Impact of a telephone triage service for non-critical emergencies in Switzerland: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Telephone triage services (TTS) play an increasing role in the delivery of healthcare. The objective of this study was to characterize the adult users of a TTS for non-critical emergencies, describe the types of advice given and their subsequent observation, and assess the influence of TTS on the use of the healthcare system in a sanitary region of Switzerland. METHODS: Data from a TTS based in the French part of Switzerland were analyzed. This service consists of a medical contact center for non-critical emergencies, with trained nurses available 24/7. A random selection of 2,034 adult calls was performed between July and December 2018. Research students contacted users 2 to 4 weeks after the initial call and assessed sociodemographic and clinical data, as well as the impact of the advice received on the use of the healthcare system. RESULTS: A sample of 412 users was included in the analyses. The average age was 49.0 (SD 20.4) years; 68.5% were women and 72.8% of Swiss origin. The two main recommendations provided by nurses were to consult the emergency department (ED) (44.6%, n = 184) and to contact a physician on duty (33.2%, n = 137). The majority of users followed the advice given by the nurses (substantial agreement [k = 0.79] with consulting the ED and perfect agreement [k = 0.87] with contacting a physician on duty). We calculated that calling the TTS could decrease the intention to visit the ED by 28.1%. CONCLUSION: TTS for non-critical emergencies have the potential to decrease the use of ED services.

[Atypical neck pain: an example of a little-known syndrome]. / Douleur au cou atypique: exemple d'un syndrome peu connu.

Eagle's syndrome is an unknown disease. Its suspicion is first and foremost clinical and his symptoms are diverse. The diagnosis is confirmed by imaging. Its management is surgical: resection of the styloid process by trans-oral or trans-amygdala route. Patients often consult several specialists and there are many investigations before the right diagnosis is made.

Le syndrome d'Eagle est un diagnostic méconnu. Sa suspicion est d'abord clinique et ses symptômes sont divers. Le diagnostic est confirmé par imagerie. Sa prise en charge est chirurgicale: résection du processus styloïde par voie transorale ou trans-amygdalienne. Les patients consultent souvent plusieurs spécialistes et les investigations sont nombreuses avant que le bon diagnostic soit posé.

[2018 scientific breakthroughs in ambulatory general internal medicine]. / Avancées scientifiques de 2018 en médecine interne générale ambulatoire.

Mindfulness meditation and cognitive-behavioral therapy are more cost-effective than conventional management of chronic low back pain. Women with iron deficiency can be treated with oral iron substitution every other day to improve tolerance. Smokers who smoke four or less cigarettes per day have a disproportionately high risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. All antidepressants are effective in cases of severe depression. Cannabis derivatives have no analgesic effect and do not improve the quality of life of people with neuropathic pain. Cognitive training is effective in cases of mild cognitive impairment. Delegated medical protocols can aid with blood pressure control in hypertensive patients. Nitrofurantoin is the antibiotic of choice for uncomplicated cystitis.

La méditation de pleine conscience et la thérapie cognitivo-comportementale présentent un profil coût-efficacité plus avantageux qu'une prise en charge classique des lombalgies chroniques. Les femmes avec un déficit en fer peuvent être traitées par une substitution orale en fer prise un jour sur deux afin d'améliorer la tolérance. Les fumeurs de 4 ou moins cigarettes par jour ont un risque d'événement cardiovasculaire et cérébrovasculaire élevé. Les antidépresseurs sont tous efficaces en cas d'état dépressif sévère. Les dérivés du cannabis n'ont pas d'effet antalgique significatif et n'améliorent pas la qualité de vie des personnes avec douleurs neuropathiques. L'entraînement cognitif est efficace en cas de déficit cognitif léger. L'hypertension artérielle peut être contrôlée par des protocoles médico-délégués. La nitrofurantoïne est l'antibiotique de choix en cas de cystite non compliquée.

[2013 literature findings in internal general medicine]. / Acquisitions thérapeutiques en médecine ambulatoire en 2013.

The prescribing of antibiotics for uncomplicated skin abscesses and diverticulitis has no benefit. Some antibiotics are more at risk of causing a Clostridium difficile infection. The tests used to exclude a history of a penicillin allergy are safe. A threshold of D-dimer adjusted for the age significantly improves the specificity of the test without affecting the sensitivity. The prescription of paraclinics tests is not an effective "treatment" for the patient's anxiety. In the sleep apnea syndrome, treatment with CPAP (Continuous positive airway pressure) appears to have more benefits compared to the mandibular advancement prosthesis. The work of primary care physicians can be supported by the work of advanced practice nurses. The limitation placed on the working hours of doctors in hospitals seems to affect their ability to spend time with their patients.

[Testicular pain, a diagnostic challenge?]. / Douteur testiculaire, un défi diagnostique?

Scrotal pain is frequently encountered in practice, as it affects 4 men in 1000, with a peak of incidence between the ages of 45 and 50. After excluding an urological or gastrointestinal cause, referred pain of musculoskeletal origin should be considered, even in the absence of back pain. Described by Dr. Robert Maigne, this referred pain originates from a minor intervertebral dysfunction of the thoracolumbar junction. Imaging of the spine is not helpful. Rather, the diagnosis is made by seeking pain triggered by the mobilization of the lumbar vertebrae; the pinch and roll skin manoeuvre will highlight this referred pain. Treatment is symptomatic, though manual therapies by spine specialists are also recommended.