Utilidad de las técnicas de cribado de tóxicos en orina solicitadas desde el servicio de urgencias de un hospital pediátrico / Use of urine drug screening in the emergency department of a paediatric hospital

Objetivo: Describir las situaciones en las que se solicita cribado toxicológico en orina desde un servicio de urgencias pediátricas. Determinar si la prueba es potencialmente útil, si conlleva un cambio en el manejo del paciente y si los resultados se comprueban mediante técnicas específicas. Metodología: Estudio retrospectivo de los pacientes menores de 18 años atendidos en urgencias durante el año 2014 a los que se solicitó cribado de tóxicos en orina. Se definieron 2 grupos en función de la potencial capacidad de modificar el manejo del paciente (potencial utilidad y ausencia de utilidad). Resultados: Se recogieron 161 pacientes. En 87 casos (54,0%) el cribado de tóxicos se consideró sin potencial utilidad. En 55 pacientes (34,1%) la falta de utilidad fue debida a que la anamnesis ya explicaba la sintomatología presente, en 29 (18,0%) a que el paciente se encontraba asintomático y en 3 (1,9%) a la sospecha de intoxicación por una sustancia no detectable mediante esta técnica. El resultado ocasionó un cambio de manejo en 5 casos (3,1%). Se detectó algún tóxico en 44 pacientes (27,3%). Se solicitó confirmación con técnicas específicas en 2 (1,2%). Ambos fueron falsos positivos. Conclusiones: La mayor parte de los cribados de tóxicos solicitados no están justificados y es infrecuente que condicionen un cambio en el manejo del paciente. La confirmación mediante técnicas específicas es inusual. Su uso debe restringirse a casos concretos y, siempre que pueda tener repercusiones legales o el paciente niegue el consumo, debe seguirse de un estudio toxicológico específico que aporte un resultado concluyente (AU)

Objective: To describe the situations in which urine drug screening is used in a Paediatric Emergency Department (ED). An analysis is also made on its potential usefulness on whether it changes the patient management, and if the results are confirmed by using specific techniques. Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted on patients under the age of 18 attended in the ED during 2014 and in whom urine drug screening was requested. Depending on the potential capacity of the screening result to change patient management, two groups were defined (potentially useful and not potentially useful). Results: Urine drug screening was performed on a total of 161 patients. The screening was considered not to be potentially useful in 87 (54.0%). This was because the clinical history already explained the symptoms the patient had in 55 (34.1%) patients, in 29 (18.0%) because the patient was asymptomatic, and in 3 (1.9%) because the suspected drug was not detectable in the screening. The drug screening results changed the patient management in 5 (3.1%) cases. A toxic substance was detected in 44 (27.3%). Two out of the 44 that were positive (2.1%) were re-tested by specific techniques, and presence of the toxic substance was ruled out in both of them (false positives). Conclusions: Most of the drug screening tests are not justified, and it is very infrequent that they change patient management. It is very rare that the results are confirmed using more specific methods. Urine drug screening tests should be restricted to particular cases and if the result has legal implications, or if the patient denies using the drug, it should be followed by a specific toxicological study to provide a conclusive result (AU)

[Use of urine drug screening in the emergency department of a paediatric hospital]. / Utilidad de las técnicas de cribado de tóxicos en orina solicitadas desde el servicio de urgencias de un hospital pediátrico.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the situations in which urine drug screening is used in a Paediatric Emergency Department (ED). An analysis is also made on its potential usefulness on whether it changes the patient management, and if the results are confirmed by using specific techniques. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study was conducted on patients under the age of 18 attended in the ED during 2014 and in whom urine drug screening was requested. Depending on the potential capacity of the screening result to change patient management, two groups were defined (potentially useful and not potentially useful). RESULTS: Urine drug screening was performed on a total of 161 patients. The screening was considered not to be potentially useful in 87 (54.0%). This was because the clinical history already explained the symptoms the patient had in 55 (34.1%) patients, in 29 (18.0%) because the patient was asymptomatic, and in 3 (1.9%) because the suspected drug was not detectable in the screening. The drug screening results changed the patient management in 5 (3.1%) cases. A toxic substance was detected in 44 (27.3%). Two out of the 44 that were positive (2.1%) were re-tested by specific techniques, and presence of the toxic substance was ruled out in both of them (false positives). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the drug screening tests are not justified, and it is very infrequent that they change patient management. It is very rare that the results are confirmed using more specific methods. Urine drug screening tests should be restricted to particular cases and if the result has legal implications, or if the patient denies using the drug, it should be followed by a specific toxicological study to provide a conclusive result.

