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W Shannon

Publications and source records attributed to W Shannon.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

The North Dublin randomized controlled trial of structured diabetes shared care.

BACKGROUND: A new diabetes shared care service was introduced in North Dublin. It was designed as a randomized controlled trial with a complex intervention comprising education of participating practitioners, the introduction of a community-based diabetes nurse specialist, local agreement on clinical protocols and structured communication across the primary-secondary care interface. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a structured diabetes shared care service in a mixed health care system and to analyse the impact on total patient care. METHODS: A Cluster randomized controlled trial lasting 18 months was carried out in 183 patients with type 2 diabetes from 30 general practices in North Dublin. Biophysical outcomes (HbA1c, blood pressure, body mass index), psychosocial measures (smoking status and Diabetes Clinic Treatment Satisfaction and Diabetes Well-being scores) and process outcomes were collected. RESULTS: There were significant improvements in diabetes care delivery and in psychosocial outcomes, but no significant improvements in biomedical outcomes. Process data collection revealed a significant increase in diabetes care-related activity for participating patients with an increase in structured annual reviews and fewer patients defaulting from care. There were also significant improvements in information exchange between primary and secondary care. CONCLUSION: Structured diabetes shared care, in a mixed health care system, can produce significant improvements in diabetes care delivery and in psychosocial outcomes for patients, with improved information exchange across the primary-secondary care interface.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

A qualitative investigation of the views and health beliefs of patients with Type 2 diabetes following the introduction of a diabetes shared care service.

AIMS: A qualitative research approach was adopted in order to explore the views and health beliefs of patients with Type 2 diabetes who had experienced a new structured diabetes shared care service. METHODS: Patients from 15 general practices were randomly selected and invited to attend three focus groups. Two independent researchers adopted the "Framework" technique to analyse the transcribed data and identify key themes expressed by patients. RESULTS: Themes relating to diabetes included frustration, victimization and powerlessness in relation to living with diabetes, controlling blood sugar, medication and economic barriers to care. Differences in emphases between patients and healthcare providers emerged. Patients were generally positive about shared care and largely identified it with the nurses involved. CONCLUSION: This research highlights the importance of an in-depth exploration of patients' views during changes in diabetes care delivery to identify service delivery failures and gaps in patient knowledge such as lack of awareness of the extent of macrovascular risk.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2001

Insights into psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases from large-scale gene expression studies.

Approximately 2% of the Caucasian population is affected by psoriasis (PS); a chronic inflammatory skin disease triggered by both genetic and environmental risk factors. In addition to a major contribution from the HLA class I region, PS susceptibility loci have been mapped to a number of regions including 1q21, 3q21, 4qter, 14q31-q32, 17q24-q25, 19p13.3 and 20p. Some of these overlap with loci implicated in other autoimmune/inflammatory diseases. Global gene expression studies are beginning to provide insights into the etiology of these and other complex diseases. We used Affymetrix oligonucleotide arrays comprising approximately 12 000 known genes to initiate a more comprehensive analysis of the transcriptional changes that occur in involved and uninvolved skin of 15 psoriatic patients versus six normal controls. Expression levels of the transcripts detected on the arrays were first used to determine the relationship of samples to each other using hierarchical clustering. This analysis clearly differentiated involved psoriatic skin from uninvolved and normal skin. Clusters of differentially expressed genes with similar expression patterns in the same samples were then identified. Six out of 32 clusters contained a total of 177 transcripts that were differentially expressed in involved psoriatic skin versus normal skin. These differences were independent of the gender, age, skin site and HLA class I status of the patient. Ten of the 177 genes were also differentially expressed in uninvolved skin, and several mapped to regions previously shown to harbor psoriasis susceptibility loci.

Autoimmune Diseases↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of zinc bacitracin capsules versus placebo for enteric eradication of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium.

