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Gregersen R, Villumsen M, Mottlau KH, Maule CF, Nygaard H, Rasmussen JH, Christensen MB, Petersen J. Acute patients discharged without an established diagnosis: risk of mortality and readmission of nonspecific diagnoses compared to disease-specific diagnoses. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2024; 32:32. [PMID: 38641643 PMCID: PMC11027222 DOI: 10.1186/s13049-024-01191-4] [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: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonspecific discharge diagnoses after acute hospital courses represent patients discharged without an established cause of their complaints. These patients should have a low risk of adverse outcomes as serious conditions should have been ruled out. We aimed to investigate the mortality and readmissions following nonspecific discharge diagnoses compared to disease-specific diagnoses and assessed different nonspecific subgroups. METHODS Register-based cohort study including hospital courses beginning in emergency departments across 3 regions of Denmark during March 2019-February 2020. We identified nonspecific diagnoses from the R- and Z03-chapter in the ICD-10 classification and excluded injuries, among others-remaining diagnoses were considered disease-specific. Outcomes were 30-day mortality and readmission, the groups were compared by Cox regression hazard ratios (HR), unadjusted and adjusted for socioeconomics, comorbidity, administrative information and laboratory results. We stratified into short (3-<12 h) or lengthier (12-168 h) hospital courses. RESULTS We included 192,185 hospital courses where nonspecific discharge diagnoses accounted for 50.7% of short and 25.9% of lengthier discharges. The cumulative risk of mortality for nonspecific vs. disease-specific discharge diagnoses was 0.6% (0.6-0.7%) vs. 0.8% (0.7-0.9%) after short and 1.6% (1.5-1.7%) vs. 2.6% (2.5-2.7%) after lengthier courses with adjusted HRs of 0.97 (0.83-1.13) and 0.94 (0.85-1.05), respectively. The cumulative risk of readmission for nonspecific vs. disease-specific discharge diagnoses was 7.3% (7.1-7.5%) vs. 8.4% (8.2-8.6%) after short and 11.1% (10.8-11.5%) vs. 13.7% (13.4-13.9%) after lengthier courses with adjusted HRs of 0.94 (0.90-0.98) and 0.95 (0.91-0.99), respectively. We identified 50 clinical subgroups of nonspecific diagnoses, of which Abdominal pain (n = 12,462; 17.1%) and Chest pain (n = 9,599; 13.1%) were the most frequent. The subgroups described differences in characteristics with mean age 41.9 to 80.8 years and mean length of stay 7.1 to 59.5 h, and outcomes with < 0.2-8.1% risk of 30-day mortality and 3.5-22.6% risk of 30-day readmission. CONCLUSIONS In unadjusted analyses, nonspecific diagnoses had a lower risk of mortality and readmission than disease-specific diagnoses but had a similar risk after adjustments. We identified 509 clinical subgroups of nonspecific diagnoses with vastly different characteristics and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasmus Gregersen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital- Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital- Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Marie Villumsen
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital- Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katarina Høgh Mottlau
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital- Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cathrine Fox Maule
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital- Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanne Nygaard
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital- Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Henning Rasmussen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital- Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mikkel Bring Christensen
- Copenhagen Center for Translational Research, Copenhagen University Hospital- Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Copenhagen University Hospital- Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Janne Petersen
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital- Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Dukhanin V, McDonald KM, Gonzalez N, Gleason KT. Patient Reasoning: Patients' and Care Partners' Perceptions of Diagnostic Accuracy in Emergency Care. Med Decis Making 2024; 44:102-111. [PMID: 37965762 PMCID: PMC10712203 DOI: 10.1177/0272989x231207829] [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: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In the context of validating a measure of patient report specific to diagnostic accuracy in emergency department or urgent care, this study investigates patients' and care partners' perceptions of diagnoses as accurate and explores variations in how they reason while they assess accuracy. METHODS In February 2022, we surveyed a national panel of adults who had an emergency department or urgent care visit in the past month to test a patient-reported measure. As part of the survey validation, we asked for free-text responses about why the respondents indicated their (dis)agreement with 2 statements comprising patient-reported diagnostic accuracy: 1) the explanation they received of the health problem was true and 2) the explanation described what to expect of the health problem. Those paired free-text responses were qualitatively analyzed according to themes created inductively. RESULTS A total of 1,116 patients and care partners provided 982 responses coded into 10 themes, which were further grouped into 3 reasoning types. Almost one-third (32%) of respondents used only corroborative reasoning in assessing the accuracy of the health problem explanation (alignment of the explanation with either test results, patients' subsequent health trajectory, their medical knowledge, symptoms, or another doctor's opinion), 26% used only perception-based reasoning (perceptions of diagnostic process, uncertainty around the explanation received, or clinical team's attitudes), and 27% used both types of reasoning. The remaining 15% used general beliefs or nonexplicated logic (used only about accurate diagnoses) and combinations of general reasoning with perception-based and corroborative. CONCLUSIONS Patients and care partners used multifaceted reasoning in their assessment of diagnostic accuracy. IMPLICATIONS As health care shifts toward meaningful diagnostic co-production and shared decision making, in-depth understanding of variations in patient reasoning and mental models informs use in clinical practice. HIGHLIGHTS An analysis of 982 responses examined how patients and care partners reason about the accuracy of diagnoses they received in emergency or urgent care.In reasoning, people used their perception of the process and whether the diagnosis matched other factual information they have.We introduce "patient reasoning" in the diagnostic measurement context as an area of further research to inform diagnostic shared decision making and co-production of health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vadim Dukhanin
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kathryn M. McDonald
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Lin MP, Kligler SK, Friedman BW, Kim H, Rising K, Samuels-Kalow M, Eucker SA. Barriers and Best Practices for the Use of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Emergency Medicine. Ann Emerg Med 2023; 82:11-21. [PMID: 36682996 PMCID: PMC10293024 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2022.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Patient-reported outcome measures are commonly used in clinical trials and have been incorporated into routine clinical care in select specialties but have not been widely implemented in emergency medicine research and clinical care. We describe measurement-related barriers to patient-reported outcome measure use in the emergency department; administrative and practical considerations; implications of developing novel emergency medicine-specific patient-reported outcome measures; and key considerations for the use of patient-reported outcome measures in emergency medicine research and clinical care. Despite the unique barriers of the ED environment, potential solutions include the use of ED-validated patient-reported outcome measures when available; adapting existing short-form, multidimensional patient-reported outcome measures previously validated in diverse populations, ideally using computer-adapted testing; and collecting responses during anticipated wait times. With this work, we aim to inform barriers and best practices to the use of patient-reported outcome measures in emergency medicine research and clinical care to support future, more widespread implementation of patient-reported outcome measures within emergency care. The successful adoption of patient-reported outcome measures for diverse ED patient populations within the unique constraints of the acute care environment may help researchers, clinicians, and policymakers improve the quality and patient-centeredness of acute care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle P Lin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA.
