Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Gary M Vilke

Publications and source records attributed to Gary M Vilke.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Ventilatory and metabolic demands during aggressive physical restraint in healthy adults.

We investigated ventilatory and metabolic demands in healthy adults when placed in the prone maximal restraint position (PMRP), i.e., hogtie restraint. Maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) was measured in seated subjects (n=30), in the PMRP, and when prone with up to 90.1 or 102.3 kg of weight on the back. MVV with the heaviest weight was 70% of the seated MVV (122+/-28 and 156+/-38 L/min, respectively; p<0.001). Also, subjects (n=27) were placed in the PMRP and struggled vigorously for 60 sec. During the restrained struggle, ventilatory function (V(E)/ MVV) was 44% of MVV in the resting PMRP. While prone with up to 90.1 or 102.3 kg on the back, the decrease in MVV was of no clinical importance in these subjects. Also, while maximally struggling in the PMRP, V(E) was still adequate to supply the ventilatory needs.

Adult↗
PubMed2007

Deaths associated with choking in San Diego county.

Death from choking is the fourth most common cause of unintentional-injury mortality, but little data are published on causes or locations of these episodes. These deaths typically are peaked at the extremes of age, with young children and the elderly having the greatest rate of fatal choking. Our objective was to characterize the causes of fatal airway obstruction in adults. The San Diego County Medical Examiner's database was searched for deaths attributed to choking in decedents 18 years and older during the 10-year period from 1994 to 2004. Data were abstracted regarding the underlying medical conditions, items choked on, location of the choking, and treatments involved in the individual cases. We found 133 victims who died from choking, with 14% having using alcohol or other sedatives and 55% having a documented neurological deficit or anatomic difficulty with swallowing. The most common specified food objects that victims choked on were meat products, and 45% occurred at home, followed by 26% at supervised facilities, and 14% at restaurants. Of the 19 choking episodes occurring in restaurants, only one employee was documented to attempt a resuscitative effort. Most victims who choked to death had an underlying neurological deficit, and occurred at home or supervised facilities appear to have an appropriate initial-response intervention.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Impact of the San Diego Serial Inebriate Program on use of emergency medical resources.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: We determine the impact of a treatment strategy called the San Diego Serial Inebriate Program on the use of emergency medical services (EMS) and emergency department (ED) and inpatient services by individuals repeatedly arrested for public intoxication. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of health care utilization records (EMS, ED, and inpatient) of 529 individuals from 2000 to 2003. Judges offered individuals a 6-month outpatient treatment program in lieu of custody (Serial Inebriate Program). Demographics and health care utilization are reported overall and by treatment acceptance. RESULTS: From 2000 to 2003, 308 of 529 (58%) individuals were transported by EMS 2,335 times; 409 of 529 (77%) individuals amassed 3,318 ED visits, and 217 of 529 (41%) individuals required 652 admissions, resulting in 3,361 inpatient days. Health care charges totaled $17.7 million (EMS, $1.3 million; ED, $2.5 million; and inpatient, $13.9 million). Treatment was offered to 268 individuals, and 156 (58%) accepted. Use of EMS, ED, and inpatient services declined by 50% for clients who chose treatment, resulting in an estimated decrease in total monthly average charges of $5,662 (EMS), $12,006 (ED), and $55,684 (inpatient). There was no change in use of services for individuals who refused treatment. There was a significant increasing trend in acceptance among individuals with longer jail sentences (<0.001). Treatment acceptance was 20% among those with sentences of 0 to 30 days and reached 63% for those with sentences longer than 150 days. Operational costs and alternate care at clinics and nonparticipating hospitals were not analyzed. CONCLUSION: This community-supported treatment strategy reduced the use of EMS, ED, and inpatient resources by individuals repeatedly intoxicated in public.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The ability of paramedics to predict aspiration in patients undergoing prehospital rapid sequence intubation.

