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Chong S, Achat HM, Stubbs JM, Murphy M. Factors associated with mental health representations to the emergency department within six months. Int Emerg Nurs 2024; 75:101480. [PMID: 38936272 DOI: 10.1016/j.ienj.2024.101480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE ED representation places a tremendous drain on resources with mental health (MH) representation among the most common. This study aimed to identify patient and clinical factors associated with 28-day and six-month ED MH representation of an index MH ED presentation. METHOD All MH related ED presentations from 1 January 2017 to 30 June 2019 were extracted from routinely collected administrative data. Cox regression and multinomial logistic regression models tested associations between patient characteristics and risk of representation. RESULTS For the 8,010 patients, 28-day and six-month representations were 8 % and 16 % respectively. Self-identifying with a MH problem at index presentation (28-day hazard ratio (HR) = 1.48, 95 % CI = 1.19-1.84; six-month HR = 1.52, 95 % CI = 1.29-1.78), leaving ED before completing treatment (28-day HR = 4.13, 95 % CI = 3.36-5.08; six-month HR = 2.52, 95 % CI = 2.12-2.99), no private health insurance (six-month HR = 1.34, 95 % CI = 1.08-1.66), and hospital admission within one year prior to index (six month MH-related admission vs non-MH, HR = 1.59, 95 % CI = 1.19-2.13) were associated with increased risk of representation. Being uninsured was associated with frequent six-month representation among adults aged 16-39 years (OR = 3.16, 95 %CI = 1.59-6.25). CONCLUSION Self-identifying with a MH problem, leaving ED prematurely, being uninsured and prior hospitalisation are areas for in-depth investigation for improved understanding of unplanned representations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanley Chong
- Epidemiology and Health Analytics, Western Sydney Local Health District, North Parramatta, NSW, Australia.
| | - Helen M Achat
- Epidemiology and Health Analytics, Western Sydney Local Health District, North Parramatta, NSW, Australia.
| | - Joanne M Stubbs
- Epidemiology and Health Analytics, Western Sydney Local Health District, North Parramatta, NSW, Australia.
| | - Margaret Murphy
- Western Sydney Local Health District Emergency Services, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
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Accorsi TAD, Eduardo AA, Moreira FT, Morbeck RA, Köhler KF, Lima KDA, Pedrotti CHS. Adherence to Emergency Department Referral Criteria in a Direct-to-Consumer Telemedicine Center. Telemed J E Health 2024; 30:1418-1424. [PMID: 38377569 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: The safety of direct-to-consumer telemedicine (TM) is closely related to red flag detection and correct referrals. The adherence to referral criteria from current guidelines is not well quantified. Objective: To analyze the emergency department (ED) referral rate and adherence to referral guidelines in TM encounters of acutely ill patients calling a center that adopts stewardship protocols. Methods: This is a retrospective observational unicentric study, between March 2020 and March 2022, with patients who spontaneously sought direct-to-consumer urgent virtual medical assistance. A video-based teleconsultation was provided immediately after connection. Physicians managed situations according to their clinical judgment. Current guidelines, containing specific guidance for referral if red flags were identified, were available for consultation. Physicians' semiannual performance feedback was carried out. We analyzed the patterns for referral to immediate face-to-face medical evaluation and the agreement degree with the institutional guidelines. Results: A total of 232,197 patients were available, and 14,051 (6.05%) patients were referred to ED. A total of 8,829 (68.4%) referrals were based in specific guidelines according to the International Classification of Diseases hypothesis, and 8,708 (98.6%) were justified according to guidelines. Diarrhea had the highest guidelines' adherence to referral (97.6%), followed by COVID-19 (90%), headache (84.2%), and conjunctivitis (78.8%). Policies did not support 5,222 (31.6%) referrals, though 5,100 (97.6%) of these were justified according to the doctor's clinical judgment. Conclusion: TM doctors' assessment of acutely ill patients has high rates of adherence to guidelines regarding referral. Stewardship protocol adoption provides high rates of red flag description, even in the referral of nonpolicy diseases.