Patients who are colonized with enteric vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREF) are a major reservoir for transmission of and infection with this organism. In a randomized, controlled study to assess the effectiveness of high-dose bacitracin in the eradication of enteric VREF, 12 patients who were colonized with VREF were randomized to receive placebo (n=6) or orally administered zinc bacitracin (n=6) for 10 days. Posttreatment perirectal or stool cultures indicated that after 3 weeks, VREF had been eradicated from the stool of only 2 (33%) of 6 patients in each group. Of the 8 remaining patients who were still VREF-positive at 3 weeks after treatment, 5 (62%) had later evidence of spontaneous enteric eradication at 8 weeks. Further testing of VREF isolates revealed that a significant number (n=22, 76%) were resistant to bacitracin and that patients may have been colonized with multiple different VREF strains. Although bacitracin was not effective in the enteric eradication of VREF, the high rates of spontaneous eradication suggest that other host and environmental factors are more important in achieving long-term suppression or elimination of VREF colonization.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2001

Validation of clinical classification schemes for predicting stroke: results from the National Registry of Atrial Fibrillation.

CONTEXT: Patients who have atrial fibrillation (AF) have an increased risk of stroke, but their absolute rate of stroke depends on age and comorbid conditions. OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictive value of classification schemes that estimate stroke risk in patients with AF. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Two existing classification schemes were combined into a new stroke-risk scheme, the CHADS( 2) index, and all 3 classification schemes were validated. The CHADS( 2) was formed by assigning 1 point each for the presence of congestive heart failure, hypertension, age 75 years or older, and diabetes mellitus and by assigning 2 points for history of stroke or transient ischemic attack. Data from peer review organizations representing 7 states were used to assemble a National Registry of AF (NRAF) consisting of 1733 Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 to 95 years who had nonrheumatic AF and were not prescribed warfarin at hospital discharge. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Hospitalization for ischemic stroke, determined by Medicare claims data. RESULTS: During 2121 patient-years of follow-up, 94 patients were readmitted to the hospital for ischemic stroke (stroke rate, 4.4 per 100 patient-years). As indicated by a c statistic greater than 0.5, the 2 existing classification schemes predicted stroke better than chance: c of 0.68 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65-0.71) for the scheme developed by the Atrial Fibrillation Investigators (AFI) and c of 0.74 (95% CI, 0.71-0.76) for the Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation (SPAF) III scheme. However, with a c statistic of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.80-0.84), the CHADS( 2) index was the most accurate predictor of stroke. The stroke rate per 100 patient-years without antithrombotic therapy increased by a factor of 1.5 (95% CI, 1.3-1.7) for each 1-point increase in the CHADS( 2) score: 1.9 (95% CI, 1.2-3.0) for a score of 0; 2.8 (95% CI, 2.0-3.8) for 1; 4.0 (95% CI, 3.1-5.1) for 2; 5.9 (95% CI, 4.6-7.3) for 3; 8.5 (95% CI, 6.3-11.1) for 4; 12.5 (95% CI, 8.2-17.5) for 5; and 18.2 (95% CI, 10.5-27.4) for 6. CONCLUSION: The 2 existing classification schemes and especially a new stroke risk index, CHADS( 2), can quantify risk of stroke for patients who have AF and may aid in selection of antithrombotic therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of antimicrobial treatment for children with clinically diagnosed acute sinusitis.

OBJECTIVE: Although antimicrobial treatment for children with acute sinusitis is used commonly, it is unclear whether it offers significant clinical benefit. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of antimicrobial treatments for acute sinusitis as they are used in community pediatric practice. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 3 community pediatric practices in St Louis, Missouri. A total of 188 patients who were between the ages of 1 and 18 years and who had had 10 to 28 days of persistent sinus symptoms and a clinical diagnosis of acute sinusitis were randomized to receive 14 days of amoxicillin (40 mg/kg/d in 3 daily doses), amoxicillin-clavulanate (amoxicillin 45 mg/kg/d in 2 daily doses), or placebo. Change in sinus symptoms was assessed both by a quantitative symptom score (the S5 score) and subjectively by the parent. Secondary outcomes included adverse effects of treatment and recurrence or relapse of sinus symptoms. Outcomes were assessed by telephone interviews over a 2-month period. RESULTS: Of the 161 patients who were included in the analysis, 58 received amoxicillin, 48 received amoxicillin-clavulanate, and 55 received placebo. Day 14 improvement rates were 79%, 81%, and 79%, respectively. There were no differences in the 14-day change in S5 score among treatment groups. The rates of adverse events (amoxicillin, 19%; amoxicillin-clavulanate, 11%; placebo, 10%), relapse (amoxicillin, 12%; amoxicillin-clavulanate, 13%; placebo, 13%), and recurrence (amoxicillin, 9%; amoxicillin-clavulanate, 13%; placebo, 13%) of sinus symptoms were similar among treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Neither amoxicillin nor amoxicillin-clavulanate offered any clinical benefit compared with placebo for children with clinically diagnosed acute sinusitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

