Utilization of accident and emergency department at a semi-urban Nigerian hospital: a preliminary prospective study

Objective: To assess emergency department utilization at a semi-urban (resource-limited) Nigerian hospital. Methods: A systematic random sampling technique was adopted. A proforma was used to obtain general information such as age, gender, mode of transfer, time of presentation, symptom duration, diagnoses, treatment duration, treatment outcome (transfer to the ward, referral to another hospital, discharge or death) and date and time of discharge. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to determine the association of variables with mortality and predictors, respectively. Results: Patients were predominantly male (62.2%) with a mean age of (36.0±19.0) years. Most visits occurred in September (49.1%). The median symptom duration was 24 h (interquartile range: 4.0, 72.0 ). More incidences were caused by non-surgical (61.9%) than surgical reasons. Infectious diseases (predominantly malaria, 34.5%) and injuries from road traffic accidents (mostly head injuries, 9.4%) were the commonest non-surgical and surgical cause, respectively. The mortality rate was 9.2%. Typhoid-intestinal-perforation and sepsis contributed 45.2% of overall mortality. Age (x2=16.44, P<0.001), symptom duration (x2=22.57, P<0.001), and visiting month (Fishers exact, P=0.002) were associated with mortality. Moreover, age ( 37 years) (OR=4.60, 95%CI=1.96-10.82, P<0.001) and visiting in September/October (OR=4.01, 95%CI=1.47-10.93, P=0.007) were the predictors of mortality. Conclusions: Though most patients in emergency department survive, the mortality is still high. Appropriate hospital and community interventions should be implemented to reduce mortality.

Traditional Chinese medicine poisoning in the emergency departments in Hong Kong: Trend, clinical presentation and predictors for poor outcome

Dear editor,Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is popular in many countries,especially in the Chinese population.^([1,2]) In Hong Kong,it has been estimated that around 15%of the population consumed Chinese medicine products/herbs in the preceding month.Common reasons for consumption include regulating bodily functions,curing disease,and building up health.

Evaluation of a simulation-based workshop on clinical performance for emergency physicians and nurses

BACKGROUND: Simulation-based medical education has been growing rapidly and becomes one of the most popular teaching methods for improving patient safety and patient care. The Simulation Subcommittee of the Hong Kong College of Emergency Medicine organized an educational program emphasizing the team training, clinical decision-making and communication skills. This study aimed to evaluate the attitude of the participants toward a new training program and the change in the knowledge on clinical performance in emergency physicians and nurses after attending the educational program.METHODS: A course evaluation form was filled in by the participants at the end of the workshop. An assessment of 20 multiple-choice questions with 5 options was administered to the participants before and after the 2-day simulation-based training workshop.RESULTS: A total of 72 doctors and nurses working in the Accident and Emergency Department were enrolled. The average pretest and posttest scores were 12 and 14.3 respectively. The percentage improvement in the mean score of the pretest and posttest was 11.5%. The Chi-square test showed signifi cant improvement in the pretest and posttest score grading(P=0.00). Paired t-test revealed signifi cant difference between the mean scores of the pretest and posttest(P=0.00).CONCLUSIONS: Participants had positive attitude toward this new training program. Significant improvement of the knowledge on clinical performance in healthcare professionals in the Accident and Emergency Department was observed after the participation in this simulation-based educational program.

Thoracic ultrasound: An adjunctive and valuable imaging tool in emergency,resource-limited settings and for a sustainable monitoring of patients

