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Rogachev S, Hashavya S, Rekhtman D, Schiesel G, Benenson-Weinberg T, Weiser G, Gordon O, Gross I. Return Visits in Infants Younger Than 90 Days Presenting to the Pediatric Emergency Department for Fever. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2024:99228241234963. [PMID: 38415681 DOI: 10.1177/00099228241234963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Fever in infants presenting to pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) often results in significant return visits (RVs). This retrospective study aimed to identify factors associated with RVs in febrile infants aged 0 to 90 days. Data from infants presenting to PED between 2018 and 2021 and returning within 7 days (RV group) were compared to age-matched febrile infants without RVs (control group). Each group had 95 infants with similar demographics and medical history. RVs were primarily due to positive cultures and persistent fever. The control group had higher initial hospitalization rates, longer PED stays, and increased antibiotic treatment. Prevalence of serious bacterial infections (SBIs) did not significantly differ. Higher hospitalization, prolonged PED stays, and initial antibiotic treatment were associated with reduced RV incidence despite similar SBI rates. Return visits in infants <90 days were primarily driven by persistent fever and positive cultures. Addressing these factors through targeted parental education and improved care protocols may reduce RVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Rogachev
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Saar Hashavya
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - David Rekhtman
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Gali Schiesel
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Giora Weiser
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Oren Gordon
- Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Hadassah Medical Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Itai Gross
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
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2
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Michelson KA, Bachur RG, Rangel SJ, Monuteaux MC, Mahajan P, Finkelstein JA. Emergency Department Volume and Delayed Diagnosis of Pediatric Appendicitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Ann Surg 2023; 278:833-838. [PMID: 37389457 PMCID: PMC10756921 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000005972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the association of emergency department (ED) volume of children and delayed diagnosis of appendicitis. BACKGROUND Delayed diagnosis of appendicitis is common in children. The association between ED volume and delayed diagnosis is uncertain, but diagnosis-specific experience might improve diagnostic timeliness. METHODS Using Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project 8-state data from 2014 to 2019, we studied all children with appendicitis <18 years old in all EDs. The main outcome was probable delayed diagnosis: >75% likelihood that a delay occurred based on a previously validated measure. Hierarchical models tested associations between ED volumes and delay, adjusting for age, sex, and chronic conditions. We compared complication rates by delayed diagnosis occurrence. RESULTS Among 93,136 children with appendicitis, 3,293 (3.5%) had delayed diagnosis. Each 2-fold increase in ED volume was associated with a 6.9% (95% CI: 2.2, 11.3) decreased odds of delayed diagnosis. Each 2-fold increase in appendicitis volume was associated with a 24.1% (95% CI: 21.0, 27.0) decreased odds of delay. Those with delayed diagnosis were more likely to receive intensive care [odds ratio (OR): 1.81, 95% CI: 1.48, 2.21], have perforated appendicitis (OR: 2.81, 95% CI: 2.62, 3.02), undergo abdominal abscess drainage (OR: 2.49, 95% CI: 2.16, 2.88), have multiple abdominal surgeries (OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 2.13, 3.07), or develop sepsis (OR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.61, 2.54). CONCLUSIONS Higher ED volumes were associated with a lower risk of delayed diagnosis of pediatric appendicitis. Delay was associated with complications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard G Bachur
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Shawn J Rangel
- Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | | | - Prashant Mahajan
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Jonathan A Finkelstein
- Department of Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, CA
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3
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Liberman AL, Wang Z, Zhu Y, Hassoon A, Choi J, Austin JM, Johansen MC, Newman-Toker DE. Optimizing measurement of misdiagnosis-related harms using symptom-disease pair analysis of diagnostic error (SPADE): comparison groups to maximize SPADE validity. Diagnosis (Berl) 2023; 10:225-234. [PMID: 37018487 PMCID: PMC10659025 DOI: 10.1515/dx-2022-0130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Diagnostic errors in medicine represent a significant public health problem but continue to be challenging to measure accurately, reliably, and efficiently. The recently developed Symptom-Disease Pair Analysis of Diagnostic Error (SPADE) approach measures misdiagnosis related harms using electronic health records or administrative claims data. The approach is clinically valid, methodologically sound, statistically robust, and operationally viable without the requirement for manual chart review. This paper clarifies aspects of the SPADE analysis to assure that researchers apply this method to yield valid results with a particular emphasis on defining appropriate comparator groups and analytical strategies for balancing differences between these groups. We discuss four distinct types of comparators (intra-group and inter-group for both look-back and look-forward analyses), detailing the rationale for choosing one over the other and inferences that can be drawn from these comparative analyses. Our aim is that these additional analytical practices will improve the validity of SPADE and related approaches to quantify diagnostic error in medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ava L. Liberman
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute and Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine
| | - Zheyu Wang
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics
- The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics
| | - Yuxin Zhu
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology and the Armstrong Institute Center for Diagnostic Excellence
| | - Ahmed Hassoon
- The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics
| | - Justin Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine
| | - J. Matthew Austin
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine and the Armstrong Institute Center for Diagnostic Excellence
| | - Michelle C. Johansen
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology and the Armstrong Institute Center for Diagnostic Excellence
| | - David E. Newman-Toker
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology and the Armstrong Institute Center for Diagnostic Excellence
- The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Departments of Epidemiology and Health Policy & Management
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4