| | | | - Benjamin W Friedman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore, Bronx, NY
| | - Howard Kim
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Kristin Rising
- Jefferson Center for Connected Care, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Emergency Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia PA
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Dilg S, Pulia MS, Papanagnou D. Being explicit about the uncertainty of clinical practice in training. AEM EDUCATION AND TRAINING 2023; 7:e10885. [PMID: 37361191 PMCID: PMC10287903 DOI: 10.1002/aet2.10885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Stuart Dilg
- Department of Emergency MedicineSidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Michael S. Pulia
- BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency MedicineUniversity of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public HealthMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Dimitrios Papanagnou
- Department of Emergency MedicineSidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
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5
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Rising KL, Cameron KA, Salzman DH, Papanagnou D, Doty AMB, Piserchia K, Leiby BE, Shimada A, McGaghie WC, Powell RE, Klein MR, Zhang XC, Vozenilek J, McCarthy DM. Communicating Diagnostic Uncertainty at Emergency Department Discharge: A Simulation-Based Mastery Learning Randomized Trial. ACADEMIC MEDICINE : JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLEGES 2023; 98:384-393. [PMID: 36205492 DOI: 10.1097/acm.0000000000004993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE There are no standardized approaches for communicating with patients discharged from the emergency department with diagnostic uncertainty. This trial tested efficacy of the Uncertainty Communication Education Module, a simulation-based mastery learning curriculum designed to establish competency in communicating diagnostic uncertainty. METHOD Resident physicians at 2 sites participated in a 2-arm waitlist randomized controlled trial from September 2019 to June 2020. After baseline (T1) assessment of all participants via a standardized patient encounter using the Uncertainty Communication Checklist (UCC), immediate access physicians received training in the Uncertainty Communication Education Module, which included immediate feedback, online educational modules, a smartphone-based application, and telehealth deliberate practice with standardized patients. All physicians were retested 16-19 weeks later (T2) via in-person standardized patient encounters; delayed access physicians then received the intervention. A final test of all physicians occurred 11-15 weeks after T2 (T3). The primary outcome measured the percentage of physicians in the immediate versus delayed access groups meeting or exceeding the UCC minimum passing standard at T2. RESULTS Overall, 109 physicians were randomized, with mean age 29 years (range 25-46). The majority were male (n = 69, 63%), non-Hispanic/Latino (n = 99, 91%), and White (n = 78, 72%). At T2, when only immediate access participants had received the curriculum, immediate access physicians demonstrated increased mastery (n = 29, 52.7%) compared with delayed access physicians (n = 2, 3.7%, P < .001; estimated adjusted odds ratio of mastery for the immediate access participants, 31.1 [95% CI, 6.8-143.1]). There were no significant differences when adjusting for training site or stage of training. CONCLUSIONS The Uncertainty Communication Education Module significantly increased mastery in communicating diagnostic uncertainty at the first postintervention test among emergency physicians in standardized patient encounters. Further work should assess the impact of clinical implementation of these communication skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin L Rising
- K.L. Rising is professor and director of acute care transitions, Department of Emergency Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, professor of nursing, College of Nursing, and director, Center for Connected Care, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3882-4956
| | - Kenzie A Cameron
- K.A. Cameron is professor, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, and Department of Medical Education, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3535-6459
| | - David H Salzman
- D.H. Salzman is associate professor, Department of Emergency Medicine and Department of Medical Education, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5090-3433
| | - Dimitrios Papanagnou
- D. Papanagnou is professor and vice chair for education, Department of Emergency Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3682-8371
| | - Amanda M B Doty
- A.M.B. Doty is research coordinator, Center for Connected Care, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Katherine Piserchia
- K. Piserchia is clinical research coordinator, Department of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Benjamin E Leiby
- B.E. Leiby is professor and director, Division of Biostatistics, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0761-8383
| | - Ayako Shimada
- A. Shimada is statistician, Division of Biostatistics, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; ORCID: https://orcid/org/0000-0002-9941-7660
| | - William C McGaghie
- W.C. McGaghie is professor, Department of Medical Education, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1672-0398
| | - Rhea E Powell
- R.E. Powell is associate professor, Department of Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4157-3070
| | - Matthew R Klein
- M.R. Klein is assistant professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7888-6372
| | - Xiao Chi Zhang
- X.C. Zhang is assistant professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - John Vozenilek
- J. Vozenilek is vice president and chief medical officer, innovation and digital health, Jump Trading Simulation and Education Center, OSF Healthcare, Peoria, Illinois, clinical professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Peoria, Illinois, and clinical professor, Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering, Urbana, Illinois; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7955-4089
| | - Danielle M McCarthy
- D.M. McCarthy is associate professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9038-2852
