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Guilcher SJT, Mayo AL, Swayze S, de Mestral C, Viana R, Payne MW, Dilkas S, Devlin M, MacKay C, Kayssi A, Hitzig SL. Patterns of inpatient acute care and emergency department utilization within one year post-initial amputation among individuals with dysvascular major lower extremity amputation in Ontario, Canada: A population-based retrospective cohort study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0305381. [PMID: 38990832 PMCID: PMC11238985 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lower extremity amputation (LEA) is a life altering procedure, with significant negative impacts to patients, care partners, and the overall health system. There are gaps in knowledge with respect to patterns of healthcare utilization following LEA due to dysvascular etiology. OBJECTIVE To examine inpatient acute and emergency department (ED) healthcare utilization among an incident cohort of individuals with major dysvascular LEA 1 year post-initial amputation; and to identify factors associated with acute care readmissions and ED visits. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study using population-level administrative data. SETTING Ontario, Canada. POPULATION Adults individuals (18 years or older) with a major dysvascular LEA between April 1, 2004 and March 31, 2018. INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Acute care hospitalizations and ED visits within one year post-initial discharge. RESULTS A total of 10,905 individuals with major dysvascular LEA were identified (67.7% male). There were 14,363 acute hospitalizations and 19,660 ED visits within one year post-discharge from initial amputation acute stay. The highest common risk factors across all the models included age of 65 years or older (versus less than 65 years), high comorbidity (versus low), and low and moderate continuity of care (versus high). Sex differences were identified for risk factors for hospitalizations, with differences in the types of comorbidities increasing risk and geographical setting. CONCLUSION Persons with LEA were generally more at risk for acute hospitalizations and ED visits if higher comorbidity and lower continuity of care. Clinical care efforts might focus on improving transitions from the acute setting such as coordinated and integrated care for sub-populations with LEA who are more at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara J. T. Guilcher
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- St. John’s Rehab Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Physical Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amanda L. Mayo
- St. John’s Rehab Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Charles de Mestral
- Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Vascular Surgery, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ricardo Viana
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael W. Payne
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Steven Dilkas
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- West Park Healthcare Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Crystal MacKay
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Physical Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- West Park Healthcare Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ahmed Kayssi
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Schulich Heart Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sander L. Hitzig
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- St. John’s Rehab Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Kornelsen J, Ho H, Robinson V, Frenkel O. Rural family physician use of point-of-care ultrasonography: experiences of primary care providers in British Columbia, Canada. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2023; 24:183. [PMID: 37684568 PMCID: PMC10486031 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-023-02128-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In British Columbia (BC), rural and remote areas lack proximal access to radiographic services. Poor access to radiographic services in rural settings presents a challenge to timely diagnosis and screening across many disease states and healthy pregnancies. As a solution to the lack of access to radiographic services in rural settings, the Rural Coordination Centre of BC (RCCbc) supported rural Family Physicians (FPs) wishing to use PoCUS through the Intelligent Network for PoCUS (IN PoCUS) program. This study evaluates FPs' experience and use of PoCUS in their clinical practice. METHODS This qualitative study conducted in-depth virtual interviews with 21 FPs across rural BC. The interview asked participants' motivation to participate in the RCCbc program, the type of training they received, their current use of PoCUS, their experience with the technology, and their experience interacting with specialists in regional centres. Thematic analysis of findings was undertaken. RESULTS This study used Rogers' framework on the five elements of diffusion of innovation to understand the factors that impede and enable the adoption of PoCUS in rural practice. Rural FPs in this study differentiated PoCUS from formal imaging done by specialists. The adoption of PoCUS was viewed as an extension of physical exams and was compatible with their values of providing generalist care. This study found that the use of PoCUS provided additional information that led to better clinical decision-making for triage and allowed FPs to determine the urgency for patient referral and transport to tertiary hospitals. FPs also reported an increase in job satisfaction with PoCUS use. Some barriers to using PoCUS included the time needed to be acquainted with the technology and learning how to integrate it into their clinical flow in a seamless manner. CONCLUSION This study has demonstrated the importance of PoCUS in improving patient care and facilitating timely diagnosis and treatment. As the use of PoCUS among FPs is relatively new in Canada, larger infrastructure support such as improving billing structures, long-term subsidies, educational opportunities, and a quality improvement framework is needed to support the use of PoCUS among rural FPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jude Kornelsen
- Centre for Rural Health Research, Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, 3rd Floor David Strangway Building, 5950 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
| | - Hilary Ho
- Centre for Rural Health Research, Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, 3rd Floor David Strangway Building, 5950 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Virginia Robinson
- Rural Coordination Centre of British Columbia, 1665 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V6J 1X1, Canada
| | - Oron Frenkel
- Providence Health Care, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
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Evaluating delays for emergent CT scans from a rural British Columbia hospital. CAN J EMERG MED 2021; 23:641-645. [PMID: 34156667 DOI: 10.1007/s43678-021-00147-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Computed Tomography (CT) scans help diagnose and triage life-threatening and time-sensitive emergency conditions, but most rural hospitals in British Columbia do not have access to a local CT scanner. We investigate how many transfers from a rural British Columbia hospital were for CT scans and describe the time delays to emergent CT imaging. METHODS This was a prospective cohort study, over a 1-year period, on all patients requiring a transfer from the Golden and District Hospital, located 247 km from the closest CT scanner. Data collection forms were completed prospectively and the main measurements included age, transport triage level, reason for transfer, referral hospital, transfer request time, and CT scan time. The time interval between the CT request and CT imaging was calculated and represents the 'delay to CT scan' interval. RESULTS The study hospital received 8672 emergency department (ED) visits and 220 were transferred to referral centres (2.5%). 61% of all transfers received a CT scan. Transfers for time-sensitive emergencies took an average of 6 h 52 min. Patients with acute stroke experienced a 4 h 44 min time interval. Less urgent and non-urgent conditions entailed an even greater time delay. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights that the lack of a rural CT scanner is associated with increased transfers and significant time delays. Improving access to CT scanners for rural communities may be one of the many steps in addressing healthcare disparities between rural and urban communities.
