An investigation of the emergency medicine journals published in Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: There are many academic journals in Turkey and the world. Medical journals have a significant place among those publications. The aim of this study is to examine qualitatively and categorize the scientific studies of the two journals in Turkey. It also aims to contribute the related literature in the area. MATERIAL-METHOD: Academic journals of medical emergencies published in Turkey between January 1, 2003 and December 20, 2014 were investigated in detail. All the works in journals were categorized briefly as research articles, case presentations, review articles, and other works. Moreover, research articles were investigated as observational and experimental, and discussed according to the including topics. RESULTS: 943 scientific works in 86 issues were fully investigated. The total number was found to be 472 for research articles (50.1%), 242 for case presentations (25.7%), 108 for review articles (11.5%), and finally it was 12.8% for other works. Research articles included 450 observational (95.3%) and 22 experimental studies (4.7%). The key topics covered in research articles were the management and training of medical emergencies, trauma 96 (20.3%), toxicology 50 (10.6%), and gastrointestinal tract 36 (7.6%). CONCLUSION: Despite its relatively short history, medical emergencies have improved progressively in Turkey. The number of domestic research articles has demonstrated an increase over the years. However, extra efforts are needed in order to improve the quality of articles. The most common contents encountered in research articles were the management and training of medical emergencies, trauma and toxicology.

Factors Affecting the Length of Stay of Patients in Emergency Department Observation Units at Teaching and Research Hospitals in Turkey.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the reasons for long stays in monitoring units and to propose a solution. METHODS: The patients who were followed in monitoring units of emergency service and the factors affecting the length of their hospital stay were analyzed retrospectively. Demographic features, their initial complaint that lead to monitoring, diagnosis, their means of arrival to emergency service, their admittance date and hour, medical history, basic vital signs, length of stay in emergency service, invasive interventions, intubation, mortality rates, consultations, and clinical results were evaluated. RESULTS: The study included 603 patients. Average emergency service stay in monitoring unit was found to be 6.5 hours. In addition, 15 patients (2.5%) stayed 24 hours or longer, and 78 patients (12.9%) stayed 12 to 24 hours. Of the 15 patients who stayed in emergency service for 24 hours or more, 8 (53.3%) stayed because there wasn't enough space in intensive care units. The most prevalent complaint for admission to the emergency service was chest pain (25.5%), followed by dyspnea (21.9%) and tachycardia (11.6%). CONCLUSIONS: For real emergency conditions, monitoring units are necessary to follow patients closely and to perform immediate interventions. The fullness of the intensive care units primarily affects the emergency service and leads to long stays in emergency service as patients are waiting to be admitted to the intensive care unit. As the number of consultations increases, the monitoring period is prolonged.

The Value of Ultrasonography, Leukocyte Count and Clinical Results in Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis and the Duration of Stay of the Patients in Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to compare the clinical data of patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis in our center with the literature. METHODS: The patients who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis between 01.10.2010 and 01.10.2011 in Emergency Department of Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital were included in this study. Patient demographics, dates and times of emergency department application, dates and times of hospitalization in the general surgery ward, duration of stay in the emergency department, leukocyte count and its relationship with age, the perforation rate, the relationship of perforation with age and leukocyte count, and the final diagnosis and ultrasound findings were assessed in this study. RESULTS: A total of 482 patients who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis [300 (62.2%) male, mean age 30.7±12.03; 182 (37.8%) female, mean age 31.17±13.22)] were enrolled. The duration of stay in the emergency department was between 0-6 and 6-12 hours in 320 (66.4%) and 143 (29.7%) patients, respectively. The ultrasonography findings were consistent with acute appendicitis in 366 (75.9%) patients, and the mean leukocyte count of these patients was 13.141/mm(3). 46 (9.5%) of the patients were diagnosed with perforated appendicitis. The ultrasonography findings were not consistent with acute appendicitis in 36 (7.5%) patients and the leukocyte counts were less than 11.000/mm(3) in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: According to the present study results, acute appendicitis is commonly seen among the young adult male population. The coherence of ultrasonography findings with the diagnosis and its association with leukocytosis is significant and supportive. Additionally, the ultrasonography findings, leukocytosis, medical history and physical examination are important and essential factors for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. A large number of patients with acute appendicitis were followed-up between 0-6 hours in the emergency department.