The effectiveness of parenteral agents for pain reduction in patients with migraine presenting to emergency settings: A systematic review and network analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the comparative effectiveness and safety of parenteral agents for pain reduction in patients with acute migraine. BACKGROUND: Parenteral agents have been shown to be effective in treating acute migraine pain; however, the comparative effectiveness of different approaches is unclear. METHODS: Nine electronic databases and gray literature sources were searched to identify randomized clinical trials assessing parenteral agents to treat acute migraine pain in emergency settings. Two independent reviewers completed study screening, data extraction, and Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment, with differences being resolved by adjudication. The protocol of the review was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42018100096). RESULTS: A total of 97 unique studies were included, with most studies reporting a high or unclear risk of bias. Monotherapy, as well as combination therapy, successfully reduced pain scores prior to discharge. They also increased the proportion of patients reporting pain relief and being pain free. Across the pain outcomes assessed, combination therapy was one of the higher ranked approaches and provided robust improvements in pain outcomes, including lowering pain scores (mean difference -3.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] -4.64 to -2.08) and increasing the proportion of patients reporting pain relief (risk ratio [RR] 2.83, 95% CI 1.74-4.61). Neuroleptics and metoclopramide also ranked high in terms of the proportion of patients reporting pain relief (neuroleptics RR 2.76, 95% CI 2.12-3.60; metoclopramide RR 2.58, 95% CI 1.90-3.49) and being pain free before emergency department discharge (neuroleptics RR 4.8, 95% CI 3.61-6.49; metoclopramide RR 4.1, 95% CI 3.02-5.44). Most parenteral agents were associated with increased adverse events, particularly combination therapy and neuroleptics. CONCLUSIONS: Various parenteral agents were found to provide effective pain relief. Considering the consistent improvements across various outcomes, combination therapy, as well as monotherapy of either metoclopramide or neuroleptics are recommended as first-line options for managing acute migraine pain. There are risks of adverse events, especially akathisia, following treatment with these agents. We recommend that a shared decision-making model be considered to effectively identify the best treatment option based on the patient's needs.

Race/ethnicity and socioeconomic position in emergency department utilization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: Evaluate the association of race/ethnicity and socioeconomic position (SEP) on emergency department (ED) visits for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which may reflect access to and quality of cancer care. Materials & methods: Patients with HCC identified from a commercial multi-payer claims database between 2015 and 2018 were matched to near-neighborhood social determinants of health (SDOH) and stratified by race/ethnicity and SEP (proxied by annual household income). Analyses evaluated the effect of race/ethnicity and SEP on ED utilization, adjusting for SDOH, demographic and clinical characteristics using multivariable regression methods. Results: A total of 22,247 patients were included. Black and Hispanic patients had 43 and 18% higher ED utilization than White patients at higher-income levels (p < 0.01); these differences were nonsignificant at lower-income. Regardless of income level, Asian patients had lower ED utilization. Conclusion: Further research on the intersectionality between race/ethnicity, SEP and other SDOH may guide structural-level interventions to address health inequities.

Health disparities among racial/ethnic minorities have been observed in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We conducted a real-world retrospective insurance claims study of more than 22,200 adult patients with HCC between 2015 and 2018. We evaluated the association of race/ethnicity and socioeconomic position (measured by income level) with emergency department (ED) utilization. Our study consisted of 69% White, 14% Black, 7% Hispanic, 6% Asian and 4% other patient populations. Black and Hispanic patients had the highest number of ED visits, followed by White and Asian patients. Compared with White patients, ED visits were 27% higher for Black, 17% higher for Hispanic and 36% lower for Asian patients. Compared with low income, middle income was associated with 4% more and high income with 6% less ED use, regardless of race/ethnicity. At higher income levels, Black and Hispanic but not Asian patients demonstrated higher ED use than White patients. These findings suggest that improved socioeconomic position of Black and Hispanic patients may not provide as protective an effect on health outcomes, potentially due to structural health inequities.

Spanish experts consensus on emergency psychiatric care in hospital emergency departments.

