Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J E Hollander

Publications and source records attributed to J E Hollander.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Laceration management.

In 1996, almost 11 million lacerations were treated in emergency departments throughout the United States. Although most lacerations heal without sequelae regardless of management, mismanagement may result in wound infections, prolonged convalescence, unsightly and dysfunctional scars, and, rarely, mortality. The goals of wound management are simple: avoid infection and achieve a functional and aesthetically pleasing scar. Recent US Food and Drug Administration approval of tissue adhesives has significantly expanded clinicians' wound closure options and improved patient care. We review the general principles of wound care and expand on the use of tissue adhesives for laceration repair.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Risk stratification of emergency department patients with acute coronary syndromes using P-selectin.

OBJECTIVES: We compared the predictive properties of P-selectin to creatine kinase, MB fraction (CK-MB) for detecting acute myocardial infarction (AMI), acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and serious cardiac events upon emergency department (ED) arrival. BACKGROUND: Practioners detecting early diagnosis of ACS have focused on cardiac markers of myocardial injury. Plaque rupture/platelet aggregation precedes myocardial ischemia. Therefore, markers of platelet aggregation may detect ACS earlier than cardiac markers. METHODS: Consecutive patients with potential ACS presenting to an urban university ED were identified by research assistants who screened all ED patients between November 12, 1997 and January 31, 1998. Whole blood was drawn at presentation and 1 h later and rapidly stained and fixed for membrane P-selectin assay and plasma was separated for soluble P-selectin assay. Creatine kinase, MB fraction values were determined using standard immunoassay techniques. Clinical history and hospital course were followed daily. Outcomes were AMI, ACS (AMI and unstable angina) and serious cardiac events. Receiver operator characteristic curves were derived for CK-MB, and soluble and membrane-bound P-selectin to determine the optimal cutoff values. Predictive properties were calculated with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: A total of 263 patients were enrolled. They had a mean age of 56.5+/-14 years; 52% were male. There were 22 patients with AMI; 87 patients with ACS and 54 patients with serious cardiac events. Creatine kinase, MB fraction had a higher specificity for detection of AMI, ACS and serious cardiac events than both soluble and membrane-bound P-selectin. At the time of ED presentation, the specificity of CK-MB, and soluble and membrane-bound P-selectin for AMI was 91% versus 76% versus 71%; for ACS, 95% versus 79% versus 71%, and for serious cardiac events, 91% versus 76% versus 72% (p < 0.05). The sensitivities for AMI were 50% versus 45% versus 32%; for ACS, 26% versus 35% versus 30%, and for serious cardiac events, 29% versus 35% versus 36%. CONCLUSIONS: Although theoretically attractive, the use of soluble and membrane-bound P-selectin for risk stratification of chest pain patients at the time of ED presentation does not appear to have any advantages over the use of CK-MB.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Evolution of abstracts presented at the annual scientific meetings of academic emergency medicine.

There has been a general trend in medicine towards greater sophistication in research design. In order to assess this trend in emergency medicine we compared the characteristics of abstracts presented at the 1974, 1983, 1989, and 1997 annual scientific meetings of academic emergency medicine. All 870 abstracts were reviewed by 1 of 3 investigators who determined research design attributes using a standardized classification scheme that has good interrater reliability. Over the last 25 years the following trends were noted: more surveys (0% v1% v3% v8%, P = 0.002), more randomized studies (0% v10% v12% v15%, P = 0.05), and more blinded studies (0% v7% v5% v11%, P = 0.01). Tests of statistical significance were reported with increasing frequency (8% v26% v59% v69%, P < 0.001) as were power calculations (0% v0% v1% v3%, P = 0.02). During the study period there were also increases in the median number of authors, proportion of foreign lead authors, and the proportion of studies involving human subjects. These results reflect considerable improvement in the degree of research design sophistication reported in selected abstracts of academic emergency medicine over the study period. Further strategies to assure continued enhancement of emergency medicine research should be explored.

