A consensus statement on minimum operational standards for geriatric emergency care in Belgium: a modified Delphi study.

BACKGROUND: As emergency department (ED) leaders started integrating geriatric emergency guidelines on a facultative basis, important variations have emerged between EDs in care for older patients. The aim of this study was to establish a consensus on minimum operational standards for Geriatric ED care in Belgium. METHODS: A two-stage modified Delphi study was conducted. Twenty panellists were recruited from Dutch and French speaking regions in Belgium to join an interdisciplinary expert panel. In the first stage, an online survey was conducted to identify and define all possible elements of geriatric emergency care. In the second stage, an online survey and online expert panel meeting were organized consecutively to determine which elements should be recognized as minimum operational standards. RESULTS: Between March 2020 and February 2021, the expert panel developed a broad consensus including ten statements focusing on the target population, specific goals, availability of geriatric practitioners and quality assurance. Additionally, the expert panel also determined which protocols, materials and accommodation criteria should be available in conventional EDs (39 standards) and in observational EDs (57 standards). CONCLUSIONS: This study presents a consensus on minimum operational standards for geriatric emergency care in two ED types: the conventional ED and the observational ED. These findings may serve as a starting point towards broadly supported minimum standards of care stipulated by legislation in Belgium or other countries.

The prognostic value of early lactate clearance for survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND: Prognostication of survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains challenging with current guidelines recommending the prognostication no earlier than 72 h after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Prognostic factors that could be used earlier after ROSC, like lactate clearance, are still being studied. OBJECTIVES: This paper aims to investigate the prognostic strength of early lactate clearance for survival after OHCA. METHODS: This retrospective observational single-center study focuses on patients for whom ROSC was achieved after OHCA. Patients ≥18 years admitted between September 2012 and January 2019, for which arterial serum lactate measurements were available immediately at and 3 h after hospital admission (T0 and T3), were included. RESULTS: 192 patients were included. Lactate clearance at T3 (p < 0.001) was identified as an independent predictor for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h survival. Witnessed arrest, bystander CPR and initial shockable rhythm were independent significant predictors for long term survival after ROSC (1 month, 3 months and 1 year; p < 0.05), but not for 24 h survival. Age (above or below 65 years) was not significant for predicting survival. Upon combination of witnessed arrest, bystander CPR and initial shockable rhythm in a multivariate logistic regression model for long term survival, the initial rhythm was the dominant factor in the combined model, making witnessed arrest and bystander CPR redundant. CONCLUSION: Lactate clearance at T3 after ROSC is associated with 24 h, 48 h and 72 h survival. Further research is needed to determine how to incorporate lactate clearance as part of a clinically useful tool to predict long term survival.

Structure and processes of emergency observation units with a geriatric focus: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Combining observation principles and geriatric care concepts is considered a promising strategy for risk-stratification of older patients with emergency care needs. We aimed to map the structure and processes of emergency observation units (EOUs) with a geriatric focus and explore to what extent the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) approach was implemented in EOUs. METHODS: The revised scoping methodology framework of Arksey and O'Malley was applied. Manuscripts reporting on dedicated areas within hospitals for observation of older patients with emergency care needs were eligible for inclusion. Electronic database searches were performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL in combination with backward snowballing. Two researchers conducted data charting independently. Data-charting forms were developed and iteratively refined. Data inconsistencies were judged by a third researcher or discussed in the research team. Quality assessment was conducted with the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies. RESULTS: Sixteen quantitative studies were included reporting on fifteen EOUs in seven countries across three continents. These units were located in the ED, immediately next to the ED or remote from the ED (i.e. hospital-based). All studies reported that staffing consisted of at least three healthcare professions. Observation duration varied between 4 and 72 h. Most studies focused on medical and functional assessment. Four studies reported to assess a patients' medical, functional, cognitive and social capabilities. If deemed necessary, post-discharge follow-up (e.g. community/primary care services and/or outpatient clinics) was provided in eleven studies. CONCLUSION: This scoping review documented that the structure and processes of EOUs with a geriatric focus are very heterogeneous and rarely cover all elements of CGA. Further research is necessary to determine how complex care principles of 'observation medicine' and 'CGA' can ideally be merged and successfully implemented in clinical care.