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Kerr L, Kealy B, Lim D, Walters L. Rural emergency departments: A systematic review to develop a resource typology relevant to developed countries. Aust J Rural Health 2021; 29:7-20. [PMID: 33567157 DOI: 10.1111/ajr.12702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite low patient numbers, rural emergency departments have a similar diversity of case presentations as urban tertiary hospitals, with the need to manage high-acuity cases with limited resources. There are no consistent descriptions of the resources available to rural emergency departments internationally, limiting the capacity to compare clinical protocols and standards of care across similarly resourced units. This review aimed to describe the range of human, physical and specialist resources described in rural emergency departments in developed countries and propose a typology for use internationally. DESIGN AND SETTING A systematic literature search was performed for journal articles between 2000 and 2019 describing the staffing, access to radiology and laboratory investigations, and hospital inpatient specialists. RESULTS Considerable diversity in defining rurality and in resource access was found within and between Australia, New Zealand, Canada and USA. DISCUSSION A typology was developed to account for (a) emergency department staff on-floor, (b) emergency department staff on-call, (c) physical resources and (d) access to a specialist surgical service. This provides a valuable tool for relevant stakeholders to effectively communicate rural emergency department resources within a country and internationally. CONCLUSION The proposed five-tiered typology draws together international literature regarding rural emergency department services. Although further research is required to test this tool, the formation of this common language allows a base for effective communication between governments, training providers and policy-makers who are seeking to improve health systems and health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lachlan Kerr
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Benjamin Kealy
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - David Lim
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia.,School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
| | - Lucie Walters
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia.,Adelaide Rural Clinical School, The University of Adelaide, Mount Gambier, SA, Australia
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Morgan JM, Calleja P. Emergency trauma care in rural and remote settings: Challenges and patient outcomes. Int Emerg Nurs 2020; 51:100880. [PMID: 32622226 DOI: 10.1016/j.ienj.2020.100880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Trauma is a global public health concern, with higher mortality rates acknowledged in rural and remote populations. Research to understand this phenomenon and to improve patient outcomes is therefore vital. Trauma systems have been developed to provide specialty care to patients in an attempt to improve mortality rates. However, not all trauma systems are created equally as distance and remoteness has a significant impact on the capabilities of the larger trauma systems that service vast geographical distances. The primary objective of this integrative literature review was to examine the challenges associated with providing emergency trauma care to rural and remote populations and the associated patient outcomes. The secondary objective was to explore strategies to improve trauma patient outcomes. METHODS An integrative review approach was used to inform the methods of this study. A systematic search of databases including CINAHL, Medline, EmBase, Proquest, Scopus, and Science Direct was undertaken. Other search methods included hand searching journal references. RESULTS 2157 articles were identified for screening and 87 additional papers were located by hand searching. Of these, 49 were included in this review. Current evidence reveals that rural and remote populations face unique challenges in the provision of emergency trauma care such as large distances, delays transferring patients to definitive care, limited resources in rural settings, specific contextual challenges, population specific risk factors, weather and seasonal factors and the availability and skill of trained trauma care providers. Consequently, rural and remote populations often experience higher mortality rates in comparison to urban populations although this may be different for specific mechanisms of injury or population subsets. While an increased risk of death was associated with an increase in remoteness, research also found it costs substantially less to provide care to rural patients in their rural environment than their urban counterparts. Other factors found to influence mortality rates were severity of injury and differences in characteristics between rural and urban populations. Trauma systems vary around the world and must address local issues that may be affected by distance, geography, seasonal population variations, specific population risk factors, trauma network operationalisation, referral and retrieval and involvement of hospitals and services which have no trauma designation. CONCLUSIONS The challenges acknowledged for rural and remote trauma patients may be lessened and mortality rates improved by implementing strategies such as telemedicine, trauma training and the expansion of trauma systems that are responsive to local needs and resources. Additional research to determine which of these challenges has the most significant impact on health outcomes for rural patients is required in an effort to reduce existing discrepancies. Emphasis on embracing and expanding inclusive planning for complex trauma systems, as well as strategies aimed at understanding the issues rural and remote clinicians face, will also assist to achieve this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janita M Morgan
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan 4111, QLD, Australia; Gympie Hospital, Queensland Health, 12 Henry Street, Gympie 4570, QLD, Australia.
| | - Pauline Calleja
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan 4111, QLD, Australia; School of Nursing Midwifery & Social Sciences, CQUniversity, Level 3 Cairns Square, Corner Abbott and Shields Street, Cairns 4870, QLD, Australia; Retrieval Services Queensland, Department of Health, 125 Kedron Park Road, Kedron 4031, QLD, Australia.
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Fleet R, Lauzier F, Tounkara FK, Turcotte S, Poitras J, Morris J, Ouimet M, Fortin JP, Plant J, Légaré F, Dupuis G, Turgeon-Pelchat C. Profile of trauma mortality and trauma care resources at rural emergency departments and urban trauma centres in Quebec: a population-based, retrospective cohort study. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e028512. [PMID: 31160276 PMCID: PMC6549736 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES As Canada's second largest province, the geography of Quebec poses unique challenges for trauma management. Our primary objective was to compare mortality rates between trauma patients treated at rural emergency departments (EDs) and urban trauma centres in Quebec. As a secondary objective, we compared the availability of trauma care resources and services between these two settings. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING 26 rural EDs and 33 level 1 and 2 urban trauma centres in Quebec, Canada. PARTICIPANTS 79 957 trauma cases collected from Quebec's trauma registry. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Our primary outcome measure was mortality (prehospital, ED, in-hospital). Secondary outcome measures were the availability of trauma-related services and staff specialties at rural and urban facilities. Multivariable generalised linear mixed models were used to determine the relationship between the primary facility and mortality. RESULTS Overall, 7215 (9.0%) trauma patients were treated in a rural ED and 72 742 (91.0%) received treatment at an urban centre. Mortality rates were higher in rural EDs compared with urban trauma centres (13.3% vs 7.9%, p<0.001). After controlling for available potential confounders, the odds of prehospital or ED mortality were over three times greater for patients treated in a rural ED (OR 3.44, 95% CI 1.88 to 6.28). Trauma care setting (rural vs urban) was not associated with in-hospital mortality. Nearly all of the specialised services evaluated were more present at urban trauma centres. CONCLUSIONS Trauma patients treated in rural EDs had a higher mortality rate and were more likely to die prehospital or in the ED compared with patients treated at an urban trauma centre. Our results were limited by a lack of accurate prehospital times in the trauma registry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Fleet
- Médecine familiale et médecine d’urgence, Universite Laval, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de recherche du CISSS Chaudière-Appalaches, Chaire de recherche en médecine d’urgence ULaval - CISSS Chaudière-Appalaches, Lévis, Canada
| | - François Lauzier
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit (Trauma - Emergency - Critical Care Medicine), Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Universite Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Fatoumata Korinka Tounkara
- Centre de recherche du CISSS Chaudière-Appalaches, Chaire de recherche en médecine d’urgence ULaval - CISSS Chaudière-Appalaches, Lévis, Canada
| | - Stéphane Turcotte
- Centre de recherche du CISSS Chaudière-Appalaches, CISSS Chaudière-Appalaches, Lévis, Canada
| | | | - Judy Morris
- Emergency Medicine department, HSCM, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Jean-Paul Fortin
- Centre integre universitaire de sante et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jeff Plant
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - France Légaré
- Family and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Gilles Dupuis
- Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Catherine Turgeon-Pelchat
- Centre de recherche du CISSS Chaudière-Appalaches, Chaire de recherche en médecine d’urgence ULaval - CISSS Chaudière-Appalaches, Lévis, Canada
