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Messmer AS, Elmer A, Ludwig R, Pfortmueller CA, Cioccari L, Schefold JC. Characteristics and outcomes of medical emergency team calls in a Swiss tertiary centre - a retrospective observational study. Swiss Med Wkly 2022; 152:40006. [PMID: 36455160 DOI: 10.57187/smw.2022.40006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS OF THE STUDY To describe reasons for medical emergency team (MET) activation over time, to analyse outcomes, and to describe the circadian distribution of MET calls and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions following MET activation. METHODS Monocentric retrospective observational study of prospectively collected data on all MET calls between 1st of January 2012 until 31st of May 2019. We analysed data on baselines, referring wards, and disposition of all MET patients. In addition, we allocated all MET calls to the hourly intervals over the 24-hour cycle of the day in order to identify peak times of team activation. RESULTS A total of 4068 calls in 3277 patients (37% female, n = 1210) were analysed. The mean age was 65.9 years (± 15.7). The MET dose (defined as MET calls/1000 hospital admissions) remained relatively stable over the years with a median of 8.0 calls/1000 hospitalisations (interquartile range [IQR] 7.0-10.0). A total of 2526 calls (62%) occurred out of hours (17:00 to 8:00). The hourly rate of MET activations was greatest during the evening shift (33.8% of calls in seven hours), followed by the day shift (35.8% calls in nine hours) and night shift (30.4% in eight hours). Over the years, staff concern was the main reason for a MET call (n = 1192, 34%), followed by low peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) not responding to oxygen therapy (n = 776, 22%). Abnormal respiratory rate was a trigger to call the MET in 44 cases (1.3%), and was not documented prior to 2017. Overall, in-hospital mortality was 22%. CONCLUSION While most common reasons for MET calls over the years were staff concern and low SpO2, abnormal respiratory rate was the least frequent, but increased after the introduction of the quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) in 2016. Most MET calls occurred out of hours with peak hours during the evening shift, highlighting the importance of resource allocation during this shift when planning to introduce a MET system in a hospital. In-hospital mortality after a MET call was 22%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Messmer
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Annina Elmer
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roger Ludwig
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Carmen A Pfortmueller
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Luca Cioccari
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Kantonsspital Aarau, Aarau, Switzerland
| | - Joerg C Schefold
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Navuluri N, Srour ML, Kussin PS, Murdoch DM, MacIntyre NR, Que LG, Thielman NM, McCollum ED. Oxygen delivery systems for adults in Sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review. J Glob Health 2021; 11:04018. [PMID: 34026051 PMCID: PMC8109278 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.11.04018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Respiratory diseases are the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Oxygen is an essential medicine used to treat hypoxemia from respiratory diseases. However, the availability and utilization of oxygen delivery systems for adults in sub-Saharan Africa is not well-described. We aim to identify and describe existing data around oxygen availability and provision for adults in sub-Saharan Africa, determine knowledge or research gaps, and make recommendations for future research and capacity building. Methods We systematically searched four databases for articles on April 22, 2020, for variations of keywords related to oxygen with a focus on countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Inclusion criteria were studies that included adults and addressed hypoxemia assessment or outcome, oxygen delivery mechanisms, oxygen availability, oxygen provision infrastructure, and oxygen therapy and outcomes. Results 35 studies representing 22 countries met inclusion criteria. Availability of oxygen delivery systems ranged from 42%-94% between facilities, with wide variability in the consistency of availability. There was also wide reported prevalence of hypoxemia, with most studies focusing on specific populations. In facilities where oxygen is available, health care workers are ill-equipped to identify adult patients with hypoxemia, provide oxygen to those who need it, and titrate or discontinue oxygen appropriately. Oxygen concentrators were shown to be the most cost-effective delivery system in areas where power is readily available. Conclusions There is a substantial need for building capacity for oxygen delivery throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Addressing this critical issue will require innovation and a multi-faceted approach of developing infrastructure, better equipping facilities, and health care worker training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelima Navuluri
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Maria L Srour
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Peter S Kussin