Effect of Trans-Nasal Evaporative Intra-arrest Cooling on Functional Neurologic Outcome in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: The PRINCESS Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Therapeutic hypothermia may increase survival with good neurologic outcome after cardiac arrest. Trans-nasal evaporative cooling is a method used to induce cooling, primarily of the brain, during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ie, intra-arrest). Objective: To determine whether prehospital trans-nasal evaporative intra-arrest cooling improves survival with good neurologic outcome compared with cooling initiated after hospital arrival. Design, Setting, and Participants: The PRINCESS trial was an investigator-initiated, randomized, clinical, international multicenter study with blinded assessment of the outcome, performed by emergency medical services in 7 European countries from July 2010 to January 2018, with final follow-up on April 29, 2018. In total, 677 patients with bystander-witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were enrolled. Interventions: Patients were randomly assigned to receive trans-nasal evaporative intra-arrest cooling (n = 343) or standard care (n = 334). Patients admitted to the hospital in both groups received systemic therapeutic hypothermia at 32°C to 34°C for 24 hours. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was survival with good neurologic outcome, defined as Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) 1-2, at 90 days. Secondary outcomes were survival at 90 days and time to reach core body temperature less than 34°C. Results: Among the 677 randomized patients (median age, 65 years; 172 [25%] women), 671 completed the trial. Median time to core temperature less than 34°C was 105 minutes in the intervention group vs 182 minutes in the control group (P < .001). The number of patients with CPC 1-2 at 90 days was 56 of 337 (16.6%) in the intervention cooling group vs 45 of 334 (13.5%) in the control group (difference, 3.1% [95% CI, -2.3% to 8.5%]; relative risk [RR], 1.23 [95% CI, 0.86-1.72]; P = .25). In the intervention group, 60 of 337 patients (17.8%) were alive at 90 days vs 52 of 334 (15.6%) in the control group (difference, 2.2% [95% CI, -3.4% to 7.9%]; RR, 1.14 [95% CI, 0.81-1.57]; P = .44). Minor nosebleed was the most common device-related adverse event, reported in 45 of 337 patients (13%) in the intervention group. The adverse event rate within 7 days was similar between groups. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, trans-nasal evaporative intra-arrest cooling compared with usual care did not result in a statistically significant improvement in survival with good neurologic outcome at 90 days. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01400373.

Short-term unscheduled return visits of adult patients to the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Emergency department (ED) crowding is a major international concern that affects patients and providers. STUDY OBJECTIVE: We describe the characteristics of patients who had an unscheduled related return visit to the ED and investigate its relation to ED crowding. METHODS: Retrospective medical record review of all unscheduled related ED return visits by patients older than 16 years of age over a 1-year period. The top quartile of ED occupancy rates was defined as ED crowding. RESULTS: Eight hundred thirty-seven patients (1.9%) made an unscheduled related return visit. Length of stay (LOS) at the ED for the index visit and the LOS for the return visit (5 h, 54 min vs. 6 h, 51 min) were significantly different, as were the percent admitted (11.6% vs. 46.1%). Of these patients, 85.1% and 12.0% returned due to persistence or a wrong initial diagnosis, of their initial illness, respectively, and 2.9% returned due to an adverse event related to the treatment initially received. Patients presented the least frequently with an alcohol-related complaint during the index visit (480 patients), but they had the highest number of unscheduled return visits (45 patients; 9.4%). Unscheduled related return visits were not associated with ED crowding. CONCLUSION: Return visits impose additional pressure on the ED, because return patients have a significantly longer LOS at the ED. However, the rate of unscheduled return visits and ED crowding was not related. Because this parameter serves as an essential quality assurance tool, we can assume that the studied hospital scores well on this particular parameter.