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Michelson KA, Bachur RG, Grubenhoff JA, Cruz AT, Chaudhari PP, Reeves SD, Porter JJ, Monuteaux MC, Dart AH, Finkelstein JA. OUTCOMES OF MISSED DIAGNOSIS OF PEDIATRIC APPENDICITIS, NEW-ONSET DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS, AND SEPSIS IN FIVE PEDIATRIC HOSPITALS. J Emerg Med 2023; 65:e9-e18. [PMID: 37355425 PMCID: PMC10527892 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2023.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Missed diagnosis can predispose to worse condition-specific outcomes. OBJECTIVE To determine 90-day complication rates and hospital utilization after a missed diagnosis of pediatric appendicitis, new-onset diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and sepsis. METHODS We evaluated patients under 21 years of age visiting five pediatric emergency departments (EDs) with a study condition. Case patients had a preceding ED visit within 7 days of diagnosis and underwent case review to confirm a missed diagnosis. Control patients had no preceding ED visit. We compared complication rates and utilization between case and control patients after adjusting for age, sex, and insurance. RESULTS We analyzed 29,398 children with appendicitis, 5366 with DKA, and 3622 with sepsis, of whom 429, 33, and 46, respectively, had a missed diagnosis. Patients with missed diagnosis of appendicitis or DKA had more hospital days and readmissions; there were no significant differences for those with sepsis. Those with missed appendicitis were more likely to have abdominal abscess drainage (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4-3.6) or perforated appendicitis (aOR 3.1, 95% CI 2.5-3.8). Those with missed DKA were more likely to have cerebral edema (aOR 4.6, 95% CI 1.5-11.3), mechanical ventilation (aOR 13.4, 95% CI 3.8-37.1), or death (aOR 28.4, 95% CI 1.4-207.5). Those with missed sepsis were less likely to have mechanical ventilation (aOR 0.5, 95% CI 0.2-0.9). Other illness complications were not significantly different by missed diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Children with delayed diagnosis of appendicitis or new-onset DKA had a higher risk of 90-day complications and hospital utilization than those with a timely diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth A Michelson
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Richard G Bachur
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joseph A Grubenhoff
- Section of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado; Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Andrea T Cruz
- Divisions of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Pradip P Chaudhari
- Division of Emergency and Transport Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Scott D Reeves
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Ohio
| | - John J Porter
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael C Monuteaux
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Arianna H Dart
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jonathan A Finkelstein
- Department of Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, California
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Diagnostic Delays in Sepsis: Lessons Learned From a Retrospective Study of Canadian Medico-Legal Claims. Crit Care Explor 2023; 5:e0841. [PMID: 36751515 PMCID: PMC9894347 DOI: 10.1097/cce.0000000000000841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Although rapid treatment improves outcomes for patients presenting with sepsis, early detection can be difficult, especially in otherwise healthy adults. OBJECTIVES Using medico-legal data, we aimed to identify areas of focus to assist with early recognition of sepsis. DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Retrospective descriptive design. We analyzed closed medico-legal cases involving physicians from a national database repository at the Canadian Medical Protective Association. The study included cases closed between 2011 and 2020 that had documented peer expert criticism of a diagnostic issue related to sepsis or relevant infections. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES We used univariate statistics to describe patients and physicians and applied published frameworks to classify contributing factors (provider, team, system) and diagnostic pitfalls based on peer expert criticisms. RESULTS Of 162 involved patients, the median age was 53 years (interquartile range [IQR], 34-66 yr) and mortality was 49%. Of 218 implicated physicians, 169 (78%) were from family medicine, emergency medicine, or surgical specialties. Eighty patients (49%) made multiple visits to outpatient care leading up to sepsis recognition/hospitalization (median = two visits; IQR, 2-4). Almost 40% of patients were admitted to the ICU. Deficient assessments, such as failing to consider sepsis or not reassessing the patient prior to discharge, contributed to the majority of cases (81%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Sepsis continues to be a challenging diagnosis for clinicians. Multiple visits to outpatient care may be an early warning sign requiring vigilance in the patient assessment.
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6
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Coulthard MG, Osborne JM, McCaffery K, McAuley SA, McEniery JA. Multi-incident analysis of reviews of serious adverse clinical events in children with serious bacterial infection and/or sepsis in Queensland, Australia between 2012 and 2017. J Paediatr Child Health 2022; 58:497-503. [PMID: 34553810 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.15759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIM To report on findings from a multi-incident analysis of reviews of serious paediatric adverse clinical events related to serious bacterial infection and/or sepsis (hereafter referred to as sepsis for brevity) in Queensland, Australia, between 2012 and 2017. METHODS The Queensland Paediatric Quality Council reviewed documentation from reviews of serious adverse events occurring in children (<18 years) with a diagnosis of sepsis at Queensland public hospitals between 2012 and 2017, including clinical details, coronial reports, autopsy reports and root cause analysis documents. A multi-incident tool was designed and used by an expert panel to identify patient and facility demographics, contributing factors, and human and system factors associated with paediatric serious adverse events. RESULTS There were 28 serious adverse clinical events reported related to paediatric sepsis, characterised by a high proportion of deaths (23) and a predominance of children aged under 4 years. Approximately half of all facilities were classified as rural and remote health services. Contributing factors included difficulty in recognising and responding to the deteriorating patient, inadequate management/treatment, diagnostic error (mainly diagnostic delay) and escalation delay/failure. Major system factors included communication issues, incorrect use of the early warning tool, inadequate coordination of care planning, policy/protocol/guideline failures and workforce problems. CONCLUSION Multi-incident analysis is a useful tool for identifying themes that recur in similar events and presents opportunities for system-wide improvement. Common themes and contributing factors were identified which may provide possibilities for earlier identification and intervention in childhood serious bacterial infection and/or sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark G Coulthard
- Queensland Paediatric Quality Council, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Mayne Academy of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Queensland Children's Hospital, Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jodie M Osborne
