A prospective descriptive study on emergency medicines used most frequently from the emergency medicine packs at Universitas Academic Hospital and the associated financial loss of expired emergency medicines

Resuscitation trolleys with equipment and medicines for emergencies are required in all clinical areas in hospitals. Emergency medicines kept separately are more likely to expire than non-emergency medicines, as these are generally used less frequently. An updated list of essential emergency medicines was implemented in 2016 at an academic hospital in central South Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of both the use and the expiry, with associated financial losses, of the emergency medicines on this list. Methods: A prospective, descriptive study was conducted over a six-month period in 2019. Forms accompanying the emergency packs were returned to the pharmacy whenever packs expired or were opened. These forms were collected and the type and quantity of medicines either used or expired were recorded. Results: In total, 168 of the returned forms were included. The most frequently used emergency medicines were adrenaline, sodium bicarbonate and Ringer's lactate. Adrenaline use was recorded on 52.8% and 25% of the forms from the adult/paediatric and neonatal emergency packs, respectively. Medicines that were never used included: betamethasone, Darrow's half-strength solution and most of the neonatal pack medications. Neonatal emergency medicine packs were rarely used and the neonatal fluid packs were never used. The total cost of the expired medicines was R7 960.29 (US$569.41 at the time of the study). Adrenaline was the medication that expired most frequently but the greatest financial losses occurred from expired sodium bicarbonate. Conclusion: The total financial losses were low but can be reduced further. The contents of the emergency packs should be reviewed to possibly reduce the amount of items used infrequently. Also, the removal of those items not recommended in emergency care guidelines could be considered. Ensuring the policy was followed of returning unused medicines close to expiry and redistributing these to high-use areas would further reduce wastage

Evidence-Based Emergency Medicine is Easy: Why Not Giving it a Try?

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BET 1: should Colles' fractures be splinted in a long or short arm cast?

A short-cut review of the available medical literature was carried out to establish whether elbow immobilisation is required after closed reduction of a distal radial fracture. After abstract review, six papers were found to answer this clinical question using the detailed search strategy. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. It is concluded that elbow immobilisation is not required.

BET 1: Ruling out cerebellar infarct in the emergency department with CT scan.

A short-cut review of the available medical literature was carried out to establish whether CT scanning can rule out cerebellar infarction. After abstract review, two papers were found to answer this clinical question using the detailed search strategy. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. It is concluded that there is insufficient evidence to draw a conclusion.

Ongoing Living Update of Potential COVID-19 Therapeutics Options: Summary of Evidence. Rapid Review

This document includes the results of a rapid systematic review of current available literature. The information included in this review reflects the evidence as of the date posted in the document. In recognition of the fact that there are numerous ongoing clinical studies, PAHO will periodically update this review and corresponding recommendations as new evidence becomes available.

BET 1: Do homemade or cloth face masks work as a preventive measure for respiratory virus transmission?

A short-cut review of the available medical literature was carried out to establish whether homemade or cloth face masks can prevent respiratory virus transmission or clinical illness. After abstract review, twelve papers were found to answer this clinical question using the detailed search strategy. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. It is concluded that there is currently no direct evidence to support the use of homemade or cloth masks by the general public for protection against viral infections.

BET 1: The Ottawa Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Clinical Decision Rule shows high sensitivity but limited evidence of patient benefit.

A short-cut review of the literature was carried out to examine the diagnostic test characteristics and potential patient benefits through the use of the Ottawa Subarachnoid Haemorrhage Clinical Decision Rule. Nine papers were identified as suitable for inclusion using the reported search strategy. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of the best papers are tabulated. It is concluded that the Ottawa Clinical Decision Rule has a high sensitivity for the diagnosis of subarachnoid haemorrhage; however, there is limited robust evidence of international generalisability and no evidence of improved patient outcomes following implementation. Further prospective research is required in populations with variable prevalence to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this intervention, compared with routine evaluation strategies.

BET 2: Caffeine as an analgesic adjunct in tension-type headache and migraine.

A short-cut review of the literature was carried out to examine the benefits of caffeine as an analgesic adjunct in tension-type and migraine-type headache. Six papers were identified as suitable for inclusion using the reported search strategy. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of the best papers are tabulated. It is concluded that caffeine provides effective analgesia as an adjunctive treatment in the management of secondary headache syndromes.

Development of the Canadian COVID-19 Emergency Department Rapid Response Network population-based registry: a methodology study.

BACKGROUND: Emergency physicians lack high-quality evidence for many diagnostic and treatment decisions made for patients with suspected or confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our objective is to describe the methods used to collect and ensure the data quality of a multicentre registry of patients presenting to the emergency department with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. METHODS: This methodology study describes a population-based registry that has been enrolling consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 since Mar. 1, 2020. Most data are collected from retrospective chart review. Phone follow-up with patients at 30 days captures the World Health Organization clinical improvement scale and contextual, social and cultural variables. Phone follow-up also captures patient-reported quality of life using the Veterans Rand 12-Item Health Survey at 30 days, 60 days, 6 months and 12 months. Fifty participating emergency departments from 8 provinces in Canada currently enrol patients into the registry. INTERPRETATION: Data from the registry of the Canadian COVID-19 Emergency Department Rapid Response Network will be used to derive and validate clinical decision rules to inform clinical decision-making, describe the natural history of the disease, evaluate COVID-19 diagnostic tests and establish the real-world effectiveness of treatments and vaccines, including in populations that are excluded or underrepresented in clinical trials. This registry has the potential to generate scientific evidence to inform our pandemic response, and to serve as a model for the rapid implementation of population-based data collection protocols for future public health emergencies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, no. NCT04702945.