Deliberate self-poisoning: characteristics of patients and impact on the emergency department of a large university hospital.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The epidemiology, management and cost of emergency department (ED) visits for deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) are described. METHODS: In a retrospective study, the medical records of all DSP patients older than 16 years, who presented to the ED from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2009, were reviewed. RESULTS: 312 episodes of DSP were included, accounting for 0.6% of all ED visits. 190 patients were women, with a female to male ratio of 1.56:1. Mean patient age was 37 years. More than 60% (n=190) of DSP patients were <40 years of age. Most patients presented to the ED between 18:00 and 23:00. A single drug was ingested in 39% (n=121) of patients. Alcohol was co-ingested by 36% of patients who were mostly middle-aged men. Of the overdoses, 50.8% were due to benzodiazepines, 23.2% were due to antidepressants and 16.4% were due to antipsychotics. Two-thirds of patients were treated with oral activated charcoal and 89% were seen by a psychiatrist. Nearly 90% of patients were admitted to the ED observation ward, with a mean length of stay of 16.7 h. The estimated total cost was €;266 134.89, with an average of €;872.57 per patient. CONCLUSION: Self-poisoning cases in Belgium are grossly similar to those in other Western countries. Supportive treatment alone should be considered in the majority of patients presenting with oral drug overdose. Overall, DSP leads to a significant financial burden on the community.

Design of the PRINCESS trial: pre-hospital resuscitation intra-nasal cooling effectiveness survival study (PRINCESS).

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic hypothermia (TH, 32-34°C) has been shown to improve neurological outcome in comatose survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. Earlier initiation of TH may increase the beneficial effects. Experimental studies have suggested that starting TH during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may further enhance its neuroprotective effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether intra-arrest TH (IATH), initiated in the field with trans nasal evaporative cooling (TNEC), would provide outcome benefits when compared to standard of care in patients being resuscitated from OHCA. METHODS/DESIGN: We describe the methodology of a multi-centre, randomized, controlled trial comparing IATH delivered through TNEC device (Rhinochill, Benechill Inc., San Diego, CA, USA) during CPR to standard treatment, including TH initiated after hospital admission. The primary outcome is neurological intact survival defined as cerebral performance category 1-2 at 90 days among those patients who are admitted to the hospital. Secondary outcomes include survival at 90 days, proportion of patients achieving a return to spontaneous circulation (ROSC), the proportion of patients admitted alive to the hospital and the proportion of patients achieving target temperature (<34°C) within the first 4 hours since CA. DISCUSSION: This ongoing trial will assess the impact of IATH with TNEC, which may be able to rapidly induce brain cooling and have fewer side effects than other methods, such as cold fluid infusion. If this intervention is found to improve neurological outcome, its early use in the pre-hospital setting will be considered as an early neuro-protective strategy in OHCA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01400373.

Emergency department visits due to alcohol intoxication: characteristics of patients and impact on the emergency room.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to describe the epidemiology, management and cost of emergency department (ED) visits due to alcohol intoxication. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records of all episodes of alcohol intoxication was made, excepting those where another diagnosis such as trauma or psychiatric illness was primary, in patients older than 16 years, who presented to the ED of a large university hospital in Belgium over a 12-month period from 1 January 2009. RESULTS: A total of 635 such patients accounted for 1.2% of all ED visits; 429 were males and 48.3% were aged between 41 and 60 years; 63.8% of the patients had a history of alcohol use disorder and 60.3% had a history of psychiatric disorder; 74.3% of the patients received some form of medical treatment and 62% were seen by a psychiatrist. Of the total, 57.5% of the patients were admitted to the ED observation ward, with a mean length of stay of 8.4 h. The estimated total cost was €318 838.25, with an average of €541.32 per patient. CONCLUSION: Alcohol intoxication leads to a financial burden on the community. In addition to imposing physical, social and psychological stress on the community, the often agitated or aggressive patient imposes stress on ED staff. Close surveillance of trends in alcohol abuse is warranted, and the ED should consider implementing a questionnaire method of screening for alcohol abuse.

The Incident Management Response of the Emergency Departments in Belgium During the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that emergency departments (EDs) need to reorganize their operations rapidly. This study investigated the impact of the pandemic on structural and logistical issues at EDs and the measures taken. Belgian EDs were surveyed on the implemented changes at the start of the pandemic in relation to the 4 S's in disaster medicine: Structure, Staff, Supplies, and System. The study demonstrated that Belgian EDs felt largely unprepared for this pandemic, but nevertheless dynamically restructured their organization. A 46% increase in ED beds was created in different types of structures and more than 50% of all ED beds were reserved for COVID-19 care, but overall the number of patient presentations dropped by 29%. EDs deployed extra personnel, additional training, and psychological support. More than 50% reported an acute shortage of personal protective equipment, and several reported a shortage of ventilatory equipment and medications.