One of the purported benefits to invasive prehospital airway management is the prevention of aspiration; however, aspiration events may occur before the arrival of prehospital personnel. We explore the timing of aspiration in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) undergoing paramedic rapid sequence intubation (RSI). Severely head-injured (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score 3-8) adults were prospectively enrolled into the San Diego Paramedic RSI Trial. As part of the prehospital data collection tool, paramedics prospectively assessed for clinical evidence of aspiration before RSI (pre-intubation), aspiration events occurring during RSI (peri-RSI), and regurgitation of vomitus or blood after intubation (post-intubation). Data were abstracted from work sheets used during the RSI procedure, a telephone debriefing by one of the principal investigators immediately after delivery of the patient, and San Diego County prehospital and trauma databases. The incidence of pre-intubation aspiration, peri-RSI aspiration, and post-intubation regurgitation of vomitus or blood were determined. Patients with and without pre-intubation aspiration were compared with regard to pre- and post-intubation hypoxia and the rate of aspiration pneumonia. Logistic regression was used to explore the association between pre-intubation aspiration and various demographic and clinical factors. The results showed that pre-intubation aspiration was noted by paramedics in 72/269 patients in whom complete data were available. Peri-RSI aspiration was reported in one patient; there were no reported cases of post-intubation regurgitation of vomitus or blood. Patients in the pre-intubation aspiration group required more intubation attempts, had a higher incidence of desaturations and lower pre- and post-intubation SaO(2) values, and were more frequently diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia. Pre-intubation aspiration was associated with severe TBI, GCS score of 3, younger age, and the absence of alcohol intoxication despite controlling for age, gender, GCS, Head AIS (Abbreviated Injury Score), and serum ethanol. It is concluded that paramedics seem to be able to accurately assess for aspiration in patients undergoing prehospital RSI. The vast majority of aspiration events seem to occur before the arrival of prehospital personnel. Alteration in consciousness from TBI may carry a higher risk of aspiration than with other causes, such as alcohol intoxication.

Abbreviated Injury Scale↗
PubMed2006

Peripheral venous cutdown.

Timely establishment of vascular access is a critical component of the care of the acutely ill or injured patient. Peripheral venous cutdown, once a mainstay in the care of the severely traumatized patient, has progressively lost favor since the introduction of the Seldinger technique of central venous line placement. In fact, recent editions of the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) text refer to saphenous venous cutdown as an optional skill to be taught at the discretion of the instructor. In certain patients, percutaneous vascular access may be impossible to achieve or result in unacceptable time delays. In these situations, the ability to rapidly and proficiently perform peripheral venous cutdown techniques may prove invaluable and potentially lifesaving. This article reviews the anatomy of the most common sites used for peripheral venous cutdown, peripheral venous cutdown techniques, and the complications associated with peripheral venous cutdown.

Catheterization↗
PubMed2006

Traumatic brain injury outcomes in pre- and post- menopausal females versus age-matched males.