Abstracting and Indexing↗
PubMed1999

Evolution of abstracts presented at the annual scientific meetings of academic emergency medicine.

There has been a general trend in medicine toward greater sophistication in research design. To assess this trend in emergency medicine, we compared the characteristics of abstracts presented at the 1974, 1983, 1989, and 1997 annual scientific meetings of Academic Emergency Medicine. All 870 abstracts were reviewed by 1 of 3 investigators who determined research design attributes using a standardized classification scheme that has good interrater reliability. Over the last 25 years, the following trends were noted: more surveys (0% v1% v3% v8%, P=.002), more randomized studies (0% v10% v12% v15%, P=.05), and more blinded studies (0% v7% v5% v11%, P=.01). Tests of statistical significance were reported with increasing frequency (8% v26% v59% v 69%, P < .001), as were power calculations (0% v0% v1% v3%, P=.02). During the study period, there were also increases in the median number of authors, proportion of foreign lead authors, and the proportion of studies involving human subjects. These results reflect considerable improvement in the degree of research design sophistication reported in selected abstracts of academic emergency medicine over the study period. Further strategies to assure continued enhancement of emergency medicine research should be explored.

Bibliometrics↗
PubMed1999

Predictive properties of a qualitative urine acetaminophen screen in patients with self-poisoning.

OBJECTIVE: Screening for acetaminophen toxicity is recommended in almost all cases of self poisoning. We compared a qualitative urine acetaminophen screen to the quantitative serum acetaminophen to test the hypothesis that a negative urine acetaminophen screen would be predictive of a negative serum acetaminophen level. METHODS: All adults with intentional ingestions evaluated in our Emergency Department during 1995 were retrospectively identified based on Emergency Department International Classification of Disease--9th edition codes. Laboratory data from each patient including serum and urine toxicologic assays were examined. Predictive properties of urine acetaminophen screens for serum acetaminophen were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 88 patients were identified who had both a serum acetaminophen and a urine acetaminophen performed. The sensitivity of the urine acetaminophen screen was 100% (95% CI 72-100%) and the specificity was 87% (95% CI 80-95%). All patients with negative urine acetaminophen screens had negative serum acetaminophen levels (negative predictive value 100%; 95% CI 96-100%). Accuracy of the urine acetaminophen screen was 89%. CONCLUSION: A negative urine acetaminophen screen was highly predictive of negative serum acetaminophen levels. It is possible that negative urine acetaminophen screens may obviate the need for 4-hour quantitative serum levels. Further validation in a prospective study is needed.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1999

Emergency department observation of poisoned patients: how long is necessary?