BACKGROUND: The demand for urgent psychiatric care is increasing, but in Spain there are no clear recommendations for emergency departments (ED) on how to optimize care for patients with psychiatric emergencies. We aimed to provide expert consensus recommendations on the requirements for general hospitals´ emergency departments to treat patients with urgent psychiatric symptoms. METHODS: We used a modified Delphi technique. A scientific committee compiled 36 statements based on literature search and clinical experience. The statements covered the organizational model, facilities, staffing, safety, patient interventions, and staff training. A panel of 38 psychiatry specialists with expertise in psychiatric emergencies evaluated the questionnaire in two rounds. RESULTS: After two rounds of voting, 30 out of 36 proposed items (83%) were agreed upon. The panel agreed that psychiatric emergencies should be managed in a general hospital, with dedicated facilities for patient assessment, direct supervision of patients at risk, and an observation unit run by the psychiatric service. In addition to the psychiatrist, the ED should have specialist nurses and security staff available 24/7. Social workers should also be readily available. ED and consulting rooms should be designed to ensure patient and staff safety. A triage system should be established for patients with psychiatric symptoms, with medical evaluation preceding psychiatric evaluation. Guidance on supplies, equipment, and staff training is also provided. CONCLUSION: All ED in general hospitals should have adequate resources to handle any psychiatric emergency. This paper provides recommendations on the minimum requirements to achieve this goal.

Developing a clinical decision support system software prototype that assists in the management of patients with self-harm in the emergency department: protocol of the PERMANENS project.

BACKGROUND: Self-harm presents a significant public health challenge. Emergency departments (EDs) are crucial healthcare settings in managing self-harm, but clinician uncertainty in risk assessment may contribute to ineffective care. Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSSs) show promise in enhancing care processes, but their effective implementation in self-harm management remains unexplored. METHODS: PERMANENS comprises a combination of methodologies and study designs aimed at developing a CDSS prototype that assists clinicians in the personalized assessment and management of ED patients presenting with self-harm. Ensemble prediction models will be constructed by applying machine learning techniques on electronic registry data from four sites, i.e., Catalonia (Spain), Ireland, Norway, and Sweden. These models will predict key adverse outcomes including self-harm repetition, suicide, premature death, and lack of post-discharge care. Available registry data include routinely collected electronic health record data, mortality data, and administrative data, and will be harmonized using the OMOP Common Data Model, ensuring consistency in terminologies, vocabularies and coding schemes. A clinical knowledge base of effective suicide prevention interventions will be developed rooted in a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines, including quality assessment of guidelines using the AGREE II tool. The CDSS software prototype will include a backend that integrates the prediction models and the clinical knowledge base to enable accurate patient risk stratification and subsequent intervention allocation. The CDSS frontend will enable personalized risk assessment and will provide tailored treatment plans, following a tiered evidence-based approach. Implementation research will ensure the CDSS' practical functionality and feasibility, and will include periodic meetings with user-advisory groups, mixed-methods research to identify currently unmet needs in self-harm risk assessment, and small-scale usability testing of the CDSS prototype software. DISCUSSION: Through the development of the proposed CDSS software prototype, PERMANENS aims to standardize care, enhance clinician confidence, improve patient satisfaction, and increase treatment compliance. The routine integration of CDSS for self-harm risk assessment within healthcare systems holds significant potential in effectively reducing suicide mortality rates by facilitating personalized and timely delivery of effective interventions on a large scale for individuals at risk of suicide.

Prevalence and burden of difficult-to-treat and severe asthma in Australia: A national population survey.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Most evidence about difficult-to-treat and severe asthma (DTTA) comes from clinical trials and registries. We aimed to identify people with DTTA from a large nationally representative asthma population and describe their characteristics and healthcare utilization compared with people whose asthma was not 'difficult-to-treat'. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of Australians aged ≥18 years with current asthma from large web-based survey panels. Enrolment was stratified by gender, age-group and state/territory based on national population data for people with asthma. Difficult-to-treat or severe asthma was defined by poor symptom control, exacerbations and/or oral corticosteroid/biologic use despite medium/high-dose inhaled therapy. Outcomes included exacerbations, healthcare utilization, multimorbidity, quality of life and coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19)-related behaviour. Weighted data were analysed using SAS version 9.4. RESULTS: The survey was conducted in February-March 2021. The weighted sample comprised 6048 adults with current asthma (average age 47.3 ± SD 18.1 years, 59.9% female), with 1313 (21.7%) satisfying ≥1 DTTA criteria. Of these, 50.4% had very poorly controlled symptoms (Asthma Control Test ≤15), 36.2% were current smokers, and 85.4% had ≥1 additional chronic condition, most commonly anxiety/depression. More than twice as many participants with DTTA versus non-DTTA had ≥1 urgent general practitioner (GP) visit (61.4% vs. 27.5%, OR 4.8 [4.2-5.5, p < 0.0001]), or ≥1 emergency room visit (41.9% vs. 17.9%, OR 3.8 [3.3-4.4, p < 0.0001]) in the previous 12 months. CONCLUSION: Our findings emphasize the burden of uncontrolled symptoms, current smoking, multimorbidity and healthcare utilization in people with DTTA in the community, who may be under-represented in registries or clinical trials.