End-tidal carbon dioxide measurements as a prognostic indicator of outcome in cardiac arrest.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of end-tidal carbon dioxide values in predicting survival in cardiopulmonary arrest. BACKGROUND: The decision about when to terminate resuscitative efforts for patients with cardiopulmonary arrest is often subjective. End-tidal carbon dioxide values have been suggested as potential objective criteriafor making this decision. METHODS: This study was a cooperative effort of the St Louis chapter of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and its members and involved 6 hospitals and an air evacuation service. All adult patients who had a cardiopulmonary arrest were eligiblefor the study. Once a patient with cardiac arrest was intubated, end-tidal carbon dioxide and cardiac rhythms were measured and recorded every 5 minutes for 20 minutes or until resuscitation efforts were terminated. Patients' survival at the time of the arrest, survival 24 hours after the arrest, and discharge status were followed up. RESULTS: A total of 127 patients were enrolled in the study. All but 1 patient with end-tidal carbon dioxide values less than 10 mm Hg died before discharge. End-tidal carbon dioxide values greater than 10 mm Hg were associated with various degrees of survival. Overall survival to discharge was less than 14%, regardless of the end-tidal carbon dioxide value. CONCLUSION: Measurements of end-tidal carbon dioxide can be used to accurately predict nonsurvival of patients with cardiopulmonary arrest. End-tidal carbon dioxide levels should be monitored during cardiopulmonary arrest and should be considered a useful prognostic value for determining the outcome of resuscitative efforts.

Capnography↗
PubMed2001

The North Dublin Diabetes Shared Care (DiSC) Project: a profile of current diabetes care in Ireland.

The DiSC Project aims to assess the feasibility, effectiveness and costs of diabetes shared care in Ireland. Baseline results provide a profile of diabetes care in Ireland. Thirty general practices are participating in this randomised controlled trial. Outcomes include biophysical and psychosocial measures. The majority of patients agreed to participate in diabetes shared care. Data was collected from 183 patients with type 2 diabetes. The mean age of the patients is 65 years, 56% are male and 63% are GMS eligible. The mean HBA1c was 6.8% though 21% of patients had a HBA1c>8%. The majority of patients had a blood pressure, total cholesterol and body mass index above recommended guidelines. Only half the patients are attending a dietician or a chiropodist. The majority of patients have good glycaemic control but poor blood pressure and cholesterol control. The full trial results will determine if a shared care approach can improve clinical and psychosocial outcomes for patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Concentrations of antimony in infants dying from SIDS and infants dying from other causes.

OBJECTIVES: Raised concentrations of antimony have been found in infants dying of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The presumed source of this antimony is toxic gases generated from fire retardants that are present in cot mattresses. The aim of this study was to determine the role of antimony in SIDS. DESIGN: Samples of liver, brain, serum, and urine were collected from all patients dying from SIDS and a group of aged matched control infants who had died of other causes. SETTING: Nationwide study in Ireland. SUBJECTS: 52 infants dying from SIDS and 19 control infants aged > 7 days and < 1 year. RESULTS: The median concentration of antimony in the liver and brain of infants dying of SIDS was < 1 ng/g, with no difference detected between the infants dying from SIDS and the control infants. The range of antimony in the serum of infants dying of SIDS was 0.09-0.71 microg/litre (median, 0.26). Although no difference was found between infants dying from SIDS and control infants, SIDS infants were found to have higher concentrations when compared with healthy infants in the 1st year of life, probably as a result of release of antimony into serum after death. Urine antimony concentrations in infants dying from SIDS were < 3.91 ng/mg (corrected for creatinine) and similar to values found both in control infants and healthy infants. CONCLUSION: There is no evidence to support a causal role for antimony in SIDS.

