Effects of process changes on emergency department crowding in a changing world: an interrupted time-series analysis.

BACKGROUND: During a 6-year period, several process changes were introduced at the emergency department (ED) to decrease crowding, such as the implementation of a general practitioner cooperative (GPC) and additional medical staff during peak hours. In this study, we assessed the effects of these process changes on three crowding measures: patients' length of stay (LOS), the modified National ED OverCrowding Score (mNEDOCS), and exit block while taking into account changing external circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and centralization of acute care. METHODS: We determined time points of the various interventions and external circumstances and built an interrupted time-series (ITS) model per outcome measure. We analyzed changes in level and trend before and after the selected time points using ARIMA modeling, to account for autocorrelation in the outcome measures. RESULTS: Longer patients' ED LOS was associated with more inpatient admissions and more urgent patients. The mNEDOCS decreased with the integration of the GPC and the expansion of the ED to 34 beds and increased with the closure of a neighboring ED and ICU. More exit blocks occurred when more patients with shortness of breath and more patients > 70 years of age presented to the ED. During the severe influenza wave of 2018-2019, patients' ED LOS and the number of exit blocks increased. CONCLUSIONS: In the ongoing battle against ED crowding, it is pivotal to understand the effect of interventions, corrected for changing circumstances and patient and visit characteristics. In our ED, interventions which were associated with decreased crowding measures included the expansion of the ED with more beds and the integration of the GPC on the ED.

Emergency Department Hallway Care From the Millennium to the Pandemic: A Clear and Present Danger.

BACKGROUND: Emergency department (ED) crowding and hallway care has been a serious problem for the past three decades in the United States and abroad. Myriad articles highlighting this problem and proposing solutions have had little impact on its progression. OBJECTIVES: To discuss reasons for ED crowding leading to hallway care, the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, potential solutions, and why little has changed despite widespread awareness. DISCUSSION: ED crowding has been a public health issue for the past three decades, leading to patient care and boarding of admitted patients in ED hallways with limited resources. This care is often substandard and precarious. The COVID-19 pandemic placed further strain on the ED safety net, especially in certain urban areas. Despite recognition of the problem, publication of studies, and proposals offering many solutions, this problem continues to worsen. Corporate and hospital leadership must be made aware of the financial and legal ramifications for failure to address potential solutions, such as inpatient hallway boarding, provision of flexible expansion care areas, smoothing of elective admissions/surgeries, and efficient inpatient discharge flow. State and federal legislation may also be required to motivate this process. CONCLUSIONS: ED crowding and hallway care will continue to worsen unless hospital leadership is willing to listen to ED staff concerns and address the problem on all levels of the hospital using previously proposed solutions. Emergency physicians should not fear termination for discussing this issue and its potential for poor clinical outcomes and ED staff morale.

Síndrome de hiperémesis por cannabis: incidencia y tratamiento con capsaicina tópica / Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome: Incidence and treatment with topical capsaicin

Introducción: Existen pocos estudios en España acerca del síndrome de hiperémesis cannabinoide (SHC), así como sobre el uso de capsaicina tópica para su tratamiento.Métodos:Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes mayores de 14 años atendidos en un servicio de urgencias hospitalario durante 2018 y 2019 con diagnóstico de SHC con base en los siguientes criterios: cuadro clínico compatible, consumo de cannabis menor de 48h y test de cannabis en orina positivo. Se recogieron variables epidemiológicas, clínicas, tiempos asistenciales y tratamiento (incluyendo el uso de capsaicina tópica al 0,075%).Resultados:Se estudiaron 59 asistencias de 29 pacientes (4,4 casos/10.000 visitas, IC 95% 2,8-4,7). Un 50% volvieron a urgencias por SHC, diferenciándose estos solo en más consumo de tabaco (p=0,01) y cocaína (p=0,031). En un 74,6% de las visitas se utilizó capsaicina. El tiempo medio de resolución de los vómitos tras su aplicación fue de 17,87min.Conclusiones:Aunque probablemente esté infradiagnosticado, el SHC presenta una incidencia baja en las urgencias en España, y con alta reincidencia de los pacientes. El uso de pomada de capsaicina es eficiente y seguro. (AU)