- Queensland Paediatric Quality Council, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kevin McCaffery
- Queensland Paediatric Quality Council, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Queensland Children's Hospital, Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sharon A McAuley
- Queensland Paediatric Quality Council, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Mayne Academy of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Queensland Children's Hospital, Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Julie A McEniery
- Queensland Paediatric Quality Council, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Mayne Academy of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Queensland Children's Hospital, Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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7
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Cifra CL, Westlund E, Ten Eyck P, Ward MM, Mohr NM, Katz DA. An estimate of missed pediatric sepsis in the emergency department. Diagnosis (Berl) 2021; 8:193-198. [PMID: 32191624 PMCID: PMC7732517 DOI: 10.1515/dx-2020-0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Timely diagnosis of pediatric sepsis remains elusive. We estimated the risk of potentially missed pediatric sepsis in US emergency departments (EDs) and determined factors associated with its occurrence. METHODS In a retrospective study of linked inpatient and ED records from four states using administrative data (excluding 40% with missing identifiers), we identified children admitted with severe sepsis and/or septic shock who had at least one ED treat-and-release visit in the 7 days prior to sepsis admission. An expert panel rated the likelihood of each ED visit being related to subsequent sepsis admission. We used multivariable regression to identify associations with potentially missed sepsis. RESULTS Of 1945 patients admitted with severe sepsis/septic shock, 158 [8.1%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 6.9%-9.4%] had potentially missed sepsis during an antecedent treat-and-release ED visit. The odds of potentially missed sepsis were lower for each additional comorbid chronic condition [odds ratio (OR), 0.86; 95% CI, 0.80-0.92] and higher in California (OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.34-3.82), Florida (OR, 3.33; 95% CI, 1.95-5.70), and Massachusetts (OR, 2.87; 95% CI, 1.35-6.09), compared to New York. CONCLUSIONS Administrative data can be used to screen large populations for potentially missed sepsis and identify cases that warrant detailed record review.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erik Westlund
- University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Department of Sociology, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Patrick Ten Eyck
- University of Iowa Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Marcia M. Ward
- University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa
| | | | - David A. Katz
- University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
- Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa
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8
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Repeated Emergency Department Visits Among Children with Invasive Bacterial Infections. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2021; 40:e205-e207. [PMID: 33464016 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000003062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
We carried out a retrospective cohort study of 271 previously healthy children younger than 14 years old diagnosed with invasive bacterial infection in an emergency department. Of them, 72 (26.6%) had previous visits to the emergency department. Not identifying children with an invasive bacterial infection and not administering antibiotics on the first visit was associated with a severe outcome.
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9
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Gelernter R, Lazarovitch T, Kozer E, Youngster I. Children discharged from an emergency department with bacteraemia had lower C-reactive protein and better outcomes than admissions. Acta Paediatr 2021; 110:1571-1576. [PMID: 33128310 DOI: 10.1111/apa.15645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM To investigate whether there are common clinical findings in bacteraemic children that were discharged from the emergency department (ED) and to follow their clinical outcome. METHODS A retrospective chart review of children above one-month-old with positive blood cultures obtained in Shamir Medical Center's ED between January 2011 and December 2019 was conducted. RESULTS A total of 250 cases were analysed, of which 68 discharged after first evaluation. Streptococcus pneumonia was the most commonly isolated pathogen. Compared to children that were admitted when first evaluated in the ED, discharged children had lower C-reactive protein (mean 50.5 ± 62.8 vs 121.7 ± 113.2 mg/L, p < 0.001). Dyspnoea and being ill-looking were less prevalent among the latter (6.7% versus 35.1%, p = <0.001, 3.0% versus 22.2% p < 0.001, respectively), as were presence of Kingella kingae and other Gram-negative bacteria. Of the children hospitalised in our institution, the duration of hospitalisation was significantly lower than in those admitted during the first visit (6.3 ± 4.3 vs 9.0 ± 7.4 days, p = .002). None of the discharged children were admitted to paediatric intensive care unit. CONCLUSION Children with bacteraemia who were discharged home before knowing their positive blood cultures results had lower C-reactive protein and better outcome compared to those admitted on first evaluation in emergency department.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renana Gelernter
- Pediatric Emergency Unit Shamir Medical Center Zerifin Israel
- The Sackler School of Medicine Tel‐Aviv University Tel‐Aviv Israel
| | | | - Eran Kozer
- Pediatric Emergency Unit Shamir Medical Center Zerifin Israel
- The Sackler School of Medicine Tel‐Aviv University Tel‐Aviv Israel
| | - Ilan Youngster
- Pediatric Emergency Unit Shamir Medical Center Zerifin Israel
- The Sackler School of Medicine Tel‐Aviv University Tel‐Aviv Israel
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit and the Center for Microbiome Research Shamir Medical Center Zerifin Israel
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10
