Association of a sepsis initiative on broad spectrum antibiotic use and outcomes in an ED population.

INTRODUCTION: Sepsis identification and treatment is a priority for emergency department (ED) providers and payors alike. However, aggressive metrics aimed at improving sepsis care could have unintended consequences for patients who do not have sepsis. METHODS: All ED patient visits for a one month period before and after a quality initiative to increase early antibiotic use in septic patients were included. Overall broad spectrum (BS) antibiotic use, admission rates, and mortality were compared in the 2 time periods. A more detailed chart review was performed on those who received BS antibiotics in the before and after cohorts. Patient were excluded for pregnancy, age < 18, COVID-19 infection, hospice patients, left ED against medical advice, and if antibiotics were given for prophylaxis. In BS antibiotic treated patients, we sought to determine mortality, rates of subsequent multidrug resistant (MDR) or Clostridium Difficile (CDiff) infections and rates of non-infected patients receiving BS antibiotics. RESULTS: There were 7967 and 7407 ED visits in the pre- and post-implementation periods, respectively. Of those, BS antibiotics were administered in a total of 3.9% pre-implementation and 6.2% post-implementation (p ≤ 0.00001). Admission was more common in the post-implementation period, but overall mortality was unchanged (0.9% pre-implementation and 0.8% post-implementation, p = 0.41). After exclusions, 654 patients treated with BS antibiotics were included in the secondary analyses. Baseline characteristics were similar between the pre-implementation and post-implementation cohorts. There was no difference in the rate of CDiff infection or the proportion of patients receiving BS antibiotics who were not infected, but there was an increase in the post-implementation period in MDR infections after ED BS antibiotics, 0.72% vs. 0.35% of the entire ED cohorts, p = 0.0009. CONCLUSIONS: We found that a QI sepsis initiative was associated with an increase in the proportion of patients who received BS antibiotics in the ED, and a small absolute increase in associated subsequent MDR infections, with no apparent effect on mortality in all ED patients or the subset treated with BS antibiotics. Further research is needed to assess the impact on all patients affected by aggressive sepsis protocols and initiatives, rather than only those with sepsis.

A Novel Orderset Driven Emergency Department Atrial Fibrillation Algorithm to Increase Discharge and Risk-appropriate Anticoagulation.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are frequently admitted from the emergency department (ED), and when discharged, are not reliably prescribed indicated anticoagulation. We report the impact of a novel computerized ED AF pathway orderset on discharge rate and risk-appropriate anticoagulation in patients with primary AF. METHODS: The orderset included options for rate and rhythm control of primary AF, structured risk assessment for thrombotic complications, recommendations for anticoagulation as appropriate, and follow up with an electrophysiologist. All patients discharged from the ED in whom the AF orderset was utilized over an 18-month period comprised the primary study population. The primary outcome was the rate of appropriate anticoagulation or not according to confirmed CHADS-VASC and HASBLED scores. Additionally, the percentage of primary AF patients discharged directly from the ED was compared in the 18-month periods before and after introduction of the orderset. RESULTS: A total of 56 patients, average age 57.8 years and average initial heart rate 126 beats/minute, were included in the primary analysis. All 56 (100%; 95% confidence interval, 94-100) received guideline-concordant anticoagulation. The discharge rates in the pre- and postorderset implementation periods were 29% and 41%, respectively (95% confidence interval for 12% difference, 5-18). CONCLUSIONS: Our novel AF pathway orderset was associated with 100% guideline-concordant anticoagulation in patients discharged from the ED. Availability of the orderset was associated with a significant increase in the proportion of ED AF patients discharged.

Severe methemoglobinemia secondary to isobutyl nitrite toxicity: the case of the 'Gold Rush'.

Isobutyl nitrite is one of the popular recreational drugs with high abuse potential that is known to cause methemoglobinemia. While inhaling this recreational drug, often referred to as a 'popper', is the typical route of administration, oral ingestion can produce a more rapid and fulminant course of methemoglobinemia. We present the case of a 69-year-old male that presented to our emergency department in extreme, life-threatening methemoglobinemia due to the ingestion of isobutyl nitrite that he obtained from an adult novelty store. The patient had a methemoglobin level above our lab cut-off of 28% and was subsequently treated with two doses of intravenous methylene blue. His hospital course was unremarkable, and he was discharged on Day 2. Methemoglobinemia is a medical emergency that requires a high index of clinical suspicion, prompt recognition, and rapid treatment.