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Bruinen AL, Frenk LDS, de Theije F, Kemper DWM, Janssen MJW, Rahel BM, Meeder JG, van 't Hof AWJ. Point-of-care high-sensitivity troponin-I analysis in capillary blood for acute coronary syndrome diagnostics point-of-care troponin-I for ACS diagnostics. Clin Chem Lab Med 2022; 60:1669-1674. [PMID: 35858956 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2022-0268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) should be referred promptly to the hospital to reduce mortality and morbidity. Differentiating between low-risk and high-risk patients remains a diagnostic challenge. Point-of-care testing can contribute to earlier disposition decisions for patients excluded from ACS. This study describes the validation of the Atellica® VTLi. Patient-side Immunoassay Analyzer for high-sensitivity troponin point-of-care (POC) analysis. (The Atellica VTLi is not available for sale in the USA. The products/features (mentioned herein) are not commercially available in all countries. Their future availability cannot be guaranteed). METHODS A total of 152 patients with acute chest pain admitted at the cardiac emergency department (ED) were included in the study. Capillary blood was compared with a whole blood and plasma sample obtained by venipuncture. All samples were analyzed using the Atellica VTLi Patient-side Immunoassay Analyzer; in addition, plasma was analyzed by a central lab immunoassay analyzer. RESULTS No significant difference was observed between venous whole blood vs. plasma analyzed by the Atellica VTLi Patient-side Immunoassay Analyzer. The difference between capillary blood and venous blood showed a constant bias of 7.1%, for which a correction factor has been implemented. No clinically relevant differences were observed for the capillary POC results compared to plasma analyzed with a standard immunoassay analyzer. CONCLUSIONS The Atellica VTLi Patient-side Immunoassay Analyzer for high-sensitivity troponin analysis shows equivalent results for all sample types, including capillary blood. No clinically relevant discordances were observed between capillary POC and central laboratory results. With additional studies, this could pave the way towards rapid testing of high-sensitivity troponin in the ambulance or the general practitioner's office without the need for hospitalization of patients with acute chest pain.
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Spek M, Venekamp R, De Groot E, Geersing GJ, Erkelens DC, van Smeden M, Rutten FH, Zwart DL. Optimising telephone triage of patients calling for acute shortness of breath during out-of-hours primary care: protocol of a multiple methods study (Opticall). BMJ Open 2022; 12:e059549. [PMID: 35450911 PMCID: PMC9024277 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Callers with acute shortness of breath (SOB) are a challenge for telephone triage at out-of-hours primary care (OHS-PC) as SOB could be the sign of a potentially life-threatening disease, yet mostly is a symptom of a broad range of self-limiting disorders. Current telephone triage practice is mainly expert based and clear evidence on accuracy, safety and efficiency of the use of the Netherlands Triage Standard (NTS) by triage nurses based on the eventual clinical outcome is lacking for this domain. METHODS AND DATA ANALYSIS Multiple methods study in five OHS-PC services in the Utrecht region, the Netherlands. Data will be collected from OHS-PC electronic health records (EHR) and backed up tapes of telephone triage conversations, which will be linked to routine primary care EHR data. In cross-sectional studies, we will (1) validate the NTS urgency classification for adults with SOB against final diagnoses and (2) develop diagnostic prediction models for urgent diagnoses (eg, composite endpoint of urgent diagnoses, pulmonary embolism, acute coronary syndrome, acute heart failure and pneumonia). We will develop improvement measures for the use of the NTS by triage nurses through practice observations and semistructured interviews with patients, triage nurses and general practitioners (GPs). In an action research approach, we will, in collaboration with these stakeholders, implement and evaluate our findings in both GP and triage nurse educational programmes as well as in OHS-PC services. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The Medical Ethics Review Committee Utrecht, the Netherlands, approved the study protocol (protocol 21/361). We will take into account the 'code of conduct for responsible research' of the WHO, the EU General Data Protection Regulation and the 'Dutch Medical Treatment Contracts Act'. Results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications and at (inter)national meetings. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NL9682.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Spek
- Department of General Practice, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roderick Venekamp
- Department of General Practice, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Esther De Groot
- Department of General Practice, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Geert-Jan Geersing
- Department of General Practice, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Daphne Carmen Erkelens
- Department of General Practice, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten van Smeden
- Department of Epidemiology, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Frans H Rutten
- Department of General Practice, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dorien L Zwart
- Department of General Practice, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Morse KA, Balhara KS, Irvin NA, Levy MJ. The Health Humanities and Emergency Medical Services (EMS): A Call to Action. Prehosp Disaster Med 2022; 37:1-2. [PMID: 35172914 DOI: 10.1017/s1049023x22000243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