Intra-arrest transnasal evaporative cooling: a randomized, prehospital, multicenter study (PRINCE: Pre-ROSC IntraNasal Cooling Effectiveness).

BACKGROUND: Transnasal evaporative cooling has sufficient heat transfer capacity for effective intra-arrest cooling and improves survival in swine. The aim of this study was to determine the safety, feasibility, and cooling efficacy of prehospital transnasal cooling in humans and to explore its effects on neurologically intact survival to hospital discharge. METHODS AND RESULTS: Witnessed cardiac arrest patients with a treatment interval

Measuring non-technical skills during prehospital advanced cardiac life support: A pilot study.

AIM: To analyse non-technical skills of mobile medical teams during out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) using the validated Team Emergency Assessment Measure (TEAM) tool. To research the correlation between non-technical skills and patient outcome. METHODS: Adult patients who experienced an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest between July 2016, and June 2018, and were treated by a mobile medical team from the University Hospital Leuven, were eligible for the study. Resuscitations were video recorded from the team leader's perspective. Video recordings were reviewed and scored by emergency physicians, using the TEAM evaluation form. RESULTS: In total 114 OHCAs were analysed. The mean TEAM score was 34.4/44 (SD = 5.5). The mean item score was 3.1/4 (SD = 0.8). On average, 'effective team communication' had the lowest score (2.4), while 'acting with composure and control' and 'following of approved standards/guidelines' scored the highest (3.4). The average non-technical skills theme scores were 2.9 (SD = 0.9) for 'Leadership', 3.1 (SD = 0.8) for 'Teamwork' and 3.3 (SD = 0.7) for 'Task management'. 'Leadership' was rated significantly lower than 'Teamwork' (p = 0.004) and 'Task management' (p < 0.001). No significant correlation was found between TEAM and return of spontaneous circulation (p = 0.574) or one month survival (p = 0.225). CONCLUSION: The mean overall TEAM score was categorized as good. Task management scored high, while leadership and team communication received lower scores. Future training programs should thus focus on improving leadership and communication. In this pilot study no correlation was found between non-technical skills and survival.

Assessment of chest compression interruptions during advanced cardiac life support.

AIM: To identify potentially avoidable factors responsible for chest compression interruptions and to evaluate the influence of chest compression fraction on achieving return of spontaneous circulation and survival to hospital discharge. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, each resuscitation managed by mobile medical teams from August 1st, 2016, to August 1st, 2018 was video recorded using a body-mounted GoPro camera. The duration of all chest compression interruptions was recorded and chest compression fraction was calculated. All actions causing an interruption of at least 10 s were analyzed. RESULTS: Two hundred and six resuscitations of both in- and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients were analysed. In total 1867 chest compression interruptions were identified. Of these, 623 were longer than 10 s in which a total of 794 actions were performed. In 4.3% of the registered pauses, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was interrupted for more than 60 s. The most performed actions during prolonged interruptions were rhythm/pulse checks (51.6%), installation/use of mechanical chest compression devices (11.1%), cardiopulmonary resuscitation provider switches (6.7%) and ETT placements (6.2%). No statistically significant relationship was found between chest compression fraction and return of spontaneous circulation or survival. CONCLUSION: The majority of chest compression interruptions during resuscitation were caused by prolonged rhythm checks, cardiopulmonary resuscitation provider switches, incorrect use of mechanical chest compression devices and ETT placement. No association was found between chest compression fraction and return of spontaneous circulation, nor an influence on survival. This was presumably caused by the high baseline chest compression fraction of >86%.

Impact of video-recording on patient outcome and data collection in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

BACKGROUND: Most research on out-of-hospital resuscitation relies on data collection from medical records. However, the data in medical records are often inaccurate. OBJECTIVE: To compare the data registration of the medical record with the data from the video recorded resuscitation and study the impact of video recording during resuscitation on the outcome. METHODS: Out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was video recorded using a body-mounted camera. Video recordings were independently reviewed and compared with the data of the medical record. The presence of bystander CPR and witnessed arrest, the initial rhythm, total number of defibrillations, adrenaline dosage and the total duration of CPR were studied. Using the medical records, CPR outcomes were compared for the periods prior to, during and after video recording. RESULTS: In total, 129 resuscitations were analysed. Of the six parameters, only the number of defibrillations was not significantly different in the medical record compared to the video recordings. The total duration of CPR (69.0%) and the total dose of adrenaline administered (63.6%) were the most incorrectly recorded, followed by the number of defibrillations (34.0%), witnessed arrest (31.0%), bystander CPR (24.0%) and initial rhythm (7%). No statistically significant difference was found comparing the outcomes (ROSC, 24 h and 1 month survival) of the periods before, during and after video recording. CONCLUSION: We detected a high number of discrepancies between the medical record and the data from the video recorded resuscitation. No significant effect of video-recording on patient outcome was found.