Use of Esmarch bandage does not increase peripheral vein size in healthy volunteers: A randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Ultrasound is used for peripheral intravenous (PIV) cannulation in patients with difficult landmark-guided IV access in the Emergency Department. Distal-to-proximal application of an Esmarch bandage on the target limb has been suggested as a method for increasing vein size and ease of cannulation. METHODS: This study was a single-blinded crossover randomized controlled trial comparing basilic vein size under ultrasound with use of an Esmarch bandage in addition to standard IV tourniquet ("tourniquet + Esmarch") compared to use of a standard IV tourniquet alone. Participant discomfort with the tourniquet + Esmarch was also compared to that with standard IV tourniquet alone. RESULTS: Twenty-two healthy volunteers were used to measure basilic vein size with and without the Esmarch bandage. There was no difference in basilic vein size between the two groups, with a mean diameter of 6.0 ± 1.5 mm in the tourniquet + Esmarch group and 6.0 ± 1.4 mm in the control group, p = 0.89. Discomfort score (from 0 to 10) was different between the groups, with a mean discomfort score of 2.1 in the tourniquet + Esmarch group and 1.1 in the standard IV tourniquet alone group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the use of an Esmarch bandage does not increase basilic vein size in healthy volunteers but is associated with a mild increase in discomfort.

Characteristics of blunt and penetrating trauma among victims of physical violence: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: A significant number of referrals to the emergency departments is due to violence and conflict leading to serious injuries and death. The increasing number of such cases highlights the urgent need for investigating victimization of physical violence. AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of demographic and clinical characteristics in victims of violence and classify them based on penetrating or blunt trauma. METHODS: The data of the patients who had been the victims of violence in 2020 were extracted from the Trauma Registry System(TRS) of the Guilan Road Trauma Research Center(GTRC). All analyses were performed using SPSS software version 24. The significance level was considered less than 0.05. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the type of violence-related trauma in different age groups (P < 0.001), based on sex (P = 0.002), and marital status (P = 0.012). A significant difference also existed between the trauma type and clinical variables including smoking (P = 0.032), history of alcohol drinking (P = 0.005), and other substance use (P = 0.002), the anatomical location of injury (P < 0.001) and therapeutic interventions (p < 0.001(. CONCLUSION: Most of the clients of the violence suffered from blunt trauma, the severity of which was mild, and they were treated supportively without the need for surgery. Blunt trauma was seen more in women, divorcees, over 40 years and non-smokers. Penetrating trauma was observed more in lower limb injuries and alcohol and amphetamine users. Prevention programs and educational interventions should be programmed for the society long before men alcohol and amphetamine abusers reach their fourth decade of life. Accurately recording the type of physical violence, and the weapon used, and determining the injury severity score in TRS can lead to more reliable results in researching the field of violence issues.

The effectiveness of brief non-pharmacological interventions in emergency departments and psychiatric inpatient units for people in crisis: A systematic review and narrative synthesis.