In the context of an on-going global pandemic that has demanded increasingly more of our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) clinicians, the health humanities can function to aid in educational training, promoting resilience and wellness, and allowing opportunity for self-expression to help prevent vicarious trauma.As the social, cultural, and political landscape of the United States continues to require an expanded scope of practice from our EMS clinicians, it is critical that the health humanities are implemented as not only part of EMS training, but also as part of continued practice in order to ensure the highest quality patient-centered care while protecting the longevity and resilience of EMS clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiriana A Morse
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MarylandUSA
| | - Kamna S Balhara
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MarylandUSA
| | - Nathan A Irvin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MarylandUSA
| | - Matthew J Levy
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MarylandUSA
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Jansen T, Hek K, Schellevis FG, Kunst AE, Verheij RA. Income-related differences in out-of-hours primary care telephone triage using national registration data. Emerg Med J 2021; 38:460-466. [PMID: 33853937 DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2020-209649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telephone triage is used to facilitate efficient and adequate acute care allocation, for instance in out-of-hours primary care services (OPCSs). Remote assessment of health problems is challenging and could be impeded by a patient's ambiguous formulation of his or her healthcare need. Socioeconomically vulnerable patients may experience more difficulty in expressing their healthcare need. We aimed to assess whether income differences exist in the patient's presented symptoms, assessed urgency and allocation of follow-up care in OPCS. METHOD Data were derived from Nivel Primary Care Database encompassing electronic health record data of 1.3 million patients from 28 OPCSs in 2017 in the Netherlands. These were linked to sociodemographic population registry data. Multilevel logistic regression analyses (contacts clustered in patients), adjusted for patient characteristics (eg, age, sex), were conducted to study associations of symptoms, urgency assessment and follow-up care with patients' income (standardised for household size as socioeconomic status (SES) indicator). RESULTS The most frequently presented symptoms deduced during triage slightly differed across SES groups, with a larger relative share of trauma in the high-income groups. No SES differences were observed in urgency assessment. After triage, low income was associated with a higher probability of receiving telephone advice and home visits, and fewer consultations at the OPCS. CONCLUSIONS SES differences in the patient's presented symptom and in follow-up in OPCS suggest that the underlying health status and the ability to express care needs affect the telephone triage process . Further research should focus on opportunities to better tailor the telephone triage process to socioeconomically vulnerable patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Jansen
- Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Karin Hek
- Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - François G Schellevis
- Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of General Practice, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, locatie VUMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anton E Kunst
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, locatie AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert A Verheij
- Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Tranzo, Tilburg University, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg, The Netherlands
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Schoenmakers B, Van Criekinge J, Boeve T, Wilms J, Van Der Mullen C, Sabbe M. Co-location of out of hours primary care and emergency department in Belgium: patients' and physicians' view. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:282. [PMID: 33771152 PMCID: PMC7995743 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06281-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In Belgium, General Practitioner Cooperatives (GPC) aim to improve working conditions for unplanned care and to reduce the number of low acuity emergency visits. Although this system is well organized, the number of low acuity visits does not decrease. Methods We explored the view of patients and physicians on the co-location of a GPC and an emergency service for unplanned care. The study was carried out in a cross section design in primary and emergency care services and included patients and physicians. Main outcome measure was the view of patients and physician on co-location of a GPC and an emergency service. Results 404 patients and 488 physicians participated. 334 (82.7%) of all patients favoured a co-location. The major advantages were fast service (104, 25.7) and adequate referral (54, 13.4%). 237 (74%) of the GPs and 38 (95%) of the emergency physicians were in favour of a co-location. The major advantage was a more adequate referral of patients. 254 (79%) of the GPs and 23 (83%) of the emergency physicians believed that a co-location would lower the workload and waiting time and increase care quality (resp. 251 (78%), 224 (70%) and 37 (93%), 34 (85%). Conclusions To close the expectation gap between GP’s, emergency physicians and to reach for high care quality, information campaigns and development of workflows are indispensable for a successful implementation of a co-location of primary and emergency care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgitte Schoenmakers
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33 box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Jasper Van Criekinge
