Characterization of older adults with cancer seeking acute emergency department care: A prospective observational study

INTRODUCTION

Disparities in care of older adults in cancer treatment trials and emergency department (ED) use exist. This report provides a baseline description of older adults ≥65 years old who present to the ED with active cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Planned secondary analysis of the Comprehensive Oncologic Emergencies Research Network observational ED cohort study sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. Of 1564 eligible adults with active cancer, 1075 patients were prospectively enrolled, of which 505 were ≥ 65 years old. We recruited this convenience sample from eighteen participating sites across the United States between February 1, 2016 and January 30, 2017.

RESULTS

Compared to cancer patients younger than 65 years of age, older adults were more likely to be transported to the ED by emergency medical services, have a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index score, and be admitted despite no significant difference in acuity as measured by the Emergency Severity Index. Despite the higher admission rate, no significant difference was noted in hospitalization length of stay, 30-day mortality, ED revisit or hospital admission within 30 days after the index visit. Three of the top five ED diagnoses for older adults were symptom-related (fever of other and unknown origin, abdominal and pelvic pain, and pain in throat and chest). Despite this, older adults were less likely to report symptoms and less likely to receive symptomatic treatment for pain and nausea than the younger comparison group. Both younger and older adults reported a higher symptom burden on the patient reported Condensed Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale than to ED providers. When treating suspected infection, no differences were noted in regard to administration of antibiotics in the ED, admissions, or length of stay ≤2 days for those receiving ED antibiotics.

DISCUSSION

We identified several differences between older (≥65 years old) and younger adults with active cancer seeking emergency care. Older adults frequently presented for symptom-related diagnoses but received fewer symptomatic interventions in the ED suggesting that important opportunities to improve the care of older adults with cancer in the ED exist.

Palliative Care Needs and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Advanced Cancer in the Emergency Department

Background: Older adults with cancer use the emergency department (ED) for acute concerns. Objectives: Characterize the palliative care needs and clinical outcomes of advanced cancer patients in the ED. Design: A planned secondary data analysis of the Comprehensive Oncologic Emergencies Research Network (CONCERN) data. Settings/Subjects: Cancer patients who presented to the 18 CONCERN affiliated EDs in the United States. Measurements: Survey included demographics, cancer type, functional status, symptom burden, palliative and hospice care enrollment, and advance directive code status. Results: Of the total (674/1075, 62.3%) patients had advanced cancer and most were White (78.6%) and female (50.3%); median age was 64 (interquartile range 54-71) years. A small proportion of them were receiving palliative (6.5% [95% confidence interval; CI 3.0-7.6]; p = 0.005) and hospice (1.3% [95% CI 1.0-3.2]; p = 0.52) care and had a higher 30-day mortality rate (8.3%, [95% CI 6.2-10.4]). Conclusions: Patients with advanced cancer continue to present to the ED despite recommendations for early delivery of palliative care.

Observation unit use among patients with cancer following emergency department visits: Results of a multicenter prospective cohort from CONCERN

PURPOSE

Emergency department (ED) visits by patients with cancer frequently end in hospitalization. As concerns about ED and hospital crowding increase, observation unit care may be an important strategy to deliver safe and efficient treatment for eligible patients. In this investigation, we compared the prevalence and clinical characteristics of cancer patients who received observation unit care with those who were admitted to the hospital from the ED.

METHODS

We performed a multicenter prospective cohort study of patients with cancer presenting to an ED affiliated with one of 18 hospitals of the Comprehensive Oncologic Emergency Research Network (CONCERN) between March 1, 2016 and January 30, 2017. We compared patient characteristics with the prevalence of observation unit care usage, hospital admission, and length of stay.

RESULTS

Of 1051 enrolled patients, 596 (56.7%) were admitted as inpatients, and 72 (6.9%) were placed in an observation unit. For patients admitted as inpatients, 23.7% had a length of stay ≤2 days. The conversion rate from observation to inpatient was 17.1% (95% CI 14.6-19.4) among those receiving care in an observation unit. The average observation unit length of stay was 14.7 h. Patient factors associated ED disposition to observation unit care were female gender and low Charlson Comorbidity Index.

CONCLUSION

In this multicenter prospective cohort study, the discrepancy between observation unit care use and short inpatient hospitalization may represent underutilization of this resource and a target for process change.

Gender-based Barriers in the Advancement of Women Leaders in Emergency Medicine: A Multi-institutional Qualitative Study

Introduction

Leadership positions occupied by women within academic emergency medicine have remained stagnant despite increasing numbers of women with faculty appointments. We distributed a multi-institutional survey to women faculty and residents to evaluate categorical characteristics contributing to success and differences between the two groups.

Methods

An institutional review board-approved electronic survey was distributed to women faculty and residents at eight institutions and were completed anonymously. We created survey questions to assess multiple categories: determination; resiliency; career support and obstacles; career aspiration; and gender discrimination. Most questions used a Likert five-point scale. Responses for each question and category were averaged and deemed significant if the average was greater than or equal to 4 in the affirmative, or less than or equal to 2 in the negative. We calculated proportions for binary questions.

