Attitude toward end-of-life care in emergency medicine residents- can a short workshop make a difference?

BACKGROUND: There is a growing demand for palliative care (PC) in Emergency departments (ED) as the number of patients who need end-of-life (EOL) care is increasing. Despite significant variability amongst residency programs, there is a lack of structured core curriculum for PC/EOL care in most emergency medicine (EM) training programs, which often do not meet the needs of EM physicians. In this study, we evaluate the effect of a short EOL care workshop on changing the attitude of Iranian EM residents towards EOL care in ED. METHOD: In this prospective before/after educational study at Tehran University of medical science, we enrolled 40 EM residents using a random sampling method. We obtained demographic and practice background information, and participants underwent a half-day PC training workshop designed by an expert panel. We administered a translated and validated Standard PEAS (physician End of Life Care Attitude Scale) questionnaire before and four weeks after an educational intervention. Baseline and differences in attitude were reported and compared by paired t-test, repeated measure ANOVA, and ANOVA. RESULTS: None of the participants had prior experience of formal PC training. All of the 40 participants completed the follow-up questionnaire. Baseline attitude was not different among demographic groups. The mean (SD) PEAS score before and four weeks after the workshop was 86.9 (5.8) versus 89(6.9), respectively (P = 0.023). Residents with no previous close exposure to a terminal illness in their family members had significantly more attitude change than those with such an experience (P = 0.045). CONCLUSION: A brief educational intervention improved EM residents' attitudes toward EOL care. The optimal design and characteristics of this educational intervention yet remain to be defined by further studies.

Validity of Triage Performed by Nurses Educated by Train-of-Trainer Workshop Participants; a Cross-sectional Study for Assessment of Cascade Training System.

INTRODUCTION: In 2010, a national triage train-of-trainer (TOT) workshop was held in Tehran, Iran. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to assess the validity of the triage performed by the nurses educated by those who participated in TOT workshop. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 6 teaching hospitals from 4 universities in Iran. Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of performed triage by participations was measured. Thirteen nurses were randomly selected. Thereafter, at the end of each working shift, patient data recorded in the daily data registry forms were collected. Then, duration of hospital stay, number of cases admitted to general wards or intensive care units, number of cases discharged from the ED within 12 hours and mortality rate were compared with the triage level determined by the nurse. RESULTS: In total, 30 nurses with a mean age of 28.4 ± 3.7 years were enrolled. In this study, 1491 triage cases (61.6% male) were evaluated, of which 4.2% were triaged as level 1, 18.3% as level 2, 37.1% as level 3, 20.4% as level 4 and 20.0% as level 5. The following outcome was observed: 3.64% were discharged, 6.29% were hospitalized, 3% died and 2.3% were discharged against medical advice without completing treatment. The correlation of determined triage level and patients' duration of hospitalization was significant based on one-way ANOVA test (p = 0.000). The outcome of the patients significantly correlated with the level of triage determined by the study nurses (p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Based on the findings, it appears that triage performed by the study nurses educated by those who participated in TOT workshop through cascade training system had perfect validity.

Accuracy of Ultrasonography in Diagnosis of Shoulder Dislocation: A Systematic Review.

CONTEXT: This systematic review of clinical trials was conducted to compare the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in comparison to plain radiography in shoulder dislocation. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, clinicaltrials.gov, Google scholar, and Scopus were searched for clinical trials. Diagnosis of shoulder dislocation and confirmation of shoulder reduction were the outcomes of interest. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of included clinical trials were calculated. RESULTS: Seven studies met our inclusion criteria and were analyzed. All included studies except two had a sensitivity and specificity of 100% for ultrasound (one with a sensitivity of 54% and one with a specificity of 60%). CONCLUSION: It can be suggested that ultrasound can be used as a reliable alternative diagnostic method for detection of both dislocation and reduction in shoulder joint. This may decrease the delay in treatment, cost, radiation exposure, and need for repeated sedation.

Association of optic nerve sheath diameter in ocular ultrasound with prognosis in patients presenting with acute stroke symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) by means of ocular ultrasound (US), can diagnose elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). Stroke accompanied by elevated ICP might have a worse prognosis. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship of ONSD in ocular US with prognosis in acute stroke in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: Patients with acute presentations of stroke, presenting to the ED in 2017 (during six months), were enrolled in our study. US exam was performed on all of them and ONSD was determined in two longitudinal and transverse dimensions. Demographic data, rate of patients' admission in the ward or intensive care unit, one-month patients' outcome and type of stroke were recorded. The relationship of mean ONSD was evaluated with study variables. RESULTS: In this study, 60 patients were enrolled. The mean ±â€¯SD ONSD in the deceased cases was 4.40 ±â€¯0.64 mm and in the survived patients was 3.83 ±â€¯0.56 mm. Youden index calculated ONSD>3.9 mm as the best cut-off point in mortality prognosis. It has a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 59.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Increased ONSD had a direct relationship with mortality rate in acute stroke.