Antimony↗
PubMed1999

Clinical predictors and outcomes for patients requiring tracheostomy in the intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical predictors for tracheostomy among patients requiring mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting and to describe the outcomes of patients receiving a tracheostomy. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Intensive care units of Barnes-Jewish Hospital, an urban teaching hospital. PATIENTS: 521 patients requiring mechanical ventilation in an ICU for >12 hours. INTERVENTIONS: Prospective patient surveillance and data collection. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The main variables studied were hospital mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of stay in the ICU and the hospital, and acquired organ-system derangements. Fifty-one (9.8%) patients received a tracheostomy. The hospital mortality of patients with a tracheostomy was statistically less than the hospital mortality of patients not receiving a tracheostomy (13.7% vs. 26.4%; p = .048), despite having a similar severity of illness at the time of admission to the ICU (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation [APACHE] II scores, 19.2 +/- 6.1 vs. 17.8 +/- 7.2; p = .173). Patients receiving a tracheostomy had significantly longer durations of mechanical ventilation (19.5 +/- 15.7 days vs. 4.1 +/- 5.3 days; p < .001) and hospitalization (30.9 +/- 18.1 days vs. 12.8 +/- 10.1 days; p < .001) compared with patients not receiving a tracheostomy. Similarly, the average duration of intensive care was significantly longer among the hospital nonsurvivors receiving a tracheostomy (n = 7) compared with the hospital nonsurvivors without a tracheostomy (n = 124; 30.9 +/- 16.3 days vs. 7.9 +/- 7.3 days; p < .001). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the development of nosocomial pneumonia (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 4.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.24-6.87; p < .001), the administration of aerosol treatments (AOR, 3.00; 95% CI, 2.184.13; p < .001), having a witnessed aspiration event (AOR, 3.79; 95% CI, 2.30-6.24; p = .008), and requiring reintubation (AOR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.54-3.18; p = .028) were variables independently associated with patients undergoing tracheostomy and receiving prolonged ventilatory support. Among the 44 survivors receiving a tracheostomy in the ICU, 38 (86.4%) were alive 30 days after hospital discharge and 31 (70.5%) were living at home. CONCLUSIONS: Despite having longer lengths of stay in the ICU and hospital, patients with respiratory failure who received a tracheostomy had favorable outcomes compared with patients who did not receive a tracheostomy. These data suggest that physicians are capable of selecting critically ill patients who most likely will benefit from placement of a tracheostomy. Additionally, specific clinical variables were identified as risk factors for prolonged ventilatory assistance and the need for tracheostomy.

APACHE↗
PubMed1999

Effect of a nursing-implemented sedation protocol on the duration of mechanical ventilation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare a practice of protocol-directed sedation during mechanical ventilation implemented by nurses with traditional non-protocol-directed sedation administration. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Medical intensive care unit (19 beds) in an urban teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Patients requiring mechanical ventilation (n = 321). INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive either protocol-directed sedation (n = 162) or non-protocol-directed sedation (n = 159). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The median duration of mechanical ventilation was 55.9 hrs (95% confidence interval, 41.0-90.0 hrs) for patients managed with protocol-directed sedation and 117.0 hrs (95% confidence interval, 96.0-155.6 hrs) for patients receiving non-protocol-directed sedation. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that patients in the protocol-directed sedation group had statistically shorter durations of mechanical ventilation than patients in the non-protocol-directed sedation group (chi-square = 7.00, p = .008, log rank test; chi-square = 8.54, p = .004, Wilcoxon's test; chi-square = 9.18, p = .003, -2 log test). Lengths of stay in the intensive care unit (5.7+/-5.9 days vs. 7.5+/-6.5 days; p = .013) and hospital (14.0+/-17.3 days vs. 19.9+/-24.2 days; p < .001) were also significantly shorter among patients in the protocol-directed sedation group. Among the 132 patients (41.1%) receiving continuous intravenous sedation, those in the protocol-directed sedation group (n = 66) had a significantly shorter duration of continuous intravenous sedation than those in the non-protocol-directed sedation group (n = 66) (3.5+/-4.0 days vs. 5.6+/-6.4 days; p = .003). Patients in the protocol-directed sedation group also had a significantly lower tracheostomy rate compared with patients in the non-protocol-directed sedation group (10 of 162 patients [6.2%] vs. 21 of 159 patients [13.2%], p = .038). CONCLUSIONS: The use of protocol-directed sedation can reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation, the intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay, and the need for tracheostomy among critically ill patients with acute respiratory failure.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1999

A tool to organize instructions at discharge after treatment of asthmatic children in an emergency department.