There are few studies in Spain on cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), as well as on the use of topical capsaicin as a treatment.Methods:Retrospective study of patients over 14 years of age seen in a hospital emergency department during 2018 and 2019 with a diagnosis of CHS based on the following criteria: compatible clinical picture, cannabis use less than 48h and positive urine cannabis test. Epidemiological and clinical variables, attendance times and treatment (including use of topical capsaicin 0.075%) were collected.Results:Fifty-nine attendances were studied, from 29 patients (4.4 cases/10,000 visits, 95% CI 2.8-4.7). Fifty per cent returned for CHS, differing only in more tobacco (P=.01) and cocaine (P=.031) use. Capsaicin was used in 74.6% of visits. The mean time to resolution of vomiting after application was 17.87min.Conclusions:Although probably underdiagnosed, CHS has a low incidence in the emergency department in Spain, with high patient recurrence. The use of capsaicin ointment is efficient and safe. (AU)

Pharmacological management of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome: an update of the clinical literature.

INTRODUCTION: Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is an uncommon but unique disorder defined by recurrent abdominal pain, intractable nausea, and emesis in patients who regularly smoke cannabis. The syndrome does not reliably respond to intravenous administration of the usual antiemetics but improves with hot showers and baths (hydrothermotherapy). Complete resolution of CHS occurs only after cessation of cannabis use. AREA COVERED: The authors review the clinical features of CHS, the differences between CHS and cyclic vomiting syndrome, putative etiology, incidence, and different treatment options with analgesics, antiemetics, antipsychotics, beta blockers, and transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) agonists, hydrothermotherapy and capsaicin. EXPERT OPINION: CHS is frequently unrecognized by clinicians, leading to extensive and unnecessary testing and treatment. Directed questions about cannabis use and the effect of hydrothermotherapy on CHS symptoms frequently confirm the diagnosis, enabling appropriate pharmacotherapy and referral to addiction treatment. CHS prevalence will continue to rise in parallel with increasing worldwide cannabis use and potency. Classic antiemetics may be tried initially but often fail to alleviate CHS. Antipsychotics (such as haloperidol), benzodiazepines, and/or capsaicin cream appear to be the most efficacious in the treatment of this unique disorder.

Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome: Incidence and treatment with topical capsaicin. / Síndrome de hiperémesis por cannabis: incidencia y tratamiento con capsaicina tópica.

There are few studies in Spain on cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), as well as on the use of topical capsaicin as a treatment. METHODS: Retrospective study of patients over 14 years of age seen in a hospital emergency department during 2018 and 2019 with a diagnosis of CHS based on the following criteria: compatible clinical picture, cannabis use less than 48h and positive urine cannabis test. Epidemiological and clinical variables, attendance times and treatment (including use of topical capsaicin 0.075%) were collected. RESULTS: Fifty-nine attendances were studied, from 29 patients (4.4 cases/10,000 visits, 95% CI 2.8-4.7). Fifty per cent returned for CHS, differing only in more tobacco (P=.01) and cocaine (P=.031) use. Capsaicin was used in 74.6% of visits. The mean time to resolution of vomiting after application was 17.87min. CONCLUSIONS: Although probably underdiagnosed, CHS has a low incidence in the emergency department in Spain, with high patient recurrence. The use of capsaicin ointment is efficient and safe.

Comparison of Video Versus Direct Laryngoscopy: A Prospective Prehospital Air Medical Services Study.

OBJECTIVE: Videolaryngoscopy (VL) in the prehospital setting remains controversial, with conflicting data on its utility. We compared C-MAC VL (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany) versus direct laryngoscopy (DL) in the prehospital setting, recording the grade of the glottic view, first pass success (FPS), overall success, and equipment functionality. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study with a convenience sample of 49 adult patients who were intubated by flight crew nurses and paramedics using the C-MAC videolaryngoscope from April to November 2013. We compared Cormack-Lehane (CL) grades of view for DL and VL, intubation success rates, and equipment functionality. RESULTS: CL grades 1 or 2 were obtained with 24 patients (49%) with DL and 45 patients (92%) with VL. Of the 25 patients (51%) who had a CL grade 3 or 4 view on DL, 22 of those patients (88%) converted to a CL grade 1 or 2 with VL (P < .001). There was an overall success rate of 96% and an FPS rate of 71%. The C-MAC videolaryngoscope was functional during intubation 100% of the time. CONCLUSION: VL improved glottic visualization compared with DL. The FPS and overall intubation success rates were similar to other published prehospital studies using VL. The C-MAC provided reliable, high-quality video despite demanding prehospital conditions.