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Horberg MA, Nassery N, Rubenstein KB, Certa JM, Shamim EA, Rothman R, Wang Z, Hassoon A, Townsend JL, Galiatsatos P, Pitts SI, Newman-Toker DE. Rate of sepsis hospitalizations after misdiagnosis in adult emergency department patients: a look-forward analysis with administrative claims data using Symptom-Disease Pair Analysis of Diagnostic Error (SPADE) methodology in an integrated health system. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 8:479-488. [PMID: 33894108 DOI: 10.1515/dx-2020-0145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Delays in sepsis diagnosis can increase morbidity and mortality. Previously, we performed a Symptom-Disease Pair Analysis of Diagnostic Error (SPADE) "look-back" analysis to identify symptoms at risk for delayed sepsis diagnosis. We found treat-and-release emergency department (ED) encounters for fluid and electrolyte disorders (FED) and altered mental status (AMS) were associated with downstream sepsis hospitalizations. In this "look-forward" analysis, we measure the potential misdiagnosis-related harm rate for sepsis among patients with these symptoms. METHODS Retrospective cohort study using electronic health record and claims data from Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States (2013-2018). Patients ≥18 years with ≥1 treat-and-release ED encounter for FED or AMS were included. Observed greater than expected sepsis hospitalizations within 30 days of ED treat-and-release encounters were considered potential misdiagnosis-related harms. Temporal analyses were employed to differentiate case and comparison (superficial injury/contusion ED encounters) cohorts. RESULTS There were 4,549 treat-and-release ED encounters for FED or AMS, 26 associated with a sepsis hospitalization in the next 30 days. The observed (0.57%) minus expected (0.13%) harm rate was 0.44% (absolute) and 4.5-fold increased over expected (relative). There was a spike in sepsis hospitalizations in the week following FED/AMS ED visits. There were fewer sepsis hospitalizations and no spike in admissions in the week following superficial injury/contusion ED visits. Potentially misdiagnosed patients were older and more medically complex. CONCLUSIONS Potential misdiagnosis-related harms from sepsis are infrequent but measurable using SPADE. This look-forward analysis validated our previous look-back study, demonstrating the SPADE approach can be used to study infectious disease syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Horberg
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Rockville, MD, USA.,Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, Department of Infectious Diseases, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Najlla Nassery
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Center for Diagnostic Excellence, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kevin B Rubenstein
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Julia M Certa
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Ejaz A Shamim
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Rockville, MD, USA.,Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, Department of Neurology, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Richard Rothman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Zheyu Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ahmed Hassoon
- Center for Diagnostic Excellence, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer L Townsend
- Division of Infectious Disease, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Panagis Galiatsatos
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Samantha I Pitts
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David E Newman-Toker
- Center for Diagnostic Excellence, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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11
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Gangoiti I, Fernandez CL, Gallego M, Gomez B, Benito J, Mintegi S. Markers for invasive bacterial infections in previously healthy children. Am J Emerg Med 2021; 48:83-86. [PMID: 33862390 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2021.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Iker Gangoiti
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Hospital Universitario Cruces, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Catarina-Livana Fernandez
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Hospital Universitario Cruces, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Mikel Gallego
- Microbiology Department, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Hospital Universitario Cruces, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Borja Gomez
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Hospital Universitario Cruces, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Javier Benito
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Hospital Universitario Cruces, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Santiago Mintegi
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Hospital Universitario Cruces, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain.
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12
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Chartier LB, Jalali H, Seaton MB, Ovens H, Borgundvaag B, McLeod SL, Dainty KN, Ostrow O. Qualitative evaluation of a mandatory provincial programme auditing emergency department return visits. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e044218. [PMID: 33827836 PMCID: PMC8031058 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this qualitative study was to evaluate the perceived impact and value of the Return Visit Quality Programme (RVQP), a mandatory province-wide emergency department audit programme. DESIGN We employed an interpretive descriptive qualitative approach with maximum variation sampling to ensure diverse representation across several geographical and institutional factors. RVQP programme leads were invited to participate in semistructured interviews and snowball sampling was used to reach non-lead physicians to capture the perspectives of those working within the programme. SETTING In Ontario's RVQP, participating emergency departments must audit their return visits resulting in admission to identify issues that can be addressed through quality improvement initiatives. PARTICIPANTS Between June and August 2018, we interviewed 32 participants (local programme leads and non-lead physicians) from 23 out of the 86 participating centres. RESULTS Participants' perceived impact and value of the programme was associated with the existence (or absence) and nature of the local quality improvement culture, the implementation approach of the programme within their emergency departments, and key aspects of the programme pertaining to medicolegal concerns and resource availability. CONCLUSIONS This study of an innovative, large-scale programme aimed at promoting continuous quality improvement in emergency departments showed that while its perceived impact has been meaningful, there are key structural and operational elements that support and hinder this aim. Healthcare leaders should consider these findings when looking to implement large-scale audit or quality improvement programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas B Chartier
- Emergency Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hanna Jalali
- University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - M Bianca Seaton
- Research and Innovation, North York General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Howard Ovens
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bjug Borgundvaag
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shelley L McLeod
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Schwartz/Reisman Emergency Medicine Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Katie N Dainty
- Research and Innovation, North York General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Olivia Ostrow
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Borensztajn DM, Oostenbrink R. Vanishing evidence of the non-blanching rash? THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2021; 21:447-448. [PMID: 33186514 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(20)30686-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dorine M Borensztajn
- Department of General Paediatrics, Erasmus Medical Center Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam 3015 GD, Netherlands; Department of Paediatrics, NWZ Hospital, Alkmaar, Netherlands
| | - Rianne Oostenbrink
- Department of General Paediatrics, Erasmus Medical Center Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam 3015 GD, Netherlands.