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Doty AM, Rising KL, Hsiao T, Amadio G, Gentsch AT, Salcedo VJ, McElwee I, Cameron KA, Salzman DH, Papanagnou D, McCarthy DM. "Unfortunately, I don't have an answer for you": How resident physicians communicate diagnostic uncertainty to patients during emergency department discharge. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2022; 105:2053-2057. [PMID: 35168855 PMCID: PMC9177889 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.12.002] [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: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe how emergency medicine resident physicians discuss diagnostic uncertainty during a simulated ED discharge discussion. METHODS A secondary content analysis of simulated clinical encounter audiotapes completed by emergency medicine residents across two sites. RESULTS When discussing lack of diagnosis, residents explained the evaluation revealed no cause for symptoms, noted concerning diagnoses that were excluded, and acknowledged both symptoms and patients' feelings. Residents used explicit and implicit language to discuss diagnostic uncertainty with similar frequency. Almost half of the residents discussed the ED role as focused on emergent illness to give patients context for their uncertain diagnoses. However, 28% of residents in this study did not discuss diagnostic uncertainty in any form. All residents provided reassurance. CONCLUSION Residents use a range of approaches to discuss diagnostic uncertainty with patients at the time of a simulated ED discharge, with some residents omitting discussion of uncertainty entirely. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS These findings represent the current state of communication, which needs improvement. These findings do not immediately transfer to clinical practice recommendations, but rather support a need for both further study and development of formal communication training on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Mb Doty
- Center for Connected Care, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA.
| | - Kristin L Rising
- Center for Connected Care, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - TingAnn Hsiao
- Center for Connected Care, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Grace Amadio
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA
| | | | - Venise J Salcedo
- Center for Connected Care, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Ian McElwee
- Center for Connected Care, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Kenzie A Cameron
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA; Research Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
| | - David H Salzman
- Department of Medical Education, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
| | - Dimitrios Papanagnou
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Danielle M McCarthy
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
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Al-Mashat H, Lindskou TA, Møller JM, Ludwig M, Christensen EF, Søvsø MB. Assessed and discharged - diagnosis, mortality and revisits in short-term emergency department contacts. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:816. [PMID: 35739517 PMCID: PMC9219135 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08203-y] [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: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Emergency departments (EDs) experience an increasing number of patients. High patient flow are incentives for short duration of ED stay which may pose a challenge for patient diagnostics and care implying risk of ED revisits or increased mortality. Four hours are often used as a target time to decide whether to admit or discharge a patient. Objective To investigate and compare the diagnostic pattern, risk of revisits and short-term mortality for ED patients with a length of stay of less than 4 h (visits) with 4–24 h stay (short stay visits). Methods Population-based cohort study of patients contacting three EDs in the North Denmark Region during 2014–2016, excluding injured patients. Main diagnoses, number of revisits within 72 h of the initial contact and mortality were outcomes. Data on age, sex, mortality, time of admission and ICD-10 diagnostic chapter were obtained from the Danish Civil Registration System and the regional patient administrative system. Descriptive statistics were applied and Kaplan Meier mortality estimates with 95% CI were calculated. Results Seventy-nine thousand three hundred forty-one short-term ED contacts were included, visits constituted 60%. Non-specific diagnoses (i.e. symptoms and signs and other factors) were the most frequent diagnoses among both visits and short stay visits groups (67% vs 49%). Revisits were more frequent for visits compared to short stay visits (5.8% vs 4.2%). Circulatory diseases displayed the highest 0–48-h mortality within the visits and infections in the short stay visits (11.8% (95%CI: 10.4–13.5) and (3.5% (95%CI: 2.6–4.7)). 30-day mortality were 1.3% (95%CI: 1.2–1.5) for visits and 1.8% (95%CI: 1.7–2.0) for short stay visits. The 30-day mortality of the ED revisits with an initial visit was 1.0% (0.8–1.3), vs 0.7% (0.7–0.8) for no revisits, while 30-day mortality nearly doubled for ED revisits with an initial short stay visit (2.5% (1.9–3.2)). Conclusions Most patients were within the visit group. Non-specific diagnoses constituted the majority of diagnoses given. Mortality was higher among patients with short stay visits but increased for both groups with ED revisits. This suggest that diagnostics are challenged by short time targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Al-Mashat
- Centre for Prehospital and Emergency Research, Aalborg University and Aalborg University Hospital, Sdr. Skovvej 15, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Tim A Lindskou
- Centre for Prehospital and Emergency Research, Aalborg University and Aalborg University Hospital, Sdr. Skovvej 15, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jørn M Møller
- Emergency Department & Trauma Centre, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Marc Ludwig
- Emergency Department Hjørring, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Hjørring, Denmark
| | - Erika F Christensen
- Centre for Prehospital and Emergency Research, Aalborg University and Aalborg University Hospital, Sdr. Skovvej 15, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Morten B Søvsø
- Centre for Prehospital and Emergency Research, Aalborg University and Aalborg University Hospital, Sdr. Skovvej 15, Aalborg, Denmark.