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - David M Murdoch
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Neil R MacIntyre
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Loretta G Que
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Nathan M Thielman
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Eric D McCollum
- Global Program in Respiratory Sciences, Eudowood Division of Pediatric Respiratory Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Rosman SL, Karangwa V, Law M, Monuteaux MC, Briscoe CD, McCall N. Provisional Validation of a Pediatric Early Warning Score for Resource-Limited Settings. Pediatrics 2019; 143:peds.2018-3657. [PMID: 30992308 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2018-3657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The use of Pediatric Early Warning Scores is becoming widespread to identify and rapidly respond to patients with deteriorating conditions. The ability of Pediatric Early Warning Scores to identify children at high risk of deterioration or death has not, however, been established in resource-limited settings. METHODS We developed the Pediatric Early Warning Score for Resource-Limited Settings (PEWS-RL) on the basis of expert opinion and existing scores. The PEWS-RL was derived from 6 equally weighted variables, producing a cumulative score of 0 to 6. We then conducted a case-control study of admissions to the pediatrics department of the main public referral hospital in Kigali, Rwanda between November 2016 and March 2017. We defined case patients as children fulfilling the criteria for clinical deterioration, who were then matched with controls of the same age and hospital ward. RESULTS During the study period, 627 children were admitted, from whom we selected 79 case patients and 79 controls. For a PEWS-RL of ≥3, sensitivity was 96.2%, and specificity was 87.3% for identifying patients at risk for clinical deterioration. A total PEWS-RL of ≥3 was associated with a substantially increased risk of clinical deterioration (odds ratio 129.3; 95% confidence interval 38.8-431.6; P <.005). CONCLUSIONS This study reveals that the PEWS-RL, a simple score based on vital signs, mental status, and presence of respiratory distress, was feasible to implement in a resource-limited setting and was able to identify children at risk for clinical deterioration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valens Karangwa
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Michael Law
- Center for Health Services and Policy Research, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | | | | | - Natalie McCall
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
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Psirides AJ, Hill J, Jones D. Rapid Response Team activation in New Zealand hospitals—a multicentre prospective observational study. Anaesth Intensive Care 2016; 44:391-7. [DOI: 10.1177/0310057x1604400314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We aimed to describe the epidemiology of Rapid Response Team (RRT) activation in New Zealand public hospitals. We undertook a prospective multicentre observational study of RRT activations in 11 hospitals for consecutive 14-day periods during October–December 2014. A standardised case report form was used to collect data on patient demographics, RRT activation criteria and timing, vital signs on RRT arrival, team composition and intervention, treatment limitation and patient outcome at day 30. Three hundred and thirteen patients received 351 RRT calls during the study period. Patients were admitted under a medical specialty in 177 (56.5%) instances. Median duration from hospital admission to first RRT call was two days. Eighty-six percent of RRT calls were to inpatient wards. A total of 43.4% of RRT calls occurred between 0800 and 1700 hours (38% of the day) and 75.5% of RRT calls were activated by ward nurses. A median of three staff attended each call. Common triggers for RRT activation were increased Early Warning Score (56.2%) and staff concern (25.7%). During the RRT call, 2.8% of patients died; 19.8% died by day 30. New ‘Not For Resuscitation’ orders were written in 22.5% of RRT calls. By day 30, 56.2% of patients had been discharged home alive. In conclusion, RRTs in New Zealand are multidisciplinary, mostly nurse-activated and predominantly respond to deteriorating medical (rather than surgical) patients. Most patients remain on the ward. The RRT frequently implements treatment limitations. Given almost one in five patients die within 30 days, over half of whom die within 72 hours of RRT review, surviving the RRT call may provide false reassurance that the patient will subsequently do well.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. J. Psirides
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Wellington Regional Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - J. Hill
- Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, Sydney, New South Wales
| | - D. Jones
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria