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Mittiga MR, Frey M, Kerrey BT, Rinderknecht AS, Eckerle MD, Sobolewski B, Johnson LH, Oehler JL, Bennett BL, Chan S, Frey TM, Krummen KM, Lindsay C, Wolfangel K, Richert A, Masur TJ, Bria CL, Hoehn EF, Geis GL. The Medical Resuscitation Committee: Interprofessional Program Development to Optimize Care for Critically Ill Medical Patients in an Academic Pediatric Emergency Department. Pediatr Emerg Care 2021; 37:167-171. [PMID: 30883536 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000001742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Provision of optimal care to critically ill patients in a pediatric emergency department is challenging. Specific challenges include the following: (a) patient presentations are highly variable, representing the full breadth of human disease and injury, and are often unannounced; (b) care team members have highly variable experience and skills and often few meaningful opportunities to practice care delivery as a team; (c) valid data collection, for quality assurance/improvement and clinical research, is limited when relying on traditional approaches such as medical record review or self-report; (d) specific patient presentations are relatively uncommon for individual providers, providing few opportunities to establish and refine the requisite knowledge and skill; and (e) unscientific or random variation in care delivery. In the current report, we describe our efforts for the last decade to address these challenges and optimize care delivery to critically ill patients in a pediatric emergency department. We specifically describe the grassroots development of an interprofessional medical resuscitation program. Key components of the program are as follows: (a) a database of all medical patients undergoing evaluation in the resuscitation suite, (b) peer review and education through video-based case review, (c) a program of emergency department in situ simulation, and (d) the development of cognitive aids for high-acuity, low-frequency medical emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mary Frey
- From the Division of Emergency Medicine
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kelly M Krummen
- Emergency Services, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Claire Lindsay
- Emergency Services, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Kelsey Wolfangel
- Emergency Services, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Alison Richert
- Emergency Services, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Tonya J Masur
- Emergency Services, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
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Nassery N, Horberg MA, Rubenstein KB, Certa JM, Watson E, Somasundaram B, Shamim E, Townsend JL, Galiatsatos P, Pitts SI, Hassoon A, Newman-Toker DE. Antecedent treat-and-release diagnoses prior to sepsis hospitalization among adult emergency department patients: a look-back analysis employing insurance claims data using Symptom-Disease Pair Analysis of Diagnostic Error (SPADE) methodology. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 8:469-478. [PMID: 33650389 DOI: 10.1515/dx-2020-0140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to identify delays in early pre-sepsis diagnosis in emergency departments (ED) using the Symptom-Disease Pair Analysis of Diagnostic Error (SPADE) approach. METHODS SPADE methodology was employed using electronic health record and claims data from Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States (KPMAS). Study cohort included KPMAS members ≥18 years with ≥1 sepsis hospitalization 1/1/2013-12/31/2018. A look-back analysis identified treat-and-release ED visits in the month prior to sepsis hospitalizations. Top 20 diagnoses associated with these ED visits were identified; two diagnosis categories were distinguished as being linked to downstream sepsis hospitalizations. Observed-to-expected (O:E) and temporal analyses were performed to validate the symptom selection; results were contrasted to a comparison group. Demographics of patients that did and did not experience sepsis misdiagnosis were compared. RESULTS There were 3,468 sepsis hospitalizations during the study period and 766 treat-and-release ED visits in the month prior to hospitalization. Patients discharged from the ED with fluid and electrolyte disorders (FED) and altered mental status (AMS) were most likely to have downstream sepsis hospitalizations (O:E ratios of 2.66 and 2.82, respectively). Temporal analyses revealed that these symptoms were overrepresented and temporally clustered close to the hospitalization date. Approximately 2% of sepsis hospitalizations were associated with prior FED or AMS ED visits. CONCLUSIONS Treat-and-release ED encounters for FED and AMS may represent harbingers for downstream sepsis hospitalizations. The SPADE approach can be used to develop performance measures that identify pre-sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najlla Nassery
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Diagnostic Excellence, Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael A Horberg
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Rockville, MD, USA
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, Department of Infectious Diseases, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Kevin B Rubenstein
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Julia M Certa
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Eric Watson
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Brinda Somasundaram
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Ejaz Shamim
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Rockville, MD, USA
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, Department of Neurology, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer L Townsend
- Division of Infectious Disease, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Panagis Galiatsatos
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Samantha I Pitts
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ahmed Hassoon
- Center for Diagnostic Excellence, Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David E Newman-Toker
- Center for Diagnostic Excellence, Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Chartier LB, Ovens H, Hayes E, Davis B, Calder L, Schull M, Dreyer J, Ostrow O. Improving Quality of Care Through a Mandatory Provincial Audit Program: Ontario's Emergency Department Return Visit Quality Program. Ann Emerg Med 2020; 77:193-202. [PMID: 33199045 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2020.09.449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The Emergency Department Return Visit Quality Program was launched in Ontario, Canada, to promote a culture of quality. It mandates the province's largest-volume emergency departments (EDs) to audit charts of patients who had a return visit leading to hospital admission, including some of their 72-hour all-cause return visits with admission and all of their 7-day ones with sentinel diagnoses (ie, acute myocardial infarction, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and pediatric sepsis), and submit their findings to a governmental agency. This provides an opportunity to identify possible adverse events and quality issues, which hospitals can then address through quality improvement initiatives. A group of emergency physicians with quality improvement expertise analyzed the submitted audits and accompanying narrative templates, using a general inductive approach to develop a novel classification of recurrent quality themes. Since the Return Visit Quality Program launched in 2016, 125,698 return visits with admission have been identified, representing 0.93% of the 86 participating EDs' 13,559,664 visits. Overall, participating hospitals have conducted 12,852 detailed chart audits, uncovering 3,010 (23.4%) adverse events/quality issues and undertaking hundreds of quality improvement provincewide projects as a result. The inductive analysis revealed 11 recurrent themes, classified into 3 groupings: patient characteristics (ie, patient risk profile and elder care), ED team actions or processes (ie, physician cognitive lapses, documentation, handover/communication between providers, radiology, vital signs, and high-risk medications or medication interactions), and health care system issues (ie, discharge planning/community follow-up, left against medical advice/left without being seen, and imaging/testing availability). The Return Visit Quality Program is the largest mandatory audit program for EDs and provides a novel approach to identify local adverse events/quality issues to target for improved patient safety and quality of care. It provides a blueprint for health system leaders to enable clinicians to develop an approach to organizational quality, as well as for teams to construct an audit system that yields defined issues amenable to improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas B Chartier
- Emergency Department, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medicine, Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Howard Ovens
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Emily Hayes
- Health Quality Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Lisa Calder
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Schull
- Department of Medicine, Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; ICES and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathan Dreyer
- London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medicine, Division of Emergency Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Olivia Ostrow
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Paediatric Emergency Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Newman-Toker DE, Wang Z, Zhu Y, Nassery N, Saber Tehrani AS, Schaffer AC, Yu-Moe CW, Clemens GD, Fanai M, Siegal D. Rate of diagnostic errors and serious misdiagnosis-related harms for major vascular events, infections, and cancers: toward a national incidence estimate using the “Big Three”. Diagnosis (Berl) 2020; 8:67-84. [DOI: 10.1515/dx-2019-0104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Missed vascular events, infections, and cancers account for ~75% of serious harms from diagnostic errors. Just 15 diseases from these “Big Three” categories account for nearly half of all serious misdiagnosis-related harms in malpractice claims. As part of a larger project estimating total US burden of serious misdiagnosis-related harms, we performed a focused literature review to measure diagnostic error and harm rates for these 15 conditions.