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Fleet R, Bussières S, Tounkara FK, Turcotte S, Légaré F, Plant J, Poitras J, Archambault PM, Dupuis G. Rural versus urban academic hospital mortality following stroke in Canada. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0191151. [PMID: 29385173 PMCID: PMC5791969 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in Canada. While stroke care has improved dramatically over the last decade, outcomes following stroke among patients treated in rural hospitals have not yet been reported in Canada. Objectives To describe variation in 30-day post-stroke in-hospital mortality rates between rural and urban academic hospitals in Canada. We also examined 24/7 in-hospital access to CT scanners and selected services in rural hospitals. Materials and methods We included Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) data on adjusted 30-day in-hospital mortality following stroke from 2007 to 2011 for all acute care hospitals in Canada excluding Quebec and the Territories. We categorized rural hospitals as those located in rural small towns providing 24/7 emergency physician coverage with inpatient beds. Urban hospitals were academic centres designated as Level 1 or 2 trauma centres. We computed descriptive data on local access to a CT scanner and other services and compared mean 30-day adjusted post-stroke mortality rates for rural and urban hospitals to the overall Canadian rate. Results A total of 286 rural hospitals (3.4 million emergency department (ED) visits/year) and 24 urban hospitals (1.5 million ED visits/year) met inclusion criteria. From 2007 to 2011, 30-day in-hospital mortality rates following stroke were significantly higher in rural than in urban hospitals and higher than the Canadian average for every year except 2008 (rural average range = 18.26 to 21.04 and urban average range = 14.11 to 16.78). Only 11% of rural hospitals had a CT-scanner, 1% had MRI, 21% had in-hospital ICU, 94% had laboratory and 92% had basic x-ray facilities. Conclusion Rural hospitals in Canada had higher 30-day in-hospital mortality rates following stroke than urban academic hospitals and the Canadian average. Rural hospitals also have very limited local access to CT scanners and ICUs. These rural/urban discrepancies are cause for concern in the context of Canada’s universal health care system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Fleet
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval-CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis, Lévis, QC, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Sylvain Bussières
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval-CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis, Lévis, QC, Canada
| | | | - Stéphane Turcotte
- Population Health and Practice-Changing Research Group, CHU de Québec Research Centre, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - France Légaré
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine and Knowledge Transfer and Health Technology Assessment Group, CHU de Québec Research Centre and Evaluative Research Unit, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Jeff Plant
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia and Department of Emergency Medicine, Penticton Regional Hospital, Penticton, BC, Canada
| | - Julien Poitras
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval-CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis, Lévis, QC, Canada
| | - Patrick M. Archambault
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval-CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis, Lévis, QC, Canada
- Intensive Care Division, Department of Anesthesiology, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Gilles Dupuis
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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Bergeron C, Fleet R, Tounkara FK, Lavallée-Bourget I, Turgeon-Pelchat C. Lack of CT scanner in a rural emergency department increases inter-facility transfers: a pilot study. BMC Res Notes 2017; 10:772. [PMID: 29282113 PMCID: PMC5745590 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-3071-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Rural emergency departments (EDs) are an important gateway to care for the 20% of Canadians who reside in rural areas. Less than 15% of Canadian rural EDs have access to a computed tomography (CT) scanner. We hypothesized that a significant proportion of inter-facility transfers from rural hospitals without CT scanners are for CT imaging. Our objective was to assess inter-facility transfers for CT imaging in a rural ED without a CT scanner. RESULTS We selected a rural ED that offers 24/7 medical care with admission beds but no CT scanner. Descriptive statistics were collected from 2010 to 2015 on total ED visits and inter-facility transfers. Data was accessible through hospital and government databases. Between 2010 and 2014, there were respectively 13,531, 13,524, 13,827, 12,883, and 12,942 ED visits, with an average of 444 inter-facility transfers. An average of 33% (148/444) of inter-facility transfers were to a rural referral centre with a CT scan, with 84% being for CT scan. Inter-facility transfers incur costs and potential delays in patient diagnosis and management, yet current databases could not capture transfer times. Acquiring a CT scan may represent a reasonable opportunity for the selected rural hospital considering the number of required transfers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Bergeron
- Chaire de recherche en médecine d’urgence de l’Université Laval, CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis, 143 Rue Wolfe, Lévis, QC G6V 3Z1 Canada
| | - Richard Fleet
- Chaire de recherche en médecine d’urgence de l’Université Laval, CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis, 143 Rue Wolfe, Lévis, QC G6V 3Z1 Canada
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, 1050, Avenue de la Médecine, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6 Canada
| | - Fatoumata Korika Tounkara
- Chaire de recherche en médecine d’urgence de l’Université Laval, CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis, 143 Rue Wolfe, Lévis, QC G6V 3Z1 Canada
| | - Isabelle Lavallée-Bourget
- Chaire de recherche en médecine d’urgence de l’Université Laval, CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis, 143 Rue Wolfe, Lévis, QC G6V 3Z1 Canada
| | - Catherine Turgeon-Pelchat
- Chaire de recherche en médecine d’urgence de l’Université Laval, CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis, 143 Rue Wolfe, Lévis, QC G6V 3Z1 Canada
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The Quebec emergency department guide: A cross-sectional study to evaluate its use, perceived usefulness, and implementation in rural emergency departments. CAN J EMERG MED 2017; 21:103-110. [PMID: 29212567 DOI: 10.1017/cem.2017.423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The Quebec Emergency Department Management Guide (QEDMG) is a unique document with 78 recommendations designed to improve the organization of emergency departments (EDs) in the province of Quebec. However, no study has examined how this guide is perceived or used by rural health care management. METHODS We invited all directors of professional services (DPS), directors of nursing services (DNS), head nurses (HN), and emergency department directors (EDD) working in Quebec's rural hospitals to complete an online survey (144 questions). Simple frequency analyses (percentage [%] and 95% confidence interval) were conducted to establish general familiarity and use of the QEDMG, as well as perceived usefulness and implementation of its recommendations. RESULTS Seventy-three percent (19/26) of Quebec's rural EDs participated in the study. A total of 82% (62/76) of the targeted stakeholders participated. Sixty-one percent of respondents reported being "moderately or a lot" familiar with the QEDMG, whereas 77% reported "almost never or sometimes" refer to this guide. Physician management (DPS, EDD) were more likely than nursing management (DNS and especially HN) to report "not at all" or "little" familiarity on use of the guide. Finally, 98% of the QEDMG recommendations were considered useful. CONCLUSIONS Although the QEDMG is considered a useful guide for rural EDs, it is not optimally known or used in rural EDs, especially by physician management. Stakeholders should consider these findings before implementing the revised versions of the QEDMG.
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Kim JH, Kim MJ, You JS, Song MK, Cho SI. Do Emergency Physicians Improve the Appropriateness of Emergency Transfer in Rural Areas? J Emerg Med 2017; 54:287-294. [PMID: 29074031 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2017.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Revised: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Until recently, there have been few studies on the transfer of patients from emergency departments (EDs) overall, as such studies were limited primarily to trauma patients. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the specialty of the primary referring physician and the appropriateness of the emergency transfer (AET). METHODS This was a retrospective, observational study performed at two level-3 EDs in a rural area. A transfer to a higher-level ED for the purpose of patient stabilization was defined as an emergency transfer, and transfers were classified as "appropriate" when the emergency status of the patient could not be resolved by the referring ED. The primary outcome was AET, which was reviewed by an expert panel for reliability. Statistically significant variables were selected as covariates based on the results of a univariate analysis, and a multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) on the AET. RESULTS A total of 1325 patients underwent transfer to another hospital from the two EDs. Of these, 1003 were classified into the emergency transfer group. In both EDs, the incidence of appropriate emergency transfers was significantly higher when the primary referring physician was an emergency physician (OR 4.005, 95% CI 2.619-6.125 and OR 4.006, 95% CI 1.696-9.459 for each hospital, respectively). CONCLUSION There was a positive association between the specialty of the primary referring physician and the AET among EDs located in rural areas making patient transfers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hoon Kim
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Joung Kim
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Je Sung You
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Kyung Song
- Department of Research Affairs, Biostatistics Collaboration Unit, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Il Cho
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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11