Angioedema and Dual Nurse Flight Crew Cricothyrotomy After Envenomation by a Severed Rattlesnake Head.

Crotalid envenomation may result in airway compromise from angioedema, anaphylaxis, or an anaphylactoid reaction. A 57-year-old man was transported by helicopter to the emergency department (ED) after a bite to his hand from a severed rattlesnake head. He rapidly developed facial and oropharyngeal edema that did not respond to standard treatment. After 2 unsuccessful attempts at intubation, the dual flight nurse team performed a cricothyrotomy. They notified the ED team en route, and antivenom was prepared before arrival. Angioedema was suspected because there was no concomitant urticaria, bronchoconstriction, or persistent hypotension. Edema and ecchymosis of the affected extremity were mild. Severe coagulopathy ensued, which was treated with bolus doses of antivenom and continuous infusion. This case report is significant for several reasons. It is the first detailing a prehospital cricothyrotomy performed by flight crew nurses for life-threatening airway edema caused by snakebite envenomation. In-flight notification enabled the ED staff to prepare and administer antivenom immediately after arrival. Despite the use of antivenom in bolus dosing, crotalid envenomation may be complicated by persistent or recurring coagulopathy, and continuous antivenom infusion may be useful. Finally, it highlights the danger of snakebite envenomation even after the death and decapitation of a snake.

Emergency Department Screening for Unhealthy Alcohol and Drug Use with a Brief Tablet-Based Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Screening for unhealthy alcohol and drug use in the emergency department (ED) can be challenging due to crowding, lack of privacy, and overburdened staff. The objectives of this study were to determine the feasibility and utility of a brief tablet-based screening method in the ED and if patients would consider a face-to-face meeting with a certified alcohol and drug counselor (CADC) for more in-depth screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) helpful via this interface. METHODS: A tablet-based questionnaire was offered to 500 patients. Inclusion criteria were age ≥18, Emergency Severity Index 2-5, and English comprehension. Subjects were excluded if they had evidence of acute intoxication and/or received sedating medication. RESULTS: A total of 283 (57%) subjects were enrolled over a 4-week period, which represented an increase of 183% over the monthly average of patients referred for SBIRT by the CADC prior to the study. There were 131 (46%) who screened positive for unhealthy alcohol and drug use, with 51 (39%) and 37 (28%) who screened positive for solely unhealthy alcohol use and drug use/drug use disorders, respectively. There were 43 (33%) who screened positive for combined unhealthy alcohol and drug use. Despite willingness to participate in the tablet-based questionnaire, only 20 (15%) with a positive screen indicated via the tablet that a face-to-face meeting with the CADC for further SBIRT would be helpful. CONCLUSION: Brief tablet-based screening for unhealthy alcohol and drug use in the ED was an effective method to increase the number of adult patients identified than solely by their treating clinicians. However, only a minority of subjects screening positive using this interface believed a face-to-face meeting with the CADC for further SBIRT would be helpful.

Rhabdomyolysis, Methamphetamine, Amphetamine and MDMA Use: Associated Factors and Risks.

OBJECTIVE: Rhabdomyolysis is associated with methamphetamine, amphetamine, and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MA) use. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency, severity, and risk factors of rhabdomyolysis associated with MA use. Methods: We reviewed patients with an MA-positive toxicology screen with and without diagnosed rhabdomyolysis based on initial creatine kinase (CK) concentration over a period of 6 years. Demographics, vital signs, disposition, diagnoses, and laboratory results were recorded. Results: There were 7,319 patients with an MA-positive toxicology screen, of whom 957 (13%) were screened for rhabdomyolysis and included in the study. The majority were male, White, and middle-aged and smoked tobacco. Psychiatric (34%), neurological (15%), and trauma (13%) were the most common discharge diagnostic groups. The majority (55%) were admitted, and 8% were discharged to an inpatient psychiatric facility. Concomitant substance use included ethanol (10%) and cocaine (8%), and 190 (20%) had rhabdomyolysis with median (interquartile range) CK of 2,610 (1,530-6,212) U/L and range 1,020 to 98,172 U/L. There was significant difference in renal function between the rhabdomyolysis and non-rhabdomyolysis patients. Other differences included gender and troponin I concentration. A higher proportion of patients screening positive for both MA and cocaine use experienced rhabdomyolysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed elevated troponin I, blood urea nitrogen, and/or creatinine concentration and male gender to be significant factors associated with rhabdomyolysis. Conclusions: The frequency of rhabdomyolysis in patients screening positive for MA was 20%. Factors associated with rhabdomyolysis in MA-positive patients included elevated troponin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine concentration, and male gender. Clinicians caring for patients who screen positive for MA should also consider concomitant rhabdomyolysis, especially if renal/cardiac laboratory tests are abnormal and even if there is no history of injury, agitation, or physical restraint.