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Rosychuk RJ, Khangura JK, Ortiz SS, Cheng I, Bielska IA, Yan J, Morrison LJ, Hayward J, Grant L, Hohl CM. Characteristics and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 who return to the emergency department: a multicentre observational study by the Canadian COVID-19 Emergency Department Rapid Response Network (CCEDRRN). Emerg Med J 2024; 41:210-217. [PMID: 38365437 DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2023-213277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Unplanned return emergency department (ED) visits can reflect clinical deterioration or unmet need from the original visit. We determined the characteristics and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 who return to the ED for COVID-19-related revisits. METHODS This retrospective observational study used data for all adult patients visiting 47 Canadian EDs with COVID-19 between 1 March 2020 and 31 March 2022. Multivariable logistic regression assessed the characteristics associated with having a no return visit (SV=single visit group) versus at least one return visit (MV=return visit group) after being discharged alive at the first ED visit. RESULTS 39 809 patients with COVID-19 had 44 862 COVID-19-related ED visits: 35 468 patients (89%) had one visit (SV group) and 4341 (11%) returned to the ED (MV group) within 30 days (mean 2.2, SD=0.5 ED visit). 40% of SV patients and 16% of MV patients were admitted at their first visit, and 41% of MV patients not admitted at their first ED visit were admitted on their second visit. In the MV group, the median time to return was 4 days, 49% returned within 72 hours. In multivariable modelling, a repeat visit was associated with a variety of factors including older age (OR=1.25 per 10 years, 95% CI (1.22 to 1.28)), pregnancy (1.86 (1.46 to 2.36)) and presence of comorbidities (eg, 1.72 (1.40 to 2.10) for cancer, 2.01 (1.52 to 2.66) for obesity, 2.18 (1.42 to 3.36) for organ transplant), current/prior substance use, higher temperature or WHO severe disease (1.41 (1.29 to 1.54)). Return was less likely for females (0.82 (0.77 to 0.88)) and those boosted or fully vaccinated (0.48 (0.34 to 0.70)). CONCLUSIONS Return ED visits by patients with COVID-19 within 30 days were common during the first two pandemic years and were associated with multiple factors, many of which reflect known risk for worse outcomes. Future studies should assess reasons for revisit and opportunities to improve ED care and reduce resource use. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04702945.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhonda J Rosychuk
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jaspreet K Khangura
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sylvia S Ortiz
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ivy Cheng
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Emergency/Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Iwona A Bielska
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Public Health, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Justin Yan
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Laurie J Morrison
- Department of Emergency Services, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jake Hayward
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lars Grant
- Department of Emergency Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Corinne M Hohl
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Emergency Department, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Tuffuor K, Su H, Meng L, Pinker E, Tarabar A, Van Tonder R, Chmura C, Parwani V, Venkatesh AK, Sangal RB. Inequities among patient placement in emergency department hallway treatment spaces. Am J Emerg Med 2024; 76:70-74. [PMID: 38006634 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2023.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited capacity in the emergency department (ED) secondary to boarding and crowding has resulted in patients receiving care in hallways to provide access to timely evaluation and treatment. However, there are concerns raised by physicians and patients regarding a decrease in patient centered care and quality resulting from hallway care. We sought to explore social risk factors associated with hallway placement and operational outcomes. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS Observational study between July 2017 and February 2020. Primary outcome was the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of patient placement in a hallway treatment space adjusting for patient demographics and ED operational factors. Secondary outcomes included left without being seen (LWBS), discharge against medical advice (AMA), elopement, 72-h ED revisit, 10-day ED revisit and escalation of care during boarding. RESULTS Among 361,377 ED visits, 100,079 (27.7%) visits were assigned to hallway beds. Patient insurance coverage (Medicaid (aOR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01,1.06) and Self-pay/Other (1.08, (1.03, 1.13))) with comparison to private insurance, and patient sex (Male (1.08, (1.06, 1.10))) with comparison to female sex are associated with higher odds of hallway placement but patient age, race, and language were not. These associations are adjusted for ED census, triage assigned severity, ED staffing, boarding level, and time effect, with social factors mutually adjusted. Additionally adjusting for patients' social factors, patients placed in hallways had higher odds of elopement (1.23 (1.07,1.41)), 72-h ED revisit (1.33 (1.08, 1.64)) and 10-day ED revisit (1.23 (1.11, 1.36)) comparing with patients placed in regular ED rooms. We did not find statistically significant associations between hallway placement and LWBS, discharge AMA, or escalation of care. CONCLUSION While hallway usage is ad hoc, we find consistent differences in care delivery with those insured by Medicaid and self-pay or male sex being placed in hallway beds. Further work should examine how new front-end processes such as provider in triage or split flow may be associated with inequities in patient access to emergency and hospital care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwame Tuffuor
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States of America.