OBJECTIVE: Heterogeneous brief non-pharmacological interventions and guidelines exist to treat the burgeoning presentations to both emergency department and inpatient settings, for those in a crisis of mental ill-health. We systematically reviewed the literature to create a taxonomy of these brief non-pharmacological interventions, and review their evaluation methods and effectiveness. METHOD: We conducted a systematic review across Cochrane, CINAHL, DARE, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO databases. Studies meeting quality criteria, using Joanna Briggs Institute tools, were eligible. Interventions were categorised, and outcomes synthesised. RESULTS: Thirty-nine studies were included: 8 randomised controlled trials, 17 quasi-experimental, 11 qualitative studies, and 3 file audits. Taxonomy produced six coherent intervention types: Skills-focussed, Environment-focussed, Special Observation, Psychoeducation, Multicomponent Group and Multicomponent Individual. Despite this, a broad and inconsistent range of outcome measures reflected different outcome priorities and prevented systematic comparison of different types of intervention or meta-analysis. Few brief non-pharmacological interventions had consistent evidential support: sensory modulation rooms consistently improved distress in inpatient settings. Short admissions may reduce suicide attempts and readmission, if accompanied by psychotherapy. Suicide-specific interventions in emergency departments may improve depressive symptoms, but not suicide attempt rates. There was evidence that brief non-pharmacological interventions did not reduce incidence of self-harm on inpatient wards. We found no evidence for frequently used interventions such as no-suicide contracting, special observation or inpatient self-harm interventions. CONCLUSION: Categorising brief non-pharmacological interventions is feasible, but an evidence base for many is severely limited if not missing. Even when there is evidence, the inconsistency in outcomes often precludes clinicians from making inferences, although some interventions show promise.

Price for waiting: the adverse outcomes of boarding critically ill elderly medical patients in the emergency department.

PURPOSE: Boarding, the period in which a patient spends in the emergency department (ED) before admission, may be hazardous to critically ill patients, particularly the elderly. This study investigated the associations of boarding with hospital course, prognosis, and medical expenditure in older patients. METHODS: From January 2019 to December 2021, the medical records of older patients (age ≥ 65) visiting the ED of a tertiary referral hospital who were admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) were retrospectively reviewed. Eligible patients were categorized into two groups according to boarding time with a cutoff set at 6 h. Primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, ICU/hospital length of stay, and total/average hospitalization cost. Subgroup analyses considered age and disease type. RESULTS: Among 1318 ICU admissions from the ED, 36% were subjected to boarding for over 6 h. Prolonged boarding had a longer ICU (8.9 ± 8.8 vs. 11.2 ± 12.2 days, P < .001) and hospital (17.8 ± 20.1 vs. 22.8 ± 23.0 days, P < .001) stay, higher treatment cost (10.4 ± 13.9 vs. 13.2 ± 16.5 thousands of USD, P = .001), and hospital mortality (19% vs. 25% P = .020). Multivariate regression analysis showed a longer ICU stay in patients aged 65-79 (8.3 ± 8.4 vs. 11.8 ± 14.2 days, P < .001) and cardiology patients (6.9 ± 8.4 vs. 8.8 ± 9.7 days, P = .001). Besides, the treatment cost was also higher for both groups (10.4 ± 14.6 vs. 13.7 ± 17.7 thousands of USD, P = .004 and 8.4 ± 14.0 vs. 11.7 ± 16.6 thousands of USD, P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Extended ED boarding for critically ill medical patients over 65 years old was associated with negative outcomes, including longer ICU/hospital stays, higher treatment costs, and hospital mortality.

Medication reviews by emergency department pharmacists in patients hospitalised for an adverse drug event: a cost study.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a cost study of pharmacist-led medication reviews in patients with an acute hospitalization for adverse drug events. METHOD: Emergency department pharmacists performed medication reviews in patients hospitalized after visiting the emergency department for an adverse drug event (ADE). Control patients were hospitalized after an emergency department visit not related to an ADE and received usual care. The costs of the intervention were labour costs of the junior emergency department pharmacist and the cost savings consisted of costs of medication that was stopped or reduced during six months after the intervention. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate different scenarios. RESULTS: In the intervention group (n = 104) 113 medication changes led to stopping or reducing medication, accounting for averted costs of €22,850. In the control group (n = 112) 39 medication changes led to stopping or reducing medication, accounting for averted costs of €299. The mean labour costs of the intervention were €138 per patient, resulting in saved costs of €61 per patient per six months. Sensitivity analyses showed that if the intervention would be performed by a senior clinical pharmacist, there are no cost savings (€-21), if parts of the intervention would be executed by pharmacy technicians (e.g. administrative tasks), cost savings would be augmented to €87, if outliers in costs associated with medication reduction would be excluded, there are no cost savings (€-35) and if the costs of reduced medication were extrapolated to one year, cost savings would be €260. CONCLUSION: In this study, medication reviews by junior emergency department pharmacists in patients hospitalized after an emergency department visit for an ADE lead to a cost reduction over a six month period. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The main study is registered on the ISRCTN registry with trial ID ISRCTN12506329 on 06-03-2022.