The Effect of Language Barrier and Non-professional Interpreters on the Accuracy of Patient-physician Communication in Emergency Department.

INTRODUCTION: Patients' relatives commonly play the role of interpreters in medical interviews. These non-professional interpreters are prone to potentially-dangerous translation errors. OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to evaluate these errors in the emergency department (ED). METHOD: Twenty interviews with Azeri patients were recorded. They were unable of speaking Persian and therefore accompanied by a relative as a Persian interpreter. These records were presented to two physicians as native Azeri speakers to determine the clinical importance of the interpreters' errors according to their medical expertise. RESULTS: The total omission and addition errors observed in Azeri to Persian translation were significantly more than in Persian to Azeri translation, while mistranslation errors were almost the same. The relatives with higher levels of education made fewer errors, and those living with the patients made significantly more addition errors. CONCLUSION: Non-professional interpreters cannot effectively facilitate patient-physician communication, as their translation is error-prone, especially in terms of translating their native language into official languages. These errors can have important clinical ramifications.

Association of Lymphopenia with Short Term Outcomes of Sepsis Patients; a Brief Report.

INTRODUCTION: Studies have claimed that low lymphocyte count is independently correlated with 28-day survival of sepsis patients. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the value of lymphopenia in predicting the short-term outcome of sepsis patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on sepsis patients referred to the emergency department during an 8-month period and relationship of lymphopenia with 28-day mortality and probability of septic shock and readmission due to sepsis was assessed. RESULTS: 124 cases with the mean age of 66.12 15.82 (21-90) years were studied (54.8% male). 81 (65.3%) cases had lymphopenia (59.3% male). Lymphopenic patients had a significantly higher mean age (p = 0.003), higher need for ICU admission (p < 0.001), higher prevalence of 28-day septic shock (p < 0.001), higher 28-day mortality (p < 0.001), higher probability of readmission due to sepsis (p = 0.048), and higher SOFA score (p < 0.001). During 28 days of follow up, 57 (46%) patients were expired. They had a higher prevalence of septic shock (p < 0.001) and higher SOFA score (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that septic shock (OR=364.6; 95% CI: 26.3 to 5051.7; p = 0.001) and lymphopenia (OR=19.2; 95% CI: 1.7 to 211.3; p = 0.016) were the independent predictors of 28-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings, lymphopenia was independently associated with higher 28-day mortality and lymphopenic patients were older than the control group and had a significantly higher need for ICU admission, higher probability of 28-day septic shock and readmission due to sepsis, and higher SOFA score.

Validity of SMART-COP score in prognosis and severity of community acquired pneumonia in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Determining prognosis in community acquired pneumonia (CAP), is very important. Many scores are introduced up to now for prediction of pneumonia prognosis like SMART-COP. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate validity of SMART-COP score in prognosis and severity of CAP in emergency department (ED). METHODS: All patients older than 18 years old with clinical suspicion of CAP (meeting the inclusion criteria), were enrolled in our study. In this prospective study, patients were admitted to the ED of a tertiary referral center. Hospital length of stay, rate of intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mortality rate, number of intensive respiratory or vasopressor support (IRVS) use, patients' SMART-COP scores and all demographic data were recorded. Validity of SMART-COP in the prediction of IRVS rate and its correlation with other variables were determined. RESULTS: In this study, 47.6% and 52.4% of patients were females and males respectively. The mean age of patients was 68.13 ±â€¯16.60 years old. The mean hospital length of stay was 13.49 ±â€¯5.62 days. Of all patients entered in our study, 55 cases (38.5%) needed ICU admission, 29 cases (20.3%) were expired within 1 month and 44 cases (30.8%) needed IRVS during their treatment. SMART-COP ≥5 (high risk CAP) accurately predicted the rate of ICU admission, one-month mortality and IRVS need (p-value = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: SMART-COP≥5 had a high sensitivity and specificity in the prediction of patients' prognosis with severe CAP in the ED.