OBJECTIVE: To compare the emergency physician disposition decisions after observation periods of two, four, and six hours in a single cohort of ED patients with acute intentional ingestion to determine the accuracy of disposition decisions at two and four hours relative to the six-hour period of observation. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study at two university hospital EDs. Study participants were patients with potentially toxic oral ingestions occurring less than six hours prior to ED presentation. Patients with isolated recreational drug or ethanol use were excluded. Structured data forms were completed at presentation, and two, four, and six hours later. Data included signs and symptoms consistent with toxic ingestion, physical examination, laboratory determinations, medications ingested, treatment, and suicide risk. At two and four hours, physicians were asked to determine whether they thought the patient was safe for medical clearance. These patients continued to be observed for six hours. The main outcome was whether patients initially thought to be appropriate for early medical clearance were ultimately cleared at six hours. RESULTS: There were 260 patients enrolled: 28 were immediately admitted to the hospital and 17 were immediately discharged; 215 entered ED observation. Patients had a mean age of 24 years; 55% were female; 50% were suicidal; 17% had toxidromes. Of the 215 observed patients, 106 (49%) were deemed safe for early medical clearance at two hours. All 106 were ultimately cleared at six hours (100%, 95% CI = 97% to 100%). Of the 109 not safe for early medical clearance at two hours, 61 (56%) were deemed safe for early medical clearance at four hours; all 61 were subsequently discharged at six hours (100%; 95% CI = 95% to 100%). Overall, 167 of 215 (77%) observed overdose patients were deemed safe for early medical clearance after two or four hours of observation. All 167 were ultimately cleared at six hours (100%; 95% CI = 98.2% to 100%). CONCLUSIONS: A large subset of overdose patients who are medically cleared after six hours of observation can be identified within two to four hours of presentation. No patient who was believed to be safe for medical clearance at either two or four hours had a complication within the six-hour time period (95% CI = 0% to 1.8%). These data suggest that asymptomatic patients with selected acute intentional ingestions can be released from medical observation in less than six hours.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Devices for difficult airway management in academic emergency departments: results of a national survey.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: We conducted a national survey of emergency medicine residency program directors to determine which alternative devices were available in their emergency departments for difficult airway management. We also assessed the residency directors' experience in use of these devices. METHODS: After approval was received from the institutional review board at our institution, residency directors were contacted by mail, fax, or phone in October 1997. Alternative intubation devices were defined as devices that do not involve use of a laryngoscope and direct visualization for tracheal tube placement. Alternative ventilation devices were defined as those that do not use a face mask for ventilation. We asked whether the following alternative intubation devices were stocked in their department: a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope, a rigid fiberoptic device (ie, Bullard, Wu-Scope), a lighted stylet, or a retrograde intubation kit. We also asked about the following alternative ventilation devices: a transtracheal jet ventilation system with a 50-psi oxygen source and control valve, the esophageal tracheal twin-lumen airway device (Combitube), or the laryngeal mask airway. Residency directors were also questioned about their duration of practice, intubation experience, and use of these devices. RESULTS: We obtained information from 95 of 118 (81%) programs. Of 95 programs, 61 (64%) had a fiberoptic bronchoscope, 43 (45%) a retrograde intubation kit, 33 (35%) a lighted stylet, and 6 (.06%) a rigid fiberoptic device. Forty-seven (49%) of the programs reported 2 or more devices, and 20 (21%) reported having no alternative intubation devices. Of 95 programs, 64 (67%) had a transtracheal jet ventilation system, 25 (26%) had the Combitube, and 25 (26%) had the laryngeal mask airway. Thirty-one (33%) programs had at least 2 alternative ventilation devices, and 20 (21%) had none. Ten (11%) programs had no alternative intubating or ventilation devices. Additional information on duration of practice, intubation experience, and actual use of alternative devices was obtained from 83 of the 95 (87%) emergency medicine residency directors contacted. Forty-one (49%) reported never having used an alternative device for intubation. The most commonly used alternative intubation device was the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope (37%), and the mean number of times any alternative device was used was 7. CONCLUSION: The availability of devices for difficult airway management varies tremendously across emergency medicine residency programs. Only half of residency program directors had any experience with these devices, and among those that reported any experience, they are used rarely.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1998

Assessment of cocaine use in patients with chest pain syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Patients with myocardial ischemia may have different dispositions and/or pharmacologic interventions based on whether they have recently used cocaine. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of assessment of cocaine use in patients with acute chest pain syndromes. METHODS: In phase 1 of the study, we reviewed the medical records of all patients with chest pain who presented to the emergency department during February 1996 to assess historical documentation of the presence or absence of cocaine use. In phase 2, we evaluated whether cocaine questions were asked but not documented. After hospital admission, patients were interviewed to see if they were asked about cocaine use. In phase 3, we evaluated possible recall bias by using standardized questioning in the emergency department and used subsequent interviews to assess recall. Assessment of other cardiac risk factors served as the comparison group. RESULTS: In phase 1, 129 charts were reviewed, 13% of which revealed myocardial infarction. The presence or absence of cocaine use (13%) was less frequently documented than the presence or absence of hypercholesterolemia (58%), hypertension (82%), smoking (90%), diabetes (73%), or family history (77%) (chi 2, P < .05 for all comparisons). In phase 2, 27 (31%) of the 86 patients who were interviewed recalled cocaine questioning. There was chart documentation of the cocaine questioning in only 44% of the 27 cases. In phase 3, while in the emergency department, 20 patients were asked about cocaine use: 19 (95%) recalled being asked about cocaine use when interviewed the next day. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with chest pain often are not asked about recent cocaine use. When they are asked, their answers are poorly documented. These findings cannot be explained by poor recall. In cases of chest pain, efforts to improve questioning of patients about cocaine use are needed, since recent cocaine use may change treatment, disposition, and need for counseling.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Effect of recent cocaine use on the specificity of cardiac markers for diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.