Methamphetamine, Amphetamine, and MDMA Use and Emergency Department Recidivism.

BACKGROUND: Emergency department (ED) recidivism and the use of amphetamine and associated derivatives such as methamphetamine and MDMA (MAE), are intersecting public health concerns. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the frequency of ED recidivism of patients who use MAE and associated factors. METHODS: The study was a retrospective 6-year electronic medical record review of patients with MAE-positive toxicology screens and single and multiple ED visits in the span of 12 months. RESULTS: There were 7844 ED visits by 5568 MAE-positive patients. Average age was 42 ± 13 years. The majority were male (65%), white (46%), tobacco smokers (55%), and in the psychiatric discharge diagnostic-related group (41%), followed by blunt trauma (20%). Admission rate was 35%, with another 17% transferred to inpatient psychiatric treatment facilities. Occasional (2-5 visits/year), heavy (6-11 visits/year), and super users (≥12 visits/year) altogether accounted for 20% of patients and 43% of visits. Heavy and super users combined represented 2% of patients and 10% of visits, with significant differences for race/ethnicity, health insurance, tobacco smoking, and psychiatric/cardiovascular/trauma discharge diagnostic-related groups. Heavy and super users were less likely to be admitted and more likely to be discharged to an inpatient psychiatric treatment facility. Regression analysis revealed racial/ethnic differences, female gender, and tobacco smoking to be associated with super and heavy use. Heavy users were more likely to have cardiovascular-related discharge diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of ED recidivism in patients who use MAE is similar to published ranges for general ED users. Significant differences in demographics, discharge diagnoses, insurance, smoking, and disposition exist between nonfrequent and frequent ED users.

Mechanisms for the Risk of Acute Coronary Syndrome and Arrhythmia Associated With Phytogenic and Synthetic Cannabinoid Use.

Phytogenic cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa and synthetic cannabinoids are commonly used substances for their recreational and medicinal properties. There are increasing reports of cardiotoxicity in close temporal association with cannabinoid use in patients with structurally normal hearts and absence of coronary arterial disease. Associated adverse events include myocardial ischemia, conduction abnormalities, arrhythmias, and sudden death. This review details the effects of phytogenic and synthetic cannabinoids on diverse receptors based on evidence from in vitro, human, and animal studies to establish a molecular basis for these deleterious clinical effects. The synergism between endocannabinoid dysregulation, cannabinoid receptor, and noncannabinoid receptor binding, and impact on cellular ion flux and coronary microvascular circulation is delineated. Pharmacogenetic factors placing certain patients at higher risk for cardiotoxicity are also correlated with the diverse effects of cannabinoids.

Bodybuilding supplements leading to copper toxicity, encephalopathy, fulminant hepatic failure and rhabdomyolysis.

Millions of people worldwide use nutritional and dietary supplements, such as vitamins and minerals. These and other performance-enhancing substances are also used by high school, college, and professional athletes, bodybuilders, and amateur sports enthusiasts. The constituents of these supplements and their metabolites may be harmful and not listed on the product label. We present a case report of a 32-year-old bodybuilder using myriad nutritional, performance-enhancing, and weight-loss supplements with life-threatening encephalopathy, hepatic failure, rhabdomyolysis, and copper toxicity mimicking Wilson's disease. Emergency physicians and nurses should be aware of these potential deleterious effects and inquire about supplement use by patients with unexplained multiorgan failure. Family, friends, or acquaintances should be asked to bring the actual products to the hospital for analysis.

The association of cannabis use and cardiac dysrhythmias: a systematic review.