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Birrenbach T, Hoffmann M, Hautz SC, Kämmer JE, Exadaktylos AK, Sauter TC, Müller M, Hautz WE. Frequency and predictors of unspecific medical diagnoses in the emergency department: a prospective observational study. BMC Emerg Med 2022; 22:109. [PMID: 35705901 PMCID: PMC9199121 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-022-00665-x] [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: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Misdiagnosis is a major public health problem, causing increased morbidity and mortality. In the busy setting of an emergency department (ED) patients are diagnosed under difficult circumstances. As a consequence, the ED diagnosis at hospital admittance may often be a descriptive diagnosis, such as “decreased general condition”. Our objective was to determine in how far patients with such an unspecific ED diagnosis differ from patients with a specific ED diagnosis and whether they experience a worse outcome. Methods We conducted a prospective observational study in Bern university hospital in Switzerland for all adult non-trauma patients admitted to any internal medicine ward from August 15th 2015 to December 7th 2015. Unspecific ED diagnoses were defined through the clinical classification software for ICD-10 by two outcome assessors. As outcome parameters, we assessed in-hospital mortality and length of hospital stay. Results Six hundred eighty six consecutive patients were included. Unspecific diagnoses were identified in 100 (14.6%) of all consultations. Patients receiving an unspecific diagnosis at ED discharge were significantly more often women (56.0% vs. 43.9%, p = 0.024), presented more often with a non-specific complaint (34% vs. 21%, p = 0.004), were less often demonstrating an abnormal heart rate (5.0% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.03), and less often on antibiotics (32.0% vs. 49.0%, p = 0.002). Apart from these, no studied drug intake, laboratory or clinical data including change in diagnosis was associated significantly with an unspecific diagnosis. Unspecific diagnoses were neither associated with in-hospital mortality in multivariable analysis (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 0.60–5.04; p = 0.305) adjusted for relevant confounders nor with length of hospital stay (GMR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.23–3.32; p = 0.840). Conclusions Women and patients with non-specific presenting complaints and no abnormal heart rate are at risk of receiving unspecific ED diagnoses that do not allow for targeted treatment, discharge and prognosis. This study did not find an effect of such diagnoses on length of hospital stay nor in-hospital mortality. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12873-022-00665-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Birrenbach
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland. .,Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Health Sciences Education, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Michele Hoffmann
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie C Hautz
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Juliane E Kämmer
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Aristomenis K Exadaktylos
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thomas C Sauter
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Martin Müller
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolf E Hautz
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
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Poluch M, Feingold-Link J, Ankam N, Kilpatrick J, Cameron K, Chandra S, Doty A, Klein M, McCarthy D, Rising K, Salzman D, Ziring D, Papanagnou D. I Don't Have a Diagnosis for You: Preparing Medical Students to Communicate Diagnostic Uncertainty in the Emergency Department. MEDEDPORTAL : THE JOURNAL OF TEACHING AND LEARNING RESOURCES 2022; 18:11218. [PMID: 35178469 PMCID: PMC8814030 DOI: 10.15766/mep_2374-8265.11218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diagnostic uncertainty abounds in medicine, and communication of that uncertainty is critical to the delivery of high-quality patient care. While there has been training in communicating diagnostic uncertainty directed towards residents, a gap remains in preparing medical students to understand and communicate diagnostic uncertainty. We developed a session to introduce medical students to diagnostic uncertainty and to practice communicating uncertainty using a checklist during role-play patient conversations. METHODS This virtual session was conducted for third-year medical students at the conclusion of their core clerkships. It consisted of prework, didactic lecture, peer role-play, and debriefing. The prework included reflection prompts and an interactive online module. The role-play featured a patient complaining of abdominal pain being discharged from the emergency department without a confirmed diagnosis. Students participated in the role of patient, provider, or observer. RESULTS Data from an anonymous postsession survey (76% response rate; 202 of 265 students) indicated that most students (82%; 152 of 185) felt more comfortable communicating diagnostic uncertainty after the session. A majority (83%; 166 of 201) indicated the session was useful, and most (81%; 149 of 184) indicated it should be included in the curriculum. DISCUSSION This virtual session requires few facilitators; has peer role-play, eliminating the need for standardized patients; and is adaptable for in-person teaching. As its goal was to introduce an approach to communicating diagnostic uncertainty, not achieve mastery, students were not individually assessed for proficiency using the Uncertainty Communication Checklist. Students felt the session intervention was valuable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Poluch
- Medical Student, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
| | | | - Nethra Ankam
- Associate Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
| | - Jared Kilpatrick
- Medical Education Fellow, Department of Emergency Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
| | - Kenzie Cameron
- Research Professor, Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Department of Medicine and Department of Medical Education, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - Shruti Chandra
- Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
| | - Amanda Doty
- Research Coordinator, Department of Emergency Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University
| | - Matthew Klein
- Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - Danielle McCarthy
- Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - Kristin Rising
- Associate Professor and Director of Acute Care Transitions, Department of Emergency Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
| | - David Salzman
- Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine and Department of Medical Education, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - Deborah Ziring
- Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
| | - Dimitrios Papanagnou
- Professor and Vice Chair for Education, Department of Emergency Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University; Macy Faculty Scholar, Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation
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Improving Communication with Patients Discharged from the Emergency Department with Noncardiac Chest Pain: A Scoping Review with Narrative Synthesis. Emerg Med Int 2021; 2021:6695210. [PMID: 34513092 PMCID: PMC8426084 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6695210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This scoping review with narrative synthesis aimed to analyze scholarly peer-reviewed articles reporting on improving communication with patients discharged from the emergency department with noncardiac chest pain and qualitatively narrate on and summarize items that can be used in guiding communication with patients discharged from the emergency department with noncardiac chest pain. Methods The databases of EMBASE/PubMed, Scopus, COCHRANE, CInAHL/EBESCO, UW libraries, and Google Scholar were searched using relevant MeSH and key terms up to February 06, 2020. The selected articles were analyzed for their contents. Items guiding discharge communication were summarized qualitatively. Results Twenty-five articles were eligible for full review. These were published in between 1994 and 2020. Of those, 16 (64.0%) originated from the United States and 4 (16%) used some interventional design. A total of 45 different items that could be used in guiding discharge communication with patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain were identified from the studies included in this review. Items were grouped under 6 categories that were related to initial assessment (8 items), information on diagnosis (7 items), information on discharge (9 items), follow-up suggestions (7 items), symptoms that promote return to the emergency department (7 items), and treatment plan (7 items). Conclusion Communication with patients discharged from the emergency department with noncardiac chest pain can be improved. Results of this investigation might be helpful in guiding quality improvement projects aimed for further improvement of communication with patients discharged from the emergency department with noncardiac chest pain.