| | - Huifeng Su
- Yale University School of Management, United States of America
| | - Lesley Meng
- Yale University School of Management, United States of America
| | - Edieal Pinker
- Yale University School of Management, United States of America
| | - Asim Tarabar
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States of America
| | - Reinier Van Tonder
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States of America
| | - Chris Chmura
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States of America
| | - Vivek Parwani
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States of America
| | - Arjun K Venkatesh
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States of America; Centers for Outcomes Research, Yale University, United States of America
| | - Rohit B Sangal
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States of America
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Kao CL, Chuang CC, Hwang CY, Lee CH, Huang PC, Hong MY, Chi CH. The risk factors of the 72-h unscheduled return visit admission to emergency department in adults below 50 years old. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:379. [PMID: 37759319 PMCID: PMC10523721 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01317-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An unscheduled return visit (URV) to the emergency department (ED) within 72-h is an indicator of ED performance. An unscheduled return revisit (URV) within 72-h was used to monitor adverse events and medical errors in a hospital quality improvement program. The study explores the potential factors that contribute to URV to the ED within 72-h and the unscheduled return revisit admission (URVA) in adults below 50 years old. METHODS The case-control study enrolled 9483 URV patients during 2015-2020 in National Cheng-Kung University Hospital. URVA and URV non-admission (URVNA) patients were analyzed. The Gini impurity index was calculated by decision tree (DT) to split the variables capable of partitioning the groups into URVA and URVNA. Logistic regression is applied to calculate the odds ratio (OR) of candidate variables. The α level was set at 0.05. RESULTS Among patients under the age of 50, the percentage of females in URVNA was 55.05%, while in URVA it was 53.25%. Furthermore, the average age of URVA patients was 38.20 ± 8.10, which is higher than the average age of 35.19 ± 8.65 observed in URVNA. The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) of the URVA patients (1.59 ± 1.00) was significantly higher than that of the URVNA patients (1.22 ± 0.64). The diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of the URVA patients was 85.29 ± 16.22, which was lower than that of the URVNA (82.89 ± 17.29). Severe triage of URVA patients is 21.1%, which is higher than the 9.7% of URVNA patients. The decision tree suggests that the factors associated with URVA are "severe triage," "CCI higher than 2," "DBP less than 86.5 mmHg," and "age older than 34 years". These risk factors were verified by logistic regression and the OR of CCI was 2.42 (1.50-3.90), the OR of age was 1.84 (1.50-2.27), the OR of DBP less than 86.5 was 0.71 (0.58-0.86), and the OR of severe triage was 2.35 (1.83-3.03). CONCLUSIONS The results provide physicians with a reference for discharging patients and could help ED physicians reduce the cognitive burden associated with the diagnostic errors and stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Lung Kao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No.138, Sheng Li Road, Tainan, 704, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chang Chuang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No.138, Sheng Li Road, Tainan, 704, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Yuan Hwang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No.138, Sheng Li Road, Tainan, 704, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Hsun Lee
- Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No.138, Sheng Li Road, Tainan, 704, Taiwan
| | - Po-Chang Huang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No.138, Sheng Li Road, Tainan, 704, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Yuan Hong
- Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No.138, Sheng Li Road, Tainan, 704, Taiwan.
| | - Chih-Hsien Chi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No.138, Sheng Li Road, Tainan, 704, Taiwan
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Gasperini G, Bouazzi L, Sanchez A, Marotte L, Kézachian L, Bellec G, Cazes N, Rosetti M, Bousquet C, Renard A, Sanchez S. Healthcare-associated adverse events and readmission to the emergency departments within seven days after a first consultation. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1189939. [PMID: 37483920 PMCID: PMC10359972 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1189939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The use of emergency hospital service has become increasingly frequent with a rise of approximately 3.6%. in annual emergency department visits. The objective of this study was to describe the reasons for reconsultations to emergency departments and to identify the risk and protective factors of reconsultations linked to healthcare-associated adverse events. Materials and methods A retrospective, descriptive, multicenter study was performed in the emergency department of Troyes Hospital and the Sainte Anne Army Training Hospital in Toulon, France from January 1 to December 31, 2019. Patients over 18 years of age who returned to the emergency department for a reconsultation within 7 days were included. Healthcare-associated adverse events in the univariate analysis (p < 0.10) were introduced into a multivariate logistic regression model. Model performance was examined using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calculated with c-statistic. Results Weekend visits and performing radiology examinations were risk factors linked to healthcare associated adverse events. Biological examinations and the opinion of a specialist were protective factors. Discussion Numerous studies have reported that a first consultation occurring on a weekend is a reconsultation risk factor for healthcare-associated adverse events, however, performing radiology examinations were subjected to confusion bias. Patients having radiology examinations due to trauma-related pathologies were more apt for a reconsultation. Conclusion Our study supports the need for better emergency departments access to biological examinations and specialist second medical opinions. An appropriate patient to doctor ratio in hospital emergency departments may be necessary at all times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Gasperini