Results

The overall response rate was 55.23% (95/172). The faculty response rate was 54.1% (59/109) and residents’ response rate was 57.1% (36/63). Significant levels of resiliency were reported, with a mean score of 4.02. Childbearing and rearing were not significant barriers overall but were more commonly reported as barriers for faculty over residents (P <0.001). Obstacles reported included a lack of confidence during work-related negotiations and insufficient research experience. Notably, 68.4% (65/95) of respondents experienced gender discrimination and 9.5% (9/95) reported at least one encounter of sexual assault by a colleague or supervisor during their career.

Conclusion

Targeted interventions to promote female leadership in academic emergency medicine include coaching on negotiation skills, improved resources and mentorship to support research, and enforcement of safe work environments. Female emergency physician resiliency is high and not a barrier to career advancement.

Accuracy of Parental-Reported Tetanus Vaccination Status for Children With Lacerations

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine whether emergency department (ED) providers are able to accurately assess whether a child with a laceration needs tetanus prophylaxis.

METHODS

We conducted an 8-month prospective cross-sectional study of children presenting with a laceration to a pediatric ED. We asked ED providers whether tetanus prophylaxis was necessary. An ED pharmacist accessed the Utah Statewide Immunization Information System (USIIS), and we assessed the accuracy of the ED provider's determination of necessary tetanus prophylaxis compared with USIIS records.

RESULTS

Among 375 patients aged 5 months to 17 years, ED providers made an inaccurate assessment of necessary tetanus prophylaxis in 33 cases (8.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.3%-12.1%). Emergency department providers would have inappropriately administered tetanus prophylaxis in 5 cases (1.3%; 95% CI, 0.5%-3.2%) and would have missed the need for tetanus prophylaxis in 28 cases (7.5%; 95% CI, 5.2%-10.6%). Emergency department providers were more likely to provide an inaccurate recommendation in older children (8.3 vs 4.8 years; P < 0.001), in patients with a dirty wound (45.5% vs 11.7%; P < 0.001), and in children who had fewer than 3 vaccines recorded in the USIIS (54.5% vs 1.2%; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Emergency department providers may inaccurately assess the need for tetanus prophylaxis in children. Special attention should be paid to cases of dirty wounds and cases in which fewer than 3 tetanus-containing vaccines have been given.

Clinical prediction rule for SARS-CoV-2 infection from 116 U.S. emergency departments 2-22-2021

Objectives

Accurate and reliable criteria to rapidly estimate the probability of infection with the novel coronavirus-2 that causes the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) and associated disease (COVID-19) remain an urgent unmet need, especially in emergency care. The objective was to derive and validate a clinical prediction score for SARS-CoV-2 infection that uses simple criteria widely available at the point of care.

Methods

Data came from the registry data from the national REgistry of suspected COVID-19 in EmeRgency care (RECOVER network) comprising 116 hospitals from 25 states in the US. Clinical variables and 30-day outcomes were abstracted from medical records of 19,850 emergency department (ED) patients tested for SARS-CoV-2. The criterion standard for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 required a positive molecular test from a swabbed sample or positive antibody testing within 30 days. The prediction score was derived from a 50% random sample (n = 9,925) using unadjusted analysis of 107 candidate variables as a screening step, followed by stepwise forward logistic regression on 72 variables.

Results

Multivariable regression yielded a 13-variable score, which was simplified to a 13-point score: +1 point each for age>50 years, measured temperature>37.5°C, oxygen saturation<95%, Black race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, household contact with known or suspected COVID-19, patient reported history of dry cough, anosmia/dysgeusia, myalgias or fever; and -1 point each for White race, no direct contact with infected person, or smoking. In the validation sample (n = 9,975), the probability from logistic regression score produced an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.80 (95% CI: 0.79–0.81), and this level of accuracy was retained across patients enrolled from the early spring to summer of 2020. In the simplified score, a score of zero produced a sensitivity of 95.6% (94.8–96.3%), specificity of 20.0% (19.0–21.0%), negative likelihood ratio of 0.22 (0.19–0.26). Increasing points on the simplified score predicted higher probability of infection (e.g., >75% probability with +5 or more points).

Conclusion

Criteria that are available at the point of care can accurately predict the probability of SARS-CoV-2 infection. These criteria could assist with decisions about isolation and testing at high throughput checkpoints.

Cancer pain management in the emergency department: a multicenter prospective observational trial of the Comprehensive Oncologic Emergencies Research Network (CONCERN)

PURPOSE

Many patients with cancer seek care for pain in the emergency department (ED). Prospective research on cancer pain in this setting has historically been insufficient. We conducted this study to describe the reported pain among cancer patients presenting to the ED, how pain is managed, and how pain may be associated with clinical outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter cohort study on adult patients with active cancer presenting to 18 EDs in the USA. We reported pain scores, response to medication, and analgesic utilization. We estimated the associations between pain severity, medication utilization, and the following outcomes: 30-day mortality, 30-day hospital readmission, and ED disposition.

RESULTS

The study population included 1075 participants. Those who received an opioid in the ED were more likely to be admitted to the hospital and were more likely to be readmitted within 30 days (OR 1.4 (95% CI: 1.11, 1.88) and OR 1.56 (95% CI: 1.17, 2.07)), respectively. Severe pain at ED presentation was associated with increased 30-day mortality (OR 2.30, 95% CI: 1.05, 5.02), though this risk was attenuated when adjusting for clinical factors (most notably functional status).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with severe pain had a higher risk of mortality, which was attenuated when correcting for clinical characteristics. Those patients who required opioid analgesics in the ED were more likely to require admission and were more at risk of 30-day hospital readmission. Future efforts should focus on these at-risk groups, who may benefit from additional services including palliative care, hospice, or home-health services.

