Interrelationships among workload, illness severity, and function on return to work following acute respiratory distress syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Inability to return to work (RTW) is common after acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to examine interrelationships among pre-ARDS workload, illness severity, and post-ARDS cognitive, psychological, interpersonal, and physical function with RTW at 6 and 12 months after ARDS. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis using the US multicentre ARDS Network Long-Term Outcomes Study. The US Occupational Information Network was used to determine pre-ARDS workload. The Mini-Mental State Examination and SF-36 were used to measure four domains of post-ARDS function. Analyses used structural equation modeling and mediation analyses. RESULTS: Among 329 previously employed ARDS survivors, 6- and 12-month RTW rates were 52% and 56%, respectively. Illness severity (standardised coefficients range: -0.51 to -0.54, p < 0.001) had a negative effect on RTW at 6 months, whereas function at 6 months (psychological [0.42, p < 0.001], interpersonal [0.40, p < 0.001], and physical [0.43, p < 0.001]) had a positive effect. Working at 6 months (0.79 to 0.72, P < 0.001) had a positive effect on RTW at 12 months, whereas illness severity (-0.32 to -0.33, p = 0.001) and post-ARDS function (psychological [6 months: 0.44, p < 0.001; 12 months: 0.33, p = 0.002], interpersonal [0.44, p < 0.001; 0.22, p = 0.03], and physical abilities [0.47, p < 0.001; 0.33, p = 0.007]) only had an indirect effect on RTW at 12 months mediated through work at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: RTW at 12 months was associated with patients' illness severity; post-ARDS cognitive, psychological, interpersonal, and physical function; and working at 6 months. Among these factors, working at 6 months and function may be modifiable mediators of 12-month post-ARDS RTW. Improving ARDS survivors' RTW may include optimisation of workload after RTW, along with interventions across the healthcare spectrum to improve patients' physical, psychological, and interpersonal function.

Prevention of pressure injuries during military aeromedical evacuation or prolonged field care: A randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: During military aeromedical evacuation (AE) and prolonged field care (PFC), casualties are at increased pressure injury (PI) risk. Operational PI mitigation strategies research is limited. PURPOSE: Using multiple factors, this study examined Mepilex/LiquiCell effects on PI risk under simulated AE/PFC. METHODS: Healthy adults were stratified by body fat (%) and randomized to six groups on three surfaces. Set A: Warrior Evacuation Litter Pad (WELP) with/without Mepilex; Set B: Vacuum Spine Board (VSB) with/without Mepilex; Set C: Talon litter with/without LiquiCell. Two hours supine (loaded) was needed. OUTCOMES: Sacral skin transcutaneous tissue oxygen (TcPO2), temperature, moisture, interface pressure, interleukin-1α/Total Protein. FINDINGS: 54 participants. Sets A/B: No Mepilex effects; temperature increased 2.5°C. Set C: No LiquiCell effects. Significant ΔTcPO2 (unloaded-loaded), with 100% impaired perfusion; temperature increased 1.2°C. DISCUSSION: Multiple risk factors for PI mitigating strategies must consider. Talon with increased pressure/impaired perfusion but smaller temperature/moisture changes; WELP/VSB with increased temperature/moisture but lower pressure/adequate perfusion.

Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines on the Management of Adults With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the ICU: First Update.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic continues to affect millions worldwide. Given the rapidly growing evidence base, we implemented a living guideline model to provide guidance on the management of patients with severe or critical coronavirus disease 2019 in the ICU. METHODS: The Surviving Sepsis Campaign Coronavirus Disease 2019 panel has expanded to include 43 experts from 14 countries; all panel members completed an electronic conflict-of-interest disclosure form. In this update, the panel addressed nine questions relevant to managing severe or critical coronavirus disease 2019 in the ICU. We used the World Health Organization's definition of severe and critical coronavirus disease 2019. The systematic reviews team searched the literature for relevant evidence, aiming to identify systematic reviews and clinical trials. When appropriate, we performed a random-effects meta-analysis to summarize treatment effects. We assessed the quality of the evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach, then used the evidence-to-decision framework to generate recommendations based on the balance between benefit and harm, resource and cost implications, equity, and feasibility. RESULTS: The Surviving Sepsis Campaign Coronavirus Diease 2019 panel issued nine statements (three new and six updated) related to ICU patients with severe or critical coronavirus disease 2019. For severe or critical coronavirus disease 2019, the panel strongly recommends using systemic corticosteroids and venous thromboprophylaxis but strongly recommends against using hydroxychloroquine. In addition, the panel suggests using dexamethasone (compared with other corticosteroids) and suggests against using convalescent plasma and therapeutic anticoagulation outside clinical trials. The Surviving Sepsis Campaign Coronavirus Diease 2019 panel suggests using remdesivir in nonventilated patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 and suggests against starting remdesivir in patients with critical coronavirus disease 2019 outside clinical trials. Because of insufficient evidence, the panel did not issue a recommendation on the use of awake prone positioning. CONCLUSION: The Surviving Sepsis Campaign Coronavirus Diease 2019 panel issued several recommendations to guide healthcare professionals caring for adults with critical or severe coronavirus disease 2019 in the ICU. Based on a living guideline model the recommendations will be updated as new evidence becomes available.

Quantitative historical analysis uncovers a single dimension of complexity that structures global variation in human social organization.

Do human societies from around the world exhibit similarities in the way that they are structured, and show commonalities in the ways that they have evolved? These are long-standing questions that have proven difficult to answer. To test between competing hypotheses, we constructed a massive repository of historical and archaeological information known as "Seshat: Global History Databank." We systematically coded data on 414 societies from 30 regions around the world spanning the last 10,000 years. We were able to capture information on 51 variables reflecting nine characteristics of human societies, such as social scale, economy, features of governance, and information systems. Our analyses revealed that these different characteristics show strong relationships with each other and that a single principal component captures around three-quarters of the observed variation. Furthermore, we found that different characteristics of social complexity are highly predictable across different world regions. These results suggest that key aspects of social organization are functionally related and do indeed coevolve in predictable ways. Our findings highlight the power of the sciences and humanities working together to rigorously test hypotheses about general rules that may have shaped human history.

Factors associated with employment outcome after critical illness: Systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression.

AIMS: To synthesize data on prevalence and risk factors for return to work (RTW) in ICU survivors. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: PUBMED, CINAHL, EMBASE and PsycINFO databases were searched from 2000-Feb 2020. REVIEW METHODS: Peer-reviewed articles that included adult ICU survivors and employment outcomes. Two investigators independently reviewed articles following the PRISMA protocol. Pooled prevalence for RTW was calculated. Meta-regression analyses were performed to assess the association between disability policies, temporal factors and RTW following ICU. RESULTS: Twenty-eight studies (N = 8,168) met the inclusion criteria. All studies were scored as 'low risk of bias'. Using meta-analysis, the proportion (95% CI) of RTW following ICU was 29% (0.20,0.42), 59% (0.50,0.70), 56% (0.50,0.62), 63% (0.54,0.72), 58% (0.37,0.91), 58% (0.42,0.81), and 44% (0.25,0.76) at 3, 4-6, 7-12, 13-24, 25-36, 37-48, and 49-60 months, respectively. Time and disability policy support are factors associated with the proportion of ICU survivors who RTW. Through meta-regression, there is a 20% increase (95% CI: 0.06, 0.33) in the proportion of individuals who RTW per year. However, the average rate of increase slows by 4% (-0.07, -0.1) per year. In countries with high support policies, the proportion of RTW is 32% higher compared with countries with low support policies (0.08, 0.24). However, as subsequent years pass, the additional proportion of individuals RTW in high support countries declines (ß = -0.06, CI: -0.1, -0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Unemployment is common in ICU survivors. Countries with policies that give higher support for disabled workers have a higher RTW proportion to 3 years following ICU admission. However, from 3-5 years, there is a shift to countries with lower support policies having better employment outcomes. IMPACT: Health care policies have an impact on RTW rate in survivors of ICU. Healthcare providers, including nurses, can function as public advocates to facilitate policy change.

Energy Expenditure and Shivering Severity During Targeted Temperature Management at 36°C After Cardiac Arrest: A Case Series.

