increase the number of cases for peer review. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational study conducted from July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2013, at an urban, academic medical center with an EM residency program. A new automated monthly report was created, capturing all RRT activations within 24 hours of admission from the ED. All events were reviewed by three physicians from the ED performance improvement committee to examine for systems issues, individual provider issues, or both, that might yield opportunities for improvement. Cases with potential opportunities were reviewed by the full ED performance improvement committee. Cases were classified according to the indication for response team activation using the system outlined by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. RESULTS: During the study period 61,814 patients were treated in the ED, and 13,067 were admitted to inpatient status. Thirty-two RRT activations within 24 hours of admission from the ED occurred among these admitted patients, representing 0.24% of admissions (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.16% to 0.33%). Of the 32 cases, only one was also referred independently for ED performance improvement review via the traditional ad hoc process. During the same period of time, 85 cases were referred to the ED performance improvement committee via the traditional ad hoc referral process. Thus, the RRT cases added an additional 31 cases, or 36.5%, to the 85 cases reviewed in ED performance improvement. Of the 32 cases, two were determined by the performance improvement committee to have individual provider factors in their ED care, which contributed to the clinical decline triggering the response teams; none had system factors. Most of the response team activations were for neurologic changes (n = 13) and respiratory status changes (n = 12). In two cases there was long-term morbidity or mortality related to the team activation event; in neither of these cases were ED system or individual provider factors judged to have contributed. CONCLUSIONS: The review of RRT activations within 24 hours of admission from the ED significantly supplemented the typical ad hoc referral system for peer review of cases, highlighting cases that likely would not have received attention within the ED. This novel and unique case review process revealed opportunities for education and performance improvement. This and other systematic approaches to case detection may be useful adjuncts to traditional case referrals for review.

Early quick acuity score provides more complete data on emergency department walkouts.

INTRODUCTION: Many prior studies have compared the acuity of Emergency Department (ED) patients who have Left Without Being Seen (LWBS) against non-LWBS patients. A weakness in these studies is that patients may walk out prior to the assignment of a triage score, biasing comparisons. We report an operational change whereby acuity was assessed immediately upon patient arrival. We hypothesized more patients would receive acuity scores with EQAS. We also sought to compare LWBS and non-LWBS patient characteristics with reduced bias. SETTING: urban, academic medical center. Retrospective cohort study, electronic chart review, collecting data on all ED patients presenting between 4/1/2010 and 10/31/2011 ("Traditional Acuity Score" period, TAS) and from 11/1/2011 to 3/31/2012 ("Early Quick Acuity Score" period, EQAS). We recorded disposition (LWBS versus non-LWBS), acuity and demographics. For each subject during the EQAS period, we calculated how many prior ED visits and how many prior walkouts the subject had had during the TAS period. RESULTS: Acuity was recorded in 92,275 of 94,526 patients (97.6%) for TAS period, and 25,577 of 25,760 patients (99.3%) for EQAS period, a difference of 1.7% (1.5%, 1.8%). LWBS patients had acuity scores recorded in 5,180 of 7,040 cases (73.6%) during TAS period, compared with 897 of 1,010 cases (88.8%) during the EQAS period, a difference of 15.2% (14.8%, 15.7%). LWBS were more likely than non-LWBS to be male, were younger and had lower acuity scores. LWBS averaged 5.3 prior ED visits compared with 2.8 by non-LWBS, a difference of 2.5 (1.5, 3.5). LWBS averaged 1.3 prior ED walkouts compared with 0.2 among non-LWBS, a difference of 1.1 (0.8, 1.3). CONCLUSIONS: EQAS resulted in a higher proportion of patients receiving acuity scores, particularly among LWBS. This offers more complete data when comparing LWBS and non-LWBS patient characteristics. The comparison reinforced findings from prior studies.

Acute coronary syndrome cohort definition: troponin versus ICD-9-CM codes.

AIM: To determine the accuracy of troponin laboratory results versus International Classification of Diseases clinical modification codes (ICD-9-CM) in identifying acute coronary syndrome (ACS) rule-out (R/O) patients who present to emergency departments (EDs). MATERIALS & METHODS: Retrospective data analysis and chart review (to establish gold standard) were conducted on ED patients. Data retrieved from a clinical data warehouse were reviewed to identify patients with two or more troponins within 24 h of ED registration and ICD-9-CM codes consistent with ACS R/O. RESULTS: Of 329 charts reviewed, 17 were determined to be ACS R/O. A total of 31 out of 329 (9.42%, 95% CI: 6.26­12.58%) had two or more troponins with a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI: 77.08­100%) and specificity of 95.51% (95% CI: 92.42­97.43%). A total of 32 out of 329 patients (9.73%, 95% CI: 6.53­12.93%) had R/O ICD-9-CM codes with a sensitivity of 76.47% (95% CI: 49.76­83.00%) and specificity of 93.91% (95% CI: 90.50­96.19%). All 17 gold-standard ACS R/O patients were identified using troponins while ICD-9-CM identified 13 out of 17. CONCLUSION: Clinical data (two troponins) availability is timelier and compares well with billing data (ICD-9-CM codes) in ACS R/O patient identification. Clinical data use may be generalized to identify other disease specific cohorts for clinical research.