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Bastakoti M, Muhailan M, Nassar A, Sallam T, Desale S, Fouda R, Ammar H, Cole C. Discrepancy between emergency department admission diagnosis and hospital discharge diagnosis and its impact on length of stay, up-triage to the intensive care unit, and mortality. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 9:107-114. [PMID: 34225399 DOI: 10.1515/dx-2021-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Published discrepancy rates between emergency department (ED) and hospital discharge (HD) diagnoses vary widely (from 6.5 to 75.6%). The goal of this study was to determine the extent of diagnostic discrepancy and its impact on length of hospital stay (LOS), up-triage to the intensive care unit (ICU) and in-hospital mortality. METHODS A retrospective chart review of adult patients admitted from the ED to a hospitalist service at a tertiary hospital was performed. The ED and HD diagnoses were compared and classified as concordant, discordant, or symptom diagnoses according to predefined criteria. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the associations of diagnostic discordance with in-hospital mortality and up-triage to the ICU. A linear regression model was used for the length of stay. RESULTS Of the 636 patients whose records were reviewed, 418 (217 [51.9%] women, with a mean age of 64.1 years) were included. Overall, 318 patients (76%) had concordant diagnoses, while 91 (21.77%) had discordant diagnoses. Only 9 patients (2.15%) had symptom diagnoses. A discordant diagnosis was associated with increased mortality (OR: 3.64; 95% CI: 1.026-12.91; p=0.045) and up-triage to the ICU (OR: 5.51; 95% CI: 2.43-12.5; p<0.001). The median LOS was significantly greater for patients with discordant diagnoses (7 days) than for those with concordant diagnoses (4.7 days) (p=0.004). Symptom diagnosis did not affect the mortality or ICU up-triage. CONCLUSIONS One in five hospitalized patients had discordant HD and admission diagnoses. This diagnostic discrepancy was associated with significant impacts on patient morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Bastakoti
- Internal Medicine Department, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Mohamad Muhailan
- Internal Medicine Department, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ahmad Nassar
- Internal Medicine Department, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Tariq Sallam
- Internal Medicine Department, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Sameer Desale
- MedStar Health Research Institute, Hyattsville, MD, USA
| | - Ragai Fouda
- Internal Medicine Department, Kasr Al Ainy Hospital, Egypt, and George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, Nuneaton, UK
| | - Hussam Ammar
- Internal Medicine Department, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Carmella Cole
- Internal Medicine Department, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA
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Rising KL, Powell RE, Cameron KA, Salzman DH, Papanagnou D, Doty AM, Latimer L, Piserchia K, McGaghie WC, McCarthy DM. Development of the Uncertainty Communication Checklist: A Patient-Centered Approach to Patient Discharge From the Emergency Department. ACADEMIC MEDICINE : JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLEGES 2020; 95:1026-1034. [PMID: 32101919 PMCID: PMC7302334 DOI: 10.1097/acm.0000000000003231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Clear communication with patients upon emergency department (ED) discharge is important for patient safety during the transition to outpatient care. Over one-third of patients are discharged from the ED with diagnostic uncertainty, yet there is no established approach for effective discharge communication in this scenario. From 2017 to 2019, the authors developed the Uncertainty Communication Checklist for use in simulation-based training and assessment of emergency physician communication skills when discharging patients with diagnostic uncertainty. This development process followed the established 12-step Checklist Development Checklist framework and integrated patient feedback into 6 of the 12 steps. Patient input was included as it has potential to improve patient-centeredness of checklists related to assessment of clinical performance. Focus group patient participants from 2 clinical sites were included: Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, and Northwestern University Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.The authors developed a preliminary instrument based on existing checklists, clinical experience, literature review, and input from an expert panel comprising health care professionals and patient advocates. They then refined the instrument based on feedback from 2 waves of patient focus groups, resulting in a final 21-item checklist. The checklist items assess if uncertainty was addressed in each step of the discharge communication, including the following major categories: introduction, test results/ED summary, no/uncertain diagnosis, next steps/follow-up, home care, reasons to return, and general communication skills. Patient input influenced both what items were included and the wording of items in the final checklist. This patient-centered, systematic approach to checklist development is built upon the rigor of the Checklist Development Checklist and provides an illustration of how to integrate patient feedback into the design of assessment tools when appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin L. Rising
- K.L. Rising is associate professor and director of acute care transitions, Department of Emergency Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Rhea E. Powell
- R.E. Powell is associate professor, Department of Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and senior researcher, Mathematica, Princeton, New Jersey
| | - Kenzie A. Cameron
- K.A. Cameron is research professor, Department of Medical Education and Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - David H. Salzman
- D.H. Salzman is associate professor, Department of Emergency Medicine and Department of Medical Education, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Dimitrios Papanagnou
- D. Papanagnou is associate professor and vice chair for education, Department of Emergency Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Amanda M.B. Doty
- A.M.B. Doty is a research coordinator, Department of Emergency Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Lori Latimer
- L. Latimer is a research coordinator, Department of Emergency Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Katherine Piserchia
- K. Piserchia is a clinical research coordinator, Department of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - William C. McGaghie
- W.C. McGaghie is professor, Department of Medical Education, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Danielle M. McCarthy
- D.M. McCarthy is associate professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