Introduction: Cannabis use results in elevation of heart rate and blood pressure immediately after use, primarily due to sympathetic nervous system stimulation and parasympathetic nervous system inhibition. These effects may precipitate cardiac dysrhythmia. The objective of our study was to analyze systematically the pertinent medical literature regarding the putative association between cannabis use and cardiac dysrhythmia.Methods: We queried PubMed, Google Scholar, and OpenGrey, and reviewed results for relevance. We graded clinical trials, observational and retrospective studies, case series and reports using Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine guidelines.Results: The relevant publications identified included one Level I systematic review and meta-analysis of six human studies, 16 Level II studies with 6,942 subjects, nine Level III studies with 3,797,096 subjects and two systematic and scoping reviews with 30 cases. Cannabis-induced tachycardia was highlighted in 17 of 28 (61%) Level I-III articles followed by a generalized description of dysrhythmia in eight (29%). Specific dysrhythmias noted in the Level I-III articles included atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, atrioventricular block, premature ventricular contractions, premature atrial contractions, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. Other reported findings on electrocardiogram included ST segment elevation, P, and T wave changes. Only one Level III study reported a decreased risk of atrial fibrillation from cannabis use in patients hospitalized for heart failure (Odds ratio = 0.87). There were 39 case series (Level IV) and case reports (Level V) with 42 subjects. Average age was 30 ± 12 years, and only ten (24%) were female. The most common dysrhythmia mentioned in the Level IV and V articles was ventricular fibrillation (21%), followed by atrial fibrillation (19%), ventricular tachycardia (12%), third degree atrioventricular block (12%), and asystole (12%). There were four cases (10%) of symptomatic bradycardia. Notable electrocardiographic changes included ST segment elevation (29%), Brugada pattern in leads V1, V2 (14%), and right bundle branch block (12%). There were eight cases of cardiac arrest, of whom five expired.Conclusion: Cannabis use is associated with increased risk of cardiac dysrhythmia, which is rare but may be life-threatening. Clinicians and nurses should inquire about acute and chronic cannabis use in their patients presenting with tachycardia, bradycardia, dysrhythmia, chest pain, and/or unexplained syncope. Patients who use cannabis should be educated on this deleterious association, especially those with underlying cardiac disease or risk factors.

Resuscitation and Evacuation from Low Earth Orbit: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Provision of critical care and resuscitation was not practical during early missions into space. Given likely advancements in commercial spaceflight and increased human presence in low Earth orbit (LEO) in the coming decades, development of these capabilities should be considered as the likelihood of emergent medical evacuation increases. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Technical Server, and Defense Technical Information Center were searched from inception to December 2018. Articles specifically addressing critical care and resuscitation during emergency medical evacuation from LEO were selected. Evidence was graded using Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine guidelines. RESULTS: The search resulted in 109 articles included in the review with a total of 2,177 subjects. There were two Level I systematic reviews, 33 Level II prospective studies with 647 subjects, seven Level III retrospective studies with 1,455 subjects, and two Level IV case series with four subjects. There were two Level V case reports and 63 pertinent review articles. DISCUSSION: The development of a medical evacuation capability is an important consideration for future missions. This review revealed potential hurdles in the design of a dedicated LEO evacuation spacecraft. The ability to provide critical care and resuscitation during transport is likely to be limited by mass, volume, cost, and re-entry forces. Stabilization and treatment of the patient should be performed prior to departure, if possible, and emphasis should be on a rapid and safe return to Earth for definitive care.

Transportation Preferences of Patients Discharged from the Emergency Department in the Era of Ridesharing Apps.

INTRODUCTION: Patients discharged from the emergency department (ED) may encounter difficulty finding transportation home, increasing length of stay and ED crowding. We sought to determine the preferences of patients discharged from the ED with regard to their transportation home, and their awareness and past use of ridesharing services such as Lyft and Uber. METHODS: We performed a prospective, survey-based study during a five-month period at a university-associated ED and Level I trauma center serving an urban area. Subjects were adult patients who were about to be discharged from the ED. We excluded patients requiring ambulance transport home. RESULTS: Of 500 surveys distributed, 480 (96%) were completed. Average age was 47 ± 19 years, and 61% were female. There were 33,871 ED visits during the study period, and 67% were discharged home. The highest number of subjects arrived by ambulance (27%) followed by being dropped off (25%). Of the 408 (85%) subjects aware of ridesharing services, only eight (2%) came to the ED by this manner; however, 22 (5%) planned to use these services post-discharge. The survey also indicated that 377 (79%) owned smartphones, and 220 (46%) used ridesharing services. The most common plan to get home was with family/friend (35%), which was also the most preferred (29%). Regarding awareness and past use of ridesharing services, we were unable to detect any gender and/or racial differences from univariate analysis. However, we did detect age, education and income differences regarding awareness, but only age and education differences for past use. Logistic regression showed awareness and past use decreased with increasing patient age, but correlated positively with increasing education and income. Half the subjects felt their medical insurance should pay for their transportation, whereas roughly one-third felt ED staff should pay for it. CONCLUSION: Patients most commonly prefer to be driven home by a family member or friend after discharge from the ED. There is awareness of ridesharing services, but only 5% of patients planned to use these services post-discharge from the ED. Patients who are older, have limited income, and are less educated are less likely to be aware of or have previously used ridesharing services. ED staff may assist these patients by hailing ridesharing services for them at time of discharge.