Methods
We searched PubMed, Google, and cited references. For errors, we selected high-quality, modern, US-based studies, if available, and best available evidence otherwise. For harms, we used literature-based estimates of the generic (disease-agnostic) rate of serious harms (morbidity/mortality) per diagnostic error and applied claims-based severity weights to construct disease-specific rates. Results were validated via expert review and comparison to prior literature that used different methods. We used Monte Carlo analysis to construct probabilistic plausible ranges (PPRs) around estimates.
Results
Rates for the 15 diseases were drawn from 28 published studies representing 91,755 patients. Diagnostic error (false negative) rates ranged from 2.2% (myocardial infarction) to 62.1% (spinal abscess), with a median of 13.6% [interquartile range (IQR) 9.2–24.7] and an aggregate mean of 9.7% (PPR 8.2–12.3). Serious misdiagnosis-related harm rates per incident disease case ranged from 1.2% (myocardial infarction) to 35.6% (spinal abscess), with a median of 5.5% (IQR 4.6–13.6) and an aggregate mean of 5.2% (PPR 4.5–6.7). Rates were considered face valid by domain experts and consistent with prior literature reports.
Conclusions
Diagnostic improvement initiatives should focus on dangerous conditions with higher diagnostic error and misdiagnosis-related harm rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E. Newman-Toker
- Department of Neurology , The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD , USA
- Director, Armstrong Institute Center for Diagnostic Excellence , The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD , USA
- Professor, Department of Epidemiology , The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore, MD , USA
| | - Zheyu Wang
- Department of Oncology , The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD , USA
- Department of Biostatistics, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore, MD , USA
| | - Yuxin Zhu
- Department of Oncology , The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD , USA
- Department of Biostatistics, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore, MD , USA
| | - Najlla Nassery
- Department of Medicine , The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD , USA
| | - Ali S. Saber Tehrani
- Department of Neurology , The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD , USA
| | - Adam C. Schaffer
- Department of Patient Safety, CRICO , Boston, MA , USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School , Boston, MA , USA
| | | | - Gwendolyn D. Clemens
- Department of Biostatistics, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore, MD , USA
| | - Mehdi Fanai
- Department of Neurology , The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD , USA
| | - Dana Siegal
- Director of Patient Safety, CRICO Strategies , Boston, MA , USA
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Clinical Description and Outcomes of Australian Children With Invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2020; 39:379-384. [PMID: 32091492 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000002596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Invasive group A streptococcal disease is a severe infection with a high case fatality rate, estimated to cause more than 150,000 deaths per year worldwide. The clinical presentation of this infection is variable, and early diagnosis can be challenging. There are few data on its short- and longer-term outcomes, especially in children. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical presentation, management and short- and longer-term outcomes of invasive group A streptococcal disease in children in Australia. METHODS We undertook a prospective surveillance study of children with laboratory-confirmed invasive group A streptococcus disease admitted to 7 sentinel tertiary and quaternary pediatric hospitals in Australia between July 2016 and June 2018. We collected demographic and clinical data and contacted patients 6 months after discharge to assess longer-term outcomes. RESULTS We enrolled 181 children, 7 days to 16 years of age. The principal site of invasive infection was blood (126 children, 69.6%), and the most frequent clinical presentation was pneumonia in 46 children (25.4%). Twenty-six children developed streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (14.4%), and 74 had severe disease (40.9%), including 71 admitted to the intensive care unit. Five children died (2.8%). At discharge and 6 months, 29.3% and 15.2% of the children had persisting health problems, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Invasive group A streptococcal infection in Australian children is frequently severe and has a high long-term morbidity burden, highlighting the need for strengthened clinical care pathways, epidemiologic surveillance and prevention strategies.
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Taher A, Bunker E, Chartier LB, Ostrow O, Ovens H, Davis B, Schull MJ. Application of the Informatics Stack framework to describe a population-level emergency department return visit continuous quality improvement program. Int J Med Inform 2019; 133:103937. [PMID: 31739223 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2019.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Population health programs are increasingly reliant on Health Information Technology (HIT). Program HIT architecture description is a necessary step prior to evaluation. Several sociotechnical frameworks have been used previously with HIT programs. The Informatics Stack is a novel framework that provides a thorough description of HIT program architecture. The Emergency Department Return Visit Quality Program (EDRVQP) is a population-level continuous quality improvement (QI) program connecting EDs across Ontario. The objectives of the study were to utilize the Informatics Stack to provide a description of the EDRVQP HIT architecture and to delineate population health program factors that are enablers or barriers. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Informatics Stack was used to describe the HIT architecture. A qualitative study was completed with semi-structured interviews of key informants across stakeholder organizations. Emergency departments were selected randomly. Purposive sampling identified key informants. Interviews were conducted until saturation. An inductive qualitative analysis using grounded theory was completed. A literature review of peer-reviewed background literature, and stakeholder organization reports was also conducted. RESULTS 23 business actors from 15 organizations were interviewed. The EDRVQP architecture description is presented across the Informatics Stack levels. The levels from most comprehensive to most basic are world, organization, perspectives/roles, goals/functions, workflow/behaviour/adoption, information systems, modules, data/information/knowledge/wisdom/algorithms, and technology. Enabling factors were the high rate of electronic health record adoption, legislative mandate for data collection, use of functional data standards, implementation flexibility, leveraging validated algorithms, and leveraging existing local health networks. Barriers were privacy legislation and a high turn-around time. DISCUSSION The Informatics Stack provides a robust approach to thoroughly describe the HIT architecture of population health programs prior to program replication. The EDRVQP is a population health program that illustrates the pragmatic use of continuous QI methodology across a population (provincial) level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Taher
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.