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McCarthy DM, Powell RE, Cameron KA, Salzman DH, Papanagnou D, Doty AM, Leiby BE, Piserchia K, Klein MR, Zhang XC, McGaghie WC, Rising KL. Simulation-based mastery learning compared to standard education for discussing diagnostic uncertainty with patients in the emergency department: a randomized controlled trial. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2020; 20:49. [PMID: 32070353 PMCID: PMC7029572 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-020-1926-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diagnostic uncertainty occurs frequently in emergency medical care, with more than one-third of patients leaving the emergency department (ED) without a clear diagnosis. Despite this frequency, ED providers are not adequately trained on how to discuss diagnostic uncertainty with these patients, who often leave the ED confused and concerned. To address this training need, we developed the Uncertainty Communication Education Module (UCEM) to teach physicians how to discuss diagnostic uncertainty. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the UCEM in improving physician communications. METHODS The trial is a multicenter, two-arm randomized controlled trial designed to teach communication skills using simulation-based mastery learning (SBML). Resident emergency physicians from two training programs will be randomly assigned to immediate or delayed receipt of the two-part UCEM intervention after completing a baseline standardized patient encounter. The two UCEM components are: 1) a web-based interactive module, and 2) a smart-phone-based game. Both formats teach and reinforce communication skills for patient cases involving diagnostic uncertainty. Following baseline testing, participants in the immediate intervention arm will complete a remote deliberate practice session via a video platform and subsequently return for a second study visit to assess if they have achieved mastery. Participants in the delayed intervention arm will receive access to UCEM and remote deliberate practice after the second study visit. The primary outcome of interest is the proportion of residents in the immediate intervention arm who achieve mastery at the second study visit. DISCUSSION Patients' understanding of the care they received has implications for care quality, safety, and patient satisfaction, especially when they are discharged without a definitive diagnosis. Developing a patient-centered diagnostic uncertainty communication strategy will improve safety of acute care discharges. Although use of SBML is a resource intensive educational approach, this trial has been deliberately designed to have a low-resource, scalable intervention that would allow for widespread dissemination and uptake. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04021771). Registration date: July 16, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M McCarthy
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 211 East Ontario, Suite 200, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Rhea E Powell
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Northwestern University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kenzie A Cameron
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Medical Education, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - David H Salzman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 211 East Ontario, Suite 200, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Dimitrios Papanagnou
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Amanda Mb Doty
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Benjamin E Leiby
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Katherine Piserchia
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 211 East Ontario, Suite 200, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Matthew R Klein
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 211 East Ontario, Suite 200, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Xiao C Zhang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - William C McGaghie
- Department of Medical Education, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kristin L Rising
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Slovis B, McCarthy D, Nord G, Doty A, Piserchia K, Rising K. Identifying Emergency Department Symptom-Based Diagnoses with the Unified Medical Language System. West J Emerg Med 2019. [DOI: 10.5811//westjem.2019.8.44230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Slovis
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Emergency Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Danielle McCarthy
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Garrison Nord
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Amanda Doty
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Emergency Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Katherine Piserchia
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kristin Rising
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Emergency Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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15
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Slovis BH, McCarthy DM, Nord G, Doty AMB, Piserchia K, Rising KL. Identifying Emergency Department Symptom-Based Diagnoses with the Unified Medical Language System. West J Emerg Med 2019; 20:910-917. [PMID: 31738718 PMCID: PMC6860381 DOI: 10.5811/westjem.2019.8.44230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Many patients who are discharged from the emergency department (ED) with a symptom-based discharge diagnosis (SBD) have post-discharge challenges related to lack of a definitive discharge diagnosis and follow-up plan. There is no well-defined method for identifying patients with a SBD without individual chart review. We describe a method for automated identification of SBDs from ICD-10 codes using the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) Metathesaurus. METHODS We mapped discharge diagnosis, with use of ICD-10 codes from a one-month period of ED discharges at an urban, academic ED to UMLS concepts and semantic types. Two physician reviewers independently manually identified all discharge diagnoses consistent with SBDs. We calculated inter-rater reliability for manual review and the sensitivity and specificity for our automated process for identifying SBDs against this "gold standard." RESULTS We identified 3642 ED discharges with 1382 unique discharge diagnoses that corresponded to 875 unique ICD-10 codes and 10 UMLS semantic types. Over one third (37.5%, n = 1367) of ED discharges were assigned codes that mapped to the "Sign or Symptom" semantic type. Inter-rater reliability for manual review of SBDs was very good (0.87). Sensitivity and specificity of our automated process for identifying encounters with SBDs were 84.7% and 96.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION Use of our automated process to identify ICD-10 codes that classify into the UMLS "Sign or Symptom" semantic type identified the majority of patients with a SBD. While this method needs refinement to increase sensitivity of capture, it has potential to automate an otherwise highly time-consuming process. This novel use of informatics methods can facilitate future research specific to patients with SBDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin H. Slovis
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Emergency Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Danielle M. McCarthy
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Garrison Nord
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Amanda MB Doty
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Emergency Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Katherine Piserchia
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kristin L. Rising