Cannabis use and acute coronary syndrome.

Introduction: Cannabis smoking can result in elevation of heart rate and blood pressure immediately after use, possibly from sympathetic nervous system stimulation and parasympathetic nervous system inhibition. Vascular inflammation, platelet activation, and carboxyhemoglobin generation have also been proposed as potential side effects of cannabis smoking. As such, an association between cannabis use and acute coronary syndrome has been postulated. Objective: The objective of our study was to analyze systematically the medical literature pertaining to this putative association. Methods: PubMed, Google Scholar, and OpenGrey were queried using a unique search string. All human trials, case series, or case reports of cannabis use and acute coronary syndrome in any language were considered in the literature search. The definition of acute coronary syndrome represented a penumbra that included chest pain, angina pectoris, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia, and cardiac arrest. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Our final search strategy included free-text words (TW): ("cannabis"[TW] OR "marijuana"[TW]) AND ("acute coronary syndrome"[TW] OR "myocardial" OR "ischemia"[TW] OR "infarction"[TW] OR "chest pain"[TW] OR "cardiac arrest"[TW] OR "angina"[TW]). To remain consistent over a span of five decades, we specifically did not include any publications with non-phytogenic, non-smoked cannabis as the sole etiology, as these are relatively recent and may possess additional pharmacologic characteristics compared to phytogenic cannabinoids. Therefore, for the purpose of this review, the term "cannabis" refers to the smoked phytogenic form. The search resulted in 325 articles. References in each selected publication were carefully hand-searched for any additional reports having relevance, and a total of 12 publications were identified in this manner. Following comparison and discussion amongst the co-authors, duplicate and non-relevant publications were removed, and a total of 85 publications involving 541,518 human subjects were selected for inclusion. Results were synthesized and reviewed by the authors for relevance. Clinical trials, observational studies, retrospective studies, case series, and case reports were graded using Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine guidelines. Results: There were no Level I randomized blinded controlled studies specifically addressing the cannabis/acute coronary syndrome association. However, there were five Level I systematic reviews, 14 Level II studies with 83,961 subjects, and 14 Level III studies with 457,495 subjects. Conclusions from 28 of these 33 studies highlighted an increased risk of both acute coronary syndrome and chronic cardiovascular disease from cannabis use. The systematic reviews were wide-ranging in topic and scale, and none specifically focused on the association between cannabis use and acute coronary syndrome. The dissenting studies included two systematic reviews, one concluding there was limited and weak evidence for association of cardiovascular disease and acute coronary syndromes with cannabis use, and another citing the evidence was inconclusive. The other dissenting articles were two longitudinal prospective studies and a retrospective review concluding cannabis users had lower post-myocardial infarction mortality. There were 51 case series (Level IV) and case reports (Level V) with 62 subjects. Six cases were female (10%). Average age was 31 ± 12 years, reported maximum heart rate was 88 ± 21 bpm, systolic blood pressure was 125 ± 32 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure was 80 ± 17 mmHg. ST-segment elevation was documented on 37 (60%) electrocardiograms, and the most common angiographic finding was left anterior descending coronary arterial occlusion and/or stenosis in 22 (35%) patients. Concomitant cardiomyopathy was described in 21 (34%) cases. There were 14 (23%) deaths attributed to acute coronary syndrome associated with cannabis use. Conclusion: There were five Level I systematic reviews, 14 Level II studies with 83,961 subjects, and 14 Level III studies with 457,495 subjects. All but five Level I-III publications highlighted an increased risk of both acute coronary syndrome and chronic cardiovascular disease associated with cannabis use.

The use of an 'acclimatisation' heatwave measure to compare temperature-related demand for emergency services in Australia, Botswana, Netherlands, Pakistan, and USA.