The Eyes Have It: A Low-Cost Model for Corneal Foreign Body Removal Training

Audience

This corneal foreign body simulator is designed to instruct junior emergency medicine (EM) residents and medical students with an interest in emergency medicine.

Introduction

Eye complaints are common in the emergency department (ED), accounting for approximately 2 million ED visits each year.1 Corneal foreign bodies (CFB) account for approximately 7.5% of these presentations, and many EM providers are uncomfortable with removal procedures.1-3 Simulation has been demonstrated to improve provider comfort with this skill.4,5 Previous models for CFB removal have been created using wax over glass spheres, molded materials with silicone and ballistics gel, bovine eyes, cardboard glove boxes with ink stains simulating foreign bodies and rust rings, and agar plates with pepper-corns. 4-9 Often, these models are expensive or time-consuming to create or lack spatial realism.We propose that a simple, inexpensive model will be effective in increasing emergency provider comfort with CFB removal under slit lamp magnification in addition to increasing provider comfort using a slit lamp.

Educational Objectives

By the end of the session, the learner should be able to adequately focus a slit lamp in order to identify and magnify a corneal foreign body and demonstrate safe technique for removal of a corneal foreign body under slit lamp guidance.

Educational Methods

We created a low-fidelity CFB simulator for approximately $15 utilizing a Styrofoam ball, toothpicks, grapes, novelty glasses, and magnesium shavings. Toothpicks secured grapes into simulated orbits, scooped out of a Styrofoam ball. We fastened the Styrofoam ball to the slit lamp using medical tape. We added novelty glasses to simulate working around facial features. A senior resident instructor then used forceps to insert small magnesium shavings into the grapes to simulate foreign bodies. Participants received an introduction on techniques for successful CFB removal using the bevel of a needle under slit lamp guidance.10,11 They practiced using the models under supervision of an instructor.

Research Methods

We conducted a prospective trial using a convenience sample of 19 learners at a university-based EM residency program, including EM interns, one emergency advanced-practice clinician, and fourth-year medical students participating in an EM sub-internship. We analyzed results using a Fisher's exact test.

Results

Before training, few participants (36.8%) had observed a corneal foreign body removal, and only 15.8% had performed the procedure. More than half (52.6%) of participants said they were somewhat or very comfortable using a slit lamp before the training and 89.5% were somewhat or very comfortable after training (p=0.029). None of the participants were somewhat or very comfortable removing CFBs before the training and 84.2% were somewhat or very comfortable post-training (p<0.001).

Discussion

Results suggest that simulation with this low-cost model effectively improves provider comfort in CFB removal in addition to improving comfort using a slit lamp.

Topics

Eye exam, eye injury, ocular injury, corneal injury, corneal foreign body, slit lamp, corneal foreign body removal.

Validation of the Emergency Severity Index (Version 4) for the Triage of Adult Emergency Department Patients With Active Cancer

BACKGROUND

Patients with active cancer account for a growing percentage of all emergency department (ED) visits and have a unique set of risks related to their disease and its treatments. Effective triage for this population is fundamental to facilitating their emergency care.

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the validity of the Emergency Severity Index (ESI; version 4) triage tool to predict ED-relevant outcomes among adult patients with active cancer.

METHODS

We conducted a prespecified analysis of the observational cohort established by the National Cancer Institute-supported Comprehensive Oncologic Emergencies Research Network's multicenter (18 sites) study of ED visits by patients with active cancer (N = 1075). We used a series of χ² tests for independence to relate ESI scores with 1) disposition, 2) ED resource use, 3) hospital length of stay, and 4) 30-day mortality.

RESULTS

Among the 1008 subjects included in this analysis, the ESI distribution skewed heavily toward high acuity (>95% of subjects had an ESI level of 1, 2, or 3). ESI was significantly associated with patient disposition and ED resource use (p values < 0.05). No significant associations were observed between ESI and the non-ED based outcomes of hospital length of stay or 30-day mortality.

CONCLUSION

ESI scores among ED patients with active cancer indicate higher acuity than the general ED population and are predictive of disposition and ED resource use. These findings show that the ESI is a valid triage tool for use in this population for outcomes directly relevant to ED care.

Analysis of Diagnoses, Symptoms, Medications, and Admissions Among Patients With Cancer Presenting to Emergency Departments

IMPORTANCE

Better understanding of the emergency care needs of patients with cancer will inform outpatient and emergency department (ED) management.

OBJECTIVE

To provide a benchmark description of patients who present to the ED with active cancer.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This multicenter prospective cohort study included 18 EDs affiliated with the Comprehensive Oncologic Emergencies Research Network (CONCERN). Of 1564 eligible patients, 1075 adults with active cancer were included from February 1, 2016, through January 30, 2017. Data were analyzed from February 1 through August 1, 2018.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The proportion of patients reporting symptoms (eg, pain, nausea) before and during the ED visit, ED and outpatient medications, most common diagnoses, and suspected infection as indicated by ED antibiotic administration. The proportions observed, admitted, and with a hospital length of stay (LOS) of no more than 2 days were identified.