Accuracy of ultrasound exam performed by emergency medicine versus radiology residents in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Although the traditional approach to the diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) is using clinical methods, experience has shown that strict reliance on clinical data can lead to mismanagement or unnecessary surgery. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the total agreement of ultrasound (US) results in AA performed by emergency medicine (EM) versus radiology residents in emergency department. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 121 patients with AA suspicion underwent an US exam by both trained EM and radiology residents in emergency department. The training course for EM residents consisted of attending an 8-h-workshop and then practicing an US exam on real patients within a 2-month period. The gold standards were either histopathologic or follow-up results. Total agreement of the results in both specialties was compared. RESULTS: There were 67 men and 54 women, with a mean age of 33.6 ± 16.1 years (18.2-88.7 years). Fifty-four (44.6%) patients underwent surgery with the initial diagnosis of AA and the rest were evaluated by follow-ups. On the basis of our gold standards, the diagnosis was finally confirmed in 46 (38%) cases. There was a high total agreement in AA diagnosis [96% agreement, κ = 0.90; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.81-0.99] between the two groups. The specificity and sensitivity of EM and radiology groups were 99% (95% CI = 93-100), 63% (95% CI = 48-77), 97% (95% CI = 91-100), and 72% (95% CI = 57-84), respectively. CONCLUSION: US has a high diagnostic specificity in patients suspected of having AA and EM residents can perform this modality as accurately as radiologists after training in the emergency setting.

Impact of point-of-care ultrasound on disposition time of patients presenting with lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, done by emergency physicians.

BACKGROUND: Point-of-care venous compression ultrasound (VCU) is highly accurate in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) diagnosis; however, waiting to perform this exam by radiologists, may cause delay in patients' disposition. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of point-of-care VCU on patients' disposition time, done by emergency physician versus radiologists. METHODS: A total of 50 patients suspected of having lower extremity DVT, were randomized into 2 equal groups and they underwent a point-of-care VCU performed either by an emergency physician (emergency medicine (EM) group) or a radiologist (radiology group). The mean time of patients' disposition and management were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The EM group consisted of 16 males and 9 females while the radiology group consisted of 13 males and 12 females. The median time elapsed from triage to performing ultrasonography and the median time elapsed from triage to final disposition were significantly lower in the EM group than those in the radiology group (50 min vs. 142 min, and 69 min vs. 260 min, respectively; p < .001). The final diagnosis was confirmed to be DVT in 14 patients (56%) in the EM group and in 17 patients (68%) in the radiology group (p = .38). There was no false positive or negative diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Performing VCU in patients suspected of having DVT by a trained emergency physician could significantly reduce the time of patients' disposition in the emergency setting.

Pain Relieving Effect of Sublingual Glycerol Trinitrate in Renal Colic: a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Renal colic is caused by colicky spasms of ureters. As has been shown in previous experiments, glycerol trinitrate (TNG) can inhibit these muscular spasms. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to assess the pain relieving effect of TNG among patients referred due to renal colic pain to the emergency department (ED). METHODS: This study is a randomized, placebo-controlled study on 60 patients with renal colic who were referred to the ED, who were diagnosed clinically to have renal colic, and their pain was more than 5 based on a visual analogue scale (VAS). The patient's pain was recorded at the moment of clinical diagnosis, and each one received one capsule, either 0.4 mg TNG or placebo, plus a 100 mg indomethacin suppository. The pain score was re-assessed after 5 and 30 min. The values were recorded and compared using SPSS-16 software. RESULTS: Sixty patients with a mean age of 35.75 ± 11.99 years were enrolled (73.3% male). Patients in the two groups were matched for age (p = 0.290), sex (p = 0.559), and the presence of microscopic hematuria (p = 0.292). Pain relief from the start point until the end of the intervention was statistical different in all studied patients (p < 0.05); but the comparison between the two groups showed no significant difference in this regard (p = 0.440). CONCLUSION: It is likely that adding TNG to an indomethacin suppository had no significant effects on better pain management of patients referred with renal colic to the ED.

Emergency Overcrowding Impact on the Quality of Care of Patients Presenting with Acute Stroke.

INTRODUCTION: Emergency overcrowding is defined as when the amount of care required for patients overcomes the available amount. This can cause delays in delivering critical care in situations like stroke. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the possible impact of emergency department (ED) crowding on the quality of care for acute stroke patients. METHODS: In this cross-sectional prospective study, all patients with symptoms of acute stroke presenting to the ED of educational hospitals were enrolled. All patients were assessed and examined by the emergency medicine (EM) residents on shift and a questionnaire was filled out for them. The amount of time that passed from the first triage to performing the required interventions and delivering health services were recorded by the triage nurse. ED crowding was measured by the occupancy rate. Then, the correlation between all of the variables and ED crowding level were calculated. RESULTS: The average daily bed occupancy rate was 184.9 ± 54.3%. The median time passed from the first triage to performing the interventions were as follows: the first EM resident visit after 34 min, the first neurologic visit after 138 min, head CT after 134 min, ECG after 104 min and ASA administration after 210 min. There was no statistically significant relationship between the ED occupancy rate and the time elapsed before different required health services in the management of stroke patients either throughout an entire day or during each 8-hour interval (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the current study, the ED occupancy rate was not significantly correlated with the time frame associated with management of admitted acute stroke patients.

