Emergency Medicine Commons^™

Prehospital Antibiotics Improve Morbidity And Mortality Of Emergency Medical Service Patients With Sepsis, Thomas Martel, Monica N. Melmer, Samuel M. Leaman, Nicole Kassen, Seth Kozlowski, Jonathan Pangia, Scott Gutovitz, Dietrich Jehle

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background: Severe sepsis is a major cause of mortality in patients evaluated in the Emergency Department (ED). Early initiation of antibiotic therapy and IV fluids in the ED is associated with improved outcomes. We investigated whether early administration of antibiotics in the prehospital setting improves outcomes in these patients with sepsis.

Methods: This is a retrospective study comparing outcomes of patients meeting sepsis criteria in the field by EMS, who were treated with IV fluids and antibiotics. Their outcomes were compared with controls where fluids were administered prehospital and antibiotics were initiated in the ED. We compared morbidity and mortality ...

A Fatal Rectus Sheath Hematoma After A Myasthenia Crisis Case Report, Robert G. Michaud, Lesley B. Gordon

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: Rectus sheath hematomas (RSH) generally occur due to damage to the inferior epigastric artery. They are rare causes of abdominal pain or acute blood loss anemia, but are an important diagnostic consideration because they can be cryptic and are potentially fatal.

Clinical Findings: An 85-year-old female who had been admitted to the hospital for 10 days with a myasthenia crisis was found to be abruptly hypotensive with a tender abdominal mass in the left lower quadrant subtly crossing midline. She was on prophylactic anticoagulation during her hospitalization.

Main diagnosis, therapeutics, interventions, and outcomes: The patient was initially stabilized with ...

Pediatric Outpatient Utilization By Differing Medicaid Payment Models In The United States., Therese L Canares, Ari Friedman, Jonathan Rodean, Rebecca R Burns, Deena Berkowitz, Matt Hall, Elizabeth Alpern, Amanda Montalbano

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: In the United States (US), Medicaid capitated managed care costs are controlled by optimizing patients' healthcare utilization. Adults in capitated plans utilize primary care providers (PCP) more than emergency departments (ED), compared to fee-for-service (FFS). Pediatric data are lacking. We aim to determine the association between US capitated and FFS Medicaid payment models and children's outpatient utilization.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort compared outpatient utilization between two payment models of US Medicaid enrollees aged 1-18 years using Truven's 2014 Marketscan Medicaid database. Children enrolled > 11 months were included, and were excluded for eligibility due to disability/complex chronic ...

Emergency Medicine In The Time Of Covid, Martin Huecker, Jacob Shreffler, Adam Ross, Hugh Shoff, Mary Nan S. Mallory, J. Jeremy Thomas

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

The novelty and uncertainty associated with COVID-19 has created challenges for politicians, citizens, and healthcare providers, leaving no one unaffected. As members of the front line of defense, providers in Emergency Departments (EDs) face the momentous challenge of effectively identifying and treating patients with COVID-19, working with experts in Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine, Critical Care, Public Health, and others. We must coordinate these efforts while also protecting staff, implementing strategies to reduce transmission, and managing ED patients with conditions unrelated to COVID-19. Striving to maintain a grasp of the rapidly accumulating publications in medical journals and the media, we provide ...

First Rwanda National Trauma Symposium 2019: Challenges And Priorities., Ashley Rosenberg, Faustin Ntirenganya, Irene Bagahirwa, Gabin Mbanjumucyo, Lambert Rutayisire, Severien Muneza, Innocent Nzeyimana, Eric Benimana, Ernest Nahayo, Busisiwe Bhengu, Assuman Nuhu, Arsene Muhumuza, Costica Uwitonze, Ghislaine Umwali, Menelas Nkeshimana, Jeanne D'Arc Nyinawankusi, Elizabeth Krebs, Jean Marie Uwitonze, Igance Kabagema, Theophile Dushime, Jean Claude Byiringiro, Gilles Ndayisaba, Sudha Jayaraman

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Bedside Point Of Care Ultrasound Diagnosing Bilateral Valve Involvement In Infective Endocarditis, Corey Cole Do, Alfredo Tirado Md, Jonathan Schwadron Do

West Florida Division Virtual Research Day

Endocarditis is a well known complication of intravenous drug abuse which classically affects the tricuspid valve. It is usually diagnosed by formal echocardiogram and positive blood cultures. Vegetations involving both the mitral and tricuspid valves are rare, occurring in less than 5% of all cases of infective endocarditis. 1 Here we report a case of a patient with vegetations on both valves which was discovered by point of care ultrasound.