Imaging workup of patients referred for elective assessment of chest disease requires an articulated approach: Imaging is asked for achieving timely diagnosis. The concurrent or subsequent use of thoracic ultrasound(TUS) with conventional(chest X-rays-) and more advanced imaging procedures(computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) implies advantages, limitations and actual problems. Indeed, despite TUS may provide useful imaging of pleura, lung and heart disease, emergency scenarios are currently the most warranted field of application of TUS: Pleural effusion, pneumothorax, lung consolidation. This stems from its role in limited resources subsets; actually, ultrasound is an excellent risk reducing tool, which acts by:(1) increasing diagnostic certainty;(2) shortening time to definitive therapy; and(3) decreasing problems from blind procedures that carry an inherent level of complications. In addition, paediatric and newborn disease are particularly suitable for TUS investigation, aimed at the detection of congenital or acquired chest disease avoiding, limiting or postponing radiological exposure. TUS improves the effectiveness of elective medical practice, in resource-limited settings, in small point of care facilities and particularly in poorer countries. Quality and information provided by the procedure are increased avoiding whenever possible artefacts that can prevent or mislead the achievement of the correct diagnosis. Reliable monitoring of patients is possible, taking into consideration that appropriate expertise, knowledge, skills, training, and even adequate equipment's suitability are not always and everywhere affordable or accessible. TUS is complementary imagingprocedure for the radiologist and an excellent basic diagnostic tool suitable to be shared with pneumologists, cardiologists and emergency physicians.

Epidemiological characteristics and disease spectrum of emergency patients in two cities in China:Hong Kong and Shenzhen

Dear editor,China is the most populated country and the second economic entity worldwide.Hong Kong and Shenzhen are two adjacent cities in southern China,with similar environmental,cultural,ethnic groups,and economic development.They both have a very interesting turning point in their destiny,leading to a miraculous economic development.However,their government structure and health care system are totally different.[1]This is a vivid example of Deng Xiaoping’s formulation of the principle of“one country,two systems”.

Overview of the Shenzhen Emergency Medical Service Call Pattern

BACKGROUND:In Shenzhen,the Emergency Medical Service(EMS) system has been in service since 1997.This study aims to examine the operation of Shenzhen 120 EMS center and to identify the reasons of calling EMS.METHODS:In this retrospective quantitative descriptive study,the data from the Shenzhen 120 EMS registry in 2011 were analyzed.RESULTS:Shenzhen 120 EMS center is a communication command center.When the number of 120 are dialed,it is forwarded to the closest appropriate hospital for ambulance dispatch.In2011,the Shenzhen 120 EMS center received 153 160 ambulance calls,with an average of 420 calls per day.Calling emergency services was mainly due to traffic accidents.Trauma and other acute diseases constituted a majority of ambulance transports.The adult patients aged 15-60 years are the principal users of EMS.There are no recognized 'paramedic' doctors and nurses.The pre-hospital emergency service is under the operation of emergency departments of hospitals.Shenzhen at present does not have specialized pre-hospital training for doctors and nurses in posttrauma management.Moreover,specialized pre-hospital training,financial support,and public health education on proper use of EMS should be emphasized.CONCLUSION:The Shenzhen 120 EMS center has its own epidemiology characteristics.Traumatic injury and traffic accident are the main reasons for calling ambulance service.In-depth study emphasizing the distribution and characteristics of trauma patients is crucial to the future development of EMS.

Starting thrombolytic therapy for patients with acute myocardial infarction in Accident and Emergency Department:from implementation to evaluation

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of initiating thrombolysis for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the Accident and Emergency Department. Methods From January 1993 to December 1995, all AMI patients who were admitted to the United Christian Hospital and given thrombolytic therapy were studied. The patients' demographic data, time and mode of presentation, site of myocardial infarction, treatment modality and timing, and complications related to AMI or treatment were recorded prospectively in our AMI database. The frequency of thrombolysis administered in Accident and Emergency Department and Coronary Care Unit, as well as the median door-to-needle time (time interval between hospital arrival to initiation of thrombolytic therapy) were compared. Cases of inappropriate thrombolysis and complication were also analyzed.Results Over these 3 years, 257 patients received thrombolysis in the United Christian Hospital. The percentage of patients receiving thrombolysis in Accident and Emergency Department increased from 3.2% in 1993 to 12.3% in 1994, and to 39.4% in 1995. The median time interval between arrival to hospital and thrombolysis (door-to-needle time) was 25 minutes, compared with 81 minutes in the Coronary Care Unit. The door-to-needle time also improved over these 3 years: from 95 minutes in 1993 to 75 minutes in 1995 in Coronary Care Unit group, and from 35 minutes in 1993 to 20 minutes in 1995 in the Accident and Emergency Department group. Over these 3 years, 2 cases of inappropriate thrombolysis were reported but these did not result in any mortality. Four complications from thrombolytic therapy were reported, and these were managed appropriately by the staff in Accident and Emergency Department and did not result in mortality. Conclusions Starting thrombolytic therapy in Accident and Emergency Department is safe and effectively decreases the door-to-needle time.