Asthma exacerbations continue to be a major cause of visits to emergency departments (ED). Comprehensive care in the outpatient setting, with planning for early intervention for exacerbations, can reduce emergency visits. Thus, a major goal of ED intervention is to establish a link between the patient and the provider of ongoing asthma care, where complete education can be achieved and reinforced over time. When designing the Asthma 1-2-3 Plan discharge teaching tool for the ED, consideration was given to educational format, readability, patient population, and setting in which education was to be delivered. To evaluate use of the plan, ED records of patients enrolled in a separate asthma study, the Neighborhood Asthma Coalition (NAC), were audited for two 8-month intervals, May-December 1993 (before initiation of the plan) and May December 1994 (starting 1 month after completion of pilot testing on the plan in the ED). To evaluate effectiveness of the plan, records of physicians who cared for children in the NAC were evaluated. The database was reviewed for the date of the first visit for planned review of asthma that occurred after the acute asthma ED visit. After introduction of the plan, the proportion of children told to return to the physician for follow-up increased from 54% to 81%. The proportion of children given advice to return to their physician within the recommended 3 days or less increased from 11% to 54%. Chi2 Analyses showed that these changes were both statistically significant (p<0.0001). The plan was not effective in achieving increased follow-up visits for regular asthma care, in that 7% returned for follow-up within 7 days after an ED visit before the plan and only 6% returned for such a visit after the Plan. Successful initiation of a focused discharge teaching tool into the routine of the ED increased appropriate advice given at time of discharge from the ED. Although unsuccessful in increasing appropriate follow-up, the present intervention uses the ED not as a base for asthma education, but as a point for contacting patients in need of regular care and education, and for promoting access to that regular care.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

A rapid assay for the detection of circulating D-dimer is associated with clinical outcomes among critically ill patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the results of a rapid, semiquantitative assay for the detection of circulating D-dimer in whole blood (SRDD assay) are associated with the occurrence of clinical outcomes among critically ill patients. DESIGN: Prospective, blinded, single-center study. SETTING: Medical intensive care unit (ICU) of Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO, a university-affiliated teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Three hundred twenty-three adult patients admitted to a medical ICU. INTERVENTIONS: Collection of blood samples within 24 hrs of ICU admission. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The main outcome measures evaluated included vascular thrombosis, hospital mortality, and the development of multiorgan dysfunction. Fifty (15.5%) patients were found to have increased concentrations of D-dimer as detected by the SRDD assay within 24 hrs of ICU admission. The concentrations of plasma D-dimer simultaneously measured by an enzyme immunoassay based on the same antibody were significantly greater among patients with a positive SRDD assay compared with patients with a negative SRDD assay (1214+/-483 vs. 405+/-407 ng/mL; p< .001). The hospital mortality rate was significantly greater among SRDD-positive patients compared with SRDD-negative patients (32.0% vs. 15.0%; p=.004). SRDD-positive patients also had significantly greater frequencies of acquired multiorgan dysfunction (48.0% vs. 17.6%; p < .001), severe sepsis or septic shock (56.0% vs. 20.9%; p< .001), and vascular thrombosis (14.0% vs. 4.0%; p=.005) compared with SRDD-negative patients. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified the presence of increased concentrations of D-dimer, detected by a positive SRDD assay, as being independently associated with vascular thrombosis (adjusted odds ratio 5.06; 95% confidence interval 2.96 to 8.65; p=.003) and the development of multiorgan dysfunction (adjusted odds ratio 1.51; 95% confidence interval 1.28 to 1.78; p=.012). CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary investigation suggests that the results from a rapid whole blood assay for the semiquantitative detection of circulating D-dimer are associated with clinical outcomes among patients admitted to a medical ICU. In addition, the use of D-dimer to identify the presence of active intravascular thrombosis may identify patients likely to benefit from antithrombotic therapies in the ICU setting.