Patients undergoing targeted temperature management (TTM) after cardiac arrest are at risk for shivering, which increases energy expenditure (EE) and may attenuate TTM benefits. This article reports patterns of EE for patients with and without shivering who received TTM at 36°C after cardiac arrest. Based on 96 case assessments, there were 14 occasions when more than one 15-minute interval period was required to appropriately modify the Bedside Shivering Assessment Scale (BSAS) score. Investigators noted that although higher EE was related to higher BSAS scores, there may be opportunities for earlier detection of shivering.

Knowledge of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Purpose and Function Among Nurses in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Nurses play a crucial role in patient education and adaptation to having an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess cardiology nurses' knowledge and confidence in providing education and support to ICD recipients. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was used to assess nurses' knowledge and experience caring for ICD recipients in 2 academic medical centers in the Pacific Northwest, using an instrument developed in 2004 in the United Kingdom. RESULTS: Nurses (N = 74) worked on cardiology units or clinics, primarily held a baccalaureate degree or higher (85%), and had 16 years or more of nursing experience and 6 to 10 years of cardiology experience. The overall average knowledge score was 77%, with knowledge about modern ICD technology averaging 55%. Nurses' confidence, using 10-point scale, in preparing patients to receive an ICD implant was 6.32 ± 2.56, for preparing patients for discharge was 6.14 ± 2.43, and for providing education about ICD shocks was 6.63 ± 2.50. Nurses were most knowledgeable about factors that affect patient retention of knowledge and ICD-related environmental hazards. Nurses lacked knowledge about the basic ICD components, purpose of cardiac resynchronization, and dual-chamber ICDs. Factors associated with higher knowledge scores included past experience caring for a patient with an ICD and working in an electrophysiology outpatient clinic. CONCLUSIONS: The ICD knowledge of US nurses in 2015 was similar to that reported in the United Kingdom in 2004, with limited knowledge about the complexities of modern ICD devices. Such deficits in knowledge may affect the quality of education provided to ICD recipients in preparing them to live safely with an ICD.

Chapter 3 innovations in the en route care of combat casualties.

The en route care environment is dynamic and requires constant innovation to ensure appropriate nursing care for combat casualties. Building on experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, there have been tremendous innovations in the process of transporting patients, including the movement of patients with spinal injuries. Advances have also been made in pain management and noninvasive monitoring, particularly for trauma and surgical patients requiring close monitoring of their hemodynamic and perfusion status. In addition to institutionalizing these innovations, future efforts are needed to eliminate secondary insults to patients with traumatic brain injuries and technologies to provide closed-loop sedation and ventilation.

Pressure Injury Mitigation in Prolonged Care: A Randomized Noninferiority and Superiority Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Combat casualties are at increased risk for pressure injuries (PIs) during prolonged casualty care. There is limited research on operational PI risk mitigation strategies. The purpose of this study was to (1) compare a prototype mattress (AirSupport) designed for operational conditions versus the foldable Talon litter and Warrior Evacuation Litter Pad (WELP) on PI risk factors and (2) determine whether the Talon + AirSupport pad was noninferior and superior to the Talon + WELP on skin interface pressure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Healthy adults (N = 85; 20 men and 65 women), aged 18 to 55 years, were stratified based on body fat percentage and randomized into three groups: Talon (n = 15), Talon + AirSupport (n = 35), and Talon + WELP (n = 35). The participants were asked to lie in a supine position for 1 hour. The outcomes included skin interface pressure (body surface areas: Sacrum, buttocks, occiput, and heels), sacral and buttock skin temperature and moisture, and discomfort and pressure. The study was approved by the University of Washington Institutional Review Board. RESULTS: Aim 1: The Talon had significantly higher peak skin interface pressure versus the AirSupport and WELP on the sacrum, buttocks, occiput, and heels. Skin temperature increase over the 1-hour loaded period was significantly lower on Talon versus AirSupport or WELP, reflecting a lower temperature-induced ischemic load. There was no significant difference in skin moisture changes or discomfort between the surfaces. Aim 2: The upper confidence limits for the difference in skin interface pressure (all body surface areas) for AirSupport versus WELP were below 25 mm Hg, establishing noninferiority of the AirSupport to the WELP. AirSupport was also superior to WELP for the peak interface pressure on the sacrum, occiput, and heels but not on the buttocks. Skin temperature changes (sacrum or buttocks) were not significantly different between the AirSupport and WELP. CONCLUSIONS: The Talon litter presents a PI risk because of increased skin interface pressure, and hence, immediate action is warranted. The decreased PI risk associated with the lower skin interface pressures on the AirSupport and WELP was offset by the higher skin temperature, which may add the equivalent of 20 to 30 mm Hg pressure to the ischemic burden. Thus, any pressure redistribution intervention must be evaluated with a consideration for skin interface pressure, temperature, and moisture. Data from this study were applied to a predictive model for skin damage. Under operational conditions where resources and the environment may limit patient repositioning, it would be expected that casualties would suffer skin damage within 2 to 5 hours, with the occiput as the highest risk area. The severity of predicted skin damage is lowest on the AirSupport, which is consistent with the noninferiority and superiority of the AirSupport mattress compared to the WELP and Talon. Operational utility: The AirSupport and WELP, which were both superior to the Talon, are operationally feasible solutions to mitigate PI risk. The smaller size of the Talon (2.7 kgs compressible) versus the WELP (5 kgs noncompressible) may make them appropriate for different levels of the operational setting.