Gender differences in outcomes from major trauma have been described previously, and exogenous female hormone administration appears to be neuroprotective following traumatic brain injury (TBI). This analysis explored outcomes in pre- and post-menopausal females versus age-matched males. A total of 13,437 patients (n = 3,178 females, n = 10,259 males) with moderate-to-severe TBI (head AIS > or = 3) were identified from our county trauma registry. Overall mortality was similar between males and females (22% for both). Logistic regression was used to compare gender outcome differences, with a separate analysis performed for premenopausal (< 50 years) versus postmenopausal (> or = 50 years) patients, and after stratification by decade of life. No statistically significant difference in outcomes was observed for pre-menopausal females versus males (odds ratio [OR] 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83, 1.35; p = 0.633), but outcomes were significantly better in postmenopausal females versus males (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.48-0.81, p < 0.001) after adjusting for age, mechanism of injury, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), hypotension (SBP < or = 90 mm Hg), head Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS), and Injury Severity Score (ISS). Stratification by decade of life revealed the gender survival differential inflection point to occur between ages 40-49 (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.66-1.71, p = 0.798) and ages 50-59 (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.20-0.74, p = 0.005). In addition, Revised Trauma Score and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) was used to calculate probability of survival (PS); all patients were then stratified by decade of life, and males and females were compared with regard to mean survival differential (outcome - PS). The identical pattern of improved outcomes in post-menopausal but not pre-menopausal females versus age-matched males was observed. These data suggest that endogenous female sex hormone production is not neuroprotective.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Early ventilation and outcome in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVES: An increase in mortality has been reported with early intubation in severe traumatic brain injury, possibly due to suboptimal ventilation. This analysis explores the impact of early ventilation on outcome in moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. DESIGN: Retrospective, registry-based analysis. SETTING: This study was conducted in a large county trauma system that includes urban, suburban, and rural jurisdictions. PATIENTS: Nonarrest trauma victims with a Head Abbreviated Injury Score of > or =3 were identified from our county trauma registry. INTERVENTIONS: Intubated patients were stratified into 5 mm Hg arrival PCO(2) increments. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios for each increment, adjusting for age, gender, mechanism of injury, year of injury, preadmission Glasgow Coma Scale score, hypotension, Head Abbreviated Injury Score, Injury Severity Score, PO(2), and base deficit. Increments with the highest relative survival were used to define the optimal PCO(2) range. Outcomes for patients with arrival PCO(2) values inside and outside this optimal range were then explored for both intubated and nonintubated patients, adjusting for the same factors as defined previously. In addition, the independent outcome effect of hyperventilation and hypoventilation was assessed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 890 intubated and 2,914 nonintubated patients were included. Improved survival was observed for the arrival PCO(2) range 30-49 mm Hg. Patients with arrival PCO(2) values inside this optimal range had improved survival and a higher incidence of good outcomes. Conversely, there was no improvement in outcomes for patients within this optimal PCO(2) range for nonintubated patients after adjusting for all of the factors defined previously. Both hyperventilation and hypoventilation were associated with worse outcomes in intubated but not nonintubated patients. The proportion of arrival PCO(2) values within the optimal range was lower for intubated vs. nonintubated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Arrival hypercapnia and hypocapnia are common and associated with worse outcomes in intubated but not spontaneously breathing patients with traumatic brain injury.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The predictive value of field versus arrival Glasgow Coma Scale score and TRISS calculations in moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores are widely used to quantify level of consciousness in the prehospital environment. The predictive value of field versus arrival GCS is not well defined but has tremendous implications with regard to triage and therapeutic decisions as well as the use of various predictive scoring systems, such as Trauma Score and Injury Severity Score (TRISS). This study explores the predictive value of field GCS (fGCS) and arrival GCS (aGCS) as well as TRISS calculations using field (fTRISS) and arrival (aTRISS) data in patients with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: Major trauma victims with head Abbreviated Injury Scores of 3 or greater were identified from our county trauma registry over a 16-year period. The predictive ability of fGCS with regard to aGCS was explored using univariate statistics and linear regression modeling. The difference between aGCS and fGCS was also modeled against mortality and the composite endpoint using logistic regression, adjusting for fGCS. The predictive value of preadmission GCS (pGCS), defined as either fGCS or aGCS in nonintubated patients without a documented fGCS, with regard to mortality and a composite endpoint representing the need for neurosurgical care (death, craniotomy, invasive intracranial pressure monitoring, or intensive care unit care >48 hours) was determined using receiver-operator curve (ROC) analysis. Finally, fTRISS and aTRISS predicted survival values were compared with each other and to observed survival. RESULTS: A total of 12,882 patients were included. Mean values for fGCS and aGCS were similar (11.4 and 11.5, respectively, p = 0.336), and a strong correlation (r = 0.67, 95% CI 0.66-0.69, p < 0.0001) was observed between them. The difference between fGCS and aGCS was also predictive of outcome after adjusting for fGCS. Good predictive ability was observed for pGCS with regard to both mortality and neurosurgical intervention. Both fTRISS and aTRISS predicted survival values were nearly identical to observed survival. Observed and fTRISS predicted survival were nearly identical in patients undergoing prehospital intubation CONCLUSIONS: Values for fGCS are highly predictive of aGCS, and both are associated with outcome from TBI. A change in GCS from the field to arrival is highly predictive of outcome. The use of field data for TRISS calculations appears to be a valid methodological approach, even in severely injured TBI patients undergoing prehospital intubation.

Brain Injuries↗
PubMed2005

The inadvertent administration of anticoagulants to ED patients ultimately diagnosed with thoracic aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVES: Aortic dissection (AD) may present similarly to acute coronary syndrome or pulmonary embolus; however, anticoagulation may be detrimental to patients with AD. METHODS: Clinical data were abstracted from medical records of emergency department (ED) patients with nontraumatic AD. Patients administered with anticoagulants were compared with non-anticoagulated patients with regard to presenting symptoms, chest radiograph and electrocardiogram (ECG) findings, and outcome. RESULTS: A total of 44 ED patients with nontraumatic AD was identified over a 4-year period; anticoagulants were administered to 9 (21%). Anticoagulated patients had a higher incidence of chest pain without back pain (78% vs 23%; P = .002) and ST elevations or depressions on ECG (89% vs 6%; P < .001) and were less likely to have a widened mediastinum on chest radiograph (0% vs 67%; P < .001). Two ED anticoagulated patients died, one required a second surgery for bleeding complications, and another suffered a stroke after reversal of anticoagulation. CONCLUSIONS: There is a clinically significant incidence of anticoagulation administration to ED patients ultimately diagnosed with AD, especially in the presence of ambiguous ECG and radiographic findings.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