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Fleet R, Dupuis G, Fortin JP, Gravel J, Ouimet M, Poitras J, Légaré F. Rural emergency care 360°: mobilising healthcare professionals, decision-makers, patients and citizens to improve rural emergency care in the province of Quebec, Canada: a qualitative study protocol. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e016039. [PMID: 28819068 PMCID: PMC5629661 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Emergency departments (EDs) are an important safety net for rural populations. Results of our earlier studies suggest that rural Canadian hospitals have limited access to advanced imaging services and intensive care units and that patients are transferred over large distances. They also revealed significant geographical variations in rural services. In the absence of national standards, our studies raise questions about inequities in rural access to emergency services and the risks for citizens. Our goal is to build recommendations for improving services by mobilising stakeholders interested in rural emergency care. With help and full engagement of stakeholders, we will (1) identify solutions for improving quality and performance in rural EDs; (2) formulate and prioritise recommendations; (3) transfer knowledge of the recommendations to rural EDs and support operationalisation and (4) assess knowledge transfer and explore further impacts of this participatory action research project. METHODOLOGY We will use a participatory action research approach. We will plan for a governance structure that includes all stakeholders’ representatives, so throughout this project, stakeholders are fully engaged at every step. Our sample will be 26 EDs in rural Quebec. We will conduct semistructured individual and focus group interviews with relevant and representative participants, including patients and citizens (estimated n=200). Interviews will be thematically analysed to extract potential solutions and other qualitative information.An expert panel (±15) will use an analysis grid to develop consensus recommendations from solutions suggested and will evaluate feasibility, impacts, costs, conditions for implementation and establish monitoring indicators. Recommendations will be transferred to stakeholders using tailored knowledge translation strategies (web platform, meetings and so on). DISCUSSION AND EXPECTED RESULTS This study will result in a comprehensive consensus list of feasible and high-priority recommendations enabling decision-makers in emergency care to implement improvements in rural emergency care in Quebec. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This protocol has been approved by the CSSS Alphonse-Desjardins research ethics committee (Project number: MP 2017-009). The qualitative material will be kept confidential and the data will be presented in a way that respects confidentiality. The dissemination plan for the study includes publications in scientific and professional journals. We will also use social media to disseminate our findings and activities such as communications in public conferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Fleet
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine, CHAU-Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis (Université Laval), Lévis, Québec, Canada
- Institut universitaire de première ligne en santé et services sociaux -Université Laval, Québec city, Québec, Canada
| | - Gilles Dupuis
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jean-Paul Fortin
- Institut universitaire de première ligne en santé et services sociaux -Université Laval, Québec city, Québec, Canada
- Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Québec, Canada
| | - Jocelyn Gravel
- CHU Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Mathieu Ouimet
- Department of Political Science, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Julien Poitras
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine, CHAU-Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis (Université Laval), Lévis, Québec, Canada
| | - France Légaré
- Institut universitaire de première ligne en santé et services sociaux -Université Laval, Québec city, Québec, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Knowledge Transfer and Health Technology Assessment Group of the CHU de Québec Research Centre, Unité de Recherche Évaluative, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
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12
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Pitchforth E, Nolte E, Corbett J, Miani C, Winpenny E, van Teijlingen E, Elmore N, King S, Ball S, Miler J, Ling T. Community hospitals and their services in the NHS: identifying transferable learning from international developments – scoping review, systematic review, country reports and case studies. HEALTH SERVICES AND DELIVERY RESEARCH 2017. [DOI: 10.3310/hsdr05190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundThe notion of a community hospital in England is evolving from the traditional model of a local hospital staffed by general practitioners and nurses and serving mainly rural populations. Along with the diversification of models, there is a renewed policy interest in community hospitals and their potential to deliver integrated care. However, there is a need to better understand the role of different models of community hospitals within the wider health economy and an opportunity to learn from experiences of other countries to inform this potential.ObjectivesThis study sought to (1) define the nature and scope of service provision models that fit under the umbrella term ‘community hospital’ in the UK and other high-income countries, (2) analyse evidence of their effectiveness and efficiency, (3) explore the wider role and impact of community engagement in community hospitals, (4) understand how models in other countries operate and asses their role within the wider health-care system, and (5) identify the potential for community hospitals to perform an integrative role in the delivery of health and social care.MethodsA multimethod study including a scoping review of community hospital models, a linked systematic review of their effectiveness and efficiency, an analysis of experiences in Australia, Finland, Italy, Norway and Scotland, and case studies of four community hospitals in Finland, Italy and Scotland.ResultsThe evidence reviews found that community hospitals provide a diverse range of services, spanning primary, secondary and long-term care in geographical and health system contexts. They can offer an effective and efficient alternative to acute hospitals. Patient experience was frequently reported to be better at community hospitals, and the cost-effectiveness of some models was found to be similar to that of general hospitals, although evidence was limited. Evidence from other countries showed that community hospitals provide a wide spectrum of health services that lie on a continuum between serving a ‘geographic purpose’ and having a specific population focus, mainly older people. Structures continue to evolve as countries embark on major reforms to integrate health and social care. Case studies highlighted that it is important to consider local and national contexts when looking at how to transfer models across settings, how to overcome barriers to integration beyond location and how the community should be best represented.LimitationsThe use of a restricted definition may have excluded some relevant community hospital models, and the small number of countries and case studies included for comparison may limit the transferability of findings for England. Although this research provides detailed insights into community hospitals in five countries, it was not in its scope to include the perspective of patients in any depth.ConclusionsAt a time when emphasis is being placed on integrated and community-based care, community hospitals have the potential to assume a more strategic role in health-care delivery locally, providing care closer to people’s homes. There is a need for more research into the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of community hospitals, the role of the community and optimal staff profile(s).FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Pitchforth
- Cambridge Centre for Health Services Research (CCHSR), RAND Europe, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ellen Nolte
- European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, London School of Economics and Political Science and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jennie Corbett
- Cambridge Centre for Health Services Research (CCHSR), RAND Europe, Cambridge, UK
| | - Céline Miani
- Cambridge Centre for Health Services Research (CCHSR), RAND Europe, Cambridge, UK
| | - Eleanor Winpenny
- Cambridge Centre for Health Services Research (CCHSR), RAND Europe, Cambridge, UK
| | - Edwin van Teijlingen
- Department of Human Sciences and Public Health, University of Bournemouth, Bournemouth, UK
| | - Natasha Elmore
- Cambridge Centre for Health Services Research (CCHSR), Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Sarah Ball
- Cambridge Centre for Health Services Research (CCHSR), RAND Europe, Cambridge, UK
| | - Joanna Miler
- Cambridge Centre for Health Services Research (CCHSR), RAND Europe, Cambridge, UK
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Tom Ling
- Cambridge Centre for Health Services Research (CCHSR), RAND Europe, Cambridge, UK
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13
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Winpenny EM, Corbett J, Miani C, King S, Pitchforth E, Ling T, van Teijlingen E, Nolte E. Community Hospitals in Selected High Income Countries: A Scoping Review of Approaches and Models. Int J Integr Care 2016; 16:13. [PMID: 28316553 PMCID: PMC5354221 DOI: 10.5334/ijic.2463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is no single definition of a community hospital in the UK, despite its long history. We sought to understand the nature and scope of service provision in community hospitals, within the UK and other high-income countries. METHODS We undertook a scoping review of literature on community hospitals published from 2005 to 2014. Data were extracted on features of the hospital model and the services provided, with results presented as a narrative synthesis. RESULTS 75 studies were included from ten countries. Community hospitals provide a wide range of services, with wide diversity of provision appearing to reflect local needs. Community hospitals are staffed by a mixture of general practitioners (GPs), nurses, allied health professionals and healthcare assistants. We found many examples of collaborative working arrangements between community hospitals and other health care organisations, including colocation of services, shared workforce with primary care and close collaboration with acute specialists. CONCLUSIONS Community hospitals are able to provide a diverse range of services, responding to geographical and health system contexts. Their collaborative nature may be particularly important in the design of future models of care delivery, where emphasis is placed on integration of care with a key focus on patient-centred care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor M. Winpenny
- RAND Europe, Westbrook Centre, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 1YG, United Kingdom
| | - Jennie Corbett
- RAND Europe, Westbrook Centre, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 1YG, United Kingdom
| | - Celine Miani
- RAND Europe, Westbrook Centre, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 1YG, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah King
- RAND Europe, Westbrook Centre, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 1YG, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Pitchforth
- RAND Europe, Westbrook Centre, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 1YG, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Ling
- RAND Europe, Westbrook Centre, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 1YG, United Kingdom
| | - Edwin van Teijlingen
- Bournemouth House B112c, 19 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3LH, United Kingdom
| | - Ellen Nolte
- London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, United Kingdom
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L’échographie équivaut-elle à la tomodensitométrie dans la prise en charge des patients avec suspicion d’urolithiase se présentant à l’urgence? CAN J EMERG MED 2016; 18:402-4. [DOI: 10.1017/cem.2016.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Article Chosen: Smith-Bindman R, Aubin C, Bailitz J., et al. Ultrasonography versus Computed Tomography for Suspected Nephrolithiasis.New Engl J Med2014;371;1100-10.