Episodios repetidos de intoxicación: signo de alarma de situaciones de riesgo / Repeated poisoning episodes: Alarm sign of risk situations

Introducción: La prevención es fundamental en las intoxicaciones pediátricas, especialmente cuando se detectan episodios repetidos. Los objetivos de este trabajo son determinar la tasa de recurrencias en la consulta por sospecha de intoxicación, evaluar en qué casos se indican medidas preventivas específicas y conocer si la creación de un ítem para episodios previos en la historia informatizada facilita su detección. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo. Se incluyen los pacientes < 18 años atendidos en un servicio de urgencias por sospecha de intoxicación en 2013 y 2014; se dividen en 2 grupos según la existencia o no de consultas previas por el mismo motivo. Desde enero de 2014 este dato se registra sistemáticamente en el formulario de la anamnesis del episodio de urgencias para el paciente intoxicado mediante un ítem específico. Se comparan las medidas preventivas adoptadas entre ambos grupos. Resultados: Se registraron 731 consultas por sospecha de intoxicación. En el 9% se detectaron antecedentes de episodios previos. En el grupo de pacientes con episodios repetidos se cumplimentó parte de lesiones y se realizó seguimiento con mayor frecuencia que en los pacientes sin episodios previos (28,8% vs 18,0%, p = 0,034 y 65,2% vs 18,8%, p < 0,001, respectivamente). En 2013 la tasa de recurrencia fue del 5,9%, y en 2014 del 12% (p = 0,004). Conclusiones: En un número considerable de pacientes atendidos por sospecha de intoxicación se detectan episodios previos. Aunque en estos pacientes se indican con más frecuencia medidas preventivas, su aplicación es baja. La creación de un ítem específico en la historia informatizada para episodios previos facilita su detección (AU)

Introduction: Prevention is an essential aspect in paediatric poisonings, especially when recurrent episodes are detected. The aims of this article are to detect the recurrence rate for suspected poisoning in emergency consultations, as well as to identify the cases in which specific preventive measures are indicated, and to determine whether the creation of a specific item for recurrent episodes in the computerised medical records system facilitates its detection. Material and methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients less than 18 years of age treated in the emergency room due to suspected poisoning during 2013 and 2014. Patients were divided according to the presence or absence of previous episodes. From January 2014, a specific item is present in the computerised medical records of the poisoned patient, where the history of previous episodes is registered. The preventive measures used between both groups were compared. Results: A total of 731 consultations were recorded for suspected poisoning. A history of previous episodes was detected in 9% of cases. Medical injury reports and follow-up in outpatient clinics were more often performed in patients with recurrent episodes than in patients without them (28.8% vs 18.0%, P = .034, and 65.2% vs. 18.8%, P < .001, respectively). In 2013, the recurrence rate was 5.9% vs 12% in 2014 (P = .004). Conclusions: The recurrence rate observed is significant. Although preventive measures are more frequently indicated in these patients, their application is low. The creation of a specific item for recurrent episodes in a computerised medical records system facilitates their detection (AU)

Utilidad del cribado toxicológico en pediatría / Toxicology screening in paediatrics

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[Repeated poisoning episodes: Alarm sign of risk situations]. / Episodios repetidos de intoxicación: signo de alarma de situaciones de riesgo.

