Pediatric ED Saves: Analyzing the ED Screen of Direct Admissions

Direct admissions (DAs) are a routine hospital entry portal with few guidelines to assess patient safety during this process. This study assessed the effectiveness of an institutional screen for patients presenting as DA. It investigated patient variables that may predict appropriateness for DA and those at high risk for deterioration.

Methods

The study includes patients who received the institutional screen between June 1, 2019, and May 31, 2020. We placed charts into three groups: group 1 (stable), group 2 (unstable), and group 3 (stable then transferred to pediatric intensive care unit within 6 hours). We assessed effectiveness by calculating sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. We used comparative analysis between groups to identify patients safe for DA and those at high risk for deterioration.

Results

The screen was 80% sensitive and 100% specific, predicting 97.7% of stable patients. Of the 652 charts reviewed, 384 met the inclusion criteria. Group 1 (31.60, 26.45%, 5.23%) had lower respiratory rate, respiratory diagnosis, and oxygen requirement compared to group 2 (45.00, 78.13%, 15.63%) and group 3 (44.50, 75.00%, 50.00%). For SpO2, group 1 (98.70) was higher than group 2 (96.03). For the Pediatric Early Warning Score, group 2 (1.72) was higher than group 1 (0.31) and group 3 (0.63).

Conclusions

The institutional screen is an effective tool to identify patients presenting as DA needing immediate emergency department intervention and/or pediatric intensive care unit care. The screen benefits patients with a respiratory diagnosis, oxygen requirement, high respiratory rate or low SpO2.

Predictors of FabAV use in copperhead envenomation

CONTEXT

Crotaline snake envenomation is a serious medical condition affecting thousands of Americans each year. Variation in the treatment of Crotaline snakebites exists among physicians in the United States. Management of copperhead snakebites is controversial with some experts advocating minimal intervention, rarely necessitating antivenom use and, even more rarely, surgical intervention. This study assessed the use of Crotaline Polyvalent Immune Fab antivenom (Ovine) (FabAV) and explored factors influencing the decision to prescribe antivenom for copperhead envenomation in patients in Northeastern Oklahoma.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study examining electronic medical records of patients with copperhead snakebites from July 1, 2014 to August 31, 2019. Data collected included: patient demographics, transfer information, snake species, bite site, progression of local tissue effects, additional clinical and lab results, patient comorbidities, and treatment strategy. Associations between patient variables and treatment were evaluated using the chi-square test of independence, median test, and logistic regression analysis. Associations were statistically significant if p < 0.05.

DISCUSSION

Of the 130 patients bitten by a copperhead, a majority (75%) received FabAV. Symptoms of copperhead envenomation were mostly limited to the progression of tissue damage. Predictors of treatment with FabAV included progression of venom effects across major joints, younger age, comorbidities, and upper extremity bites.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who have multiple comorbidities, upper extremity bites and progression of venom effects across major joints are more likely to be treated with FabAV. The high usage of FabAV at the study site underscores the need for continued work to optimize the use of antivenom for copperhead envenomations.