A Retrospective Study Investigating: Factors associated with mode of arrival and emergency department management for patients with acute stroke

The Use of Screening Tests in Differential Diagnosis in Nursing Care

Geriatric syndromes involving instability are associated with a higher risk of further complications in patients with trauma requiring subsequent surgery. Acute stroke symptoms require prompt recognition and initiation of reperfusion treatment. This case study describes the patient's stroke symptoms in a timeline and explores the benefit of objective assessment using screening tests and their importance in the differential diagnosis in nursing. Dysphagia is one of the stroke symptoms that can lead to aspiration pneumonia and increase the risk of mortality. This article aims to inform general nurses about the importance of early recognition of dysphagia and other stroke symptoms using adequate screening tests to ensure quality care. Geriatric syndromes encompass instability, resulting in a higher risk of complications, especially in trauma patients. This case study describes a patient with acute ischemic stroke with vague and unrecognized symptoms of dysphagia and explores the rationale for objective screening tests in nursing care.

Profile and outcomes of emergency department presentations based on mode of arrival: A state-wide retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Understanding how people arrive to the ED assists in planning health services' response to fluctuating ED demand. The present study aimed to describe and compare demographics, clinical characteristics and health service outcomes of adult ED patient presentations based on mode of arrival: brought in by police (BIBP)/brought in by ambulance (BIBA)/privately arranged transport (PAT).

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of ED patient presentations made between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2020 from all public hospital EDs across Queensland, Australia. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed to ascertain presentation characteristics and predictors of health service outcomes.

RESULTS

From 4 707 959 ED presentations, 0.9% were BIBP, 34.8% were BIBA and 64.0% were PAT. Presentations BIBP were younger and comprised a higher proportion of mental health problems and Emergency Examination Authority orders compared to presentations BIBA or PAT. Compared to presentations BIBP or PAT, presentations BIBA were more likely to be assigned more urgent triage scores, be admitted to hospital, and have a longer ED length of stay (LOS). Compared to other modes of arrival, presentations arriving by PAT were more likely to be discharged and have a shorter ED LOS.

CONCLUSION

Presentations BIBA and BIBP encountered a longer ED LOS and higher admission rates than PAT, suggesting more complex care needs than those from PAT. Clinical care pathways for specific modes of arrival that support pre-hospital providers and patients and are considerate of the throughput and output stages of ED care may be needed.

Factors associated with arrival by ambulance for patients with stroke: a multicentre, national data linkage study

BACKGROUND

Hospital arrival via ambulance influences treatment of acute stroke. We aimed to determine the factors associated with use of ambulance and access to evidence-based care among patients with stroke.

METHODS

Patients with first-ever strokes from the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry (2010-2013) were linked with administrative data (emergency, hospital admissions). Multilevel, multivariable regression models were used to determine patient, clinical and system factors associated with arrival by ambulance.

RESULTS

Among the 6,262 patients with first-ever stroke, 4,737 (76%) arrived by ambulance (52% male; 80% ischaemic). Patients who were older, frailer, with comorbidities or were unable to walk on admission (stroke severity) were more likely to arrive by ambulance to hospital. Compared to those using other means of transport, those who used ambulances arrived to hospital sooner after stroke onset (minutes, 124 vs 397) and were more likely to receive reperfusion therapy (adjusted odds ratio, 1.57, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.27).

CONCLUSION

Patients with stroke who use ambulances arrived faster and were more likely to receive reperfusion therapy compared to those using personal transport. Further public education about using ambulance services at all times, instead of personal transport when stroke is suspected is needed to optimise access to time critical care.

Decreased admissions and change in arrival mode in patients with cerebrovascular events during the first surge of the COVID-19 pandemic

Background and purpose

Investigating clinical characteristics of patients presenting with cerebrovascular events during the pandemic may provide valuable insight into further understanding the phenomenon of decreased stroke admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method

Data of patients presenting with a cerebrovascular event to the emergency department during weeks 12–17/2020 were compared to data from the respective weeks in 2019.

Results

A significant reduction in the number of admissions by 35.9% (p = 0.005) was observed during the COVID-19 epoch. In addition, significantly more patients arrived by ambulance during the COVID-19 epoch (2019: 75.7%, 2020: 94.2%; p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Our data may have implications as to how campaigns raising awareness for serious medical conditions in the context of the pandemic should be framed.

[Impact of models of care integrating direct access to physiotherapy in primary care and emergency care contexts in patients with musculoskeletal disorders: A narrative review]

BACKGROUND

Musculoskeletal disorders are increasing in prevalence, principally due to sedentary behaviors. Strong evidence supports an early need for first-line treatment including physiotherapy. New and innovative models in primary and emergency care have been drawn up and put the physiotherapist's skills to work in early and first-line management of patients with musculoskeletal disorders. The objectives of this review were to identify and describe studies assessing models of care integrating direct access to physiotherapy in primary care and in emergency care for patients with musculoskeletal disorders and to provide perspectives on the application of these two models in France.

METHODS

A literature review was carried out including studies extracted from four scientific databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and PEDro. The selected articles had to address the clinical effectiveness or efficiency of these models for the provision of care in primary or in emergency care. A narrative literature review method was used. The synthesis deals with the qualitative analysis of the included studies.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine studies were included in this review: 19 on assessment of the direct access to physiotherapy model in primary care and 20 on the direct access to physiotherapy model in emergency departments as concerns patients with musculoskeletal disorders. The studies showed that the different models incorporating direct access to physiotherapy in primary or in emergency care provided better outcomes in terms of quality and access to care while maintaning a similar degree of safety. However, the methodology of the studies included was estimated as being of heterogeneous quality.

CONCLUSION

The studies dealing with the new models for provision of care integrating direct access to physiotherapy in primary care or emergency care impart two lessons: (1) they are not designed to replace the physician; (2) collaboration between different health professionals aimed at improving patients' access to efficient care is to be encouraged. It would be worthwhile to focus upon dissemination factors that would enhance the efficiency of these innovative models in other countries, as in France.