| | - Edward Bunker
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lucas B Chartier
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Olivia Ostrow
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Howard Ovens
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Sinai Health System, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Michael J Schull
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; ICES, Toronto, Canada
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Characteristics of children with microbiologically confirmed invasive bacterial infections in the emergency department. Eur J Emerg Med 2018; 25:274-280. [PMID: 28118320 DOI: 10.1097/mej.0000000000000453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Determination of the characteristics of paediatric invasive bacterial infections (IBI) is essential for early identification of children requiring immediate antibiotic therapy. The main objective is to characterize the emergency presentation of the IBI among children aged younger than 14 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS A prospective registry-based cohort study including all patients aged younger than 14 years diagnosed with confirmed IBI (culture or genomic detection using the polymerase chain reaction) was carried out in a paediatric emergency department between 2008 and 2015. Severity criteria were as follows: death, sequelae or admission to the ICU. RESULTS Of the 223 IBIs reported, 187 (83.9%) corresponded to previously healthy patients (median age=19 months) and 165 (74%) were well appearing. The most common diagnoses were occult bacteraemia [60 (26.9%)] and sepsis [56 (25.1%)]. The most frequent pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae [68 (30.5%)] and Neisseria meningitidis [42 (18.8%)]. Four (1.8) patients died (S. pneumoniae, 2) and eight (3.5%) had sequelae (S. pneumoniae, 5). The diagnoses and clinical characteristics of the children varied significantly depending on the isolated pathogen. Duration of fever less than 24 h, symptoms other than fever and not being well-appearing upon arrival to the emergency department were independent risk factors for greater severity (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve=0.805; 95% confidence interval: 0.741-0.868). CONCLUSION IBIs are commonly diagnosed in previously healthy and well-appearing young children. S. pneumoniae was responsible for the majority of deaths or sequelae. Short duration of fever, symptoms other than fever and not being stable on arrival are associated with greater severity.
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Liberman AL, Newman-Toker DE. Symptom-Disease Pair Analysis of Diagnostic Error (SPADE): a conceptual framework and methodological approach for unearthing misdiagnosis-related harms using big data. BMJ Qual Saf 2018; 27:557-566. [PMID: 29358313 DOI: 10.1136/bmjqs-2017-007032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The public health burden associated with diagnostic errors is likely enormous, with some estimates suggesting millions of individuals are harmed each year in the USA, and presumably many more worldwide. According to the US National Academy of Medicine, improving diagnosis in healthcare is now considered 'a moral, professional, and public health imperative.' Unfortunately, well-established, valid and readily available operational measures of diagnostic performance and misdiagnosis-related harms are lacking, hampering progress. Existing methods often rely on judging errors through labour-intensive human reviews of medical records that are constrained by poor clinical documentation, low reliability and hindsight bias. METHODS Key gaps in operational measurement might be filled via thoughtful statistical analysis of existing large clinical, billing, administrative claims or similar data sets. In this manuscript, we describe a method to quantify and monitor diagnostic errors using an approach we call 'Symptom-Disease Pair Analysis of Diagnostic Error' (SPADE). RESULTS We first offer a conceptual framework for establishing valid symptom-disease pairs illustrated using the well-known diagnostic error dyad of dizziness-stroke. We then describe analytical methods for both look-back (case-control) and look-forward (cohort) measures of diagnostic error and misdiagnosis-related harms using 'big data'. After discussing the strengths and limitations of the SPADE approach by comparing it to other strategies for detecting diagnostic errors, we identify the sources of validity and reliability that undergird our approach. CONCLUSION SPADE-derived metrics could eventually be used for operational diagnostic performance dashboards and national benchmarking. This approach has the potential to transform diagnostic quality and safety across a broad range of clinical problems and settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ava L Liberman
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - David E Newman-Toker
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Departments of Epidemiology and Health Policy and Management, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Barbi E, Marzuillo P, Neri E, Naviglio S, Krauss BS. Fever in Children: Pearls and Pitfalls. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2017; 4:E81. [PMID: 28862659 PMCID: PMC5615271 DOI: 10.3390/children4090081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Revised: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Fever in children is a common concern for parents and one of the most frequent presenting complaints in emergency department visits, often involving non-pediatric emergency physicians. Although the incidence of serious infections has decreased after the introduction of conjugate vaccines, fever remains a major cause of laboratory investigation and hospital admissions. Furthermore, antipyretics are the most common medications administered to children. We review the epidemiology and measurement of fever, the meaning of fever and associated clinical signs in children of different ages and under special conditions, including fever in children with cognitive impairment, recurrent fevers, and fever of unknown origin. While the majority of febrile children have mild, self-resolving viral illness, a minority may be at risk of life-threatening infections. Clinical assessment differs markedly from adult patients. Hands-off evaluation is paramount for a correct evaluation of breathing, circulation and level of interaction. Laboratory markers and clinical prediction rules provide limited help in identifying children at risk for serious infections; however, clinical examination, prudent utilization of laboratory tests, and post-discharge guidance ("safety netting") remain the cornerstone of safe management of febrile children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Egidio Barbi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Pierluigi Marzuillo
- Department of Woman and Child and General and Specialized Surgery, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Elena Neri
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Samuele Naviglio
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137 Trieste, Italy.
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34137 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Baruch S Krauss
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02115, MA, USA.