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Abstract
Over the past few decades, point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) has come to play a major role in the practice of emergency medicine. Despite its numerous benefits, there has been a slow uptake of PoCUS use in rural emergency departments. Surveys conducted across Canada and the United States have identified a lack of equipment, training, funding, quality assurance, and an inability to maintain skills as major barriers to PoCUS use. Potential solutions include expanding residency training in ultrasound skills, extending funding for PoCUS training to rural physicians in practice, moving PoCUS training courses to rural sites, and creating telesonography training for rural physicians. With these barriers identified and solutions proposed, corrective measures must be taken so that the benefits of PoCUS are extended to patients in rural Canada where, arguably, it has the greatest potential for benefit when access to advanced imaging is not readily available.
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16
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Layani G, Fleet R, Dallaire R, Tounkara FK, Poitras J, Archambault P, Chauny JM, Ouimet M, Gauthier J, Dupuis G, Tanguay A, Lévesque JF, Simard-Racine G, Haggerty J, Légaré F. The challenges of measuring quality-of-care indicators in rural emergency departments: a cross-sectional descriptive study. CMAJ Open 2016; 4:E398-E403. [PMID: 27730103 PMCID: PMC5047798 DOI: 10.9778/cmajo.20160007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence-based indicators of quality of care have been developed to improve care and performance in Canadian emergency departments. The feasibility of measuring these indicators has been assessed mainly in urban and academic emergency departments. We sought to assess the feasibility of measuring quality-of-care indicators in rural emergency departments in Quebec. METHODS We previously identified rural emergency departments in Quebec that offered medical coverage with hospital beds 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and were located in rural areas or small towns as defined by Statistics Canada. A standardized protocol was sent to each emergency department to collect data on 27 validated quality-of-care indicators in 8 categories: duration of stay, patient safety, pain management, pediatrics, cardiology, respiratory care, stroke and sepsis/infection. Data were collected by local professional medical archivists between June and December 2013. RESULTS Fifteen (58%) of the 26 emergency departments invited to participate completed data collection. The ability to measure the 27 quality-of-care indicators with the use of databases varied across departments. Centres 2, 5, 6 and 13 used databases for at least 21 of the indicators (78%-92%), whereas centres 3, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 15 used databases for 5 (18%) or fewer of the indicators. On average, the centres were able to measure only 41% of the indicators using heterogeneous databases and manual extraction. The 15 centres collected data from 15 different databases or combinations of databases. The average data collection time for each quality-of-care indicator varied from 5 to 88.5 minutes. The median data collection time was 15 minutes or less for most indicators. INTERPRETATION Quality-of-care indicators were not easily captured with the use of existing databases in rural emergency departments in Quebec. Further work is warranted to improve standardized measurement of these indicators in rural emergency departments in the province and to generalize the information gathered in this study to other health care environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Géraldine Layani
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval - Centre hospitalier affilié universitaire Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis (Layani, Fleet, Dallaire, Tounkara, Archambault, Tanguay), Lévis; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Fleet, Poitras, Archambault); Intensive Care Division (Archambault), Department of Anesthesiology, Université Laval, Québec; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Chauny), Université de Montréal, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal; Department of Political Science (Ouimet), Université Laval, Québec; Health Care Services Systems Analysis and Evaluation Directorate(Gauthier), Quebec Public Health Institute, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski; Department of Psychology (Dupuis), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (Lévesque), Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Simard-Racine), Centre de santé et de services sociaux de La Matapédia, Amqui; McGill Chair in Family and Community Medicine Research (Haggerty), St. Mary's Hospital Centre and McGill University, Montréal; Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine and Knowledge Transfer and Health Technology Assessment Group, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec Research Centre (Légaré), Evaluative Research Unit, Université Laval, Québec, Que
| | - Richard Fleet
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval - Centre hospitalier affilié universitaire Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis (Layani, Fleet, Dallaire, Tounkara, Archambault, Tanguay), Lévis; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Fleet, Poitras, Archambault); Intensive Care Division (Archambault), Department of Anesthesiology, Université Laval, Québec; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Chauny), Université de Montréal, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal; Department of Political Science (Ouimet), Université Laval, Québec; Health Care Services Systems Analysis and Evaluation Directorate(Gauthier), Quebec Public Health Institute, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski; Department of Psychology (Dupuis), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (Lévesque), Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Simard-Racine), Centre de santé et de services sociaux de La Matapédia, Amqui; McGill Chair in Family and Community Medicine Research (Haggerty), St. Mary's Hospital Centre and McGill University, Montréal; Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine and Knowledge Transfer and Health Technology Assessment Group, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec Research Centre (Légaré), Evaluative Research Unit, Université Laval, Québec, Que
| | - Renée Dallaire
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval - Centre hospitalier affilié universitaire Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis (Layani, Fleet, Dallaire, Tounkara, Archambault, Tanguay), Lévis; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Fleet, Poitras, Archambault); Intensive Care Division (Archambault), Department of Anesthesiology, Université Laval, Québec; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Chauny), Université de Montréal, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal; Department of Political Science (Ouimet), Université Laval, Québec; Health Care Services Systems Analysis and Evaluation Directorate(Gauthier), Quebec Public Health Institute, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski; Department of Psychology (Dupuis), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (Lévesque), Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Simard-Racine), Centre de santé et de services sociaux de La Matapédia, Amqui; McGill Chair in Family and Community Medicine Research (Haggerty), St. Mary's Hospital Centre and McGill University, Montréal; Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine and Knowledge Transfer and Health Technology Assessment Group, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec Research Centre (Légaré), Evaluative Research Unit, Université Laval, Québec, Que
| | - Fatoumata K Tounkara
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval - Centre hospitalier affilié universitaire Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis (Layani, Fleet, Dallaire, Tounkara, Archambault, Tanguay), Lévis; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Fleet, Poitras, Archambault); Intensive Care Division (Archambault), Department of Anesthesiology, Université Laval, Québec; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Chauny), Université de Montréal, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal; Department of Political Science (Ouimet), Université Laval, Québec; Health Care Services Systems Analysis and Evaluation Directorate(Gauthier), Quebec Public Health Institute, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski; Department of Psychology (Dupuis), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (Lévesque), Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Simard-Racine), Centre de santé et de services sociaux de La Matapédia, Amqui; McGill Chair in Family and Community Medicine Research (Haggerty), St. Mary's Hospital Centre and McGill University, Montréal; Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine and Knowledge Transfer and Health Technology Assessment Group, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec Research Centre (Légaré), Evaluative Research Unit, Université Laval, Québec, Que
| | - Julien Poitras
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval - Centre hospitalier affilié universitaire Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis (Layani, Fleet, Dallaire, Tounkara, Archambault, Tanguay), Lévis; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Fleet, Poitras, Archambault); Intensive Care Division (Archambault), Department of Anesthesiology, Université Laval, Québec; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Chauny), Université de Montréal, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal; Department of Political Science (Ouimet), Université Laval, Québec; Health Care Services Systems Analysis and Evaluation Directorate(Gauthier), Quebec Public Health Institute, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski; Department of Psychology (Dupuis), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (Lévesque), Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Simard-Racine), Centre de santé et de services sociaux de La Matapédia, Amqui; McGill Chair in Family and Community Medicine Research (Haggerty), St. Mary's Hospital Centre and McGill University, Montréal; Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine and Knowledge Transfer and Health Technology Assessment Group, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec Research Centre (Légaré), Evaluative Research Unit, Université Laval, Québec, Que
| | - Patrick Archambault