Healthcare provider perspectives on emergency department-initiated buprenorphine/naloxone: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Take-home buprenorphine/naloxone is an effective method of initiating opioid agonist therapy in the Emergency Department (ED) that requires ED healthcare worker buy-in for large-scale implementation. We aimed to investigate healthcare workers perceptions of ED take-home buprenorphine/naloxone, as well as barriers and facilitators from an ED healthcare worker perspective. METHODS: In the context of a take-home buprenorphine/naloxone feasibility study at a tertiary care teaching hospital we conducted a descriptive qualitative study. We conducted one-on-one in person or telephone interviews and focus groups with ED healthcare workers who cared for patients given take-home buprenorphine/naloxone in the feasibility study at Vancouver General Hospital from July 2019 to March 2020. We conducted 37 healthcare worker interviews from December 2019 to July 2020. We audio recorded interviews and focus groups and transcribed them verbatim. We completed interviews until we reached thematic saturation. DATA ANALYSIS: We inductively coded a sample of transcripts to generate a provisional coding structure and to identify emerging themes, which were reviewed by our multidisciplinary team. We then used the final coding structure to analyze the transcripts. We present our findings descriptively. RESULTS: Participants identified a number of context-specific facilitators and barriers to take-home buprenorphine/naloxone provision in the ED. Participants highlighted ED conditions having either facilitative or prohibitive effects: provision of buprenorphine/naloxone was feasible when ED volume was low and space was available but became less so as ED volume increased and space decreased. Similarly, participants noted that patient-related factors could have a facilitative or prohibitive effect, such as willingness to wait (willing to stay in the ED for study-related activities and buprenorphine/naloxone initiation activities), receptiveness to buprenorphine/naloxone, and comprehension of the instructions. As for staff-related factors, time was identified as a consistent barrier. Time included time available and time required to initiate buprenorphine/naloxone (including time building rapport). Healthcare worker familiarity with buprenorphine/naloxone was noted as either a facilitating factor or a barrier, and healthcare workers indicated that ongoing training would have been advantageous. Many healthcare workers identified that the ED is an important first point of contact for the target patient population. CONCLUSION: Integrating a buprenorphine/naloxone program into ED care requires organizational supports (e.g., for managing buprenorphine/naloxone within limitations of ED volume, space, and time), and ongoing education of healthcare workers to minimize identified barriers.

Work-related injuries and illnesses (WRII) presenting to Illinois hospitals, 2017-2021: The importance of emergency department (ED) data.

OBJECTIVES: Research characterizing work-related injuries and illnesses (WRII) has predominantly focused on inpatients and deaths, despite evidence that 4% of WRII are admitted as inpatients and deaths are less than 0.2% of acute WRII. Our aim is to determine the usefulness of incorporating emergency department (ED) hospital data into current occupational health surveillance systems. METHODS: Data on ED and admitted WRII treated in Illinois hospitals from 2017 to 2021 were analyzed. Demographic characteristics, primary diagnosis, procedures undertaken, and unique patient estimates are described. Multivariable logistic regression models were developed to evaluate predictors of treatment in the ED and multivariable median regression models determined associations of total hospital charges. RESULTS: Between 2017 and 2021 there were 488,033 hospital presentations (95.9% nonadmissions) for WRII in Illinois, equating to a crude annual population rate of 1502.1/100,000. Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) were disproportionately treated for illnesses, while Hispanic or Latino workers were disproportionately treated for injuries. African-Americans had the highest rate of ED emergent presentations (incident rate ratio [IRR] = 1.3, ref = NHW) and were less likely to be admitted for emergent presentations (IRR = 0.7, ref = NHW). ED presentations were more likely to be female, present with an injury, and at a rural, versus urban, hospital. Radiological investigations compromised the majority of procedures for nonadmitted patients (n = 403,317), and 94.8% were coded for a body region CONCLUSION: Between 2017 and 2021 in Illinois, there were nearly 500,000 hospital visits charged to workers' compensation totaling over US$ four billion. ED data provide additional insights into work-related chronic conditions, health disparities, and the usage of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for WRII.