End The Glow!, Roli Kushwaha Md, Anthony Furiato Do, Justin Mcnamee Do

West Florida Division Virtual Research Day

Aortic dissection (AD) is part of a group of acute aortic syndromes consisting of intramural aortic hematoma, penetrating aortic ulcer, and aortic rupture. On its own, the incidence is ~3 to 8 cases per 100,000 per year, and up to 25% of cases are missed. The in-hospital mortality when treated is 27%, and with a 2% increase in mortality/hour. Imaging modalities like CT angiography, TEE, and MRA have made improved diagnosis of the disease, but are costly, potentially harmful, time consuming, and require patient stability when in use (1). The key question we have as emergency department providers ...

Hepatitis A Vaccination Program In Jefferson Emergency Departments, Katelyn Levy, Md, Belinda Lao, Md, Mitchell Berman, Md, Joseph Jean, Md, Sejal Patel, Pharmd, Benjamin Slovis, Md, Scott Sutherland, Md

House Staff Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Conference (2020-)

Aims for Improvement

Increase the rate of hepatitis A vaccination in high-risk patients (homeless and drug users) who present to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Jefferson Methodist emergency departments over a 5 month period starting on 9/4/2019.

Small Bowel Obstruction: Facilitating Diagnosis And Optimizing Resuscitation And Management, Quinton Campbell, Md, Ryan Bateman, Md, Alex Mercado, Do, James Cirone, Do, Robin Naples, Md

House Staff Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Conference (2020-)

Objective

• Standardize practice patterns and improve consistency in procedure documentation in ED management of Small Bowel Obstruction (SBO)
• Significant practice variability exists among ED providers for SBO management, specifically in regard to utilization of diagnostic imaging as well as rates of NG tube (NGT) placement and subsequent documentation
• Data review performed by our group demonstrated that of all NG tubes placed, only 61% were documented
• Wide range of practice patterns for diagnostic imaging (see graphics in Results)

Obstacles To Nurse-Performed Ultrasound Guided Peripheral Iv Placement, Ali Elsaied, Do, Farhan Khan, Do, Rishi Kalwani, Md, Cara Kanter, Md, Kenn Ghafferian, Do

House Staff Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Conference (2020-)

With an aging population, the rate of obesity, the regional prevalence of dialysis patients and the increase in IV drug abuse, obtaining routine vascular access in the emergency department (ED) has become more challenging. Ultrasound (US) guided IV placement has been pivotal in identifying deeper veins to access. This is traditionally performed by ED physicians, however given the time constraints, lower acuity patients who require US IV access can experience significant delays to care. We attempted to train ED nurses to perform this skill, however many trained nurses are still not attempting US IVs regularly. This study aimed to identify ...

Progression Of Patient Cohorting In Response To Covid-19 At The Jefferson Methodist Emergency Department, Kory S. London, Md, Efrat Kean, Md

House Staff Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Conference (2020-)

COVID-19 is a predominantly respiratory disease and Philadelphia is a city with a myriad of pulmonary comorbidities such as asthma and COPD.

Use of bronchodilator medications through a nebulizer machine is considered an 'Aerosol Generating Procedure' (AGP), and increases risks to staff who and complicates the cleaning and processing of rooms and equipment where AGPs are performed. Additionally, there is a severe limitation in availability of negative pressure rooms, which mitigate these AGPs.

With the COVID pandemic causing supply chain problems across the country, a multidisciplinary approach was required to appropriately ration available inhalers (MDI), the alternatives to nebulized treatments ...

Telemedicine Certified Recovery Specialists For Patients With Opioid Use Disorders In The Emergency Department In Covid-19, Kory S. London, Md

House Staff Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Conference (2020-)

COVID-19 is a staggering tragedy in a number of manners, but the lack of available access points to healthcare services due to federal, state, local and institutional regulations and decisions creates higher levels of patient vulnerability.

Patients with opioid use disorders (OUD) are especially vulnerable given high levels of coexistent housing insecurity, food insecurity and lack of primary care at baseline. These patients frequently utilize the emergency department for both medical and non-medical concerns.

Existing pathways to assist these patients utilize in person certified (peer) recovery specialists (CRS) who are not employed by the enterprise. Given the need to limit ...

Progression Of Patient Cohorting In Response To Covid-19 At The Jefferson Methodist Emergency Department, Kory S. London, Md, Efrat Kean, Md

House Staff Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Conference (2020-)

While COVID-19 and it’s various complications are a source of a substantial number of Emergency Department (ED) visits, many patients still arrive to the ED for non-COVID-19 indications.