The impact of aeromedical response to patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Aeromedical crews offer an advanced level of practice and rapid transport to definitive care; however, their efficacy remains unproven. Previous studies have used relatively small sample sizes or have been unable to adequately control for the effect of other potentially influential variables. Here we explore the impact of aeromedical response in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis using our county trauma registry. All patients with head Abbreviated Injury Score of 3 or greater were included; interfacility transfers were excluded. The impact of aeromedical response was determined using logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, mechanism, preadmission Glasgow Coma Scale score, head Abbreviated Injury Score, Injury Severity Score, and the presence of preadmission hypotension. Propensity scores were used to account for variability in selection of patients to undergo air versus ground transport. Patients with moderate and severe traumatic brain injury, as defined by head Abbreviated Injury Score and Glasgow Coma Scale score, were compared. Finally, aeromedical patients undergoing field intubation were compared with ground patients undergoing emergency department (ED) intubation. RESULTS: A total of 10,314 patients meeting all inclusion and exclusion criteria and with complete data sets were identified and included 3,017 transported by aeromedical crews. Overall mortality was 25% in the air- and ground-transported cohorts, but outcomes were significantly better for the aeromedical patients when adjusted for age, sex, mechanism of injury, hypotension, Glasgow Coma Scale score, head Abbreviated Injury Score, and Injury Severity Score (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.90; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.60 to 2.25; P<.0001). Good outcomes (discharge to home, jail, psychiatric facility, rehabilitation, or leaving against medical advice) were also higher in aeromedical patients (adjusted OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.18 to 1.58; P<.0001). The primary benefit appeared to be in more severely injured patients, as reflected by head Abbreviated Injury Score and Glasgow Coma Scale score. Improved survival was also observed for air-transported patients intubated in the field versus ground-transported patients given emergency intubation in the ED (adjusted OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.78; P<.001). CONCLUSION: Here we analyze a large database of patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. Aeromedical response appears to result in improved outcomes after adjustment for multiple influential factors in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. In addition, out-of-hospital intubation among air-transported patients resulted in better outcomes than ED intubation among ground-transported patients. Patients with more severe injuries appeared to derive the greatest benefit from aeromedical transport.

Abbreviated Injury Scale↗
PubMed2005

The association between field Glasgow Coma Scale score and outcome in patients undergoing paramedic rapid sequence intubation.

