This is a case report of a patient who presented with neck pain and intermittent pyrexia as a manifestation of pseudogout of the neck.
Crowned Dens Syndrome-Pseudogout of the Neck Read More
We present a case report on a spot diagnosis of Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis (TPP) with a unique first-person account of events from the patient. It illustrates the importance of pattern recognition and exemplifies how timely treatment enables quick resolution of a life-threatening medical emergency. Patient X’s account affirms the condition’s insidious onset and rapid deterioration. This case highlights the need for raising awareness of diseases that are more prevalent in specific ethnic groups and is particularly crucial for work in culturally diverse environments. We hope by sharing our experience, readers will be prompted to consider TPP as a differential diagnosis for acute limb weakness in an acute setting; with prompt testing of thyroid function and initiation of the appropriate treatments.
Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis: A Case Report with Patient Perspective Read More
Cardio-Renal-Metabolic (CaReMe) diseases, in the form of heart failure, chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus, justify prescription of multiple prognostically beneficial medications, specifically renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors. Use of these medications is complicated by association with adverse effects, particularly acute kidney injury and hyperkalaemia. Balancing risk and benefit is a common dilemma in acute medicine, with increasingly frequent and complex treatment decisions. Physicians should contemplate adjustments to medications within the context of not just acute illness but also long-term benefit. In the setting of hyperkalaemia, potassium-binding medications can be utilised. At hospital discharge optimisation of therapy can be achieved through clear safety netting advice, scheduled biochemical follow-up, and planned clinical review.
Headache accounts for 1 – 3% of emergency department (ED) visits globally and is associated with elevated blood pressure (BP). It is unclear if anti-hypertensive therapy provides benefits. This retrospective study assessed effects of anti-hypertensive therapy in ED headache patients on rescue analgesic need, hospital admissions, and length of stay (LOS). 1385 patients were included. 366 received anti-hypertensive therapy. The anti-hypertensive therapy cohort was older (p < 0.001) with increased odds of admission (p < 0.001) and 2.385 hrs longer ED LOS (p < 0.001). No difference in rescue analgesia was found (p < 0.429). Anti-hypertensive therapy in hypertensive ED headache patients is associated with increased hospital admission and ED LOS, but no difference in rescue analgesia utilization.
Emergency Department Treatment of Elevated Blood Pressure in the Headache Patient Read More
Background: Chatbots hold great potential to serve as support tool in diagnosis and clinical decision process. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the accuracy of chatbots in diagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE). Furthermore, we assessed their performance in determining the PE severity.
Method: 65 case reports meeting our inclusion criteria were selected for this study. Two emergency medicine (EM) physicians crafted clinical vignettes and introduced them to the Bard, Bing, and ChatGPT-3.5 with asking the top 10 diagnoses. After obtaining all differential diagnoses lists, vignettes enriched with supplemental data redirected to the chatbots with asking the severity of PE.
Results: ChatGPT-3.5, Bing, and Bard listed PE within the top 10 diagnoses list with accuracy rates of 92.3%, 92.3%, and 87.6%, respectively. For the top 3 diagnoses, Bard achieved 75.4% accuracy, while ChatGPT and Bing both had 67.7%. As the top diagnosis, Bard, ChatGPT-3.5, and Bing were accurate in 56.9%, 47.7% and 30.8% cases, respectively. Significant differences between Bard and both Bing (p=0.000) and ChatGPT (p=0.007) were noted in this group. Massive PEs were correctly identified with over 85% success rate. Overclassification rates for Bard, ChatGPT-3.5 and Bing at 38.5%, 23.3% and 20%, respectively. Misclassification rates were highest in submassive group.
Conclusion: Although chatbots aren’t intended for diagnosis, their high level of diagnostic accuracy and success rate in identifying massive PE underscore the promising potential of chatbots as clinical decision support tool. However, further research with larger patient datasets is required to validate and refine their performance in real-world clinical settings.
Objective: To describe the change in admission rate and demographic profile of patients admitted to ICUs throughout Denmark before and during first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Methods: A register-based national observational study of all patients admitted to ICU from December 2019 until April 2020, comparing ICU admission before and after lockdown.
Results: The number of admissions declined, especially in the age groups below 18 and above 70. The sex distribution and the comorbidity-level remained unchanged. The length of hospital stay prior to ICU admission increased. Overall fewer patients were admitted electively.
Conclusion: Fewer patients were admitted to ICU and waited longer for admission during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are a substantial burden on healthcare systems, contributing significantly to avoidable hospital admissions. We propose a Cardiology Ambulatory Care Pathway.
Methods: Conducted a 1 month study redirecting admission streams from primary and emergency care, into a Cardiology Ambulatory Care Hub providing triage in Hot Clinic, and access to a Multi-Modal Testing Platform.
Results: 98 patients were referred to the Ambulatory Care Hub, 91 of which avoided admission. 52 patients received care in the cardiology hub, 38 of which required further testing.
Conclusion: We successfully streamlined various service streams, reducing admissions, and improving patient outcomes. Outpatient CTCA, ambulatory ECG, and echocardiography proved instrumental. We project a cost saving of £53,379 per month in bed days (£640,556 annual saving).
The advent of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. As the virus spread across continents, hospitals faced a surge in patient admissions, particularly to intensive care units (ICUs). Understanding the impact of the pandemic on the sickest patients admitted to hospital is crucial for enhancing preparedness for future outbreaks. In this edition of the journal, authors from Denmark report on a register-based national observational study that sheds light on the changes in ICU admission rates and demographic profiles of patients during the initial phase of the pandemic.
Emergency departments are under year-round pressure, driven by high hospital bed occupancy and compounded by increasing attendances and admissions.1 In 2023, 1.5 million people waited 12 hours or more for a bed.2 Long waits are associated with increased mortality and there is a disproportionate impact on people living in more deprived areas.3,4 Addressing this problem begins with unity of purpose and vision, such that we all view emergency department performance as our responsibility, whatever our place in the healthcare system.
Guest Editorial – Ambulatory Care: Turning Urgent and Emergency Care inside out Read More