We evaluated whether recent cocaine use alters the specificity of CK-MB, myoglobin, and cardiac troponin I for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients who are seen in the emergency department for chest pain. Patients <60 years old with potential myocardial ischemia underwent a standardized history and physical examination and routine CK-MB assays every 8 to 12 hours and had study serum obtained at presentation for CK-MB, myoglobin, and cardiac troponin I immunoassays, as well as benzoylecgonine, cocaine's main metabolite. We enrolled 97 patients, 19 (20%) of whom had recent used cocaine. Patients with and without cocaine use were similar with regards to sex, race, renal and muscular disease, diabetes, family history, and hypertension and rate of AMI (12% vs 11%, p = 1.0). In patients without MI, the mean myoglobin level was higher in cocaine users than noncocaine users (179 vs 74 ng/ml; Mann-Whitney p = 0.003), but the mean values were similar for CK-MB (2.2 vs 2.1 ng/ml; Mann-Whitney p = 0.58) and for cardiac troponin-I (0.02 vs 0.02 ng/ml; Mann-Whitney p = 0.87). The specificities of the markers in patients with and without cocaine use were as follows: cardiac troponin I, 94% vs 94%, (p = 1.0); CK-MB, 75% vs 88% (p = 0.24); and myoglobin, 50% vs 82%, (p = 0.02), respectively. Our data demonstrate that the specificity of myoglobin was altered by recent cocaine use. The specificity of CK-MB was affected less and the specificity of cardiac troponin I was not affected by recent cocaine use.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1998

Aortoesophageal fistula: recognition and diagnosis in the emergency department.

An aortoesophageal fistula is a life-threatening cause of gastrointestinal bleeding where an abnormal communication between the esophagus and the aorta may result from a thoracic aortic aneurysm, foreign body ingestion, esophageal malignancy, or postoperative complications. The diagnosis can be made on the basis of clinical findings alone. Classic patients present with the triad of midthoracic pain, sentinel arterial hemorrhage, and exsanguination after a symptom-free interval (Chiari's triad). The identification of massive upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage that is bright red and arterial in nature is characteristic. Most diagnostic tests have significant individual limitations. Endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract should exclude alternative bleeding sources and may show a submucosal hematoma. Aortography may be useful during active hemorrhage to demonstrate the fistula, but results of aortography may be negative during the symptom-free interval. Dynamic computed tomography may be a more rapid alternative. For patients who are in stable condition after the sentinel hemorrhage, a confirmatory test is reasonable. Patients in unstable condition should undergo immediate surgery. Survival is now possible with rapid surgical intervention.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Irrigation in facial and scalp lacerations: does it alter outcome?