Occurrence of secondary insults of traumatic brain injury in patients transported by critical care air transport teams from Iraq/Afghanistan: 2003-2006.

Traumatic brain injury patients are susceptible to secondary insults to the injured brain. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to describe the occurrence of secondary insults in 63 combat casualties with severe isolated traumatic brain injury who were transported by the U.S. Air Force Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATT) from 2003 through 2006. Data were obtained from the Wartime Critical Care Air Transport Database, which describes the patient's physiological state and care as they are transported across the continuum of care from the area of responsibility (Iraq/Afghanistan) to Germany and the United States. Fifty-three percent of the patients had at least one documented episode of a secondary insult. Hyperthermia was the most common secondary insult and was associated with severity of injury. The hyperthermia rate increased across the continuum, which has implications for en route targeted temperature management. Hypoxia occurred most frequently within the area of responsibility, but was rare during CCATT flights, suggesting that concerns for altitude-induced hypoxia may not be a major factor in the decision when to move a patient. Similar research is needed for polytrauma casualties and analysis of the association between physiological status and care across the continuum and long-term outcomes.

Evaluating the Joint Theater Trauma Registry as a data source to benchmark casualty care.

Just as data from civilian trauma registries have been used to benchmark and evaluate civilian trauma care, data contained within the Joint Theater Trauma Registry (JTTR) present a unique opportunity to benchmark combat care. Using the iterative steps of the benchmarking process, we evaluated data in the JTTR for suitability and established benchmarks for 24-hour mortality in casualties with polytrauma and a moderate or severe blunt traumatic brain injury (TBI). Mortality at 24 hours was greatest in those with polytrauma and a severe blunt TBI. No mortality was seen in casualties with polytrauma and a moderate blunt TBI. Secondary insults after TBI, especially hypothermia and hypoxemia, increased the odds of 24-hour mortality. Data contained in the JTTR were found to be suitable for establishing benchmarks. JTTR data may be useful in establishing benchmarks for other outcomes and types of combat injuries.

Association Between Target Temperature Variability and Neurologic Outcomes for Patients Receiving Targeted Temperature Management at 36°C After Cardiac Arrest: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Maintaining strict temperature control during the maintenance phase of targeted temperature management (TTM) after cardiac arrest may be an important component of clinical care. Temperature variability outside of the goal temperature range may lessen the benefit of TTM and worsen neurologic outcomes. The purpose of this retrospective study of 186 adult patients (70.4% males, mean age 53.8 ± 15.7 years) was to investigate the relationship between body temperature variability (at least one body temperature measurement outside of 36°C ± 0.5°C) during the maintenance phase of TTM at 36°C after cardiac arrest and neurologic outcome at hospital discharge. Patients with temperature variability (n = 124 [66.7%]) did not have significantly higher odds of poor neurologic outcome compared with those with no temperature variability (odds ratio [OR] = 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.36-2.82). Use of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) and having an initial shockable rhythm were associated with both higher odds of good neurologic outcome (shockable rhythm: OR = 10.77, 95% CI = 4.30-26.98; NMBA use: OR = 4.54, 95% CI = 1.34-15.40) and survival to hospital discharge (shockable rhythm: OR = 5.90, 95% CI = 2.65-13.13; NMBA use: OR = 3.03, 95% CI = 1.16-7.90). In this cohort of postcardiac arrest comatose survivors undergoing TTM at 36°C, having temperature variability during maintenance phase did not significantly impact neurologic outcome or survival.