Early intubation is standard for treating severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Aeromedical crews and select paramedic agencies use rapid sequence intubation (RSI) to facilitate intubation after TBI, with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score commonly used as a screening tool. To explore the association between paramedic GCS and outcome in patients with TBI undergoing prehospital RSI, paramedics prospectively enrolled adult major trauma victims with GCS 3-8 and clinical suspicion for head trauma to undergo succinylcholine-assisted intubation as part of the San Diego Paramedic RSI Trial. The following data were abstracted from paramedic debriefing interviews and the county trauma registry: demographics, mechanism, vital signs including GCS score, clinical evidence of aspiration before RSI, arrival laboratory values, hospital course, and outcome. Paramedic GCS calculations were confirmed during debriefing interviews. Patients were stratified by GCS score, with chi-square and receiver-operator-curve (ROC) analysis used to explore the relationship between GCS and hypoxia, head injury severity, aspiration, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, and outcome. Cohort analysis was used to explore potential reasons for early extubation and discharge from the ICU in some patients. A total of 412 patients were included in this analysis. A total of 81 patients (20%) were extubated and discharged from the ICU in 48 h or less; these patients had higher pre-RSI oxygen saturation (SaO(2)) values and higher arrival serum ethanol levels. Paramedic and physician GCS calculations had high agreement (kappa=0.995). A statistically significant relationship was observed between GCS score and Head Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS), survival, and pre-RSI SaO(2) values. However, ROC analysis revealed a limited ability of GCS to predict the presence of severe TBI, injury severity, desaturation, aspiration, ICU length of stay, or ultimate survival. In conclusion, paramedics seem to accurately calculate GCS values before prehospital RSI. Although a relationship between paramedic GCS and outcome exists, the ability to predict the severity of injury, airway-related complications, ICU length of stay, and overall survival is limited using this single variable. Other factors should be considered to screen TBI patients for prehospital RSI.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The three-phase model of cardiac arrest as applied to ventricular fibrillation in a large, urban emergency medical services system.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac arrest is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality, with consistently poor outcomes despite the rapid availability of prehospital personnel for defibrillation attempts in patients with ventricular fibrillation (VF). Recent evidence suggests a period of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) prior to defibrillation attempts may improve outcomes in patients with moderate time since collapse (4-10 min). OBJECTIVES: To determine cardiac arrest outcomes in our community and explore the relationship between time since collapse, performance of bystander CPR, and survival. METHODS: Non-traumatic cardiac arrest data were collected prospectively over an 18-month period. Patients were excluded for: age <18 years, a "Do Not Attempt Resuscitation" (DNAR) directive, determination of a non-cardiac etiology for arrest, and an initially recorded rhythm other than VF. Patients were stratified by time since collapse (<4, 4-10, > 10 min, and unknown) and compared with regard to survival and neurological outcome. In addition, patients with and without bystander CPR were compared with regard to survival. RESULTS: : A total of 1141 adult non-traumatic cardiac arrest victims were identified over the 18-month study period. This included 272 patients with VF as the initially recorded rhythm. Of these, 185 had a suspected cardiac etiology for the arrest; survival to hospital discharge was 15% in this group, with 82% of these having a good outcome or only moderate disability. Survival was highest among patients with time since collapse of less than 4 min and decreased with increasing time since collapse. There were no survivors among patients with time since collapse greater than 10 min. Among patients with time since collapse of 4 min or longer, survival was significantly higher with the performance of bystander CPR; there was no survival advantage to bystander CPR among patients with time since collapse less than 4 min. CONCLUSIONS: The performance of bystander CPR prior to defibrillation by EMS personnel is associated with improved survival among patients with time since collapse longer than 4 min but not less than 4 min. These data are consistent with the three-phase model of cardiac arrest.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Evaluation of pediatric glucose monitoring and hypoglycemic therapy in the field.

As specific indications for glucose monitoring in pediatric patients are not standardized, we sought to evaluate our EMS system regarding the use of this test, so that objective data can be used for prehospital provider education. We performed a 5-year electronic search of prehospital records to assess pediatric patients who had glucose monitoring performed, with subgroup analysis on those requiring therapy. We found that 6018 pediatric patients received glucose monitoring with the most common chief complaints for testing including: seizure, "other medical," trauma head/neck, and OD/poisoning. Of these, 270 (4.5%) required therapy for hypoglycemia with an additional 100 (1.7%) patients receiving treatment without use of the paramedic's monitor. Age breakdowns for therapy were as follows: 0-4 years, 44 (11.9%); 5-9, 36 (9.7%); 10-14, 58 (15.7%); 15-19, 232 (62.7%). In the prehospital setting, the need to treat hypoglycemia in pediatric patients is infrequent. The chief complaints associated with the highest frequencies of hypoglycemia are seizures and altered neurologic status.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The impact of prehospital endotracheal intubation on outcome in moderate to severe traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Although early intubation to prevent the mortality that accompanies hypoxia is considered the standard of care for severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), the efficacy of this approach remains unproven. METHODS: Patients with moderate to severe TBI (Head/Neck Abbreviated Injury Scale [AIS] score 3+) were identified from our county trauma registry. Logistic regression was used to explore the impact of prehospital intubation on outcome, controlling for age, gender, mechanism, Glasgow Coma Scale score, Head/Neck AIS score, Injury Severity Score, and hypotension. Neural network analysis was performed to identify patients predicted to benefit from prehospital intubation. RESULTS: A total of 13,625 patients from five trauma centers were included; overall mortality was 22.9%, and 19.3% underwent prehospital intubation. Logistic regression revealed an increase in mortality with prehospital intubation (odds ratio, 0.36; 95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.42; p < 0.001). This was true for all patients, for those with severe TBI (Head/Neck AIS score 4+ and/or Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3-8), and with exclusion of patients transported by aeromedical crews. Patients intubated in the field versus the emergency department had worse outcomes. Neural network analysis identified a subgroup of patients with more significant injuries as potentially benefiting from prehospital intubation. CONCLUSION: Prehospital intubation is associated with a decrease in survival among patients with moderate-to-severe TBI. More critically injured patients may benefit from prehospital intubation but may be difficult to identify prospectively.