RESULTS

Of 1075 participants, mean (SD) age was 62 (14) years, and 51.8% were female. Seven hundred ninety-four participants (73.9%; 95% CI, 71.1%-76.5%) had undergone cancer treatment in the preceding 30 days; 674 (62.7%; 95% CI, 59.7%-65.6%) had advanced or metastatic cancer; and 505 (47.0%; 95% CI, 43.9%-50.0%) were 65 years or older. The 5 most common ED diagnoses were symptom related. Of all participants, 82 (7.6%; 95% CI, 6.1%-9.4%) were placed in observation and 615 (57.2%; 95% CI, 54.2%-60.2%) were admitted; 154 of 615 admissions (25.0%; 95% CI, 21.7%-28.7%) had an LOS of 2 days or less (median, 3 days; interquartile range, 2-6 days). Pain during the ED visit was present in 668 patients (62.1%; 95% CI, 59.2%-65.0%; mean [SD] pain score, 6.4 [2.6] of 10.0) and in 776 (72.2%) during the prior week. Opioids were administered in the ED to 228 of 386 patients (59.1%; 95% CI, 18.8%-23.8%) with moderate to severe ED pain. Outpatient opioids were prescribed to 368 patients (47.4%; 95% CI, 3.14%-37.2%) of those with pre-ED pain, including 244 of 428 (57.0%; 95% CI, 52.2%-61.8%) who reported quite a bit or very much pain. Nausea in the ED was present in 336 (31.3%; 95% CI, 28.5%-34.1%); of these, 160 (47.6%; 95% CI, 12.8%-17.1%) received antiemetics in the ED. Antibiotics were administered in the ED to 285 patients (26.5%; 95% CI, 23.9%-29.2%). Of these, 209 patients (73.3%; 95% CI, 17.1%-21.9%) were admitted compared with 427 of 790 (54.1%; 95% CI, 50.5%-57.6%) not receiving antibiotics.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This initial prospective, multicenter study profiling patients with cancer who were treated in the ED identifies common characteristics in this patient population and suggests opportunities to optimize care before, during, and after the ED visit. Improvement requires collaboration between specialists and emergency physicians optimizing ED use, improving symptom control, avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations, and appropriately stratifying risk to ensure safe ED treatment and disposition of patients with cancer.

Prospective evaluation of outcomes among geriatric chest pain patients in an ED observation unit

OBJECTIVE

Because of concerns of high admission rates and adverse events in geriatric patients, hospitals may exclude this group from emergency department observation unit (EDOU) chest pain protocols. We sought to evaluate characteristics and outcomes of geriatric chest pain patients treated in an EDOU.

METHODS

We performed a prospective, observational study of chest pain patients admitted to our EDOU over a 36-month period. We recorded baseline demographics and risk factors as well as outcomes related to the EDOU stay. We performed 30-day follow-up using telephone contact and review of the electronic medical record.

RESULTS

Over the 36-month study period, 1276 chest pain patients agreed to participate in the study. Two hundred seventy-six patients (21.6%) were 65 years and older. Geriatric patients in the EDOU were more likely to report a history of coronary artery disease than nongeriatric patients (27.1% vs 11.6%, P<.001). There were no clinically significant adverse events nor deaths among geriatric patients. The proportion of geriatric patients who experienced myocardial infarction, stent, or coronary artery bypass graft during the EDOU stay or follow-up period was 4.7% vs 2.7% for nongeriatric patients (P=.09). Inpatient admission rates were significantly higher for geriatric patients (15.6% vs 9.7%, P=.006). Similarly, geriatric patients had higher rates of cardiac catheterization than did nongeriatric patients (13.4% vs 7.9%, P=.005).

CONCLUSION

Geriatric patients with chest pain may represent a higher-risk group for evaluation in the EDOU. In our experience, however, these patients were safely evaluated in the EDOU setting and their inpatient admission rate fell within generally accepted guidelines.

Predictors of patient adherence to follow-up recommendations after an ED visit

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether factors identified during the emergency department (ED) visit predict noncompliance with ED recommendations.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine predictors of adherence to medical recommendations after an ED visit.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective, observational study at a single urban medical center. Eligible ED patients provided baseline demographic data as well as information regarding insurance status, whether they had a primary care physician (PCP), and the impact of cost of care on their ability to follow medical recommendations. Patients were contacted at least 1 week after the ED visit and answered questions regarding adherence to medical recommendations.

RESULTS

Four hundred twenty-two patients agreed to participate in the study. At follow-up, 89.7% of patients reported that they had complied with recommendations made during the ED visit. Patients who were adherent to follow-up recommendations were more likely to have a primary care provider (odds ratio [OR], 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-6.1), have an annual income of greater than $35000 (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.2-7.2), and report a non-Hispanic ethnicity or race (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1-7.1). Individuals who reported that cost "sometimes" or "always" impacts their ability to follow their physician's recommendations were significantly less likely to comply with ED recommendations (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.3-5.6).

CONCLUSION

Individuals who reported that cost affects their ability to follow their physician's recommendations and those who did not have a PCP were less likely to follow ED recommendations. Identification of predictors of noncompliance during the ED visit may aid in ensuring compliance with ED recommendations.