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Emergency Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Dresden SM, McCarthy DM, Engel KG, Courtney DM. Perceptions and expectations of health-related quality of life among geriatric patients seeking emergency care: a qualitative study. BMC Geriatr 2019; 19:209. [PMID: 31382886 PMCID: PMC6683497 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-019-1228-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Health-related quality of life (HRQoL), encompassing social, emotional, and physical wellbeing is an important clinical outcome of medical care, especially among geriatric patients. It is unclear which domains of HRQoL are most important to geriatric patients and which domains they hope to address when using the Emergency Department (ED). The objective of this study was to understand which aspects of HRQoL are most valued by geriatric patients in the ED and what expectations patients have for addressing or improving HRQoL during an ED visit. Methods This was a qualitative focus group study of geriatric ED patients from an urban, academic ED in the United States with > 16,500 annual geriatric visits. Patients were eligible if they were age > =65 years and discharged from the ED within 45 days of recruitment. Semi-structured pilot interviews and focus groups were conducted several weeks after the ED visit. Participants shared their ED experiences and to discuss their perceptions of the subsequent impact on their quality of life, focusing on the domains of physical, mental, and social health. Latent content and constant comparative methods were used to code focus group transcripts and analyze for emergent themes. Results Three individuals participated in pilot interviews and 31 participated in six focus groups. Twelve codes across five main themes relating to HRQoL were identified. Patients recalled: (1) A strong desire to regain physical function, and (2) anxiety elicited by the emotional experience of seeking care in the emergency department, due to uncertainty in diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. In addition, patients noted both (3) interpersonal impacts of health on quality of life, primarily mediated primarily by social interaction, and (4) an individual experience of health and quality of life mediated primarily by mental health. Finally, (5) patients questioned if the ED was the right place to attempt to address HRQoL. Conclusions Patients expressed anxiety around the time of their ED visit related to uncertainty, they desired functional recovery, and identified both interpersonal effects of health on quality of life mediated by social health, and an individual experience of health and quality of life mediated by mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott M Dresden
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 211 E. Ontario St., Suite 200, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Danielle M McCarthy
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 211 E. Ontario St., Suite 200, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Kirsten G Engel
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 211 E. Ontario St., Suite 200, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - D Mark Courtney
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 211 E. Ontario St., Suite 200, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
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Gerolamo AM, Jutel A, Kovalsky D, Gentsch A, Doty AM, Rising KL. Patient-Identified Needs Related to Seeking a Diagnosis in the Emergency Department. Ann Emerg Med 2018; 72:282-288. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2018.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Godaert L, Bartholet S, Gazeuse Y, Brouste Y, Najioullah F, Kanagaratnam L, Césaire R, Fanon JL, Dramé M. Misdiagnosis of Chikungunya Virus Infection: Comparison of Old and Younger Adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2018; 66:1768-1772. [PMID: 30080240 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.15492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the frequency of diagnostic errors in older adults presenting to the emergency department (ED) with symptoms suggestive of Chikungunya virus infection (CVI) and to compare the rates of misdiagnosis of older and younger adults. DESIGN Cross-sectional study performed in the University Hospitals of Martinique from retrospective cases. SETTING Emergency department. PARTICIPANTS Individuals aged 65 and older who attended the ED and underwent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for CVI between January and December 2014 (n=333, mean age 80±8) were considered eligible and were compared with a randomly selected sample of younger adults (< 65) (n=143, mean age 45±13). MEASUREMENTS Misdiagnosis rates. RESULTS The rate of misdiagnosis of CVI in the ED was 30.6% in individuals aged 65 and older and 6.3% in those younger than 65 (p<.001). The overdiagnosis rate was 9.0% in individuals aged 65 and older and 3.5% in those younger than 65 (p=.04). The underdiagnosis rate was significantly higher (p<.001) in individuals aged 65 and older (21.6%) than in those younger than 65 (2.8%). CONCLUSION Misdiagnosis of CVI during an epidemic is statistically more frequent in older than younger adults because clinical presentation is often atypical in older adults. Specific diagnostic tools for older adults and better awareness of ED physicians of different presentations in different age groups could help to reduce the rate of misdiagnosis of CVI in the ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidvine Godaert
- Department of Geriatrics, University Hospitals of Martinique, Martinique, France
| | - Seendy Bartholet
- Department of Geriatrics, University Hospitals of Martinique, Martinique, France
| | - Yannick Gazeuse
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospitals of Martinique, Martinique, France
| | - Yannick Brouste
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospitals of Martinique, Martinique, France
| | - Fatiha Najioullah
- Department of Virology, University Hospitals of Martinique, Martinique, France
| | - Lukshe Kanagaratnam
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France.,Department of Research and Public Health, University Hospital of Reims, Robert Debré Hospital, Reims, France
| | - Raymond Césaire
- Department of Virology, University Hospitals of Martinique, Martinique, France
| | - Jean-Luc Fanon
- Department of Geriatrics, University Hospitals of Martinique, Martinique, France
| | - Moustapha Dramé
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France.,Department of Research and Public Health, University Hospital of Reims, Robert Debré Hospital, Reims, France
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19
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LaNoue MD, Gerolamo AM, Powell R, Nord G, Doty AMB, Rising KL. Development and preliminary validation of a scale to measure patient uncertainty: The “Uncertainty Scale”. J Health Psychol 2018; 25:1248-1258. [DOI: 10.1177/1359105317752827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Research suggests that patient uncertainty related to experiencing symptoms may drive decisions to seek care. The only validated measure of patient uncertainty assesses uncertainty related to defined illness. In prior work, we engaged patients to describe uncertainty related to symptoms and used findings to develop the ‘U-Scale’ scale. In this work, we present results from preliminary scale reliability and validity testing. Psychometric testing demonstrated content validity, high internal consistency, and evidence for concurrent validity. Next steps include administration in diverse populations for continued refinement and validation, and exploration of the potential contribution of uncertainty to healthcare utilization.