INTRODUCTION: Prevention is an essential aspect in paediatric poisonings, especially when recurrent episodes are detected. The aims of this article are to detect the recurrence rate for suspected poisoning in emergency consultations, as well as to identify the cases in which specific preventive measures are indicated, and to determine whether the creation of a specific item for recurrent episodes in the computerised medical records system facilitates its detection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on patients less than 18 years of age treated in the emergency room due to suspected poisoning during 2013 and 2014. Patients were divided according to the presence or absence of previous episodes. From January 2014, a specific item is present in the computerised medical records of the poisoned patient, where the history of previous episodes is registered. The preventive measures used between both groups were compared. RESULTS: A total of 731 consultations were recorded for suspected poisoning. A history of previous episodes was detected in 9% of cases. Medical injury reports and follow-up in outpatient clinics were more often performed in patients with recurrent episodes than in patients without them (28.8% vs 18.0%, P=.034, and 65.2% vs. 18.8%, P<.001, respectively). In 2013, the recurrence rate was 5.9% vs 12% in 2014 (P=.004). CONCLUSIONS: The recurrence rate observed is significant. Although preventive measures are more frequently indicated in these patients, their application is low. The creation of a specific item for recurrent episodes in a computerised medical records system facilitates their detection.

Impacto de acciones de mejora desarrolladas a partir de indicadores de calidad en el tratamiento de las intoxicaciones agudas pediátricas / Impact of quality-indicator-based measures to improve the treatment of acute poisoning in pediatric emergency patients

Objetivo: Analizar el impacto de la aplicación de medidas de mejora implementadas a partir de la evaluación de indicadores de calidad (IC) en la atención prestada a los pacientes pediátricos con intoxicación aguda. Método: Se compara el resultado actual de los IC con el estándar deseado y con el resultado obtenido en dos estudios previos. Estudio-1: evaluación de 6 IC básicos en los servicios de urgencias pediátricas (SUP) participantes en el Grupo de Trabajo de Intoxicaciones de la Sociedad Española de Urgencias Pediátricas (GTI-SEUP). Estudio-2: evaluación de los 20 IC en uno de los servicios de urgencias del GTI-SEUP. Tras la realización de los mismos se implementaron medidas correctoras: grupo de seguimiento de lavado gástrico, reedición del manual de intoxicaciones del GTI-SEUP, implementación del protocolo de atención al paciente intoxicado y creación de campos específicos en la historia clínica informatizada. Resultados: Estudio-1: se alcanza el estándar en 4 IC y mejora la disponibilidad de protocolos (el IC supera el estándar en el 100% de SUP vs el 29,2% previo; p < 0,001) sin cambios significativos en el resto de IC. Estudio-2: se alcanza el estándar en 13 IC y mejora de los IC sobre cumplimentación de parte judicial (44,4% vs 19,2%; p = 0,036), registro del Conjunto Mínimo de Datos (51,0% vs 1,9%; p < 0,001) y tendencia al aumento de administración de carbón activado en las primeras 2 horas (93,1% vs 83,5%; p = 0,099). No existen cambios significativos en el resto de IC. Conclusiones: La implementación de medidas correctoras ha dado lugar a una mejora en el resultado de algunos IC. La calidad de la asistencia de estos pacientes es aún mejorable (AU)

Objective: To analyze the impact of quality-indicator-based measures for improving quality of care for acute poisoning in pediatric emergency departments. Methods: Recent assessments of quality indicators were compared with benchmark targets and with results from previous studies. The first study evaluated 6 basic indicators in the pediatric emergency departments of members of to the working group on poisoning of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (GTI-SEUP). The second study evaluated 20 indicators in a single emergency department of GTI-SEUP members. Based on the results of those studies, the departments implemented the following corrective measures: creation of a team for gastric lavage follow-up, preparation of a new GTI-SEUP manual on poisoning, implementation of a protocol for poisoning incidents, and creation of specific poisoning-related fields for computerized patient records. Results: The benchmark targets were reached on 4 quality indicators in the first study. Improvements were seen in the availability of protocols, as indicators exceeded the target in all the pediatric emergency departments (vs 29.2% of the departments in an earlier study, P < .001). No other significant improvements were observed. In the second study the benchmarks were reached on 13 indicators. Improvements were seen in compliance with incident reporting to the police (recently, 44.4% vs 19.2% previously, P = .036), case registration in the minimum basic data set (51.0% vs 1.9%, P < .001), and a trend toward increased administration of activated carbon within 2 hours (93.1% vs 83.5%, P = .099). No other significant improvements were seen. Conclusions: The corrective measures led to improvements in some quality indicators. There is still room for improvement in these emergency departamens’ care of pediatric poisoning (AU)