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Nabayigga B, Kellett J, Brabrand M, Opio MO. The mortality of acutely ill medical patients for up to 60days after admission to a resource poor hospital in sub-Saharan Africa compared with patients of similar illness severity admitted to a Danish Regional Teaching Hospital--an exploratory observational study. Eur J Intern Med 2016; 27:24-30. [PMID: 26680237 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2015.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Revised: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The outcomes of patients with the same severity of illness in the developed and developing countries have not been compared. Illness severity can now be measured anywhere by the National Early Warning Score (NEWS). METHODS An exploratory observational study that compared the 7, 30 and 60 days mortality of 195 Ugandan and 588 Danish acutely ill medical patients that had a NEWS >6 at the time of their admission to the hospital. The association of vital sign changes, alertness and mobility at admission on subsequent outcome was explored. RESULTS More Kitovu (34.4%) than Danish patients (22.1%) died within 60 days of admission (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.27-2.71, p 0.001). However, the survival of non-comatose patients admitted without severely deranged vital signs or who were able to stand without help was identical in both cohorts (Chi square 0.32, p 0.57): these patients made up 50% of all Ugandan and 60% of all Danish patients. In contrast the survival curves of patients admitted in a coma were widely divergent within a week of hospital admission and remained so for a further 60 days (Chi square 10.29, p 0.001). CONCLUSION This small hypothesis generating observational study with huge selection and treatment bias found no survival difference at 60 days after admission to resource rich and resource poor hospitals for patients without severely deranged vital signs or who were able to stand without help.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Nabayigga
- Medical Wards, St. Joseph's Kitovu Health Care Complex, Masaka, Uganda
| | - John Kellett
- Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center, 980 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay ON P78 7A5, ON, Canada.
| | - Mikkel Brabrand
- Department of Medicine, Sydvestjysk Sygehus, Esbjerg, Denmark
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Asiimwe SB, Abdallah A, Ssekitoleko R. A simple prognostic index based on admission vital signs data among patients with sepsis in a resource-limited setting. Crit Care 2015; 19:86. [PMID: 25888322 PMCID: PMC4360926 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-015-0826-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Introduction In sub-Saharan Africa, vital signs are a feasible option for monitoring critically ill patients. We assessed how admission vital signs data predict in-hospital mortality among patients with sepsis. In particular, we assessed whether vital signs data can be incorporated into a prognostic index with reduced segmentation in the values of included variables. Methods Subjects were patients with sepsis hospitalized in Uganda, who participated in two cohort studies. Using restricted cubic splines of admission vital signs data, we predicted probability of in-hospital death in the development cohort and used this information to construct a simple prognostic index. We assessed the performance of the index in a validation cohort and compared its performance to that of the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS). Results We included 317 patients (167 in the development cohort and 150 in the validation cohort). Based on how vital signs predicted mortality, we created a prognostic index giving a score of 1 for: respiratory rates ≥30 cycles/minute; pulse rates ≥100 beats/minute; mean arterial pressures ≥110/<70 mmHg; temperatures ≥38.6/<35.6°C; and presence of altered mental state defined as Glasgow coma score ≤14; 0 for all other values. The proposed index (maximum score = 5) predicted mortality comparably to MEWS. Patients scoring ≥3 on the index were 3.4-fold (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6 to 7.3, P = 0.001) and 2.3-fold (95% CI 1.1 to 4.7, P = 0.031) as likely to die in hospital as those scoring 0 to 2 in the development and validation cohorts respectively; those scoring ≥5 on MEWS were 2.5-fold (95% CI 1.2 to 5.3, P = 0.017) and 1.8-fold (95% CI 0.74 to 4.2, P = 0.204) as likely to die as those scoring 0 to 4 in the development and validation cohorts respectively. Conclusion Among patients with sepsis, a prognostic index incorporating admission vital signs data with reduced segmentation in the values of included variables adequately predicted mortality. Such an index may be more easily implemented when triaging acutely-ill patients. Future studies using a similar approach may develop indexes that can be used to monitor treatment among acutely-ill patients, especially in resource-limited settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen B Asiimwe
- Department of Medicine, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, P.O. Box 40, Mbarara, Uganda. .,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, 550 16th Street, Second Floor, Mission Hall: Global Health and Clinical Sciences Building, San Francisco, CA, 94158-2549, USA.
| | - Amir Abdallah
- Department of Medicine, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, P.O. Box 40, Mbarara, Uganda. .,Department of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda.
| | - Richard Ssekitoleko
- Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
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