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20
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Rising KL, Papanagnou D, McCarthy D, Gentsch A, Powell R. Emergency Medicine Resident Perceptions About the Need for Increased Training in Communicating Diagnostic Uncertainty. Cureus 2018; 10:e2088. [PMID: 29564193 PMCID: PMC5858850 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.2088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Diagnostic uncertainty is common in healthcare encounters. Effective communication is important to help patients and providers navigate diagnostic uncertainty, especially at transitions of care. This study sought to assess the experience and training of emergency medicine (EM) residents with communication of diagnostic uncertainty. Methods This was a survey study of a national sample of EM residents. The survey questions elicited quantitative and qualitative responses about experiences with and educational preparation for communication with patients in the setting of diagnostic uncertainty. Results A sample of 263 emergency medicine residents who had trained at over 87 medical schools and 37 residency programs responded to the survey. Nearly half of participants noted they frequently encountered challenges with these conversations; 63% reported having been "somewhat" or less trained to have these conversations during residency, and 51% expressed a strong desire for more training in how to approach these discussions. Survey respondents reported that prior educational experiences in the communication of diagnostic uncertainty were largely informal and that many residents experience frustration in clinical encounters due to inability to meet patients' expectations of reaching a diagnosis at the time of discharge. Conclusion This study found that emergency medicine residents frequently struggle in communicating with patients when there is diagnostic uncertainty upon emergency department discharge and perceived the need for training in how to communicate in these situations. The development of targeted educational strategies for improving communication in the setting of diagnostic uncertainty is consistent with emergency medicine core competencies and may improve patient and provider satisfaction with these clinical encounters.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Danielle McCarthy
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | | | - Rhea Powell
- Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University
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21
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McCarthy DM, Scott GN, Courtney DM, Czerniak A, Aldeen AZ, Gravenor S, Dresden SM. What Did You Google? Describing Online Health Information Search Patterns of ED patients and Their Relationship with Final Diagnoses. West J Emerg Med 2017; 18:928-936. [PMID: 28874946 PMCID: PMC5576630 DOI: 10.5811/westjem.2017.5.34108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Revised: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Emergency department (ED) patients’ Internet search terms prior to arrival have not been well characterized. The objective of this analysis was to characterize the Internet search terms patients used prior to ED arrival and their relationship to final diagnoses. Methods We collected data via survey; participants listed Internet search terms used. Terms were classified into categories: symptom, specific diagnosis, treatment options, anatomy questions, processes of care/physicians, or “other.” We categorized each discharge diagnosis as either symptom-based or formal diagnosis. The relationship between the search term and final diagnosis was assigned to one of four categories of search/diagnosis combinations (symptom search/symptom diagnosis, symptom search/formal diagnosis, diagnosis search/symptom diagnosis, diagnosis search/formal diagnosis), representing different “trajectories.” Results We approached 889 patients; 723 (81.3%) participated. Of these, 177 (24.5%) used the Internet prior to ED presentation; however, seven had incomplete data (N=170). Mean age was 47 years (standard deviation 18.2); 58.6% were female and 65.7% white. We found that 61.7% searched symptoms and 40.6% searched a specific diagnosis. Most patients received discharge diagnoses of equal specificity as their search terms (34% flat trajectory-symptoms and 34% flat trajectory-diagnosis). Ten percent searched for a diagnosis by name but received a symptom-based discharge diagnosis with less specificity. In contrast, 22% searched for a symptom and received a detailed diagnosis. Among those who searched for a diagnosis by name (n=69) only 29% received the diagnosis that they had searched. Conclusion The majority of patients used symptoms as the basis of their pre-ED presentation Internet search. When patients did search for specific diagnoses, only a minority searched for the diagnosis they eventually received.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M McCarthy
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Grant N Scott
- University of New Mexico, Department of Emergency Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - D Mark Courtney
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Alyssa Czerniak
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Amer Z Aldeen
- US Acute Care Solutions, Center for Emergency Medical Education, Canton, Ohio
| | - Stephanie Gravenor
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Scott M Dresden
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
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Funktionelle Symptome und somatoforme Störungen in der Notaufnahme. Notf Rett Med 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10049-016-0136-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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