The effects of applying artificial intelligence to triage in the emergency department: A systematic review of prospective studies.

INTRODUCTION: Accurate and rapid triage can reduce undertriage and overtriage, which may improve emergency department flow. This study aimed to identify the effects of a prospective study applying artificial intelligence-based triage in the clinical field. DESIGN: Systematic review of prospective studies. METHODS: CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, ProQuest, KISS, and RISS were searched from March 9 to April 18, 2023. All the data were screened independently by three researchers. The review included prospective studies that measured outcomes related to AI-based triage. Three researchers extracted data and independently assessed the study's quality using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) protocol. RESULTS: Of 1633 studies, seven met the inclusion criteria for this review. Most studies applied machine learning to triage, and only one was based on fuzzy logic. All studies, except one, utilized a five-level triage classification system. Regarding model performance, the feed-forward neural network achieved a precision of 33% in the level 1 classification, whereas the fuzzy clip model achieved a specificity and sensitivity of 99%. The accuracy of the model's triage prediction ranged from 80.5% to 99.1%. Other outcomes included time reduction, overtriage and undertriage checks, mistriage factors, and patient care and prognosis outcomes. CONCLUSION: Triage nurses in the emergency department can use artificial intelligence as a supportive means for triage. Ultimately, we hope to be a resource that can reduce undertriage and positively affect patient health. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: We have registered our review in PROSPERO (registration number: CRD 42023415232).

Data-Driven Implementation Strategy to Optimise Clinician Behaviour Change at Scale in Complex Clinical Environments: A Multicentre Emergency Care Study.

AIM: To develop an evidence-driven, behaviour change focused strategy to maximise implementation and uptake of HIRAID (History including Infection risk, Red flags, Assessment, Interventions, Diagnostics, communication and reassessment) in 30 Australian rural, regional and metropolitan emergency departments. DESIGN: An embedded, mixed-methods study. METHODS: This study is the first phase of a step-wedge cluster randomised control trial of HIRAID involving over 1300 emergency nurses. Concurrent quantitative and qualitative data were collected via an electronic survey sent to all nurses to identify preliminary barriers and enablers to HIRAID implementation. The survey was informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework, which is a synthesis of behavioural change theories that applies the science of intervention implementation in health care to effect change. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data with inductive content analysis. Data were then integrated to generate barriers and enablers to HIRAID implementation which were mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework. Corresponding intervention functions and Behaviour Change techniques were selected and an overarching implementation strategy was developed through stakeholder consultation and application of the APEASE criteria (Affordability, Practicability, Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, Acceptability, Side-effects/safety and Equity). RESULTS: Six barriers to HIRAID implementation were identified by 670 respondents (response rate ~58%) representing all 30 sites: (i) lack of knowledge about HIRAID; (ii) high workload, (iii) lack of belief anything would change; (iv) not suitable for workplace; (v), uncertainty about what to do and (vi) lack of support or time for education. The three enablers were as follows: (i) willingness to learn and adopt something new; (ii) recognition of the need for something new and (iii) wanting to do what is best for patient care. The 10 corresponding domains were mapped to seven intervention functions, 21 behaviour change techniques and 45 mechanisms. The major components of the implementation strategy were a scaffolded education programme, clinical support and environmental modifications. CONCLUSIONS: A systematic process guided by the behaviour change wheel resulted in the generation of a multifaceted implementation strategy to implement HIRAID across rural, regional and metropolitan emergency departments. Implementation fidelity, reach and impact now require evaluation. IMPACT: HIRAID emergency nursing assessment framework reduced clinical deterioration relating to emergency care and improved self-confidence and documentation in emergency departments in pilot studies. Successful implementation of any intervention in the emergency department is notoriously difficult due to workload unpredictability, the undifferentiated nature of patients and high staff turnover. Key barriers and enablers were identified, and a successful implementation strategy was developed. This study uses theoretical frameworks to identify barriers and enablers to develop a data-driven, behavioural-focused implementation strategy to optimise the uptake of HIRAID in geographically diverse emergency departments which can be used to inform future implementation efforts involving emergency nurses. REPORTING METHOD: The CROSS reporting method (Supporting Information S3) was used to adhere to EQUATOR guidelines. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No Patient or Public Contribution. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand; Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) number: ACTRN12621001456842, registered 25/10/2021.