Abbreviated Injury Scale↗
PubMed2004

Community trial to decrease ambulance diversion hours: the San Diego county patient destination trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Emergency department (ED) ambulance diversion is a major issue in many communities. When patients do not reach requested facilities, challenges in care are compounded by lack of available medical records and delays in transferring admitted patients back to the originally requested facility. We seek to evaluate a community intervention to reduce ambulance diversion. METHODS: This was a community intervention in a county of 2.8 million individuals. Ambulance diversion guidelines were revised for all ambulance agencies and EDs. Participation by EDs was voluntary, and main outcome measures, which included ambulance transports, ambulance diversions, and bypass hours, were compared for the pretrial, trial, and posttrial periods. RESULTS: A total of 235,766 patients were transported to an ED by advanced life support ambulance during the 2-year study period. There was a significant decrease in the number of patients who did not reach the requested facility because of ambulance diversion for the trial period (n=322) and posttrial period (n=449) compared with the pretrial period (n=1,320; -998 diverted patients per month [95% confidence interval (CI) -1,162 to -833 patients] and -871 diverted patients per month [95% CI -963 to -780 patients], respectively). There was also a significant decrease in average monthly hours on diversion for the trial period (n=1,079) and posttrial period (n=1,774) compared with the pretrial period (n=4,007; -2,928 hours on bypass [95% CI -3,936 to -1,919 hours on bypass] and -2,232 hours on bypass [95% CI -3,620 to -2,235 hours on bypass], respectively). CONCLUSION: A voluntary community-wide approach to reducing hospital ED diversion and getting more ambulance patients to requested facilities was effective.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Approach to decreasing emergency department ambulance diversion hours.

Analysis between two local Emergency Departments (EDs) suggested an oscillatory phenomenon for ambulance diversion: When one hospital went on diversion it led to a disproportionate flow of ambulance traffic to a neighboring facility that subsequently was forced to go on divert. We hypothesized if one hospital could avoid diversion status, the need for diversion could be averted in the neighboring facility. ED A secured additional resources and made a commitment to no diversion for 1 week. No changes in operations occurred in hospital B. We found no differences in ambulance runs or ED census at either facility comparing the week before, during, and after the trial. There was a dramatic decline in diversion hours from 19.7 to 1.4 and 27.7 to 0 at hospitals A and B, respectively, during the trial period (p < 0.05) compared to the weeks before and after. We conclude that reciprocating effects can be decreased with one institution's commitment to avoid diversion, thus decreasing the need for diversion at a neighboring facility.

Ambulances↗
PubMed2004

The clinical presentation and impact of diagnostic delays on emergency department patients with spinal epidural abscess.

Previous reports have recommended the use of a "classic triad" of fever, spine pain, and neurologic deficits to diagnose spinal epidural abscess (SEA); however, the prognosis for complete recovery is poor once these deficits are present. This retrospective case-control study investigates the impact of diagnostic delays on outcome and explores the use of risk factor screening for early identification of SEA in a population of ED patients. Inpatients with a discharge diagnosis of SEA and a related ED visit before the admission were identified over a 10-year time period. In addition, a pool of ED patients presenting with a chief complaint of spine pain was generated; controls were hand-matched 2:1 to each SEA patient based on age and gender. Data regarding demographics, presence of risk factors, physical examination findings, laboratory and radiographic results, and clinical outcome were abstracted from medical records and entered into a database for further analysis. Patients with SEA were compared to matched controls with regard to the prevalence of risk factors and the "classic triad." We also explored the impact on outcome of diagnostic delays, defined as either: 1) multiple ED visits before diagnosis, or 2) admission without a diagnosis of SEA and >24 h to a definitive study. A total of 63 SEA patients were hand-matched to 126 controls with spine pain. Diagnostic delays were present in 75% of SEA patients. Residual motor weakness was present in 45% of these patients vs. only 13% of patients without diagnostic delays (odds ratio 5.65, 95% C.I. 1.15-27.71, p < 0.05). The "classic triad" of spine pain, fever, and neurologic abnormalities was present in 13% of SEA patients and 1% of controls during the initial visit (p < 0.01); one or more risk factors were present in 98% of SEA patients and 21% of controls (p < 0.01). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was more sensitive and specific than total white blood cell (WBC) count as a screen for SEA. In conclusion, diagnostic delays are common in patients with SEA, often leading to irreversible neurologic deficits. The use of risk factor assessment is more sensitive than the use of the classic diagnostic triad to screen ED patients with spine pain for SEA. The ESR may be a useful screening test before magnetic resonance imaging in selected patients.

Adult↗