Community-acquired pneumonia in the emergency department.

As recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment, and disposition of patients with community-acquired pneumonia continue to evolve, this issue reviews the current evidence and guidelines for managing these patients in the emergency department. The various clinical decision aids are compared, as they assist in determining the level of inpatient care required and allow for a greater proportion of patients to be treated successfully as outpatients. A clinical pathway for emergency department management delineates optimal antibiotic regimens based on severity, comorbidities, and risk factors.

BET 1: Best Evidence Topic Report: is the hook test sensitive enough to be used to exclude distal biceps tendon rupture?

A shortcut review was carried out to see whether the hook test is sensitive enough for a negative result to exclude complete distal biceps tendon rupture (DBTR) in adults. 3 papers presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. It is concluded that the hook test is moderately sensitive at detecting complete DBTR when carried out by skilled clinicians in specialist upper limb clinics. As a single test, it is not sensitive enough to be used to exclude complete DBTR.

BET 2: Tubular bandage, plaster or aircast boot for avulsion fractures of the base of the fifth metatarsal?

A shortcut review was carried out to investigate whether avulsion fractures of the base of the fifth metatarsal were best treated with tubular bandage, a walking boot or a short leg plaster cast. One paper presented the only evidence to answer one of the clinical questions (plaster cast or walking boot) but no evidence was found comparing tubular bandage and a walking boot. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of this paper are tabulated. It is concluded that while the only evidence available shows marginal benefit of walking boot over short plaster cast during recovery, there is no benefit to final outcome. Further research comparing tubular bandage and walking boot is required.

Displaced Gastrostomy Tube in the Pediatric Emergency Department: Implementing an Evidence-based Algorithm and Quality Improvement Project.

INTRODUCTION: ED visits for gastrostomy tube-related complications are common, and many are related to tube displacement. Evidence-based practices can provide standardized care. METHODS: This study was an evidence-based project to develop and implement an algorithm for the care of patients with a displaced gastrostomy tube in the emergency department. Providers were educated on the algorithm, and clinical practice change was evaluated. Provider knowledge was assessed using pretest and posttest; analyses included paired t test. Descriptive statistics of electronic medical record data on confirmation method, documentation, and referral were reported. RESULTS: Provider knowledge was improved after the education (n = 22; t(21) = -3.80; P = 0.001). After the education, procedure notes were used and completed in 95% of the cases. Appropriate use of the confirmation method was present in 95% of the cases, and all cases were referred to the gastrostomy/specialty clinic. DISCUSSION: Educating providers regarding care for displaced gastrostomy tubes increased their knowledge. A standardized algorithm improved care by decreasing the use of contrast studies, improving documentation, and referring patients to the gastrostomy/specialty clinic. This evidence-based algorithm offered health care providers a protocol to ensure consistent care for children in the emergency department and support for families.

Blunt cerebrovascular injuries: early recognition and stroke prevention in the emergency department.

Blunt cerebrovascular injuries include cervical carotid dissections and vertebral artery dissections that are due to blunt trauma. Although the overall incidence is low, dissections remain a common cause of stroke in children, young adults, and trauma patients. Symptoms of dissection, such as headache, neck pain, and dizziness, are commonly seen in the emergency department, but may not be apparent in the obtunded trauma patient or may not be recognized as being due to a dissection. A missed diagnosis of cervical artery dissection can result in devastating neurologic sequelae, and emergency clinicians must act quickly to recognize this diagnosis and begin treatment as soon as possible. This supplement reviews the application of advanced screening criteria, imaging options, and antithrombotic treatment for patients with blunt cerebrovascular injuries, with a focus on reducing the occurrence of ischemic stroke.

Rhabdomyolysis: evidence-based management in the emergency department.

Rhabdomyolysis is a life-threatening pathological process that must be treated as early as possible to avoid potentially life-threatening sequelae. Much of the evidence that informs the management of rhabdomyolysis is retrospective research, often reported from mass disasters, and many practices that have been implemented as standard treatment are based on small studies published more than 30 years ago. This issue reviews the current literature on rhabdomyolysis and provides recommendations for each phase of care, from the prehospital setting through disposition. The evidence is examined regarding the variety of therapies that are used to manage rhabdomyolysis, the potential for recognizing a genetic predisposition for the condition, and therapeutic recommendations that improve patient outcomes.

Management of deep vein thrombosis in the emergency department.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can present with a variety of nonspecific signs and symptoms, and can involve the upper or lower extremities. Management of patients with DVT has changed markedly over the last 10 years, moving from hospital admission for initiation of anticoagulation to outpatient management. Diagnosis requires a risk stratification process involving clinical decision rules, D-dimer testing, and ultrasonography. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the patient should be engaged in shared decision-making regarding treatment options. Recurrent DVT, as well as managing DVT in pregnant women, the elderly population, and patients with malignancies are also discussed.