Validity of ultrasound in diagnosis of tendon injuries in penetrating extremity trauma.

BACKGROUND: Tendon ruptures are common musculoskeletal injuries all around the world. Correct and timely diagnosis of tendon injuries is obviously important for improving the treatment and minimizing the community costs. Ultrasound is now being considered as one of useful modalities in this area. OBJECTIVE: The preset study is going to validate the diagnostic ability of ultrasound in tendon injuries induced by penetrating extremity trauma. METHODS: In this prospective, observational study, patients with penetrating extremity trauma and suspicion of tendon injuries were enrolled in our study. A team of emergency medicine (EM) residents performed ultrasound examination in these cases after attending the specific workshop and acquiring necessary skills in normal and abnormal tendon ultrasound examination. Then another team of either EM or orthopedic residents explored patients' wounds and determined intact or injured tendons under direct visual observation. The results were analyzed to validate sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound as an alternative diagnostic test. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were enrolled in our study and 11 patients were excluded during one year in 2014. Sixty patients, 11 with lower extremity and 49 with upper limb injuries were evaluated, among them 32 patients had extensor zone and 28 patients had flexure zone injuries. The overall sensitivity and specificity were calculated 94.4% (95% CI 72.7-99.8%) and 100% (95% 91.5-100.0%) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results were similar to previous findings. Ultrasound can effectively differentiate injured from intact tendons in penetrating extremity trauma.

Two Different Endotracheal Tube Securing Techniques: Fixing Bandage vs. Adhesive Tape.

INTRODUCTION: Emergency physicians should secure Endotracheal tubes (ETT) properly in order to prevent unplanned extubation (UE) and its complications. Despite various available endotracheal tube holders, using bandages or tape are still the most common methods used in this regards. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare adhesive tape (AT) versus fixing bandage (FB) method in terms of properly securing ETT. METHODS: This was an observational longitudinal trial. All patients older than 15-years-old admitted to the ED who had indication for ETT insertion were eligible. Patients were randomly assigned to one of the two groups in which AT or FB was applied. All patients were observed thoroughly in the first 24 hours after intubation. Using a pre-prepared checklist, encountered UE rate and other data were recorded. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients with the mean age of 55.98 18.39 years were finally evaluated of which 38 cases (52.8%) were male. In total, 12% of patients in our study experienced unplanned extubation. Less than 12% of the patients experienced complete UE; there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.24). Comparison of UE with age showed no significant difference (p = 0.89). Male patients experienced more UE, but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.44). CONCLUSION: It is likely that whether the AT method or FB was applied for securing the ETT in emergency departments, there was no significant difference in rates of unplanned extubation.

Accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound using low frequency curvilinear transducer in the diagnosis of shoulder dislocation and confirmation of appropriate reduction.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound (US) is an effective modality in the evaluation of shoulder dislocation and reduction. In most studies, high frequency US probes have been used. OBJECTIVE: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of low frequency US in the diagnosis of shoulder dislocation and its proper reduction in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: In a prospective observational study 84 patients, suspicious of shoulder dislocation, were enrolled in our study. In ED, they all underwent low frequency (curve) probe US examination by the emergency physician at the time of admission. Standard radiographies of their shoulder joints were taken later and then reported by the attending radiologist. As soon as the shoulder dislocation was confirmed, reduction of the joint was done under procedural sedation and analgesia. US and radiography of the relocated joint were taken for the second time. The sensitivity and specificity of low frequency US were compared with radiography by the appropriate statistical analysis. RESULTS: In comparison to radiography, US had a sensitivity of 100.0%, specificity of 80.0%, positive predictive value of 98.7%, and negative predictive value of 100.0% in diagnosis of shoulder dislocation. The specificity of US in diagnosis of proper reduction of the joint, was estimated to be 98.7% with a negative predictive value of 100.0%. US took a significantly less time than radiography to be performed (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Low frequency US is highly accurate in diagnosing shoulder dislocation and its proper reduction. Thus it might be a good substitute for radiography in these situations.

Comparison of intranasal ketamine versus IV morphine in reducing pain in patients with renal colic.