- Emergency Hospital Services, Sainte Anne Army Training Hospital, Toulon, France
| | - Leila Bouazzi
- University Committee of Resources for Research in Health (CURRS), University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | | | - Louis Marotte
- Emergency Hospital Services, Sainte Anne Army Training Hospital, Toulon, France
| | - Laury Kézachian
- Medical Educational Institute Les Farfadets, UGECAM PACA-Corse, La Valette-du-Var, France
| | - Guillaume Bellec
- Emergency Hospital Services, Sainte Anne Army Training Hospital, Toulon, France
| | - Nicolas Cazes
- Emergency Medical Aid Services, Battalion of Marine Firefighters of Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Maxime Rosetti
- Emergency Hospital Services, Troyes Hospital, Troyes, France
| | - Claire Bousquet
- Emergency Hospital Services, Troyes Hospital, Troyes, France
| | - Aurélien Renard
- Emergency Medical Aid Services, Battalion of Marine Firefighters of Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Stéphane Sanchez
- University Committee of Resources for Research in Health (CURRS), University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
- Public Health and Performance Department, Champagne Sud Hospital, Troyes, France
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Alaama AO, Alsulaimani HM, Alghamdi H, Alrehaili MM, Alsaud RN, Almuqati AM, Bukhari NR, Alhassan A, Bakhsh NM, Alwadei MH. Shock Index and Characteristics of "Bounce-Back" Patients in the Emergency Department of King Abdullah Medical City (KAMC): A Retrospective Analysis. Cureus 2022; 14:e29692. [DOI: 10.7759/cureus.29692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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Dehesa Fontecilla MA, Fernandez N, Aláiz-Moretón H, Sánchez-Valdeón L, Benítez-Andrades JA. [Return rate to the Primary Care Emergency Service for elderly patients over 65 years old and their assistance requirements]. Aten Primaria 2021; 53:102084. [PMID: 33991761 PMCID: PMC8134028 DOI: 10.1016/j.aprim.2021.102084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the unexpected return rate to the Primary Care Emergency Service of elderly patients over 65 years old within the following 72h of a previous visit, as well as to determine the clinical and assistance requirements of these patients. PROCEDURE Retrospective and observational epidemiologic study. LOCATION Cotolino's Primary Care Emergency Service in Cantabria, Spain. PARTICIPANTS 1940 elderly patients over 65 years old were included. These patients returned to the Primary Care Emergency Service in 2016. MAIN DATA FOR THE STUDY The dependent variable was the return rate to the Primary Care Emergency Service. The independent variables were socio-demographic characteristics, health details and medical assistance information. All data was collected from the Primary Care Emergency Service Management Office database. All variables were analysed applying Pearson's chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test, with statistical significance P≤.05. RESULTS The rate of unexpected return was 2.3%. The average age was 77.4 years old (standard deviation (SD): 8.4), of which the 37.6% were male. The most frequent range of age was from 75 to 84 years old, with males being the predominant group. A history of polymedication was detected in 54.4% of the cases, as well as a medium cardiovascular risk within this group. Nursing professionals attended the 42.2% of these return cases (P<.001). Patients with dysnea (P=.015), scheduled care or scheduled injection returned with a higher frequency (P<.001). It was as well noticed a higher frequency of return for subsequent attention during the months of December and January (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS The rate of unexpected return is low. The main causes why elderly patients returned to the service requiring urgent assistance were issues categorised as unspecific general health indicators and/or respiratory system illnesses. Our proposal is to develop specific protocols combining the work from both Geriatrics and Gerontology professionals, in order to improve the support to this group of population at every Primary Care Emergency Service.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nélida Fernandez
- Área de Farmacología, Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Universidad de León , León, España
| | - Héctor Aláiz-Moretón
- Grupo de Investigación Salud, Bienestar y Sostenibilidad Sociosanitaria (SALBIS), Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica y de Sistemas y Automática, Universidad de León , León, España
| | - Leticia Sánchez-Valdeón
- SECOMUCI Research Group, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de León, León, España
| | - Jose Alberto Benítez-Andrades
- Grupo de Investigación Salud, Bienestar y Sostenibilidad Sociosanitaria (SALBIS), Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica y de Sistemas y Automática, Universidad de León , León, España
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