Assessment of Head Injury in the Emergency Department Using BrainScope® Ahead® Technology
Brain InjuriesCraniocerebral TraumaThe objectives of the study are to document device performance with respect to the primary and secondary endpoints.
The Utility of Performing Brain CT Scan in Non Trauma Patients at the Pediatric Emergency Unit
ConvulsionsIncreased Intracraneal PressurePediatric patients are admitted to the emergency room for diverse causes, beside trauma, patients can present with convulsions, suspicion of brain tumor or increased intracranial pressure. In most of the cases a brain CT is performed even before physical examination by a skilled neurologist. The amount of radiation that the children are exposed is equivalent to 100 plain chest X rays. The purpose of this tudy is to examinate in a retrospective study what were the indications for CT study and what was the incidence of relevant abnormal findings that required emergency intervention or referral.
Posturing Effects on Perception of Time and Perceptions of the Provider-Patient Interaction in the...
HealthyStudy Objective: To examine the perceptions of time spent at the bedside; perceptions of bedside manner; and patient perceptions of the provider-patient interaction offered by emergency providers when they sit versus when they stand during the initial evaluation. This project is clinically relevant research different from prior Emergency Department (ED) satisfaction studies since this study will contribute information about factors that could increase patient satisfaction with his/her provider in the ED setting. This research may guide specific guidelines for quality improvement efforts. The investigators hypothesize that patients will perceive that the emergency providers are at the bedside longer, demonstrate better bedside manner, and have better provider-patient interactions when they sit versus when they stand. Additionally, the investigators hypothesize that providers who sit will perceive that they are at the bedside longer than those who stand for the same period of time. Methods: A convenience sample of adult patients will complete a 5-item questionnaire concerning the perceived time spent with the emergency provider and the qualities of the provider-patient interaction. Emergency providers will be randomly assigned to either sit or stand during the initial evaluation. The providers will complete a 4-item questionnaire. These data will be compared to the actual time spent in the evaluation, measured in seconds, using a stopwatch. These data, combined with demographic data obtained from the patient chart, will be analyzed to examine whether there are statistically significant differences in patient perceptions and satisfaction.
Self Reported Level of Agitation of Patients Presenting to an Emergency Department
Psychiatric IssueIn recent years, there has been an emphasis on assessing patient's pain on presentation to emergency departments. The Joint Commission mandates that all patients who present with pain must have a pain assessment performed and addressed early in their care. Most emergency departments are using a self-reported assessment of pain using a 1-10 scale of pain. This self-reported level of pain is used to determining appropriate treatment. The Joint Commission has only dealt with somatic pain and has not addressed psychological related pain. Many authors have written on psychological pain. It is described as introspective experience of negative emotions such as anger, despair, fear, grief, shame, guilt, hopelessness, loneliness and loss. The assessment of psychological pain has been used to describe patients with depression and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Study Significance The significance of this study is to determine if patients can communicate the level of psychological pain using the level of agitation as a surrogate marker. Studies have demonstrated that the staff's assessment of a patient's level of agitation is not based on an agitation scale nor uses any patient self-assessment of their level of agitation. If a self-assessment of a patient's level of agitation can be determined early in their care in the emergency setting, a proactive approach to treatment can occur. Proactive agitation treatment has the potential of reducing a patient's agitation and increasing their level of comfort. This early intervention can reduce the progression of agitation and the risk of injury to patients, families and staff. Hypothesis The study null hypothesis is that the self-rated agitation scale will not have a significant level of correlation with the other measures of agitation (Brief Agitation Measure, Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale and Agitation Calmness Evaluation Scale). The secondary null hypothesis is that there is no difference between the level of agitation and the level of psychological pain, assessed with the Psychological Pain Assessment.
Emergency Laparotomy and Frailty Study
EmergenciesFrail Older Adult1 morePatients aged over 65 comprise more than half the emergency general surgical workload, however, available risk-prediction tools for such patients are extrapolated from younger cohorts. Research suggests that high pre-operative frailty scores correlate with increased post-operative mortality and morbidity. Validated frailty assessments may help identify high risk older emergency surgical patients, facilitating decision-making and informing patient choice. We propose the first prospective UK observational study assessing frailty as an independent predictor of outcome in the older surgical patient undergoing emergency laparotomy. Prospective data collection of patients over 65 undergoing emergency laparotomy will be performed in 20 NHS Trusts. Pre-operative frailty scores will be evaluated using the Rockwood Frailty Scale. Primary outcome measure is 30-day mortality. Secondary outcome measures are post-operative complications, altered independence status and length of stay. Results will be disseminated at national/international surgical meetings and published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Help in the Emergency Room to Detect Organ Dysfunction
SepsisCritical IllnessThe purpose of this prospective, non-interventional clinical study is to assess the clinical validity of a number of markers (including Heparin Binding Protein (HBP), Procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), White cell count (WCC) and lactate) for indicating the presence of organ dysfunction, or outcome, of patients with organ dysfunctions following emergency department admission or hospitalization. Secondary objectives are to identify novel putative biomarkers and to identify risk factors for negative long-term effects of acute critical illness The HBP assay is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the quantitative determination of Heparin Binding Protein in human plasma.
What is the Knowledge and Use of Emergency Contraception
AbortionThe main objective is to assess the knowledge of women seeking abortion about emergency contraception. The secondary objectives are to evaluate the use of emergency contraception among women seeking abortion and to identify barriers to the efficacy and use of emergency contraception in these women.
Examination of the Standardized Use of the Pulmonary Embolism SOP in the Clinical Routine of the...
Pulmonary EmbolismUsage of a guideline-compliant SOP in each chest pain unit (CPU) is instrumental in establishing the diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism without time delay. With the integration of this SOP as a "clinical decision tool" (CDT) into the electronic database of the CPU, the standardized application of the pulmonary embolism SOP in the clinical routine of the CPU will be tested using a retro- and prospective approach.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Amoxicillin in Neonates
EmergenciesThe objective of NEOPOPI is to conduct a population pharmacokinetic study of amoxicillin in neonates, in order to evaluate and optimize neonatal dose regimen. There will be no change to the medication treatment received by participants. An opportunistic pharmacokinetic sampling approach will be followed: samples will be scavenged from blood or cerebrospinal fluid drawn for routine biochemical tests. In this way, no additional invasive tests will be needed.
Wiki Head CT Choice Study: Adaptation of US Two Decision Aids to a Québec Local Context
Mild Traumatic Brain InjuryEmergencies1 moreThis study aims to adapt two decision aids (DAs) (pediatric and adult) developed in the United States to the Quebec context to develop context-adapted tools and training program that will facilitate the process of shared decision-making while taking a decision to use head computed tomography (CT scan) with patients suffering from a mild traumatic brain injury.