Emergency Medicine resident anesthesia training in a private vs. academic setting

BACKGROUND

Airway management is an essential part of any Emergency Medicine (EM) training program. Academic centers typically provide training to many learners at various training levels in a number of medical specialties during anesthesiology rotations. This potentially creates competition for intubation procedures that may negatively impact individual experiences.

OBJECTIVES

We hypothesized that residents would report higher numbers of intubations and improved educational value in a private practice, rather than an academic, anesthesiology rotation.

METHODS

EM residents' anesthesiology training was evaluated pre and post a change in training setting from an academic institution to a private practice institution. Outcome measures included the number of self-reported intubations, resident ratings of the rotation, and the number of positive comments. Residents' evaluation was measured with: a 14-item evaluation; subjective comments, which two blinded reviewers rated as positive, negative, or neutral; and transcripts from structured interviews to identify themes related to training settings.

RESULTS

The number of intubations increased significantly in the private practice setting (4.6 intubations/day vs. 1.5 intubations/day, p < 0.001). Resident evaluations improved significantly with the private practice experience (mean scores of 3.83 vs. 2.23, p-values <0.05). Residents' impressions were also significantly higher for the private practice setting with respect to increased educational value, greater use of adjunct airway devices, and directed teaching.

CONCLUSIONS

Number of intubations performed and residents' rating of the educational value were more favorable for a private practice anesthesiology rotation. Alternative settings may provide benefit for training in areas that have competition among trainees.

Mid-level providers demonstrate proficiency in FAST after directed training

Introduction

Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) is commonly used to detect intra-peritoneal blood as part of the evaluation of trauma patients. In our level 1 trauma center, mid-level providers (MLPs) perform serial FAST exams on trauma patients. We describe our training approach and proficiency achieved.

Methods

Subjects were MLPs with no previous training in FAST. The training consisted of hands-on training on live models, two on-line ultrasound (US) modules, and a video image review session. Participants were evaluated with pre-, post-, and 6-month follow-up video tests. Subsequently, they independently performed FAST exams which were reviewed by ED US faculty.

Results

11 MLPs participated, completing an average of 17 scans; 91% were technically adequate. Average scores were: pre-test 50.5% (31.7–68.3%), post-test 76.7% (65.9–87.8%), and 6-month test 77% (58.5–87.8%), for an initial improvement of 26.2% (p < 0.001) and a sustained improvement over the pre-test of 26.5% (p = 0.011) at 6 months.

Conclusion

MLPs demonstrated proficiency in FAST after brief training.

Evaluating applicants to a new emergency medicine residency program: subjective assessment of applicant characteristics

Background

Because of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the Residency Review Committee (RRC) approval timelines, new residency programs cannot use Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) during their first year of applicants.

Aim

We sought to identify differences between program directors’ subjective ratings of applicants from an emergency medicine (EM) residency program’s first year (in which ERAS was not used) to their ratings of applicants the following year in which ERAS was used.

Method

The University of Utah Emergency Medicine Residency Program received approval from the ACGME in 2004. Applicants for the entering class of 2005 (year 1) did not use ERAS, submitting a separate application, while those applying for the following year (year 2) used ERAS. Residency program directors rated applicants using subjective components of their applications, assigning scores on scales from 0–10 or 0–5 (10 or 5 = highest score) for select components of the application. We retrospectively reviewed and compared these ratings between the 2 years of applicants.

Results

A total of 130 and 458 prospective residents applied during year 1 and year 2, respectively. Applicants were similar in average scores for research (1.65 vs. 1.81, scale 0–5, p = 0.329) and volunteer work (5.31 vs. 5.56, scale 0–10, p = 0.357). Year 1 applicants received higher scores for their personal statement (3.21 vs. 2.22, scale 0–5, p < 0.001), letters of recommendation (7.0 vs. 5.94, scale 0–10, p < 0.001), dean’s letter (3.5 vs. 2.7, scale 1–5, p < 0.001), and in their potential contribution to class characteristics (4.64 vs. 3.34, scale 0–10, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

While the number of applicants increased, the use of ERAS in a new residency program did not improve the overall subjective ratings of residency applicants. Year 1 applicants received higher scores for the written components of their applications and in their potential contributions to class characteristics.

Observation unit admission as an alternative to inpatient admission for trauma activation patients

BACKGROUND

At this 35 000 visits/year emergency department (ED) at a level one trauma centre, a trauma protocol was implemented for the ED observation unit. Data on all trauma observation unit admissions were then collected to evaluate for safety, efficiency and admission rates.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed of all trauma patients in the observation unit during a 14-month period. Exclusion criteria for observation unit admission included: abnormal vital signs, positive focussed abdominal sonography for trauma examination, abnormal ECG, abnormal chest radiograph, abnormal head computed tomography, Glasgow coma score less than 14, or multisystem trauma.

RESULTS

364 trauma patients were admitted to the observation unit. 84.6% were trauma II activations and 3.8% were trauma I activations. There were no deaths, intubations, loss of vital signs or other adverse events. The average length of stay was 12 h 46 minutes and 11.5% of patients were admitted to an inpatient unit. At 30-day follow-up, there were no significant missed injuries.

CONCLUSION

The observation unit is a safe alternative to inpatient admission for the evaluation of the minimally injured trauma activation patient.