Early administration of Vitamin C in patients with sepsis or septic shock in emergency departments: A multicenter, double blinded, randomized controlled trial: The C-EASIE trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by a deregulated body's response to infection causing injury to its own tissues and organs. Sepsis is the primary cause of death from infection. If not recognized and treated timely, it can evolve within minutes/hours to septic shock. Sepsis is associated with an acute deficiency of Vitamin C. Despite the proof-of-concept of the benefit of administering Vitamin C in patients with sepsis or septic shock, Vitamin C administration is not yet current practice. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential benefit of early administration of high doses of Vitamin C in addition to standard of care in patients with sepsis or septic shock. METHODS: This phase 3b multi-center trial is conducted in 8 hospitals throughout Belgium. In total 300 patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups in a 1:1 allocation ratio. The intervention group will receive 1.5 g Vitamin C 4 times a day during 4 days, started within 6 hours after admission. The primary outcome is the average post-baseline patient SOFA score. CONCLUSION: This trial will determine whether the early administration of Vitamin C in patients with sepsis or septic shock can lead to a more rapid solution of shock and less deterioration from sepsis to septic shock, hereby reducing morbidity and mortality as well as the length of hospital stay in this patient population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The C-EASIE trial has been registered on the ClinicalTrials.gov website on 10 February 2021 with registration number NCT04747795. TRIAL SPONSOR: UZ Leuven (sponsor's reference S63213).

Novel IT Application for Reverse Triage Selection: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate an evidence-based information technology (IT) application that guides clinical decision-making during the reverse-triage selection process in mass casualty incidents. METHODS: Based upon 28 validated critical interventions (CI) relevant for determining whether a patient qualifies for early discharge, we developed the Reverse Triage Tool of Leuven (RTTL). The RTTL is compatible with the health electronic record (HER) of UZ Leuven, a tertiary hospital in Belgium. During a 3-week period in March 2015, we registered data from 2 groups of patients: a random group (no RTTL usage) and a filtered group (RTTL usage). RESULTS: When applying the original 28 CIs, we were able to select almost twice as many patients in the filtered group who qualified for early discharge compared with patients in the random group. The predictive validity was highly satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: The RTTL saves time in 2 ways. First, it reduces the patient population that needs to be evaluated for potential early discharge to one-third. Second, it doubles the probability of selecting an actual dischargeable patient. Each selected patient, however, still must undergo multidisciplinary reassessment in order to qualify for early discharge. Thus, further research is required to optimize the IT application.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:599-605).

Patient safety incidents during interhospital transport of patients: A prospective analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Interhospital transport of critically ill patients is at risk of complications. The objective of the study was to prospectively record patient safety incidents that occurred during interhospital transports and to determine their risk factors. METHODS: We prospectively collected data during a fifteen-month period in 2 hospitals. Patient and transport characteristics were collected using a specifically designed tool. Patient safety incidents were appraised for health-care associated harm, and categorized as technical, operational, and communication problems. RESULTS: Our study included 688 patients who were transferred to or from one of both hospitals by physician or nurse led transport, with complete records. A patient safety incident was reported in 16.7% of transports, health-care associated harm was noted in 3.9% of cases. In multivariate analysis, three factors remained significantly associated with an increased risk of healthcare-associated harm: operational incidents (odds ratio=144.93, 95% CI=37.55-767.50, P<0.001), communication incidents (odds ratio=11.05, 95% CI=3.02-52.99, P<0.001) and the Modified Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (M-SOFA) score (odds ratio=1.198, 95% CI=1.038-1.40, P=0.017). CONCLUSIONS: The observed rate of patient safety incidents during interhospital transfers is lower than previously reported in the literature. However, there is limited previous work done on this topic. Operational and communication incidents, and a higher M-SOFA score are significantly associated with increase odds of harmful incident. These findings call for stricter preparation of transfers, with clear and standardized communication.