Emergency Department Screening and Interventions for Adolescents With Substance Use: A Narrative Review.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent substance use is a growing public health concern, particularly given rising mortality rates from drug overdose deaths. The emergency department (ED) provides a unique opportunity to screen adolescents for substance use and provide brief interventions and linkage to care. OBJECTIVE OF THE REVIEW: This article provides a narrative review of the current evidence for ED screening and brief interventions for adolescents with substance use and identifies important opportunities, challenges, and areas for future research. DISCUSSION: There are several validated substance use screening and assessment tools for use with adolescents that can be implemented into ED screening programs. Brief motivational interviewing interventions may reduce alcohol use, but evidence for reductions of other substances is limited due to insufficient research. Both screening and interventions are feasible and acceptable in the ED setting with the appropriate resources. Increased training and the use of emerging technology can provide emergency physicians with opportunities to incorporate these tools into practice to when treating adolescents. Linkage to outpatient care for adolescents with substance use is understudied. The research on adult patient ED interventions and linkage to care is more robust and can provide insights for future ED studies among adolescents. CONCLUSION: ED-based adolescent substance use screening and interventions are necessary, feasible, and acceptable, but understudied. Future studies, focusing on optimizing ED interventions and linkage to care, are important next steps in determining the best care for adolescents with substance use who present to the ED.

Evaluating emergency service response to COVID-19: A scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: The issue of how emergency services (police, fire, ambulance, local authorities) respond to pandemics has received greater research focus recently in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak, which saw agencies going beyond usual roles to support communities for prolonged periods. A critical appraisal is needed of this published evidence to take stock of what is known about the effectiveness of emergency service response to Covid-19. METHOD: A scoping review of scientific and grey literature identified 17 qualitative (N = 9), quantitative (N = 6), or mixed methods (N = 2) studies from across the UK and internationally that focus on the effectiveness of emergency service response to the Covid-19 outbreak. A narrative review was conducted using an interpretive approach. Papers were read, summarised, and then sorted into inductive themes that addressed some aspect of the review question. Eight critical themes emerged from the narrative review. RESULTS: Across countries, emergency services were required to quickly adapt working practices to reduce spread of infection, support partner agencies facing unprecedented demands, and make effective use of limited resources. Use of technology, access to timely, accurate and relevant information, strong leadership, prior experience, and emergency training were critical to this. However, most research is descriptive rather than evaluative. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, findings highlight the need for further research that examines what mechanisms facilitate and hinder emergency response to pandemics. This scoping review provides a knowledge framework for informing future research that can support emergency services in preparing for events of national and international significance.

Reducing the postpartum length of stay: Implications for emergency department presentations at a tertiary women's hospital.

AIMS: Postpartum length of stay (LOS) in Australian hospitals has reduced over the past three decades. Although a reduction in LOS likely reduces hospital costs in the immediate postpartum period, there is concern that this is increasing the burden on emergency services, domiciliary staff and primary care providers. The aims were to determine whether the recent reduction in LOS at an Australian tertiary obstetric hospital resulted in a change in emergency department (ED) presentations by women in the first six weeks postpartum, and newborns within the first 28 days of life. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional cohort study of all newborns ≤28 days of age and women ≤6 weeks postpartum who presented to the ED during four comparable time periods (2019-2022) at an Australian tertiary obstetric hospital. Logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between neonatal and maternal postpartum ED presentations and year of birth. RESULTS: Reduced postpartum LOS was associated with a significant increase in maternal and neonatal presentations to the ED (odds ratio (OR): 1.15 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-1.23), and OR: 1.11 (95% CI: 1.03-1.19), respectively). For every 100 births, an extra six women and three neonates presented to the ED for postpartum care in 2022 compared with 2019. There was no difference in maternal or neonatal admissions throughout the study periods. CONCLUSION: The increase in maternal and neonatal ED presentations associated with reduced LOS should prompt reassessment of postnatal practice and encourage further research into allocation of in-hospital resources and postpartum education.

Diagnostic accuracy of a prehospital electrocardiogram rule-based algorithm for ST-elevation myocardial infarction: results from a population-wide project.