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33 box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Timon Boeve
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33 box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jonas Wilms
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33 box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Chris Van Der Mullen
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33 box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marc Sabbe
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33 box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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The implementation of the nationwide out-of-hours phone number 1733 in Belgium: analysis of efficiency and safety. Prim Health Care Res Dev 2021; 22:e7. [PMID: 33715654 PMCID: PMC8060850 DOI: 10.1017/s1463423621000098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Belgium has a problem with inappropriate use of emergency services. The government installed the number 1733 for out-of-hours care. Through a dry run test, we learned that 30% of all calls were allocated to the protocol ‘unclear problem’. In only 11.9% of all cases, there was an unclear problem. Methods: The study aimed to determine whether the adjusted protocol ‘unwell for no clear reason’ led to a safer and more efficient referral and to evaluate the efficiency and safety of the primary care protocols (PCPs). The study ran in cross-sectional design involving patients, General Practitioner Cooperatives and telephone operators. A random sample of calls to 1733 and patient referrals were assessed on efficiency and safety. Results: During 6 months in 2018, 11 622 calls to 1733 were registered. Seven hundred fifty-six of them were allocated to ‘unwell for no clear reason’, and a random sample of 180 calls was audited. To evaluate the PCPs, 202 calls were audited. The efficiency and safety of the protocol ‘unwell for no clear reason’ improved, and safety levels for under- and over-triage were not exceeded. The GP’s judged that 9/10 of all patient encounters were correctly referred. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the 1733-telephone triage system for out-of-hours care is successful if protocols, flow charts and emergency levels are well defined, monitored and operators are trained.
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Wouters LT, Rutten FH, Erkelens DC, De Groot E, Damoiseaux RA, Zwart DL. Accuracy of telephone triage in primary care patients with chest discomfort: a cross-sectional study. Open Heart 2020; 7:openhrt-2020-001376. [PMID: 32958556 PMCID: PMC7507892 DOI: 10.1136/openhrt-2020-001376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the accuracy of semi-automatic assisted telephone triage in patients with acute chest discomfort against the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or other life-threatening events (LTEs). METHODS A cross-sectional study was performed of telephone conversations with 2023 patients with acute chest discomfort (pain, pressure, tightness or discomfort) who called out-of-hours services for primary care (OHS-PC) between 2014 and 2016. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predicted values were calculated for a high urgency (patient seen within one hour) against the diagnoses of ACS and other LTEs. Diagnoses were retrieved from the patients' medical records in general practice, including hospital specialists' discharge letters. RESULTS Of 2023 patients who called because of chest discomfort, 227 (11.2%) had an ACS (men 14.9%, women 8.2%) and 58 (2.9%) had another LTE (men 3.6%, women 2.3%). The sensitivity and specificity of a high Netherlands Triage System (NTS) urgency allocation against ACS/other LTEs were 0.73 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.78) and 0.43 (95% CI 0.40 to 0.45), respectively. In 13.2% of the calls the triage nurse overruled the NTS urgency, mostly by upscaling (11.0%). The sensitivity and specificity of the final urgency allocation were 0.86 (95% CI 0.81 to 0.90) and 0.34 (95% CI 0.32 to 0.37). The positive and negative predictive values of the final urgency were 0.18 (95% CI 0.17 to 0.19) and 0.94 (95% CI 0.92 to 0.95), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The semi-automatic triage NTS tool underestimated the urgency in 27% of patients with ACS/other LTEs. Overruling by triage nurses improved safety, but still 14% of men and women with ACS/other LTEs received too low urgency, while efficiency remained poor. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NTR7331.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loes Tcm Wouters
- General Practice, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Frans H Rutten
- General Practice, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Daphne Ca Erkelens
- General Practice, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Esther De Groot
- General Practice, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roger Amj Damoiseaux
- General Practice, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dorien Lm Zwart
