Rapid Viral Diagnostics in Adults to Reduce Antimicrobial Consumption and Duration of Hospitalization...
Respiratory Virus InfectionFever of Unknown Origin2 moreViral respiratory infections are common and often require use of health care resources. Patients receive inappropriate bacterial antibiotics, which has many problems including side-effects, development of resistance and costs. A small portion of the infections leads to severe clinical manifestations including hospitalisations and deaths. The significance of influenza virus is well known and it is actively detected in all age groups. However, the benefits of detecting other respiratory viruses have mainly been studied among children but not among adults. The development of multiplex PCR technique has provided a new and sensitive method for diagnosing a large panel of viruses. To convince the economical benefits of the rapid viral diagnostic in adult infectious patient, more evidence is needed. In our randomized study, nasal and pharyngeal samples from the patients evaluated at the emergency clinic of internal medicine in the University Hospital of Oulu because of any respiratory symptom, chest pain or fever, will be collected. The samples will be tested for 16 different respiratory viruses by using Anyplex TMII RV16 Detection. The adult participants will be randomized in two groups. In one group the results of the testing will be reported for the attending physician as soon as possible, and in the other group 7 days after sampling. The effect of this delay to patient care is monitored. Also the results of children and adults are compared as well as results of men and women. The hypothesis is that rapid viral diagnostics shortens the length of admission and diminishes the use of bacterial antibiotics. New information on the viral epidemiology among children and adults is provided and clinical manifestations of specific viral infections in adults are described. The estimated 1500 samples are also tested for 5 different respiratory bacteria by Anyplex TM II RB5 Detection. These results will be examined after completion of the study period. The benefits of rapid bacterial detection are evaluated in respect to the clinical course of the disease and considering the infection control aspects as well.
Investigation of Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist Dronabinol in Patients With Functional Chest Pain...
Esophageal DiseasesIn a recent study, Dronabinol was shown to reduce symptoms in patients with Functional Chest Pain (non-cardiac chest pain). Additionally, metabolic measures and patients' weights were not adversely affected by this regiment. In fact, some cholesterol measures trended in a favorable direction with Dronabinol. The study lasted 28 days and patients took Dronabinol twice daily. The goal of this current study focuses on reducing the dose of Dronabinol to see if the same goals can be achieved. More so, the study will be extended to 12 weeks to gain a more longitudinal picture of therapy with Dronabinol. It is hypothesized that reducing the dose and extending the duration will continue to show an improvement in symptoms as well as no adverse metabolic outcomes.
T-MACS Decision Aid: a Randomized, Controlled Point of Care Trial
Heart AttackChest Pain1 moreThe aim of the study is to establish whether the safety of the T-MACS decision aid to immediately 'rule out' acute coronary syndromes with one blood sample for the cardiac damage marker troponin, is non-inferior to an approach requiring serial troponin sampling over three hours.
Efficacy of the CARE Rule Associated With the HEART Score in Patients With Emergency Chest Pain...
Chest PainAcute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a major public health problem and its diagnosis remains a challenge for the emergency physician. The European Society of Cardiology recommends a troponin dosage and renew it if necessary during any suspicion of ACS. However, the criteria leading to initiate a diagnostic procedure during chest pain are imprecise. The fear is, on the one hand, to miss a potentially vital diagnosis and, on the other hand, to expose a large number of patients to unnecessary examinations. The CARE rule (also known as HEAR score) seems to streamline this first step. It assigns a value of 0 to 2 using 4 items: Characteristic of pain, Age, Risk factors and Electrocardiogram (ECG). The search for an ACS is not justified if the sum of the points is <2 (negative rule) and, inversely, a troponin determination must be carried out if the sum is > 1 (positive rule). The aim of the study is to demonstrate the safety and interest of the CARE rule associated with the HEART score to streamline ACS's diagnostic approach to thoracic pain in emergencies departments.
PROspective Multicenter Imaging Study for Evaluation of Chest Pain
Chest PainA prospective multicenter imaging study for evaluation of chest pain. Objective is to determine whether an initial non-invasive anatomic imaging strategy with coronary CT angiography (CTA) will improve clinical outcomes in subjects with symptoms concerning for coronary artery disease relative to an initial functional testing strategy (usual care). Study hypothesis: initial anatomic testing strategy will provide information that will result in superior long-term health outcomes as compared to an initial functional testing strategy.
Better Evaluation of Acute Chest Pain With Computed Tomography Angiography
Acute Coronary SyndromeAcute Chest PainThe purpose of this study is to determine whether cardiac CT can improve triage of acute chest pain patients in the emergency department.
Efficacy Evaluation of Observation Unit Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in Patients With...
Acute Coronary SyndromeChest PainThe purpose of this study is to investigate the best way to evaluate patients with chest pain in the emergency department. It compares types of cardiac tests performed while receiving treatment in an observation unit. Patients will either undergo cardiac MRI testing or conventional care testing. Patients treated in the conventional care testing group will undergo the testing their doctor determines is best for them. All patients will undergo follow up to find out if they have had any heart related events.
Improving Safety of Diagnosis and Therapy in the Inpatient Setting
DeliriumConfusion28 moreTo improve the safety of diagnosis and therapy for a set of conditions and undifferentiated symptoms for hospitalized patients, the investigators will employ a set of methods and tools from the disciplines of systems engineering, human factors, quality improvement,and data analytics to thoroughly analyze the problem, design and develop potential solutions that leverage existing current technological infrastructure, and implement and evaluate the final interventions. The investigators will engage the interdisciplinary care team and patient (or their caregivers) to ensure treatment trajectories match the anticipated course for working diagnoses (or symptoms), and whether they are in line with patient and clinician expectations. The investigators will use an Interrupted time series (ITS) design to assess impact on diagnostic errors that lead to patient harm. The investigators will perform quantitative and qualitative evaluations using implementation science principles to understand if the interventions worked, and why or why not.
Effects of Heart Imaging Radiation on DNA Double-Stranded Breaks in Blood Lymphocytes and Hair Follicle...
Coronary Artery DiseaseChest PainPurpose To investigate the effects of cardiac imaging radiation on the induction of DNA double-strand breaks by enumerating gamma-H2AX foci in blood lymphocytes and plucked hair follicle cells. To estimate whether the use of breast shields in cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) limits the effective radiation exposure of breast tissue.
Dexilant Treatment in Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease (GERD Related Non Cardiac Chest Pain
Chest PainGastrointestinal Reflux DiseaseThe purpose of this study is to investigate a new treatment for non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) related to gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), called Dexilant. The investigators would like to test its effectiveness in treating NCCP. The patient will undergo esophageal balloon distention testing (EBDT) before and after taking the new treatment for one month (Dexilant). EBDT evaluates the sensation and mechanical properties of the esophagus. A catheter with a deflated balloon is placed through the mouth and into the esophagus and the balloon is inflated with water. ECG and labs will be done throughout the study as a measurement of safety.