Emergency department patients with psychiatric complaints return at higher rates than controls

STUDY OBJECTIVE

At our 35,000 visit/year emergency department (ED), we studied whether patients presenting to the ED with psychiatric complaints were admitted to the hospital at a higher rate than non-psychiatric patients, and whether these patients had a higher rate of reevaluation in the ED within 30 days following the index visit.

METHODS

We reviewed the electronic records of all ED patients receiving a psychiatric evaluation from January to February 2007 and compared these patients to 300 randomly selected patients presenting during the study period for non-psychiatric complaints. Patients were followed for 30 days, and admission rates and return visits were compared.

RESULTS

Two hundred thirty-four patients presented to the ED and were evaluated for psychiatric complaints during the study period. Twenty-four point seven percent of psychiatric patients were admitted upon initial presentation versus 20.7% of non-psychiatric patients (p = 0.258). Twenty-one percent of discharged psychiatric patients returned to the ED within 30 days versus 13.4% of discharged non-psychiatric patients (p=0.041). Patients returning to the ED within 30 days had a 17.1% versus 21.6% admission rate for the psychiatric and non-psychiatric groups, respectively (p=0.485).

CONCLUSION

Patients presenting to this ED with psychiatric complaints were not admitted at a significantly higher rate than non-psychiatric patients. These psychiatric patients did, however, have a significantly higher return rate to the ED when compared to non-psychiatric patients.

Resident Perception of a Newsletter's Impact on Residency Morale and Collegiality

STUDY OBJECTIVE

While several residency programs have created residency newsletters, no study has evaluated resident perception of a newsletter's impact. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a newly implemented residency newsletter on resident morale and attitude toward fellow residents.

METHODS

At a Midwestern PGY1-3 emergency medicine residency program, a four-page monthly newsletter was implemented in April of 2005. The newsletter included features on residents, stories on residency events, and information on upcoming events. The newsletter was designed as a resident project in which residents contributed stories and photos. Content and editorial decisions were independent of residency faculty. Ten months after implementation of the newsletter, the program's residents were surveyed to assess the newsletter's impact on their morale and attitude toward fellow residents. They also reported their interest in participating as a formal newsletter staff and they provided their opinion on faculty oversight. The survey was conducted anonymously, was distributed in both paper and electronic forms, and was based on a five-point Likert scale (1-negative, 5-positive).

RESULTS

Of the 37 eligible residents, 32 (86.5%) responded to the survey; 84.6% of PGY-3 residents, 83% of PGY-2, and 91.6% of PGY-1 residents participated. When asked to rate the newsletter's impact on their general morale, the mean rating for all residents was 4.6 (range 2-5, standard deviation 0.64, median 4). PGY-3 residents' mean rating was 4.7, PGY-2 mean was 4.5, and PGY-1 mean was 4.6. Residents were asked to rate the newsletter's impact on their attitudes toward fellow residents; the mean rating for all residents was 4.7 (range 3-5, standard deviation 0.53, median 4). PGY-3 residents' mean rating was 4.7, PGY-2 was 4.7, and PGY-1 was 4.6. When asked if they would be willing to contribute to the newsletter as part of a formal staff, 53% of residents responded "yes"; 27% of PGY-3, 60% of PGY-2, and 70% of PGY-1 answered "yes." Residents were queried as to whether they would like more faculty oversight of the newsletter; no residents (0%) responded "yes." 100% of residents (32/32) stated that they read the newsletter monthly.

CONCLUSION

In a relatively large Midwestern PGY-1-3 emergency medicine residency program, nearly all residents perceived a monthly residency newsletter as having a positive impact on their general morale and on their attitudes toward fellow residents. Most junior residents were interested in joining a formal newsletter staff, and residents unanimously expressed their interest in maintaining the independent format of the newsletter. While results will vary across programs, a residency newsletter may be a relatively inexpensive means of improving resident morale and positively impacting residents' attitudes toward their colleagues.

Serum uric acid independently predicts mortality in patients with significant, angiographically defined coronary disease

BACKGROUND

Uric acid is a nontraditional risk factor implicated in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study prospectively evaluated the predictive value of serum uric acid (SUA) levels for mortality after angiographic diagnosis of CAD.

METHODS

Blood samples were collected from 1,595 consecutive, consenting patients with significant, angiographically defined CAD (stenosis 70%). Baseline and procedural variables were recorded and levels of SUA were measured. Patients were followed to death or to the time of contact (mean 2.6 years, range 1.8-5.0 years).

RESULTS

Patients averaged 65 +/- 11 years of age, 78% were male and 170 subjects died during the follow-up period. In univariate analysis of prospectively defined quintiles, SUA predicted all-cause mortality (fifth quintile vs. first four quintiles: hazard ratio 1.9, p < 0.001). In multivariable Cox regression controlling for 20 covariables, independent predictive value for mortality was retained by SUA (hazard ratio 1.5, confidence interval 1.02-2.1, p = 0.04). In subgroup analysis based on diuretic use status, SUA independently predicted mortality among patients not using diuretics, while SUA was not a significant predictor of mortality among those who used diuretics.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with significant, angiographically defined CAD, SUA predicted mortality independent of traditional risk factors. This suggests that elevated SUA may be a risk factor for mortality in patients with significant cardiovascular disease and may be a stronger secondary than primary risk factor in CAD.