BACKGROUND: Heatwaves have been linked to increased risk of mortality and morbidity and are projected to increase in frequency and intensity due to climate change. The current study uses emergency department (ED) data from Australia, Botswana, Netherlands, Pakistan, and the United States of America to evaluate the impact of heatwaves on ED attendances, admissions and mortality. METHODS: Routinely collected time series data were obtained from 18 hospitals. Two separate thresholds (≥4 and ≥7) of the acclimatisation excess heat index (EHIaccl) were used to define "hot days". Analyses included descriptive statistics, independent samples T-tests to determine differences in case mix between hot days and other days, and threshold regression to determine which temperature thresholds correspond to large increases in ED attendances. FINDINGS: In all regions, increases in temperature that did not coincide with time to acclimatise resulted in increases in ED attendances, and the EHIaccl performed in a similar manner. During hot days in California and The Netherlands, significantly more children ended up in the ED, while in Pakistan more elderly people attended. Hot days were associated with more patient admissions in the ages 5-11 in California, 65-74 in Karachi, and 75-84 in The Hague. During hot days in The Hague, patients with psychiatric symptoms were more likely to die. The current study did not identify a threshold temperature associated with particularly large increases in ED demand. INTERPRETATION: The association between heat and ED demand differs between regions. A limitation of the current study is that it does not consider delayed effects or influences of other environmental factors. Given the association between heat and ED use, hospitals and governmental authorities should recognise the demands that heat can place on local health care systems. These demands differ substantially between regions, with Pakistan being the most heavily affected within our study sample.

Acute coronary syndrome after cannabis use: Correlation with quantitative toxicology testing.

Excluding ethanol, cannabis is the most commonly used drug in the United States and worldwide. Several published case series and reports have demonstrated an association between cannabis use and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We report the first ever published case of ACS precipitated by cannabis use that was confirmed with concomitant rising quantitative plasma levels of 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, a secondary metabolite of cannabis. A 63-year-old non-tobacco smoking male with no prior medical history presented to the emergency department with chest pain immediately after smoking cannabis, and anterior ST-segment elevation pattern was observed on his electrocardiogram. He was taken to the cardiac catheterization lab for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of his left anterior descending artery, whereupon he developed hemodynamically significant accelerated idioventricular rhythm necessitating intra-aortic balloon pump placement. He underwent two further PCI procedures during his inpatient stay and was discharged in improved condition after eight days. Two sequential quantitative plasma cannabis metabolite assays at time of arrival then 6 h later were 24 ng/mL then 39 ng/mL, an increase of 63%, which implicated the patient's acute cannabis use as a precipitant of ACS. We also discuss the putative pharmacologic mechanisms behind cannabis use and ACS. Clinicians caring for patients using cannabis who have vascular disease and/or risk factors should be aware of this potentially deleterious association, as cessation of cannabis use could be important for their cardiac rehabilitation and long-term health.

The care of patients using methamphetamine in the emergency department: Perception of nurses, residents, and faculty.

Background: To determine differences in perception between nurses, residents, and faculty regarding characteristics and treatment of patients who use methamphetamine (meth). Methods: Survey study performed at an urban, university Level I trauma medical center. Results: A total of 80 nurses, 39 residents, and 45 faculty completed the survey. All groups agreed that meth was a significant problem nationwide and in our emergency department (ED). Nurses estimated that 33% of their patients used meth, which differed from residents (18%) and faculty (15%). All agreed that these patients required more effort to care for, utilized more hospital resources, and were more often violent toward staff. Nurses reported higher prevalence of actual assault by patients using meth (70%) than did residents (36%) and faculty (47%), and total lifetime number of assaults. All agreed that patients using meth appropriated prehospital resources at a higher rate than nonusers, had a higher rate of recidivism, and longer ED length of stay. Nurses preferred antipsychotics over benzodiazepines for treatment of meth-induced tachycardia and a lower threshold for treatment of associated hypertension than residents and faculty. For treatment of hypertension, nurses preferred beta-blockers and hydralazine over benzodiazepines. Conclusion: All agreed that meth use is a serious problem in our ED, with high resource utilization, recidivism, and violence against staff. Nurses experienced higher rates of assaults by patients using meth and differed with regard to their disposition and treatment. Treatment guidelines, strategies to mitigate violence towards staff, and interprofessional education may be beneficial, as the stakes of caring for these patients are high and preferences vary between caregivers.