Top 10 Research Priorities for U.S. Military En Route Combat Casualty Care.

INTRODUCTION: Within the Military Health System, the process of transporting patients from an initial point of injury and throughout the entire continuum of care is called "en route care." A Committee on En Route Combat Casualty Care was established in 2016 as part of the DoD Joint Trauma System to create practice guidelines, recommend training standards, and identify research priorities within the military en route care system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following an analysis of currently funded research, future capabilities, and findings from a comprehensive scoping study, members of a sub-working group for research identified the top research priorities that were needed to better guide evidence-based decisions for practice and policy, as well as the future state of en route care. RESULTS: Based on the input from the entire committee, 10 en route care research topics were rank-ordered in the following manner: (1) medical documentation, (2) clinical decision support, (3) patient monitoring, (4) transport physiology, (5) transfer of care, (6) maintaining normothermia, (7) transport timing following damage control resuscitation or surgery, (8) intelligent tasking, (9) commander's risk assessment, and (10) unmanned transport. Specific research questions and technological development needs were further developed by committee members in an effort to guide future research and development initiatives that can directly support operational en route care needs. The research priorities reflect three common themes, which include efforts to enhance or increase care provider capability and capacity; understand the impact of transportation on patient physiology; and increase the ability to coordinate, communicate, and facilitate patient movement. Technology needs for en route care must support interoperability of medical information, equipment, and supplies across the global military health system in addition to adjusting to a dynamic transport environment with the smallest possible weight, space, and power requirements. CONCLUSIONS: To ensure an evidence-based approach to future military conflicts and other medical challenges, focused research and technological development to address these 10 en route care research gaps are urgently needed.

Facilitation of evidence-based nursing practice during military operations.

The translation of research to clinical practice and health decision making is challenging. Under military operational conditions (e.g., the provision of care in the field), translation may be even more challenging. Two barriers that limit the use of evidence to guide practice, which are particularly germane under operational conditions, are conflicting or absent research results specific to the population of interest and relevant studies not being compiled in one place (Titler, 2007; Titler & Everett, 2001). The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Knowledge Transfer Framework (Nieva et al.,2005) provides a structure to facilitate evidence translation and to overcome these barriers. This article summarizes one aspect of a program of operational nursing research supported by the TriService Nursing Research Program, which exemplifies the three stages of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality framework.

Bringing Evidence to the Point of Care: TriService Nursing Research Program Battlefield and Disaster Nursing Pocket Guide.

Care under operational conditions is complex and unique. Although there is a growing body of evidence to inform this care, very few resources address operational nursing care. To address this issue and the lack of a compilation of relevant studies and evidence-based guidelines, the TriService Nursing Research Program Battlefield and Disaster Nursing Pocket Guide was created. The pocket guide has been updated and incorporates new and emerging evidence and also showcases the focused operational research of military nurse scientists. Eight thousand copies of the second edition of the guide, which curates a comprehensive body of literature related to operational nursing care, are being distributed to the three services. Military nurse scientists and multidisciplinary clinical experts contributed to the guide, with the content undergoing critical review by experts in operational care. This article summarizes the development of the pocket guide, summarizes some of the updates from the first edition, and demonstrates the integration of the guide into the major phases of evidence translation: knowledge, creation, and distillation; diffusion and dissemination; and adoption, implementation, and institutionalization. The incorporation of the pocket guide into readiness training reflects a goal of TriService Nursing Research Program to "develop and strengthen the Triservice community of nurse scholars to generate new knowledge in military nursing and translate it into practice" and an unending commitment to bring world class care to those in harm's way.

