Systemizing the Evaluation of Acute Heart Failure in the Emergency Department: A Quality Improvement Initiative.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Hejjaji V
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8102092 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Systemizing the Evaluation of Acute Heart Failure in the Emergency Department: A Quality Improvement Initiative.
Hejjaji Vittal V Scholes Alison A Kennedy Kevin K Sperry Brett B Khariton Yevgeniy Y Dean Evelyn E Lee Douglas S DS Spertus John A JA
Circulation. Cardiovascular quality and outcomes 20200928 11
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Project description:BackgroundTransabdominal pelvic ultrasound (TPUS) is the diagnostic test of choice for the evaluation of ovarian torsion, a time-sensitive surgical emergency. A full bladder is required to visualize the ovaries. Bladder filling is a time-consuming process leading to delays to TPUS, poor visualization of ovaries requiring repeat studies, and prolonged emergency department length of stay (ED LOS). The primary objective was to decrease the time to TPUS by standardizing the bladder filling process.MethodsThis quality improvement initiative occurred at a single, academic, quaternary-care children's hospital ED and utilized the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Model for Improvement with sequential plan-do-study-act cycles. The first set of interventions implemented in August 2021 included a new electronic order set and bladder scan by ED nurses. Subsequent plan-do-study-act cycles aimed to decrease the time to intravenous fluid, decrease fluid requirement, and decrease the need for intravenous fluid. The primary outcome measure was the monthly mean time to TPUS. Secondary outcome measures included monthly mean ED LOS and percentage of repeat TPUS. We performed data analysis with statistical process control charts to assess for system change over time.ResultsThe preintervention baseline included 292 ED encounters more than 10 months, and postintervention analysis included 526 ED encounters more than 16 months. Time to TPUS decreased (138-120 min), ED LOS decreased (372-335 min), and repeat TPUS decreased (18% to 4%). All changes met the rules for special cause variation.ConclusionsStandardizing the bladder filling process was associated with decreased time to TPUS, ED LOS, and repeat TPUS.
| S-EPMC10715784 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionEmergency airway management of critically ill children in the Emergency Department (ED) is associated with the risk of intubation-related desaturation, which can be minimized by apneic oxygenation. We evaluated the use of apneic oxygenation in the pediatric ED and reported a quality improvement initiative to incorporate apneic oxygenation as a routine standard of care during rapid sequence intubations (RSIs).MethodsA baseline period from June 2016 to April 2017 highlighted the practice gaps. Quality improvement interventions were subsequently developed and implemented as a care bundle consisting of a pre-intubation checklist, placing reminders and additional oxygen source in resuscitation bays, incorporating into the responsibilities of the airway doctor and the airway nurse (copiloting), education during airway workshops and simulation training for doctors and nurses, as well as enhancing documentation of the intubation process. We monitored a post-intervention observation period from May 2017 to April 2018 for the effectiveness of the care bundle.ResultsApneic oxygenation was not performed in all 22 RSIs during the baseline period. Among 25 RSIs in the post-intervention observation period, providers performed apneic oxygenation in 17 (68%) cases. There was no significant difference in the utilization of apneic oxygenation among emergency physicians and pediatric anesthetists performing RSIs in the pediatric ED.ConclusionsWe successfully implemented a care bundle targeted at incorporating apneic oxygenation as a routine standard of care during emergency intubations performed in ED. This method could be adopted by other pediatric EDs to improve airway management in critically ill children.
| S-EPMC7190240 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionDischarge prescription errors from the pediatric emergency department (ED) are common. Despite the implementation of clinical pathways for common infections recommending specific antibiotic therapy and aids built into the electronic health record, errors in antibiotic prescriptions for patients discharged home from the ED persist.MethodsWe developed and implemented ED antibiotic discharge order panels for urinary tract infection (UTI) and skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) that modeled antibiotic therapy from our institutional clinical pathways. We aimed to reduce antibiotic prescription errors by 50% within 6 months of implementation.ResultsWith the implementation of the ED discharge order panels, the overall error rate for prescriptions for UTI and SSTI improved from a baseline rate of 29.3% to 12.6% (P < 0.001). Individually, the baseline number of prescriptions with errors for UTI and SSTI improved from 26.1% and 32.8%, respectively, to 13.8% and 12.5% within 6 months. Sustained improvement continued for 17 months after the implementation of the order panels.ConclusionsDevelopment and implementation of ED antibiotic discharge order panels decrease antibiotic prescription errors for UTI and SSTI by improving compliance with institutional clinical pathways. Additional order panels should be developed and implemented for other conditions to help reduce discharge prescription errors.