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Animal and human studies suggest that irrigation lowers the infection rate in contaminated wounds, but there is no evidence that this common practice is beneficial for "clean" lacerations. We tested the null hypothesis that there is no difference in the infection rate for noncontaminated lacerations to the face and scalp that are irrigated before primary closure compared with similar wounds that are closed primarily without irrigation. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of consecutive patients presenting to a suburban, academic emergency department between October 1992 and August 1996. Patients with nonbite, noncontaminated facial skin or scalp lacerations who presented less than 6 hours after injury were included. Structured, closed-question data collection instruments were completed at the time of laceration repair and at suture removal. The primary outcome parameters were the incidence of wound infection and the short-term cosmetic appearance of lacerations in patients who did or did not receive irrigation. RESULTS: A total of 1,923 patients were included in the study group; 1,090 patients received saline irrigation, and 833 patients did not. The irrigation and nonirrigation groups were similar with regard to time from injury to presentation (1.56 versus 1.42 hours, respectively), frequency of linear wound morphology (82% versus 88%), frequency of smooth wound margins (72% versus 82%), number of layers of closure (1.14 versus 1.26), number of skin sutures applied (4.98 versus 4.65), number of deep sutures applied (.70 versus 1.05), and use of oral antibiotic prophylaxis (2.8% versus 4.0%). With respect to outcomes, the incidence of wound infection was not significantly different between the two treatment groups (.9% versus 1.4%, respectively; P = .28). Likewise, the percentage of patients who had an "optimal" cosmetic appearance was similar in the two groups (75.9% versus 81.7%, respectively; P = .07). CONCLUSION: Irrigation before primary closure did not significantly alter the rate of infection or the cosmetic appearance in our study population with clean, noncontaminated facial and scalp lacerations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Comparison of wound care practices in pediatric and adult lacerations repaired in the emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: We compared emergency physician's wound care practices in young children (< or = 5 years) and adults (> or = 18 years) and the effect of these different practices on infection rate and cosmetic appearance. DESIGN: Cross sectional study. SETTING: University hospital emergency department that rarely uses conscious sedation. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive patients who presented with lacerations over a four-year period. METHODS: Structured closed question data sheets that assessed 26 separate wound characteristics were prospectively completed at initial presentation and at suture removal. Infection and cosmetic appearance were assessed with previously validated scales. chi(2) tests were used for categorical variables, t tests for continuous variables. RESULTS: We evaluated 3624 patients: 853 children and 2771 adults. Wounds in children were more likely to be on the head (86 vs 38%, P < 0.01); linear (88 vs 77%, P < 0.01); shorter (1.9 vs 3.0 cm, P < 0.01); less often contaminated (4 vs 11%, P < 0.01); and more commonly caused by blunt injury (69 vs 37%, P < 0.01). With respect to treatment, lacerations in children were less likely to receive irrigation (53 vs 77%; P < 0.001) but slightly more likely to be scrubbed (50 vs 45%, P = 0.01). The two groups received similar numbers of sutures per centimeter (2.6 vs 2.3). Using logistic regression, the differences in irrigation were not explained by the differences in laceration characteristics. Despite less frequent irrigation, children had lower wound infection rates (2.1 vs 4.1%; P = 0.004) and better cosmetic appearances (optimal score, 75 vs 64%, P = 0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: Emergency physicians at our institution are less likely to irrigate lacerations in children than adults; however, children had a lower infection rate and more favorable cosmetic outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Refusal of out-of-hospital medical care: effect of medical-control physician assertiveness on transport rate.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that contacting an on-line medical-control physician increases the transport rate of patients who attempt to refuse medical assistance. The authors studied the physician-patient interaction to determine the type of interaction that was more likely to result in patient transport. METHODS: A prospective, observational study of patient-initiated refusals of medical assistance (RMAs) was performed in a suburban volunteer emergency medical services (EMS) system, with 12 receiving hospitals county-wide. Medical-control contact was required for all patient-initiated RMAs. Consecutive patients who attempted out-of-hospital RMA over a 3-month period were monitored. Structured data instruments were completed by the medical-control operator and medical-control physician for all patients who attempted RMA. Data collected included patient demographics and contact information, scene characteristics, history and physical examination data, length of time of interaction, and the physician's assessment of the need for transport and the patient's capacity to refuse transport. The operator and physician independently graded the physician's assertiveness in talking to the patient on a continuous 10-point scale. RESULTS: There were 130 patients who attempted RMA; 69 (53%) refused transport even after discussion with the medical-control physician, while 61 (47%) were transported to a hospital. The patients who were transported did not differ from those not transported with respect to age, chief complaint, vital signs, or presence of police on scene. Using the operators' independent assessments, the physicians were more assertive when they graded the patient as being more ill (needs transport, 8.8; may need transport, 7.7; doesn't need transport, 4.1; p < 0.01). When the physicians were more assertive, the patients were more likely to agree to transport (assertiveness > 8, 81% transport; assertiveness < 8, 19% transport; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Contact with a medical-control physician appears to markedly improve the transport rate for patients who initially attempt to refuse out-of-hospital medical care. This is especially so when physicians are more assertive in recommending transport.