Improving tetanus prophylaxis in the emergency department: a prospective, double-blind cost-effectiveness study.

BACKGROUND: The choice of tetanus prophylaxis for patients with wounds depends on obtaining their vaccination history, which has been demonstrated to be unreliable. Use of a rapid immunoassay (Tétanos Quick Stick, the TQS), combined with knowledge of certain demographic characteristics, may improve the evaluation of tetanus immunity and thus help to avoid inadequate prophylactic measures and reduce costs. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the contribution of the TQS in the choice of tetanus prophylaxis and to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis. The final aim was to define the place of the TQS in a modified algorithm for assessment of tetanus immunity in the emergency department. METHOD: In this Belgian prospective, double-blind, multicentre study, 611 adult patients with a wound were included; 498 (81.5%) records were valid. The TQS test was performed by a nurse before the vaccination history was taken and the choice of prophylaxis was made, using the official algorithm (Belgian Superior Health Council), by a doctor who was unaware of the TQS result. RESULTS: The prevalence of protective anti-tetanus immunity was 74.1%. Immunity was lower in older patients and in female patients. The TQS was a cost-effective tool for patients presenting with a tetanus-prone wound and considered from the vaccination history to be unprotected. Use of the TQS would have improved management in 56.9% (95% CI 47.7% to 65.7%) of patients by avoiding unnecessary treatments, leading to a reduction in the mean cost per patient (10.58 euros/patient with the TQS versus 11.34 euros/patient without). The benefits of the TQS use were significantly greater in patients <61 years old: unnecessary treatment would have been avoided in 76.9% (95% CI 65.8% to 85.4%) of cases and the mean cost per patient reduced to 8.31 euros. CONCLUSION: In selected patients, the TQS is a cost-effective tool to evaluate tetanus immunity. An algorithm is proposed for ED assessment of tetanus immunity integrating age and the TQS result.

Use of tramadol drip in controlling renal colic pain.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although the continuous perfusion of antispasmodic drugs has been the traditional mainstay in the treatment of renal colic, the results more often than not are unsatisfactory. Our hypothesis was that a continuous intravenous (IV) drip of tramadol would be an effective and safe alternative. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, 300 patients with renal colic were randomized into four treatment groups, single blind for the patients. At the start, all received an anti-inflammatory drug intramuscularly and an antiemetic and antispasmodic IV. Group A was given the classical IV antispasmodic perfusion combined with a sham drip. Group B received the classical antispasmodic perfusion in combination with a tramadol drip. Group C had a sham perfusion and drip. Group D received a sham perfusion and tramadol drip. There was no significant difference in the degree of pain between the groups on a visual analog scale (VAS) at the start. The pain was scored again on the VAS at 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 4 hours after the start of the treatment and at IV urography. Side effects, as well as the need for rescue medication, were registered. RESULTS: Both tramadol groups scored significantly better after 60 and 240 minutes and during IV urography (P < 0.005). There was a significant decrease in VAS in group B after 30 minutes. The tramadol groups needed significantly less rescue medication (P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in the reported side effects. The combination spasmolytic-tramadol drip scored the best, although the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: We consider our hypothesis proved that a continuous tramadol drip is a safe and valuable analgesic regimen in renal colic.

Admission hyperglycaemia is associated with higher mortality in patients with hip fracture.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the proportion of hip-fracture patients with admission hyperglycaemia, and, when present, whether it was associated with a worse outcome (i.e. increased length of hospital stay, admission to ICU, or mortality). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over a 2-year period, we retrospectively analysed records of patients with a primary diagnosis of hip fracture (ICD-9-CM 820.x). The records were retrieved from an electronic hospital database. RESULTS: An admission blood sugar level (aBSL) greater than 140 mg/dl was observed in 34% of the patients and was associated with a higher in-hospital mortality (P=0.042). ICU admissions and length of stay did not differ for patients having an aBSL above or below the 140 mg/dl cut-off. CONCLUSION: Hyperglycaemia is common in hip-fracture patients. A high aBSL might serve as a prognostic indicator in hip-fracture patients. To our knowledge, this is the first report of hyperglycaemia-associated mortality in less severely traumatised patients, who generally are not admitted to an ICU.