| S-EPMC7339249 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The emergency department (ED) plays a key role in the initial diagnosis and management of acute heart failure (AHF). Despite the advent of novel biomarkers and traditional methods of assessment, such as history, examination, and chest X-ray, diagnosis of the dyspnoeic ED patient is, at times, very challenging. Focused cardiac and pulmonary ultrasound has emerged as a valid, facile and efficient method to aid in the initial diagnosis and management of AHF.
| S-EPMC5490873 | biostudies-other
Project description:BackgroundLoop diuretics are common therapy for emergency department (ED) patients with acute heart failure (AHF). Diuretic resistance (DR) is a term used to describe blunted natriuretic response to loop diuretics. It would be important to detect DR prior to it becoming clinically apparent, so early interventions can be initiated. However, several definitions have been proposed, and it is not clear if they identify similar patients. We compared these definitions and described the clinical characteristics of patients who fulfilled them.MethodsTo qualify for this secondary analysis of 1033 ED patients with AHF, all patients needed to receive intravenous diuretics in the ED and have urine available within 24 h of their ED evaluation. A poor diuretic response, suggesting DR, was characterized by (1) a fractional sodium excretion (FeNa) of less than 0.2%; (2) spot urinary sodium of less than 50 meq/L; and (3) a urinary Na/K ratio <1.0. McNemar's test was used to compare the different cohorts identified by the three definitions. Secondary analyses evaluated associations between each DR definition and hospital length of stay (LOS), ED revisits and rehospitalizations for AHF, and mortality using the Wilcoxon rank-sum tests and linear regression or Pearson chi-square test and logistic regression, as appropriate.ResultsThe median age of the 187 patients was 64, and 50% were African-American. There were 5.9% of patients with a FeNa less than 0.2%, 17.1% had urinary sodium less than 50 meq/L, and 10.7% had a urinary Na/K ratio <1.0. The three definitions identified significantly different patients with very little overlap (p < 0.02 for all comparisons). There were 37 (19.8%) patients who were readmitted to the ED or hospital or died within 30 days of ED evaluation. Patients with spot urinary sodium less than 50 meq/L were more likely to be readmitted (p = 0.03).ConclusionsThe patient proportion with poor natriuresis and DR varies depending on the definition used. Early ED therapy would be impacted at different rates if clinical decisions are made based on these definitions. These findings need to be further explored in a prospective ED-based study.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00508638.
| S-EPMC5422212 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionAnnual influenza vaccination is recommended for all US children 6 months and older to prevent morbidity and mortality. Despite these recommendations, only ~50% of US children are vaccinated annually. Influenza vaccine administration in the pediatric emergency department (ED) is an innovative solution to improve vaccination rates. However, during the 2017-2018 influenza season, only 75 influenza vaccinations were given in this tertiary care ED. We aimed to increase the number of influenza vaccines administered to ED patients from 75 to 1,000 between August 2018 and March 2019.s.MethodsProcess mapping identified potential barriers and solutions. Key interventions included mandatory vaccine screening, creation of a vaccine administration protocol, education for family, provider, and nursing, a revised pharmacy workflow, and weekly staff feedback. Interventions were tested using plan-do-study-act cycles. The process measure was the percent of patients screened for vaccine status. The primary outcome was the number of influenza vaccines administered. The balancing measures were ED length of stay (LOS), wasted vaccines, and financial impact on the institution.ResultsWe included 33,311 children in this study. Screening for vaccine status improved from 0% to 90%. Of those screened, 58% were eligible for vaccination, and 8.5% of eligible patients were vaccinated in the ED. In total, 1,323 vaccines were administered with no significant change in ED LOS (139 min) and no lost revenue to the hospital.ConclusionsWe implemented an efficient, cost-effective, influenza vaccination program in the pediatric ED and successfully increased vaccinations in a population that might not otherwise receive the vaccine.