- General Practice, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Ebert JF, Huibers L, Christensen B, Collatz Christensen H, Christensen MB. Does an emergency access button increase the patients' satisfaction and feeling of safety with the out-of-hours health services? A randomised controlled trial in Denmark. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e030267. [PMID: 32998912 PMCID: PMC7528355 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate if the option to bypass the telephone queue can increase satisfaction and feeling of safety in callers. DESIGN Randomised controlled parallel superiority trial. Data from questionnaire survey. SETTING Two out-of-hours (OOH) services in Denmark. PARTICIPANTS 217 510 citizens who called the OOH services between 4 September 2017 and 30 November 2017. RANDOMISATION Two-faze study period: First half with randomisation of participants based on their date of birth; even date randomised to intervention, uneven date randomised to control group. Second half with all participants included in intervention group. INTERVENTION Providing randomised callers (intervention group n=146 355) with the option to bypass the telephone waiting line through an emergency access button (EAB), while the rest got the normal service (control group n=71 155). All EAB users were invited to a questionnaire survey as well as random participants who did not use the EAB (of whom approximately 50% did not have the EAB option). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Satisfaction and feeling of safety in callers. RESULTS 2208 of 6704 (32.9%) invited callers answered the questionnaire (intervention group n=1415 (users n=621, non-users n=794); control group n=793). The OR for answering in the two categories with highest satisfaction when provided with the EAB option was 1.34 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.68) for satisfaction with the waiting time, 1.21 (95% CI 0.91 to 1.60) for overall satisfaction and 1.46 (95% CI 1.12 to 1.89) for feeling of safety. Approximately 72% (441/621) of EAB users reported that the EAB option increased their feeling of safety with the OOH services 'to a high degree' compared with 25% (197/794) of callers who had the EAB option without using it. CONCLUSIONS The EAB can provide fast access to OOH telephone advice in case of severe illness. It favours citizens perceived in most need of urgent healthcare and significantly increases both feeling of safety and patient satisfaction. TRIAL REGISTRATION DETAILS NCT02572115 (5 October 2015).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Fynboe Ebert
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus Universitet Health, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - L Huibers
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus Universitet, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Helle Collatz Christensen
- Copenhagen Emergency Medical Services, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Danish Clinical Quality Program (RKKP), National Clinical Registries, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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Wouters LT, Zwart DL, Erkelens DC, Cheung NS, de Groot E, Damoiseaux RA, Hoes AW, Rutten FH. Chest discomfort at night and risk of acute coronary syndrome: cross-sectional study of telephone conversations. Fam Pract 2020; 37:473-478. [PMID: 31996901 PMCID: PMC7474533 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmaa005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During telephone triage, it is difficult to assign adequate urgency to patients with chest discomfort. Considering the time of calling could be helpful. OBJECTIVE To assess the risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in certain time periods and whether sex influences this risk. METHODS Cross-sectional study of 1655 recordings of telephone conversations of patients who called the out-of-hours services primary care (OHS-PC) for chest discomfort. Call time, patient characteristics, symptoms, medical history and urgency allocation of the triage conversations were collected. The final diagnosis of each call was retrieved at the patient's general practice. Absolute numbers of patients with and without ACS were plotted and risks per hour were calculated. The risk ratio of ACS at night (0 to 9 am) was calculated by comparing to the risk at other hours and was adjusted for gender and age. RESULTS The mean age of callers was 58.9 (standard deviation ±19.5) years, 55.5% were women and, in total, 199 (12.0%) had an ACS. The crude risk ratio for an ACS at night was 1.80 (confidence interval 1.39-2.34, P < 0.001): 2.33 (1.68-3.22, P < 0.001) for men and 1.29 (0.83-1.99, P = 0.256) for women. The adjusted risk ratio for ACS of all people at night was 1.82 (1.07-3.10, P = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS Patients calling the OHS-PC for chest discomfort between 0 and 9 am have almost twice a higher risk of ACS than those calling other hours, a phenomenon more evident in men than in women. At night, dispatching ambulances more 'straightaway' could be considered for these patients with chest discomfort. TRIAL NUMBER NTR7331.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loes T Wouters
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dorien L Zwart
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Daphne C Erkelens
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Noël S Cheung
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Esther de Groot
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roger A Damoiseaux
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Arno W Hoes
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Frans H Rutten
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Erkelens DC, Wouters LT, Zwart DL, Damoiseaux RA, De Groot E, Hoes AW, Rutten FH. Optimisation of telephone triage of callers with symptoms suggestive of acute cardiovascular disease in out-of-hours primary care: observational design of the Safety First study. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e027477. [PMID: 31266836 PMCID: PMC6609078 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In the Netherlands, the 'Netherlands Triage Standard' (NTS) is frequently used as digital decision support system for telephone triage at out-of-hours services in primary care (OHS-PC). The aim of the NTS is to guarantee accessible, efficient and safe care. However, there are indications that current triage is inefficient, with overestimation of urgency, notably in suspected acute cardiovascular disease. In addition, in primary care settings the NTS has only been validated against surrogate markers, and diagnostic accuracy with clinical outcomes as the reference is unknown. In the Safety First study, we address this gap in knowledge by describing, understanding and improving the diagnostic process and urgency allocation in callers with symptoms suggestive of acute cardiovascular disease, in order to improve both efficiency and safety of telephone triage in this domain. METHODS AND ANALYSIS An observational study in which 3000 telephone triage recordings (period 2014-2016) will be analysed. Information is collected from the recordings including caller and symptom characteristics and urgency allocation. The callers' own general practitioners are contacted for the final diagnosis of each contact. We included recordings of callers with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)/stroke. With univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses the diagnostic accuracy of caller and symptom characteristics will be analysed in terms of predictive values with urgency level, and ACS and TIA/stroke as outcomes, respectively. To further improve our understanding of the triage process at OHS-PC, we will carry out additional studies applying both quantitative and qualitative methods: (i) case-control study on serious adverse events (SAE), (ii) conversation analysis study and (iii) interview study with triage nurses. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The Medical Ethics Committee Utrecht, the Netherlands endorsed this study (National Trial Register identification: NTR7331). Results will be disseminated at scientific conferences, regional educational sessions and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne Ca Erkelens
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Loes Tcm Wouters
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dorien Lm Zwart
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roger Amj Damoiseaux
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Esther De Groot
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Arno W Hoes
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Frans H Rutten
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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de Koning MMM, Reurink N, Mol MF, Koes B. Comment on 'Ambulance dispatch versus GP home visit for highly urgent out-of-hours primary care' by Plat et al. Fam Pract 2019; 36:102. [PMID: 30346509 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmy100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marre M M de Koning
- Department of General Practice, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nathalie Reurink
- Department of General Practice, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marianne F Mol
- Department of General Practice, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Koes
- Department of General Practice, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Ebert JF, Huibers L, Christensen B, Lippert FK, Christensen MB. Giving callers the option to bypass the telephone waiting line in out-of-hours services: a comparative intervention study. Scand J Prim Health Care 2019; 37:120-127. [PMID: 30712448 PMCID: PMC6452808 DOI: 10.1080/02813432.2019.1569427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Acute out-of-hours (OOH) healthcare is challenged by potentially long waiting time for callers in acute need of medical aid. OOH callers must usually wait in line, even when contacting for highly urgent or life-threatening conditions. We tested an emergency access button (EAB), which allowed OOH callers to bypass the waiting line if they perceived their health problem as severe. We aimed to investigate EAB use and patient characteristics associated with this use. DESIGN Comparative intervention study. SETTING OOH services in two major Danish healthcare regions. INTERVENTION Giving callers the option to bypass the telephone waiting line by introducing an EAB. PARTICIPANTS OOH service callers contacting during end of October to mid-December 2017. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Proportions of EAB use, waiting time and background information on participants in two settings differing on organisation structure, waiting time and triage personnel. RESULTS In total, 97,791 out of 158,784 callers (61.6%) chose to participate. The EAB was used 2905 times out of 97,791 (2.97%, 95%CI 2.86; 3.08). Patient characteristics associated with increased EAB use were male gender, higher age, low education, being retired, and increasing announced estimated waiting time. In one region, immigrants used the EAB more often than native Danish callers. CONCLUSION Only about 3% of all callers chose to bypass the waiting line in the OOH service when given the option. This study suggests that the EAB could serve as a new and simple tool to reduce the waiting time for severely ill patients in an OOH service telephone triage setting. Key Points Acute out-of-hours healthcare is challenged by overcrowding and increasing demand for services. This study shows that only approximately 3% of callers chose to bypass the telephone waiting queue when given the opportunity through an emergency access button. An emergency access button may serve as a new tool to help reduce the triage waiting time for severely ill patients in out-of-hours medical facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. F. Ebert
- Section for General Medical Practice, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark;
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus C, Denmark;
- CONTACT Jonas F. Ebert Research Unit for General Practice, Bartholins Allé 2, DK-8000Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - L. Huibers
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus C, Denmark;
| | - B. Christensen
- Section for General Medical Practice, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark;
| | - F. K. Lippert
- Emergency Medical Services Copenhagen, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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