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Winter J, Waxman MJ, Waterman G, Ata A, Frisch A, Collins KP, King C. Pediatric Patients Discharged from the Emergency Department with Abnormal Vital Signs. West J Emerg Med 2017; 18:878-883. [PMID: 28874940 PMCID: PMC5576624 DOI: 10.5811/westjem.2017.5.33000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Revised: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Children often present to the emergency department (ED) with minor conditions such as fever and have persistently abnormal vital signs. We hypothesized that a significant portion of children discharged from the ED would have abnormal vital signs and that those discharged with abnormal vital signs would experience very few adverse events. METHODS We performed a retrospective chart review encompassing a 44-month period of all pediatric patients (aged two months to 17 years) who were discharged from the ED with an abnormal pulse rate, respiratory rate, temperature, or oxygen saturation. We used a local quality assurance database to identify pre-defined adverse events after discharge in this population. Our primary aim was to determine the proportion of children discharged with abnormal vital signs and the frequency and nature of adverse events. Additionally, we performed a sub-analysis comparing the rate of adverse events in children discharged with normal vs. abnormal vital signs, as well as a standardized review of the nature of each adverse event. RESULTS Of 33,185 children discharged during the study period, 5,540 (17%) of these patients had at least one abnormal vital sign. There were 24/5,540 (0.43%) adverse events in the children with at least one abnormal vital sign vs. 47/27,645 (0.17%) adverse events in the children with normal vital signs [relative risk = 2.5 (95% confidence interval, 1.6 to 2.4)].However, upon review of each adverse event we found only one case that was related to the index visit, was potentially preventable by a 23-hour hospital observation, and caused permanent disability. CONCLUSION In our study population, 17% of the children were discharged with at least one abnormal vital sign, and there were very few adverse (0.43%) events associated with this practice. Heart rate was the most common abnormal vital sign leading to an adverse event. Severe adverse events that were potentially related to the abnormal vital sign(s) were exceedingly rare. Additional research is needed in broader populations to better determine the rate of adverse events and possible methods of avoiding them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine Winter
- Albany Medical College, Department of Emergency Medicine, Albany, New York
| | - Michael J Waxman
- Albany Medical College, Department of Emergency Medicine, Albany, New York
| | - George Waterman
- Albany Medical College, Department of Emergency Medicine, Albany, New York
| | - Ashar Ata
- Albany Medical College, Department of Emergency Medicine, Albany, New York
| | - Adam Frisch
- Albany Medical College, Department of Emergency Medicine, Albany, New York
| | - Kevin P Collins
- Albany Medical College, Department of Emergency Medicine, Albany, New York
| | - Christopher King
- Albany Medical College, Department of Emergency Medicine, Albany, New York
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Shy BD, Kim EY, Genes NG, Lowry T, Loo GT, Hwang U, Richardson LD, Shapiro JS. Increased Identification of Emergency Department 72-hour Returns Using Multihospital Health Information Exchange. Acad Emerg Med 2016; 23:645-9. [PMID: 26932394 DOI: 10.1111/acem.12954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Revised: 01/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Emergency departments (EDs) commonly analyze cases of patients returning within 72 hours of initial ED discharge as potential opportunities for quality improvement. In this study, we tested the use of a health information exchange (HIE) to improve identification of 72-hour return visits compared to individual hospitals' site-specific data. METHODS We collected deidentified patient data over a 5-year study period from Healthix, an HIE in the New York metropolitan area. We measured site-specific 72-hour ED returns and compared these data to those obtained from a regional 31-site HIE (Healthix) and to those from a smaller, antecedent 11-site HIE. Although only ED visits were counted as index visits, either ED or inpatient revisits within 72 hours of the index visit were considered as early returns. RESULTS A total of 12,669,657 patient encounters were analyzed across the 31 HIE EDs, including 6,352,829 encounters from the antecedent 11-site HIE. Site-specific 72-hour return visit rates ranged from 1.1% to 15.2% (median = 5.8%) among the individual 31 sites. When the larger HIE was used to identify return visits to any site, individual EDs had a 72-hour return frequency of 1.8% to 15.5% (median = 6.8%). HIE increased the identification ability of 72-hour ED return analyses by a mean of 11.16% (95% confidence interval = 11.10% to 11.22%) compared with site-specific (no HIE) analyses. CONCLUSION This analysis demonstrates incremental improvements in our ability to identify early ED returns using increasing levels of HIE data aggregation. Although intuitive, this has not been previously described using HIE. ED quality measurement and patient safety efforts may be aided by using HIE in 72-hour return analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley D. Shy
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York NY
| | - Eugene Y. Kim
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York NY
| | - Nicholas G. Genes
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York NY
| | | | - George T. Loo
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York NY
| | - Ula Hwang
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York NY
| | - Lynne D. Richardson
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York NY
| | - Jason S. Shapiro
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York NY
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The Spectrum of Pediatric Sepsis: "Septicemia" Misses Severe Cases. Ann Emerg Med 2016; 66:685-6. [PMID: 26590745 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2015.07.521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Vaillancourt S, Vermeulen MJ, Schull MJ. In reply. Ann Emerg Med 2015; 66:686-7. [PMID: 26590746 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2015.07.520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Vaillancourt
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Michael J Schull
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Davis T, Goldstein H, Lawton B, Tagg A. Needle in a haystack: How to identify the sick febrile child. Emerg Med Australas 2015; 27:284-6. [DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.12434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Davis
- Emergency Department; Sydney Children's Hospital; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Henry Goldstein
- Emergency Department; Lady Cilento Children's Hospital; Brisbane Queensland Australia
- School of Medicine; University of Queensland; Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Ben Lawton
- Emergency Department; Lady Cilento Children's Hospital; Brisbane Queensland Australia
- School of Medicine; University of Queensland; Brisbane Queensland Australia
- Emergency Department; Logan Hospital; Logan City Queensland Australia
| | - Andrew Tagg
- Emergency Department; Footscray Hospital; Melbourne Victoria Australia
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