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval - Centre hospitalier affilié universitaire Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis (Layani, Fleet, Dallaire, Tounkara, Archambault, Tanguay), Lévis; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Fleet, Poitras, Archambault); Intensive Care Division (Archambault), Department of Anesthesiology, Université Laval, Québec; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Chauny), Université de Montréal, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal; Department of Political Science (Ouimet), Université Laval, Québec; Health Care Services Systems Analysis and Evaluation Directorate(Gauthier), Quebec Public Health Institute, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski; Department of Psychology (Dupuis), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (Lévesque), Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Simard-Racine), Centre de santé et de services sociaux de La Matapédia, Amqui; McGill Chair in Family and Community Medicine Research (Haggerty), St. Mary's Hospital Centre and McGill University, Montréal; Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine and Knowledge Transfer and Health Technology Assessment Group, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec Research Centre (Légaré), Evaluative Research Unit, Université Laval, Québec, Que
| | - Jean-Marc Chauny
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval - Centre hospitalier affilié universitaire Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis (Layani, Fleet, Dallaire, Tounkara, Archambault, Tanguay), Lévis; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Fleet, Poitras, Archambault); Intensive Care Division (Archambault), Department of Anesthesiology, Université Laval, Québec; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Chauny), Université de Montréal, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal; Department of Political Science (Ouimet), Université Laval, Québec; Health Care Services Systems Analysis and Evaluation Directorate(Gauthier), Quebec Public Health Institute, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski; Department of Psychology (Dupuis), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (Lévesque), Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Simard-Racine), Centre de santé et de services sociaux de La Matapédia, Amqui; McGill Chair in Family and Community Medicine Research (Haggerty), St. Mary's Hospital Centre and McGill University, Montréal; Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine and Knowledge Transfer and Health Technology Assessment Group, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec Research Centre (Légaré), Evaluative Research Unit, Université Laval, Québec, Que
| | - Mathieu Ouimet
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval - Centre hospitalier affilié universitaire Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis (Layani, Fleet, Dallaire, Tounkara, Archambault, Tanguay), Lévis; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Fleet, Poitras, Archambault); Intensive Care Division (Archambault), Department of Anesthesiology, Université Laval, Québec; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Chauny), Université de Montréal, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal; Department of Political Science (Ouimet), Université Laval, Québec; Health Care Services Systems Analysis and Evaluation Directorate(Gauthier), Quebec Public Health Institute, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski; Department of Psychology (Dupuis), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (Lévesque), Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Simard-Racine), Centre de santé et de services sociaux de La Matapédia, Amqui; McGill Chair in Family and Community Medicine Research (Haggerty), St. Mary's Hospital Centre and McGill University, Montréal; Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine and Knowledge Transfer and Health Technology Assessment Group, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec Research Centre (Légaré), Evaluative Research Unit, Université Laval, Québec, Que
| | - Josée Gauthier
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval - Centre hospitalier affilié universitaire Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis (Layani, Fleet, Dallaire, Tounkara, Archambault, Tanguay), Lévis; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Fleet, Poitras, Archambault); Intensive Care Division (Archambault), Department of Anesthesiology, Université Laval, Québec; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Chauny), Université de Montréal, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal; Department of Political Science (Ouimet), Université Laval, Québec; Health Care Services Systems Analysis and Evaluation Directorate(Gauthier), Quebec Public Health Institute, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski; Department of Psychology (Dupuis), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (Lévesque), Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Simard-Racine), Centre de santé et de services sociaux de La Matapédia, Amqui; McGill Chair in Family and Community Medicine Research (Haggerty), St. Mary's Hospital Centre and McGill University, Montréal; Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine and Knowledge Transfer and Health Technology Assessment Group, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec Research Centre (Légaré), Evaluative Research Unit, Université Laval, Québec, Que
| | - Gilles Dupuis
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval - Centre hospitalier affilié universitaire Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis (Layani, Fleet, Dallaire, Tounkara, Archambault, Tanguay), Lévis; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Fleet, Poitras, Archambault); Intensive Care Division (Archambault), Department of Anesthesiology, Université Laval, Québec; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Chauny), Université de Montréal, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal; Department of Political Science (Ouimet), Université Laval, Québec; Health Care Services Systems Analysis and Evaluation Directorate(Gauthier), Quebec Public Health Institute, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski; Department of Psychology (Dupuis), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (Lévesque), Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Simard-Racine), Centre de santé et de services sociaux de La Matapédia, Amqui; McGill Chair in Family and Community Medicine Research (Haggerty), St. Mary's Hospital Centre and McGill University, Montréal; Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine and Knowledge Transfer and Health Technology Assessment Group, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec Research Centre (Légaré), Evaluative Research Unit, Université Laval, Québec, Que
| | - Alain Tanguay
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval - Centre hospitalier affilié universitaire Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis (Layani, Fleet, Dallaire, Tounkara, Archambault, Tanguay), Lévis; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Fleet, Poitras, Archambault); Intensive Care Division (Archambault), Department of Anesthesiology, Université Laval, Québec; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Chauny), Université de Montréal, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal; Department of Political Science (Ouimet), Université Laval, Québec; Health Care Services Systems Analysis and Evaluation Directorate(Gauthier), Quebec Public Health Institute, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski; Department of Psychology (Dupuis), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (Lévesque), Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Simard-Racine), Centre de santé et de services sociaux de La Matapédia, Amqui; McGill Chair in Family and Community Medicine Research (Haggerty), St. Mary's Hospital Centre and McGill University, Montréal; Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine and Knowledge Transfer and Health Technology Assessment Group, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec Research Centre (Légaré), Evaluative Research Unit, Université Laval, Québec, Que
| | - Jean-Frédéric Lévesque
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval - Centre hospitalier affilié universitaire Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis (Layani, Fleet, Dallaire, Tounkara, Archambault, Tanguay), Lévis; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Fleet, Poitras, Archambault); Intensive Care Division (Archambault), Department of Anesthesiology, Université Laval, Québec; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Chauny), Université de Montréal, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal; Department of Political Science (Ouimet), Université Laval, Québec; Health Care Services Systems Analysis and Evaluation Directorate(Gauthier), Quebec Public Health Institute, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski; Department of Psychology (Dupuis), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (Lévesque), Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Simard-Racine), Centre de santé et de services sociaux de La Matapédia, Amqui; McGill Chair in Family and Community Medicine Research (Haggerty), St. Mary's Hospital Centre and McGill University, Montréal; Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine and Knowledge Transfer and Health Technology Assessment Group, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec Research Centre (Légaré), Evaluative Research Unit, Université Laval, Québec, Que
| | - Geneviève Simard-Racine
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval - Centre hospitalier affilié universitaire Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis (Layani, Fleet, Dallaire, Tounkara, Archambault, Tanguay), Lévis; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Fleet, Poitras, Archambault); Intensive Care Division (Archambault), Department of Anesthesiology, Université Laval, Québec; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Chauny), Université de Montréal, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal; Department of Political Science (Ouimet), Université Laval, Québec; Health Care Services Systems Analysis and Evaluation Directorate(Gauthier), Quebec Public Health Institute, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski; Department of Psychology (Dupuis), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (Lévesque), Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Simard-Racine), Centre de santé et de services sociaux de La Matapédia, Amqui; McGill Chair in Family and Community Medicine Research (Haggerty), St. Mary's Hospital Centre and McGill University, Montréal; Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine and Knowledge Transfer and Health Technology Assessment Group, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec Research Centre (Légaré), Evaluative Research Unit, Université Laval, Québec, Que