Due to pre-existing construction which was halted by the pandemic, external space for a tent configuration was unavailable.

In effort to decrease patient, staff and nurse exposure to COVID, a system of cohorting was created to assure uninterrupted service in a manner as safe as possible for all involved.

Given the uncertainty of patient volumes and the potential for a high burden of disease similar to our colleagues in New York ...

Mitigation Of Ed Patient Boarding: Transferring Admissions From The Center City Ed To Methodist, Quinton Campbell, Md, Lauren Selame, Md, James Cirone, Do, Elizabeth Teixeira, Md, Jennifer White, Md, Frederick Randolph, Md

House Staff Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Conference (2020-)

Objectives:

• Objectively analyze transferred patient transfers cases as far as LOS (length of stay), final diagnosis, and transfer failure.
• Assess patient satisfaction with the transfer process as means to identify areas for improvement as well as potential patient safety issues.

Patient Notification Of Incidental Findings On Emergency Department Imaging, Tareva Warrick-Stone, Do, Kim Groen, Do, Mph, Jake Finkle, Do, Sarah Lurvey, Do, Fred Gmora, Do

House Staff Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Conference (2020-)

Aims for Improvement

Ultimately, the goal of properly handling incidental findings in the ED is to preserve the long-term health of the patient and reduce malpractice risk. The objective of this project is to improve the quality of attending, resident, and APP practice in communicating incidental findings noted on radiology-reviewed imaging (X-ray, US, CT, MRI) in the ED. This will be achieved by establishing a methodological approach to informing patients, accurately documenting, and providing clear discharge instructions for follow-up. This project will not include bedside imaging or wet-read discrepancies and will not include other incidental findings such as lab or ...

Optimizing Evaluation And Treatment Of Patients With Nausea And Vomiting Of Pregnancy In The Emergency Department, Danielle N. Carr, Md, Angela Carracino, Do, Alisha Sangal, Md, Madeline Smith, Md

House Staff Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Conference (2020-)

Problem Definition

• Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP). Approximately 50% prevalence rate
• Pregnant patients with NVP require special considerations for treatment
• Long ER wait times
• Possibly avoidable hospital admissions

Prevalence Of Gastrointestinal Symptoms In Patients With Cannabis Abuse Presenting To The Emergency Room, Hadiatou Barry, Md, Mph, Botros Shenoda, Md, Phd, Msc, Purujit Thaker, Md, Mary Naglak, Phd

House Staff Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Conference (2020-)

Introduction: Cannabis is a common recreational drug among young adults that is used to induce euphoria, promote relaxation and enhance appetite. There is a recognized correlation between cannabis abuse and cyclic episodes of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain (cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome). However, the contribution of such symptoms to emergency room visits and hospital admissions is not known.

Methods: A one-year, retrospective study was conducted on patients who presented to the emergency department and were later admitted at Abington Hospital-Jefferson Health with confirmed cannabis use (positive urine drug screen).

Aim/Goal: Our primary outcome was to understand the prevalence of gastrointestinal ...

Parental Views On Parent-Generated Asthma History In A Pediatric Ed: A Randomized Control Trial, Marc Sycip

Research Days

No abstract provided.

A Protocol Driven Stroke Code's Impact On Door-To-Needle Times, Jesse Osborne

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is most effective the faster it is able to be administered to a patient that has been affected by stroke. A Stroke Code is a strategy that acute care facilities implement to reduce the time from diagnosing a stroke to administering tPA. The purpose of this study was to determine if the initiation of a Stroke Code in an acute care hospital reduces the door-to-needle time for patients affected by a stroke. In particular, does a Stroke Code reduce door-to-needle times. The research was conducted using data from April 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 (pre-Stroke ...

Factors Associated With Urgent Care Reliance And Outpatient Health Care Use Among Children Enrolled In Medicaid., Rebecca R. Burns, Elizabeth R. Alpern, Jonathan Rodean, Therese Canares, Brian R. Lee, Matt Hall, Amanda Montalbano

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Importance: Urgent care (UC) centers are a growing option to address children's acute care needs, which may cause unanticipated changes in health care use.

Objectives: To identify factors associated with high UC reliance among children enrolled in Medicaid and examine the association between UC reliance and outpatient health care use.

Design, Setting, and Participants: A retrospective cohort study used deidentified data on 4 133 238 children from the Marketscan Medicaid multistate claims database to calculate UC reliance and outpatient health care use. Children were younger than 19 years, with 11 months or more of continuous Medicaid enrollment and 1 ...