INTRODUCTION: This study reviewed the diagnostic accuracy of the prehospital electrocardiogram (PHECG) rule-based algorithm for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) universally utilised in Hong Kong. METHODS: This prospective observational study was linked to a population-wide project. We analysed 2210 PHECGs performed on patients who presented to the emergency medical service (EMS) with chest pain from 1 October to 31 December 2021. The diagnostic accuracy of the adopted rulebased algorithm, the Hannover Electrocardiogram System, was evaluated using the adjudicated blinded rating by two investigators as the primary reference standard. Diagnostic accuracy was also evaluated using the attending emergency physician's diagnosis and the diagnosis on hospital discharge as secondary reference standards. RESULTS: The prevalence of STEMI was 5.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]=4.2%-6.1%). Using the adjudicated blinded rating by investigators as the reference standard, the rule-based PHECG algorithm had a sensitivity of 94.6% (95% CI=88.2%-97.8%), specificity of 87.9% (95% CI=86.4%-89.2%), positive predictive value of 29.4% (95% CI=24.8%-34.4%), and negative predictive value of 99.7% (95% CI=99.3%-99.9%) [all P<0.05]. CONCLUSION: The rule-based PHECG algorithm that is widely used in Hong Kong demonstrated high sensitivity and fair specificity for the diagnosis of STEMI.

Overutilization of head computed tomography in cases of mild traumatic brain injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Head computed tomography (CT) is the preferred imaging modality for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The routine use of head CT in low-risk individuals with mild TBI offers no clinical benefit but also causes notable health and financial burden. Despite the availability of related guidelines, studies have reported considerable rate of non-indicated head CT requests. The objectives were to provide an overall estimate for the head CT overutilization rate and to identify the factors contributing to the overuse. A systematic review of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases was conducted up to November 2023, following PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. Two reviewers independently selected eligible articles and extracted data. Quality assessment was performed using a bias risk tool, and a random-effects model was used for data synthesis. Fourteen studies, encompassing 28,612 patients, were included, with 27,809 undergoing head CT scans. Notably, 75% of the included studies exhibited a moderate to high risk of bias. The overutilization rate for pediatric and adult patients was 27% (95% CI: 5-50%) and 32% (95% CI: 21-44%), respectively. An alternative rate, focusing on low-risk pediatric patients, was 54% (95% CI: 20-89%). Overutilization rates showed no significant difference between teaching and non-teaching hospitals. Patients with mTBI from falls or assaults were less likely to receive non-indicated scans. There was no significant association between physician specialty or seniority and overuse, nor between patients' age or sex and the likelihood of receiving a non-indicated scan. Approximately one-third of head CT scans in mTBI cases are avoidable, underscoring the necessity for quality improvement programs to reduce unnecessary imaging and its associated burdens.

A systematic review of reasons and risks for acute service use by older adult residents of long-term care.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To identify the reasons and/or risk factors for hospital admission and/or emergency department attendance for older (≥60 years) residents of long-term care facilities. BACKGROUND: Older adults' use of acute services is associated with significant financial and social costs. A global understanding of the reasons for the use of acute services may allow for early identification and intervention, avoid clinical deterioration, reduce the demand for health services and improve quality of life. DESIGN: Systematic review registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022326964) and reported following PRISMA guidelines. METHODS: The search strategy was developed in consultation with an academic librarian. The strategy used MeSH terms and relevant keywords. Articles published since 2017 in English were eligible for inclusion. CINAHL, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection were searched (11/08/22). Title, abstract, and full texts were screened against the inclusion/exclusion criteria; data extraction was performed two blinded reviewers. Quality of evidence was assessed using the NewCastle Ottawa Scale (NOS). RESULTS: Thirty-nine articles were eligible and included in this review; included research was assessed as high-quality with a low risk of bias. Hospital admission was reported as most likely to occur during the first year of residence in long-term care. Respiratory and cardiovascular diagnoses were frequently associated with acute services use. Frailty, hypotensive medications, falls and inadequate nutrition were associated with unplanned service use. CONCLUSIONS: Modifiable risks have been identified that may act as a trigger for assessment and be amenable to early intervention. Coordinated intervention may have significant individual, social and economic benefits. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This review has identified several modifiable reasons for acute service use by older adults. Early and coordinated intervention may reduce the risk of hospital admission and/or emergency department. REPORTING METHOD: This systematic review was conducted and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.