| | - Jeannie Haggerty
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval - Centre hospitalier affilié universitaire Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis (Layani, Fleet, Dallaire, Tounkara, Archambault, Tanguay), Lévis; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Fleet, Poitras, Archambault); Intensive Care Division (Archambault), Department of Anesthesiology, Université Laval, Québec; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Chauny), Université de Montréal, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal; Department of Political Science (Ouimet), Université Laval, Québec; Health Care Services Systems Analysis and Evaluation Directorate(Gauthier), Quebec Public Health Institute, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski; Department of Psychology (Dupuis), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (Lévesque), Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Simard-Racine), Centre de santé et de services sociaux de La Matapédia, Amqui; McGill Chair in Family and Community Medicine Research (Haggerty), St. Mary's Hospital Centre and McGill University, Montréal; Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine and Knowledge Transfer and Health Technology Assessment Group, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec Research Centre (Légaré), Evaluative Research Unit, Université Laval, Québec, Que
| | - France Légaré
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval - Centre hospitalier affilié universitaire Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis (Layani, Fleet, Dallaire, Tounkara, Archambault, Tanguay), Lévis; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Fleet, Poitras, Archambault); Intensive Care Division (Archambault), Department of Anesthesiology, Université Laval, Québec; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine (Chauny), Université de Montréal, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal; Department of Political Science (Ouimet), Université Laval, Québec; Health Care Services Systems Analysis and Evaluation Directorate(Gauthier), Quebec Public Health Institute, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski; Department of Psychology (Dupuis), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Que.; Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (Lévesque), Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Simard-Racine), Centre de santé et de services sociaux de La Matapédia, Amqui; McGill Chair in Family and Community Medicine Research (Haggerty), St. Mary's Hospital Centre and McGill University, Montréal; Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine and Knowledge Transfer and Health Technology Assessment Group, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec Research Centre (Légaré), Evaluative Research Unit, Université Laval, Québec, Que
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Rechel B, Džakula A, Duran A, Fattore G, Edwards N, Grignon M, Haas M, Habicht T, Marchildon GP, Moreno A, Ricciardi W, Vaughan L, Smith TA. Hospitals in rural or remote areas: An exploratory review of policies in 8 high-income countries. Health Policy 2016; 120:758-69. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2016.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2015] [Revised: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Fleet R, Tounkara FK, Ouimet M, Dupuis G, Poitras J, Tanguay A, Fortin JP, Trottier JG, Ouellet J, Lortie G, Plant J, Morris J, Chauny JM, Lauzier F, Légaré F. Portrait of trauma care in Quebec's rural emergency departments and identification of priority intervention needs to improve the quality of care: a study protocol. BMJ Open 2016; 6:e010900. [PMID: 27098826 PMCID: PMC4838705 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Trauma remains the primary cause of death in individuals under 40 years of age in Canada. In Quebec, the Trauma Care Continuum (TCC) has been demonstrated to be effective in decreasing the mortality rate among trauma victims. Although rural citizens are at greater risk for trauma and trauma death, no empirical data concerning the effectiveness of the TCC for the rural population in Quebec are available. The emergency departments (EDs) are important safety nets for rural citizens. However, our data indicate that access to diagnostic support services, such as intensive care units and CT is limited in rural areas. The objectives are to (1) draw a portrait of trauma services in rural EDs; (2) explore geographical variations in trauma care in Quebec; (3) identify adaptable factors that could reduce variation; and (4) establish consensus solutions for improving the quality of care. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The study will take place from November 2015 to November 2018. A mixed methodology (qualitative and quantitative) will be used. We will include data (2009-2013) from all trauma victims treated in the 26 rural EDs and tertiary/secondary care centres in Quebec. To meet objectives 1 and 2, data will be gathered from the Ministry's Database of the Quebec Trauma Registry Information System. For objectives 3 and 4, the project will use the Delphi method to develop consensus solutions for improving the quality of trauma care in rural areas. Data will be analysed using a Poisson regression to compare mortality rate during hospital stay or death on ED arrival (objectives 1 and 2). Average scores and 95% CI will be calculated for the Delphi questionnaire (objectives 3 and 4). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This protocol has been approved by CSSS Alphonse-Desjardins research ethics committee (Project MP-HDL-2016-003). The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Fleet
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Quebec, Canada
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine, Univerité Laval - CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis, Lévis, Quebec, Canada
| | - Fatoumata Korika Tounkara
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine, Univerité Laval - CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis, Lévis, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mathieu Ouimet
- Department of Political Science, Université Laval, Québec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Gilles Dupuis
- Département de Psychologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Julien Poitras
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alain Tanguay
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine, Univerité Laval - CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis, Lévis, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jean Paul Fortin
- Département de Médecine Sociale et Préventive, Université Laval, Québec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jean-Guy Trottier
- Centre de Santé et de Services Sociaux de l'Hématite, Fermont, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jean Ouellet
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Gilles Lortie
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jeff Plant
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Judy Morris
- Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jean Marc Chauny
- Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - François Lauzier
- CHU de Québec and Université Laval, Research center, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
| | - France Légaré
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Knowledge Transfer and Health Technology Assessment of the CHUQ Research Centre (CRCHUQ), Unité de Recherche Évaluative, Université Laval, Québec, Quebec, Canada
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19
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Fleet R, Poitras J, Archambault P, Tounkara FK, Chauny JM, Ouimet M, Gauthier J, Dupuis G, Tanguay A, Lévesque JF, Simard-Racine G, Haggerty J, Légaré F. Portrait of rural emergency departments in Québec and utilization of the provincial emergency department management Guide: cross sectional survey. BMC Health Serv Res 2015; 15:572. [PMID: 26700302 PMCID: PMC4690402 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-015-1242-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rural emergency departments (EDs) constitute crucial safety nets for the 20 % of Canadians who live in rural areas. Pilot data suggests that the province of Québec appears to provide more comprehensive access to services than do other provinces. A difference that may be attributable to provincial policy/guidelines “the provincial ED management Guide”. The aim of this study was to provide a detailed description of rural EDs in Québec and utilization of the provincial ED management Guide. Methods We selected EDs offering 24/7 medical coverage, with hospitalization beds, located in rural or small towns. We collected data via telephone, paper, and online surveys with rural ED/hospital staff. Data were also collected from Québec’s Ministry of Health databases and from Statistics Canada. We computed descriptive statistics, ANOVA and t-tests were used to examine the relationship between ED census, services and inter-facility transfer requirements. Results A total of 23 of Québec’s 26 rural EDs (88 %) consented to participate in the study. The mean annual ED visits was 18 813 (Standard Deviation = 6 151). Thirty one percent of ED physicians were recent graduates with fewer than 5 years of experience. Only 6 % had residency training or certification in emergency medicine. Teams have good local access (24/7) to diagnostic equipment such as CT scanner (74 %), intensive unit care (78 %) and general surgical services (78 %), but limited access to other consultants. Sixty one percent of participants have reported good knowledge of the provincial ED management Guide, but only 23 % of them have used the guidelines. Furthermore, more than 40 % of EDs were more than 300 km from levels 1 to 2 trauma centers, and only 30 % had air transport access. Conclusions Rural EDs in Québec are staffed by relatively new graduates working as solo physicians in well-resourced and moderately busy (by rural standards) EDs. The provincial ED management Guide may have contributed to this model of service attribution. However, the majority of rural ED staff report limited knowledge or use of the provincial ED management Guide and increased efforts at disseminating this Guide are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Fleet
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada. .,Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval, CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis Hospital, Lévis City, QC, Canada. .,CSSS Alphonse-Desjardins, Research Centre, Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis, 143 Wolfe Street, Lévis, Québec, G6V 3Z1, Canada.