APACHE↗
PubMed1997

A randomized, controlled trial of protocol-directed versus physician-directed weaning from mechanical ventilation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare a practice of protocol-directed weaning from mechanical ventilation implemented by nurses and respiratory therapists with traditional physician-directed weaning. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Medical and surgical intensive care units in two university-affiliated teaching hospitals. PATIENTS: Patients requiring mechanical ventilation (n = 357). INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive either protocol-directed (n = 179) or physician-directed (n = 178) weaning from mechanical ventilation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome measure was the duration of mechanical ventilation from tracheal intubation until discontinuation of mechanical ventilation. Other outcome measures included need for reintubation, length of hospital stay, hospital mortality rate, and hospital costs. The median duration of mechanical ventilation was 35 hrs for the protocol-directed group (first quartile 15 hrs; third quartile 114 hrs) compared with 44 hrs for the physician-directed group (first quartile 21 hrs; third quartile 209 hrs). Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that patients randomized to protocol-directed weaning had significantly shorter durations of mechanical ventilation compared with patients randomized to physician-directed weaning (chi 2 = 3.62, p = .057, log-rank test; chi 2 = 5.12, p = .024, Wilcoxon test). Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis, adjusting for other covariates, showed that the rate of successful weaning was significantly greater for patients receiving protocol-directed weaning compared with patients receiving physician-directed weaning (risk ratio 1.31; 95% confidence interval 1.15 to 1.50; p = .039). The hospital mortality rates for the two treatment groups were similar (protocol-directed 22.3% vs. physician-directed 23.6%; p = .779). Hospital cost savings for patients in the protocol-directed group were $42,960 compared with hospital costs for patients in the physician-directed group. CONCLUSION: Protocol-guided weaning of mechanical ventilation, as performed by nurses and respiratory therapists, is safe and led to extubation more rapidly than physician-directed weaning.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

BLEED: a classification tool to predict outcomes in patients with acute upper and lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an outcome prediction tool (BLEED: ongoing bleeding, low systolic blood pressure, elevated prothrombin time, erratic mental status, unstable comorbid disease) for clinical use in patients with either acute upper or acute lower gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage. DESIGN: A cohort study. SETTING: Barnes Hospital and Jewish Hospital, two private university-affiliated teaching hospitals in St. Louis, MO. PATIENTS: Four hundred sixty-five patients with either acute upper or acute lower GI hemorrhage admitted from the emergency department. INTERVENTIONS: Admission of patients to the intensive care unit or hospital ward was determined by emergency department physicians, without use or knowledge of BLEED criteria. Patients meeting any BLEED criteria at their initial assessment in the emergency department were classified as "high-risk." All other patients were classified as "low-risk." MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The main outcome measure was the occurrence of an inhospital complication, defined as recurrent GI hemorrhage, surgery to control the source of hemorrhage, and hospital mortality. Patients classified as high-risk had significantly greater rates of inhospital complications at both Barnes Hospital (relative risk, 2.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.38 to 4.44; p < .001) and Jewish Hospital (relative risk, 8.94; 95% confidence interval, 3.92 to 20.41; p < .001) compared with patients classified as low-risk. Patients classified as high-risk at either hospital were significantly more likely to develop additional organ system derangements, require a greater number of transfused units of packed red blood cells, and have longer hospital stays compared with patients classified as low-risk (p < .006). The BLEED classification also identified a greater frequency of intensive care admission for both low-risk (RR, 4.21; 95% Cl, 2.24 to 7.89) and high-risk (relative risk, 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.23 to 2.02) patients at Barnes Hospital compared with those patients at Jewish Hospital, although no beneficial effects on patient outcome were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The BLEED classification, applied at initial emergency department evaluation and before admission, predicts hospital outcomes for patients with acute upper or lower GI hemorrhage. This outcome prediction tool also identified variations in intensive care utilization between two hospitals.

APACHE↗