Beta-blockers reduce the incidence of clinical restenosis: prospective study of 4840 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary revascularization

BACKGROUND

Restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary intervention (PCI) remains a serious complication in the treatment of coronary artery disease. Although beta-adrenergic receptor blockers (BBs) effectively reduce many cardiac events, no large prospective studies have examined the association of BBs with restenosis.

METHODS

We prospectively evaluated the association of BBs (prescribed at hospital discharge) with clinical restenosis in 4840 patients who underwent stent placement (60%), balloon angioplasty (32%), or rotational atherectomy (8%). Clinical restenosis was defined as repeat target lesion revascularization or coronary artery bypass grafting within 6 months of PCI. Other end points included 9-month clinical restenosis, repeat target lesion PCI (only), long-term (5-year) target lesion repeat-PCI, and major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Multivariable regression adjusted the effect of BBs on clinical restenosis for 15 covariables.

RESULTS

The average patient age was 63 years, 75% were men, and 37% received a BB prescription. The incidence of clinical restenosis was 12% overall and was lower among those prescribed a BB (10.0% for BB, 13.5% for none, adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.76, P =.004). Other predictors of decreased restenosis included stent use, age, and smoking; predictors of increased restenosis included diabetes, atherectomy, and number of treated vessels. BBs also reduced 9-month clinical restenosis (10.3% vs 13.5%, OR 0.75, P =.004), MACE (16.5% vs 20.9%, OR 0.75, P <.001), 6-month target lesion restenosis (7.8% vs 10.2%, OR 0.75, P =.006), and 5-year target lesion restenosis (12.0% vs 14.0%, OR 0.83, P =.046).

CONCLUSIONS

beta-Adrenergic receptor blockers prescribed after PCI reduced the risk of clinical restenosis, target lesion restenosis, and MACE in this cohort of 4840 patients. The mechanism by which beta-blockers conferred a protective effect against restenosis remains to be determined.

Statin therapy interacts with cytomegalovirus seropositivity and high C-reactive protein in reducing mortality among patients with angiographically significant coronary disease

BACKGROUND

Seropositivity to cytomegalovirus (CMV) and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) may jointly predict increased mortality rates in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Therapy with statins reduces lipid levels but may also have other beneficial (eg, antiinflammatory) effects. This study prospectively evaluated the effect of statins on CMV-and CRP-associated death among patients with significant, angiographically defined CAD.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We monitored 2315 patients with angiographically significant CAD (stenosis > or =70%) for an average of 2.4 years (maximum, 5.8 years). Anti-CMV IgG antibody levels and CRP concentrations were measured at baseline, and statin prescription was recorded. As previously reported, mortality rate was higher for CMV seropositivity (+) with high CRP (hazard ratio [HR], 2.0) and lower for statins (HR, 0.50). Compared with CMV(-)/low CRP (mortality rate, 5% with statin versus 4% without statin), the protective effect of statin therapy was markedly greater for CMV(+)/low CRP (mortality rate, 2% versus 7%; HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.16 to 1.3), CMV negative (-)/high CRP (mortality rate, 1% versus 8%; HR, 0.16), and CMV(+)/high CRP (mortality rate, 6% versus 17%; HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.70). After adjustment, interactions were found for statin therapy with CMV(+)/low CRP (P for interaction=0.065), CMV(-)/high CRP (P for interaction=0.051), and CMV(+)/high CRP (P for interaction=0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

The survival benefit of statins interacted with CMV seropositivity and high CRP to significantly reduce mortality rates among patients with CAD. This finding supports the hypothesis that statins have beneficial, "lipid-independent," antiinflammatory effects. The mechanism of statin benefit associated with CMV seropositivity remains to be determined.

Usefulness of in-hospital prescription of statin agents after angiographic diagnosis of coronary artery disease in improving continued compliance and reduced mortality

Despite well-documented clinical benefit of the use of statins in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and even mild lipid elevations, studies have documented the presence of a significant "treatment gap" between those patients in whom treatment is indicated and those patients who actually receive it. It has been proposed that a prescription for statin therapy given to indicated patients at the time of initial angiographic diagnosis of CAD has the potential to improve long-term medication compliance, but this requires further evaluation. We prospectively followed 600 patients with angiographically demonstrated CAD (diameter stenosis > or = 70%) who met the National Cholesterol Education Project (NCEP) guidelines for statin therapy for an average of 3.0 years (range 2.0 to 4.6). Patients were an average of 65 years of age, 78% were men, 77% presented initially with acute ischemic syndrome, and 64 (10.7%) died during follow-up. Overall, 105 patients (18%) were discharged from the initial hospitalization with a statin prescription. At long-term follow-up, the number of patients taking statins had increased to 47%. However, long-term statin compliance was significantly higher among patients initially discharged with a statin prescription than those who were not (77% vs 40%; p < 0.0001). Additionally, those patients discharged with a statin prescription had significantly reduced mortality rate at long-term follow-up (5.7% vs 11.7%; p = 0.05). Cox hazard regression analysis, controlling for all known clinical baseline variables, confirmed the absence of a prehospital discharge statin prescription to be an independent predictor of increased mortality (hazard ratio 2.4) with a statistical trend (p = 0.06). Thus, this study demonstrates that after angiographic diagnosis of CAD, prescription of appropriate statin therapy at the time of hospital discharge improves long-term statin compliance and may significantly enhance survival.