Chi-Square Distribution↗
PubMed1998

Prospective, randomized, controlled trial of tissue adhesive (2-octylcyanoacrylate) vs standard wound closure techniques for laceration repair. Stony Brook Octylcyanoacrylate Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To compare a new tissue adhesive, 2-octylcyanoacrylate, with standard wound closure techniques for the repair of traumatic lacerations. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial enrolled consecutive patients > 1 year of age with non-bite, non-crush-induced lacerations who presented < 6 hours after injury. Structured closed-question data sheets were completed at the time of laceration repair and suture removal. Patients were randomly assigned to treatment with either 2-octylcyanoacrylate or standard wound closure. Infection was determined at the time of suture removal. Long-term cosmetic appearance (> 3 months) was assessed by physicians using a previously validated categorical cosmetic scale and by patients using a 100-mm visual analog scale. RESULTS: There were 63 patients randomized to the octylcyanoacrylate group and 61 patients treated with standard wound closure techniques. The 2 treatment groups were similar with respect to age, gender, race, medical history, and wound characteristics. At the 5-to-10-day follow-up, only 1 wound was infected and only 2 wounds required reclosure due to dehiscence. These 3 patients received treatment with octylcyanoacrylate. At long-term follow-up, the cosmetic appearances were similar according to the patients (octylcyanoacrylate, 83.8 +/- 19.4 mm vs standard techniques, 82.5 +/- 17.6 mm; p = 0.72) and the physicians (optimal cosmetic appearance, 77% vs 80%; p = 0.67). CONCLUSIONS: Wounds treated with octylcyanoacrylate and standard wound closure techniques have similar cosmetic appearances 3 months later.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Application of tissue adhesives: rapid attainment of proficiency. Stony Brook Octylcyanoacrylate Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the 3-month cosmetic outcome following laceration repair with a new tissue adhesive, 2-octylcyanoacrylate, as a function of physician experience with this tissue adhesive. METHODS: The authors prospectively enrolled consecutive patients >1 year of age with non-bite, non-crush-induced lacerations who presented <6 hours after injury and were treated with 2-octylcyanoacrylate. Structured closed-question data sheets were completed at the time of laceration repair and at 3-month follow-up. Long-term cosmetic appearance (>3 months) was assessed by patients using a 100-mm visual analog scale. The cosmetic outcomes were evaluated as a function of the physician application using ANOVA or chi2 tests, as appropriate. This study had 80% power to detect a 10-mm difference between the 2-octylcyanoacrylate and suture groups (alpha, 0.05). RESULTS: Seven physicians applied 2-octylcyanoacrylate to 63 patients; 61 patients received sutures. Patients were similar in the 2 groups (age, gender, race, history, and wound characteristics; p > 0.05 for all). At long-term follow-up, the cosmetic outcomes were similar in the 2-octylcyanoacrylate and suture groups according to patients (VAS 83.8 +/- 19.4 mm vs 82.5 +/- 17.6 mm; p = 0.72) and physicians (optimal score, 77% vs 80%; p = 0.67), and independent of physician experience with the 2-octylcyanoacrylate. One wound developed an infection and one wound necessitated reclosure due to dehiscence. Neither occurred with the first application. CONCLUSIONS: The 3-month cosmetic appearance of wounds treated with 2-octylcyanoacrylate is equivalent to that with sutures and does not improve as physicians become more experienced with use of this tissue adhesive. These data suggest that physicians can develop competence in application of tissue adhesives with a brief training period.

Clinical Competence↗