| | - Julien Poitras
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval, CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis Hospital, Lévis City, QC, Canada
| | - Patrick Archambault
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval, CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis Hospital, Lévis City, QC, Canada
| | - Fatoumata Korika Tounkara
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval, CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis Hospital, Lévis City, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-Marc Chauny
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Montreal, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Mathieu Ouimet
- Department of political science, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Josée Gauthier
- Direction de l'analyse et de l'évaluation des systèmes de soins et services, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, QC, Canada
| | - Gilles Dupuis
- Département de psychologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Alain Tanguay
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Université Laval, CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis Hospital, Lévis City, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-Frédéric Lévesque
- Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity of the University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Jeannie Haggerty
- McGill Research Chair, Family and Community Medicine, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - France Légaré
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Knowledge Transfer and Health Technology Assessment of the CHUQ Research Centre (CRCHUQ), Unité de Recherche Évaluative, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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Léger P, Fleet R, Maltais-Giguère J, Plant J, Piette É, Légaré F, Poitras J. A majority of rural emergency departments in the province of Quebec use point-of-care ultrasound: a cross-sectional survey. BMC Emerg Med 2015; 15:36. [PMID: 26655376 PMCID: PMC4676152 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-015-0063-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2014] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can be used to provide rapid answers to specific and potentially life-threatening clinical questions, and to improve the safety of procedures. The rate of POCUS access and use in Canada is unclear. The objective of this study was to examine access to POCUS and potential barriers/facilitators to its use among rural physicians in Quebec. METHODS This descriptive cross-sectional study used an online survey. The 30-item questionnaire is an adapted and translated version of a questionnaire used in a prior survey conducted in rural Ontario, Canada. The questionnaire was pre-tested for clarity and relevance. The survey was sent to non-locum physicians working either full- or part-time in rural emergency departments (EDs) (n = 206). All EDs were located in rural and small towns and provided 24/7 medical coverage with acute care hospitalization beds. RESULTS In total, 108 surveys were completed (participation rate = 52.4%). Of the individuals who completed surveys, ninety-three percent were family physicians, and seven percent had Canadian College of Family Physicians - Emergency Medicine (CCFP-EM) certification. The median number of years of practice was seven. A bedside ultrasound device was available in 95% of rural EDs; 75.9% of physicians reported using POCUS on a regular basis. The most common indications for POCUS use were to rule out abdominal aortic aneurysm (70.4%) and to evaluate presence of free fluid in trauma and intrauterine pregnancy (60%). The most common reason (73%) for not using POCUS was limited access to POCUS training programs. Over 40% of POCUS users received training in POCUS during medical school or residency. Sixty-four percent received training from the Canadian Emergency Ultrasound Society, 13% received training from the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians, and 23% were trained in another course. Finally, 95% of respondents reported that POCUS skills are essential for rural ED practice. CONCLUSIONS POCUS use in rural EDs in the province of Quebec appears to be relatively widespread. Access to training programs is a barrier to greater use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Léger
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
| | - Richard Fleet
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada. .,Research Centre, Emergency Medicine Laval University - CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis Hospital, 143 Wolfe Street, Lévis, QC, G6V 3Z1, Canada.
| | - Julie Maltais-Giguère
- Research Centre, Emergency Medicine Laval University - CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis Hospital, 143 Wolfe Street, Lévis, QC, G6V 3Z1, Canada.
| | - Jeff Plant
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. .,Department of Emergency Medicine, Penticton Regional Hospital, Penticton, BC, Canada.
| | - Éric Piette
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal; Department of Emergency Medicine, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
| | - France Légaré
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Knowledge Transfer and Health Technology Assessment of the CHUQ Research Centre (CRCHUQ, Unité de Recherche Évaluative, Université Laval; Implementation of Shared Decision Making in Primary Care, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
| | - Julien Poitras
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada. .,Research Centre, Emergency Medicine Laval University - CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis Hospital, 143 Wolfe Street, Lévis, QC, G6V 3Z1, Canada.
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Fleet R, Pelletier C, Marcoux J, Maltais-Giguère J, Archambault P, Audette LD, Plant J, Bégin F, Tounkara FK, Poitras J. Differences in access to services in rural emergency departments of Quebec and Ontario. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0123746. [PMID: 25874948 PMCID: PMC4398492 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2014] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Rural emergency departments (EDs) are important safety nets for the 20% of Canadians who live there. A serious problem in access to health care services in these regions has emerged. However, there are considerable geographic disparities in access to trauma center in Canada. The main objective of this project was to compare access to local 24/7 support services in rural EDs in Quebec and Ontario as well as distances to Levels 1 and 2 trauma centers. Materials and Methods Rural EDs were identified through the Canadian Healthcare Association's Guide to Canadian Healthcare Facilities. We selected hospitals with 24/7 ED physician coverage and hospitalization beds that were located in rural communities. There were 26 rural EDs in Quebec and 62 in Ontario meeting these criteria. Data were collected from ministries of health, local health authorities, and ED statistics. Fisher’s exact test, the t-test or Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test, were performed to compare rural EDs of Quebec and Ontario. Results All selected EDs of Quebec and Ontario agreed to participate in the study. The number of EDs visits was higher in Quebec than in Ontario (19 322 ± 6 275 vs 13 446 ± 8 056, p = 0.0013). There were no significant differences between Quebec and Ontario’s local population and small town population density. Quebec’s EDs have better access to advance imaging services such as CT scanner (77% vs 15%, p < .0001) and most the consultant support and ICU (92% vs 31%, p < .0001). Finally, more than 40% of rural EDs in Quebec and Ontario are more than 300 km away from Levels 1 and 2 trauma centers. Conclusions Considering that Canada has a Universal health care system, the discrepancies between Quebec and Ontario in access to support services are intriguing. A nationwide study is justified to address this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Fleet
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, Quebec, Canada; Research Chair in Emergency Medicine, Laval University-CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis Hospital, Lévis City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Christina Pelletier
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jérémie Marcoux
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Julie Maltais-Giguère
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine, Laval University-CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis Hospital, Lévis City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Patrick Archambault
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, Quebec, Canada; Research Chair in Emergency Medicine, Laval University-CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis Hospital, Lévis City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Louis David Audette
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jeff Plant
- Faculty of medicine, University of British Columbia and Department of Emergency Medicine, Penticton regional Hospital, Penticton, British Columbia, Canada
| | - François Bégin
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Fatoumata Korika Tounkara
- Research Chair in Emergency Medicine, Laval University-CHAU Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis Hospital, Lévis City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Julien Poitras
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, Quebec, Canada; Department of Emergency Medicine, CSSS Alphonse Desjardins-Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis Hospital, Lévis, Quebec, Canada
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Myhre DL, Adamiak PJ, Pedersen JS. Specialty resident perceptions of the impact of a distributed education model on practice location intentions. MEDICAL TEACHER 2014; 37:856-861. [PMID: 25523114 DOI: 10.3109/0142159x.2014.993952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There is an increased focus internationally on the social mandate of postgraduate training programs. This study explores specialty residents' perceptions of the impact of the University of Calgary's (UC) distributed education rotations on their self-perceived likelihood of practice location, and if this effect is influenced by resident specialty or stage of program. METHODS Residents participating in the UC Distributed Royal College Initiative (DistRCI) between July 2010 and June 2013 completed an online survey following their rotation. Descriptive statistics and student's t-test were employed to analyze quantitative survey data, and a constant comparative approach was used to analyze free text qualitative responses. RESULTS Residents indicated they were satisfied with the program (92%), and that the distributed rotations significantly increased their self-reported likelihood of practicing in smaller centers (p < 0.05). The findings suggest that the shift in attitude is independent of discipline, program year, and logistical experiences of living at the distributed sites, and is consistent across multiple cohorts over several academic years. CONCLUSION The findings highlight the value of a distributed education program in contributing to future practice and career development, and its relevance in the social accountability of postgraduate programs.
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