Intravenous fluid selection rationales in acute clinical management

BACKGROUND: Intravenous fluid(IVF) is commonly used in acute clinical management. This study aimed to review the choice and primary considerations in IVF prescriptions and to evaluate the adequacy of guidelines and trainings on it in the New Territories West Cluster(NTWC) of Hong Kong.METHODS: This is a descriptive study based on data collected from an online survey. Data were processed by SPSS for statistical analysis. This study focused on a general description and doctor-nurse between group comparison. Participants were asked the choice of IVF for nine acute clinical scenarios and provide reason. A 1–10 scale was used to assess the sufficiency of guideline, training and information, and time for revision on IVF prescription.RESULTS: 0.9% sodium chloride was the most familiar IVF(36%), followed by 5% Dextrose solution(26%). In the nine scenarios, the most chosen IVF was 0.9% sodium chloride(37%–61%). There was significant difference in the choice of IVF between doctors and nurses in 7 cases. The second most chosen IVF for doctors was Plasma-Lyte A while that for nurses was Gelofusine. Departmental practice was the most chosen reason to account for the prescription. The adequacy of guideline, information and training, and time for revision was rated 5. Doctors had significantly more time at work than nurses to update knowledge in IVF prescription(5.41 versus 4.57).CONCLUSION: 0.9% sodium chloride was mostly chosen. The choice of IVF was mainly based on departmental practice. Adequacy of guideline, information and training, and time for revision on IVF prescription were average, indicating significant training deficit.

Comparison of two emergency medical services in Beijing and Hong Kong, China

To Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major issue in emergency care worldwide. The incidence of OHCA is estimated to be 50 to 60 per 100,000 persons globally.Despite advances in treatment and technology, survival following OHCA remains low. There are multiple factors affecting the survival outcome. The type of emergency medical service (EMS) system is likely to be one of them. In Asia, the EMS structure and its service capability in terms of dispatch, airway management, and medications vary widely between communities. This study aimed to evaluate the survival outcomes of OHCA in Beijing and Hong Kong (HK), China and the effect of the type of EMS system on the survival outcomes for patients with OHCA.

A man with a fracture from minor trauma

BACKGROUND: We commonly encounter fractures secondary to trauma on and off in our daily practice. While it is not uncommon to see fractures due to underlying pathology, we need to be on the alert when patients present atypically because the treatment for pathological fractures is far different from that for simple fractures.METHODS: We presented a case of left clavicle fracture secondary to minor trauma, in which the initial X-ray shows suspicious lesion around the fracture site and further investigation reveals multiple myeloma. The patient received treatment at the clinical oncology department upon diagnosis. Since he was relatively young and fi t, he was started on the induction therapy of VTD, which was followed by high dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplant.RESULTS: He is currently free from symptoms and on maintenance thalidomide.CONCLUSIONS: Though multiple myeloma is not commonly encountered in emergency practice, earlier identification of relatively subtle symptoms can allow early treatment. Missing this diagnosis will delay treatment and produce severe outcome to the patient. We should be on the alert for such important condition.

Perimortem caesarean section: A case report of an out-of-hospital arrest pregnant woman

Dear editor,In July 2015,a 39-year-old gravida 2,para 0 lady at 35 weeks’gestation was found collapsed at home and sent to the emergency department(ED)by ambulance.She had a background of chronic hypertension on antihypertensives and aspirin,but repeatedly refused inpatient treatment for her uncontrolled hypertension.