Statin therapy, lipid levels, C-reactive protein and the survival of patients with angiographically severe coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVES

The joint predictive value of lipid and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, as well as a possible interaction between statin therapy and CRP, were evaluated for survival after angiographic diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD).

BACKGROUND

Hyperlipidemia increases risk of CAD and myocardial infarction. For first myocardial infarction, the combination of lipid and CRP levels may be prognostically more powerful. Although lipid levels are often measured at angiography to guide therapy, their prognostic value is unclear.

METHODS

Blood samples were collected from a prospective cohort of 985 patients diagnosed angiographically with severe CAD (stenosis > or =70%) and tested for total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and CRP levels. Key risk factors, including initiation of statin therapy, were recorded, and subjects were followed for an average of 3.0 years (range: 1.8 to 4.3 years) to assess survival.

RESULTS

Mortality was confirmed for 109 subjects (11%). In multiple variable Cox regression, levels of TC, LDL, HDL and the TC:HDL ratio did not predict survival, but statin therapy was protective (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.49, p = 0.04). C-reactive protein levels, age, left ventricular ejection fraction and diabetes were also independently predictive. Statins primarily benefited subjects with elevated CRP by eliminating the increased mortality across increasing CRP tertiles (statins: HR = 0.97 per tertile, p-trend = 0.94; no statins: HR = 1.8 per tertile, p-trend < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Lipid levels drawn at angiography were not predictive of survival in this population, but initiation of statin therapy was associated with improved survival regardless of the lipid levels. The benefit of statin therapy occurred primarily in patients with elevated CRP.

Cytomegalovirus seropositivity and C-reactive protein have independent and combined predictive value for mortality in patients with angiographically demonstrated coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

The role of inflammation in coronary artery disease (CAD) is being increasingly recognized. Markers of inflammation (eg, C-reactive protein [CRP]) and infection (eg, seropositivity to Chlamydia pneumoniae, cytomegalovirus [CMV], and Helicobacter pylori) have been proposed as risk factors for CAD, but these associations require further evaluation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We prospectively tested whether CRP levels and IgG seropositivity to C pneumoniae, CMV, and H pylori are predictors of subsequent mortality in 985 consecutive patients with angiographically demonstrated CAD (stenosis >/=70%). Patients were followed for an average of 2.7 years (range 1.5 to 4.0 years). Patients averaged 65 years of age; 77% were men; and 110 (11.2%) died during follow-up. CRP levels were significantly elevated in nonsurvivors compared with survivors (mean CRP 3.1 mg/dL versus 1.5 mg/dL, P:=0.003). After controlling for all known baseline variables, the 2nd and 3rd tertiles of CRP compared with the 1st produced a Cox hazard ratio (HR) for mortality of 2.4 (P:=0.001). Of the 3 infectious markers tested, only seropositivity to CMV (HR=1.9, P:<0.05) was predictive of mortality. The majority of mortality risk associated with elevated CRP or CMV seropositivity occurred when both risk factors were present (P: for trend <0.0001). Other independent predictors of increased risk of mortality were age (HR=1.07 per year, P:<0.0001), left ventricular ejection fraction (HR=0.97 per percent, P:<0.0001), and diabetes mellitus (HR=1.7, P:=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

CMV seropositivity and elevated CRP, especially when in combination, are strong, independent predictors of mortality in patients with CAD. This suggests an interesting hypothesis that a chronic, smoldering infection (CMV) might have the capacity to accelerate the atherothrombotic process.

Plasma homocysteine predicts mortality independently of traditional risk factors and C-reactive protein in patients with angiographically defined coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Plasma homocysteine (tHCY) has been associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). We tested whether tHCY also increases secondary risk, after initial CAD diagnosis, and whether it is independent of traditional risk factors, C-reactive protein (CRP), and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genotype.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Blood samples were collected from 1412 patients with severe angiographically defined CAD (stenosis >/=70%). Plasma tHCY was measured by fluorescence polarization immunoassay. The study cohort was evaluated for survival after a mean of 3.0+/-1.0 years of follow-up (minimum 1.5 years, maximum 5.0 years). The average age of the patients was 65+/-11 years, 77% were males, and 166 died during follow-up. Mortality was greater in patients with tHCY in tertile 3 than in tertiles 1 and 2 (mortality 15.7% versus 9.6%, P:=0.001 [log-rank test], hazard ratio [HR] 1.63). The relative hazard increased 16% for each 5-micromol/L increase in tHCY (P:<0.001). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, controlling for univariate clinical and laboratory predictors, elevated tHCY remained predictive of mortality (HR 1.64, P:=0.009), together with age (HR 1. 72 per 10-year increment, P:<0.0001), ejection fraction (HR 0.84 per 10% increment, P:=0.0001), diabetes (HR 1.98, P:=0.001), CRP (HR 1. 42 per tertile, P:=0.004), and hyperlipidemia. Homozygosity for the MTHFR variant was weakly predictive of tHCY levels but not mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with angiographically defined CAD, tHCY is a significant predictor of mortality, independent of traditional risk factors, CRP, and MTHFR genotype. These findings increase interest in tHCY as a secondary risk marker and in secondary prevention trials (ie, with folate/B vitamins) to determine whether reduction in tHCY will reduce risk.