| S-EPMC7351463 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC10264258 | biostudies-literature
Project description:AimsThis study aimed to assess short-term outcomes among emergency department (ED) patients with acute heart failure (AHF) by preserved (≥50%) vs. reduced (<50%) ejection fraction (EF).Methods and resultsWe conducted a retrospective, multicentre study of adult ED patients with AHF from 2017 to 2018 in an integrated healthcare system with 21 hospitals. Among patients with known EF, our primary outcome was 30 day all-cause mortality, comparing patients with heart failure with preserved EF (HFpEF) and heart failure with reduced EF (HFrEF), adjusted for known risk factors. We ran separate multivariate regression models to compare 30 day mortality between HFpEF and HFrEF patients stratified by ED disposition (admit, observe, and discharge). Our secondary outcomes were adjusted 30 day all-cause return hospital admission and rates of non-fatal serious adverse events, including new intra-aorta balloon pump, endotracheal intubation, renal failure requiring dialysis, myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization. We conducted a sensitivity analysis among patients with EF ≤ 40% and compared our primary and secondary outcomes among patients with EF ≤ 40% with those with EF ≥ 50%. Among the 26 050 total ED encounters for AHF, 15 275 (58.6%) had known EF and 62.4% had HFpEF. The mean age was 76, 49.6% were women, and 60.5% were white. We found that 62.4% of patients were admitted, 18.3% were observed, and 19.3% were discharged from the ED. The 30 day all-cause mortality rate was lowest among discharged patients (3.9%), intermediate among observed patients (5.9%), and highest among admitted patients (13.9%). Overall, the adjusted 30 day mortality rate was significantly higher among HFpEF patients compared with HFrEF patients (10.2% vs. 8.4%, P = 0.0004). HFpEF patients had higher mortality regardless of ED disposition, although the difference was only significant among admitted patients. The adjusted 30 day return hospital admission rates were not significantly different between HFpEF and HFrEF patients (17.9% vs. 17.8%, P = 0.89). The adjusted 30 day non-fatal serious adverse event rates were significantly higher among HFrEF patients compared with HFpEF patients (13.7% vs. 11.1%, P < 0.0001), driven by myocardial infarction and coronary revascularization. We found that 3692 patients had EF ≤ 40%. Patients with EF ≥ 50% had significantly higher adjusted 30 day mortality rates compared with those with EF ≤ 40% (10.2% vs. 8.4%, P < 0.05).ConclusionIn a contemporary population, almost three quarters of ED patients with AHF and known EF have HFpEF. These patients have higher 30 day adjusted mortality compared with those with HFrEF. Further studies might evaluate the underlying factors associated with this difference and target interventions to improve outcomes.
| S-EPMC8318513 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundWe conducted a secondary analysis of changes in the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ)-12 over 30 days in a randomized trial of self-care coaching versus structured usual care in patients with acute heart failure who were discharged from the emergency department.MethodsPatients in 15 emergency departments completed the KCCQ-12 at emergency department discharge and at 30 days. We compared change in KCCQ-12 scores between the intervention and usual care arms, adjusted for enrollment KCCQ-12 and demographic characteristics. We used linear regression to describe changes in KCCQ-12 summary scores and logistic regression to characterize clinically meaningful KCCQ-12 subdomain changes at 30 days.ResultsThere were 350 patients with both enrollment and 30-day KCCQ summary scores available; 166 allocated to usual care and 184 to the intervention arm. Median age was 64 years (interquartile range, 55-70), 37% were female participants, 63% were Black, median KCCQ-12 summary score at enrollment was 47 (interquartile range, 33-64). Self-care coaching resulted in significantly greater improvement in health status compared with structured usual care (5.4-point greater improvement, 95% CI, 1.12-9.68; P=0.01). Improvements in health status in the intervention arm were driven by improvements within the symptom frequency (adjusted odds ratio, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.01-2.59]) and quality of life (adjusted odds ratio, 2.39 [95% CI, 1.46-3.90]) subdomains.ConclusionsIn this secondary analysis, patients with acute heart failure who received a tailored, self-care intervention after emergency department discharge had clinically significant improvements in health status at 30 days compared with structured usual care largely due to improvements within the symptom frequency and quality of life subdomains of the KCCQ-12. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02519283.
| S-EPMC8628372 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundIdentification of sex-trafficked youth in the emergency department (ED) is difficult and routine screening is uncommon.ObjectivesOur Quality Improvement (QI) Project aimed to increase ED screening and identification of high-risk youth using the Short Screen for Child Sex Trafficking (SSCST).ParticipantsYouth (11 through 17 years) seeking care at two metropolitan EDs with a high-risk chief complaint triggering a best practice alert (BPA).MethodsA BPA prompted administration of the SSCST and referral of screen 'positive' youth for comprehensive evaluation for child sex trafficking by the forensic nurse examiner (FNE). Targeted QI interventions defined three study periods (SP). Outcomes measures included screening 50% of high-risk youth with 50% of those youth referred for FNE evaluation.ResultsOver three study periods, 5454/13,956 (39.1%) youth triggered a BPA for high-risk chief complaint; 4354 (78.6%) received the SSCST screen; 1336 (76.0%) of screen-positive youth were referred for FNE evaluation. Outcomes measures were exceeded during all three study periods. SSCST modifications to increase specificity led to a significant decrease in the percentage of positive screens (42.8% SP1 vs 29.4% SP3). Financial programmatic support and further staff training led to an increase in FNE evaluations (86.4 SP3 vs 5.7% of referred youth SP1). Identification of trafficked patients increased from 1.3% of screen-positive youth to 11.3% (SP1 vs SP3; p < 0.0001).ConclusionsRoutine screening for child sex trafficking can be implemented in the ED setting and increases the identification of at-risk youth.
| S-EPMC8862543 | biostudies-literature