Impact of a Structured Response and Evidence-Based Checklist on In-hospital Stroke Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: In-hospital stroke events account for 2% to 17% of all ischemic strokes in the United States. Current stroke guidelines do not provide guidance on how to care for in-hospital stroke. Use of checklists during high-acuity events reduces error and provides clarity for responding staff. We sought to determine whether the use of an evidence-based checklist to guide in-hospital stroke response improved intervention times and patient outcomes. METHODS: This study used a retrospective chart review of patients hospitalized between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2018, at a community hospital certified as a primary stroke center with the Joint Commission. Encounters were sorted into preintervention and postintervention groups to evaluate for change in treatment rates, new or worsened disability, and mortality. Nursing staff who respond to in-hospital stroke calls ("response staff") were also surveyed regarding their perception of benefit and firsthand experience when using the checklist. RESULTS: A total of 168 patient charts were reviewed (18 prechecklist, 150 postchecklist). After checklist implementation, treatment with intravenous thrombolytics for in-hospital stroke events increased from 0% to 11%. All-cause mortality decreased from 23.1% to 15.0%, whereas ambulatory disability at discharge increased from 38.0% to 62.1%. The increase in disability likely reflects the reduction in mortality, improved data collection, and the increase in postimplementation reporting. CONCLUSIONS: Use of a checklist during inpatient stroke events can potentially increase adherence to guidelines for appropriate treatment and reduce mortality. Hospital response teams should consider use of a structured response system with an evidence-based checklist for high-acuity, low-frequency events such as in-hospital stroke.

Methods for Estimating Energy Expenditure in Critically Ill Adults.

Energy expenditure (EE) is the sum of metabolic activity within the body at a given time and comprises basal EE, diet-induced thermogenesis, and physical activity. In the intensive care unit, EE is most often assessed to determine a patient's caloric requirements. Energy expenditure also may be useful to understand disease states and the metabolic impact of interventions. Several methods for estimating EE are relevant for clinical use, including indirect calorimetry, predictive equations, exhaled carbon dioxide volume, and the Fick method. Indirect calorimetry is the preferred method for evaluating EE and is considered the gold standard for estimating EE in hospitalized patients. However, use of indirect calorimetry is not always practical or possible. Therefore, other methods of estimating EE must be considered. In this review, methods of evaluating EE in critically ill adults are examined and the benefits and limitations of each method are discussed, with practical considerations for use.

Wartime critical care air transport.

OBJECTIVES: Describe the characteristics/enroute care of casualties transported by USAF Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATT) during Operation Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF). METHODS: Retrospective review of TRAC2ES and CCATT Mission Reports (Oct 2001-May 2006). RESULTS: 3492 patient moves (2439 patients). Moves by route: within Area of Responsibility (AOR) (n = 261); AOR-Landstuhl (LRMC) (n = 1995), Germany-CONUS (n = 1188). For AOR-LRMC: BI (64%), NBI (8%), Disease (25%). Among injured (n = 1491), 69% suffered polytrauma, primarily d/t explosions. Injury area: extremities (63%), head (55%), thorax (46%), abdomen (31%), neck (17%). Injury type: soft tissue (64%), orthopedic (45%), thoracic (35%), skull fracture (27%), brain injury (25%). Disease diagnoses: cardiac (15%) and pulmonary (8%). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first analysis of OEF/OIF CCATT patients. Phase 1 of this study demonstrates the strengths and limitations of TRAC2ES and CCATT Mission Reports to describe the characteristics/enroute care of this unique population.

Emergency department diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.

Sexually transmitted diseases are a growing threat to public health, but are often underrecognized, due to the often nonspecific (or absent) signs and symptoms, the myriad diseases, and the possibility of co-infection. Emergency clinicians play a critical role in improving healthcare outcomes for both patients and their partners. Optimizing the history and physical examination, ordering appropriate testing, and prescribing antimicrobial therapies, when required, will improve outcomes for men, women, and pregnant women and their babies. This issue reviews the latest evidence in the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, focusing on efficient and safe strategies to optimize outcomes.