[Impact of quality-indicator-based measures to improve the treatment of acute poisoning in pediatric emergency patients]. / Impacto de acciones de mejora desarrolladas a partir de indicadores de calidad en el tratamiento de las intoxicaciones agudas pediátricas.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the impact of quality-indicator-based measures for improving quality of care for acute poisoning in pediatric emergency departments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Recent assessments of quality indicators were compared with benchmark targets and with results from previous studies. The first study evaluated 6 basic indicators in the pediatric emergency departments of members of to the working group on poisoning of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (GTI-SEUP). The second study evaluated 20 indicators in a single emergency department of GTI-SEUP members. Based on the results of those studies, the departments implemented the following corrective measures: creation of a team for gastric lavage follow-up, preparation of a new GTI-SEUP manual on poisoning, implementation of a protocol for poisoning incidents, and creation of specific poisoning-related fields for computerized patient records. RESULTS: The benchmark targets were reached on 4 quality indicators in the first study. Improvements were seen in the availability of protocols, as indicators exceeded the target in all the pediatric emergency departments (vs 29.2% of the departments in an earlier study, P < .001). No other significant improvements were observed. In the second study the benchmarks were reached on 13 indicators. Improvements were seen in compliance with incident reporting to the police (recently, 44.4% vs 19.2% previously, P = .036), case registration in the minimum basic data set (51.0% vs 1.9%, P < .001), and a trend toward increased administration of activated carbon within 2 hours (93.1% vs 83.5%, P = .099). No other significant improvements were seen. CONCLUSION: The corrective measures led to improvements in some quality indicators. There is still room for improvement in these emergency departamens' care of pediatric poisoning.

OBJETIVO: Analizar el impacto de la aplicación de medidas de mejora implementadas a partir de la evaluación de indicadores de calidad (IC) en la atención prestada a los pacientes pediátricos con intoxicación aguda. METODO: Se compara el resultado actual de los IC con el estándar deseado y con el resultado obtenido en dos estudios previos. Estudio-1: evaluación de 6 IC básicos en los servicios de urgencias pediátricas (SUP) participantes en el Grupo de Trabajo de Intoxicaciones de la Sociedad Española de Urgencias Pediátricas (GTI-SEUP). Estudio-2: evaluación de los 20 IC en uno de los servicios de urgencias del GTI-SEUP. Tras la realización de los mismos se implementaron medidas correctoras: grupo de seguimiento de lavado gástrico, reedición del manual de intoxicaciones del GTI-SEUP, implementación del protocolo de atención al paciente intoxicado y creación de campos específicos en la historia clínica informatizada. RESULTADOS: Estudio-1: se alcanza el estándar en 4 IC y mejora la disponibilidad de protocolos (el IC supera el estándar en el 100% de SUP vs el 29,2% previo; p < 0,001) sin cambios significativos en el resto de IC. Estudio-2: se alcanza el estándar en 13 IC y mejora de los IC sobre cumplimentación de parte judicial (44,4% vs 19,2%; p = 0,036), registro del Conjunto Mínimo de Datos (51,0% vs 1,9%; p < 0,001) y tendencia al aumento de administración de carbón activado en las primeras 2 horas (93,1% vs 83,5%; p = 0,099). No existen cambios significativos en el resto de IC. CONCLUSIONES: La implementación de medidas correctoras ha dado lugar a una mejora en el resultado de algunos IC. La calidad de la asistencia de estos pacientes es aún mejorable.