BACKGROUND: Various drugs have been used to relieve abdominal pain in patients with renal colic. Ketamine is a popular choice as an analgesic. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of intranasal (IN) ketamine versus intravenous (IV) morphine in reducing pain in patients with renal colic. METHODS: A randomized double-blind controlled trial was performed in 53 patients with renal colic recruited from the emergency department (ED) in 2015. Finally, 40 patients were enrolled in this study. Patients in the ketamine group received IN ketamine 1 mg/kg and IV placebo while patients in the control group received IV morphine 0.1mg/kg and IN placebo. Our goal was to assess visual analogue scale (VAS) changes between the 2 groups. Patients' VAS scores were reported before and 5, 15, 30min after drug injection. RESULTS: Before drug administration, the mean±SD VAS score was 7.40±1.18 in the morphine group (group A) and 8.35±1.30 in the ketamine group (group B) (P-value=0.021). After adjustment by the appropriate analysis, the mean±SD VAS score in group (A) and (B) at 5min were (6.07±0.47 vs 6.87±0.47; mean difference -0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.48 to -1.04) (P-value=0.025), at 15 and 30min, the mean±SD VAS score in group (A) and (B) were (5.24±0.49 vs 5.60±0.49; mean difference -0.36, 95% CI -1.08 to 0.34) and (4.02±0.59 vs 4.17±0.59; mean difference -0.15, 95% CI -1.02 to 0.71) (P-value=0.304 and 0.719) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: IN ketamine may be effective in decreasing pain in renal colic.

Inter-rater agreement between trained emergency medicine residents and radiologists in the examination of gallbladder and common bile duct by ultrasonography.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Bedside emergency ultrasonograAmerican Society of Emergency Radiologyphy is a rapid diagnostic tool in the emergency department (ED). Nevertheless, the learning curve for ultrasound (US) training in various indications has to date not been clearly defined. The aim of the present study was to assess how much a short specialized training program in hepatobiliary US might impact the skills of novice emergency medicine residents. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study conducted at a university-affiliated ED from May 2014 to January 2015. Adult patients who had right upper quadrant (RUQ) abdominal pain were included. Prior to enrolling patients, seven residents voluntarily passed a 10-h hepatobiliary US training course; they also carried out 20 hands-on US examinations. To compare the results, three board-certified radiologists performed another US examination blindly. The degree of agreement between the two groups was calculated. RESULTS: A total of 200 individuals enrolled, among whom 106 (53%) were males and 53 (47%) were females. Mean ± SD age was 50.21 ± 22.06 years. There was a moderate to perfect level of agreement between emergency medicine residents and radiologists in terms of the presence of a gallstone (Cohen's kappa = 0.85), sonographic Murphy sign (Cohen's kappa = 0.95), gallbladder wall thickening (Cohen kappa = 0.75), and common bile duct (CBD) dilation (Cohen's kappa = 0.79). CONCLUSION: Novice emergency medicine residents attained a moderate to perfect degree of agreement with expert radiologists in detecting gallstone presence, thick gallbladder wall, sonographic Murphy sign, and CBD dilation in standard patients, after participating in a specific US course.

Comparison of endotracheal intubation, combitube, and laryngeal mask airway between inexperienced and experienced emergency medical staff: A manikin study.

BACKGROUND: Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel manage the airway, but only a group of them are allowed to engage in Endotracheal Intubation (ETI). Our purpose was to evaluate if the use of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) or Combitube can be used by inexperienced care providers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized, prospective manikin study was conducted. Fifty-nine participants were randomly assigned into two groups. Experienced group included 16 paramedics, eight anesthetic-technicians, and inexperienced group included 27 Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) and eight nurses. Our main outcomes were success rate and time to airway after only one attempt. RESULTS: Airway success was 73% for ETI, 98.3% for LMA, and 100% for Combitube. LMA and Combitube were faster and had greater success than ETI (P = 0.0001). Inexperienced had no differences in time to securing LMA compared with experienced (6.05 vs. 5.4 seconds, respectively, P = 0.26). One failure in inexperienced, and no failure in experienced group occurred to secure the LMA (P = 0.59). The median time to Combitube placement in experienced and inexperienced was 5.05 vs. 5.00 seconds, P = 0.65, respectively. Inexperienced and experienced groups performed ETI in 19.15 and 17 seconds, respectively (P = 0.001). After the trial, 78% preferred Combitube, 15.3% LMA, and 6.8% ETI as the device of choice in prehospital setting. CONCLUSION: Time to airway was decreased and success rate increased significantly with the use of LMA and combitube compared with ETI, regardless of the experience level. This study suggests that both Combitube and LMA may be acceptable choices for management of airway in the prehospital setting for experienced and especially inexperienced EMS personnel.