Nancy W P L van der Waarden, G Sander de Wolf, Kirsten F van Meerten, Barbra E Backus
{"title":"Assessment of the Diagnostic Accuracy and Reliability of the HEART Score Calculated by Ambulance Nurses Versus Emergency Physicians.","authors":"Nancy W P L van der Waarden, G Sander de Wolf, Kirsten F van Meerten, Barbra E Backus","doi":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000497","DOIUrl":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000497","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chest pain is a common complaint for consultation of emergency medical services worldwide. Currently, ambulance nurses (AN) base their decision to transport a patient to the hospital on their own professional experience. The HEART score could improve prehospital risk stratification and patient treatment. The aim of this study is to investigate the interrater reliability and predictive accuracy of the HEART score between AN and emergency physicians (EP). A retrospective analysis on data of 569 patients 18 years and older included in two prehospital HEART score studies. The endpoints are interrater reliability (intraclass correlation [ICC]) and predictive accuracy for major adverse cardiac events within 30 days of the HEART score calculated by AN versus EP. Predictive accuracy is sensitivity, specificity, positive predicted value (PPV) and negative predicted value (NPV). Interrater reliability was good for total HEART score (ICC 0.78; 95% CI 0.75-0.81). However, focusing on the decision to transport a patient, the ICC dropped to 0.62 (95% CI 0.62-0.70). History and Risk factors caused the most variability. Predictive accuracy of HEART differed between AN and EP. The HEART score calculated by AN was sensitivity 91%, specificity 38%, PPV 26%, and NPV 95%. The HEART score calculated by EP was sensitivity 98%, specificity 32%, PPV -26%, and NPV 99%. With a cut-off value of 0-2 for a low HEART score, predictive accuracy significantly improved for the HEART score calculated by AN: sensitivity 98%, specificity 18%, PPV 22%, and NPV 98%. Our study shows a moderate interrater reliability and lower predictive accuracy of a HEART score calculated by AN versus EP. AN underestimate the risk of patients with acute chest pain, with the largest discrepancies in the elements History and Risk factors. Reconsidering the cut-off values of the low-risk HEART category, as well as a carefully developed training program, will possibly lead to a higher interrater reliability of the HEART score and higher predictive accuracy used by AN.</p>","PeriodicalId":45446,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139571697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ethics: Crisis Standards of Care Simulation.","authors":"Diane Fuller Switzer, Suzan Griffis Knowles","doi":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000498","DOIUrl":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000498","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ethical dilemmas exist with decision-making regarding resource allocations, such as critical care, ventilators and other critical equipment, and pharmaceuticals during pandemics. Triage artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms based on prognostication tools exist to guide these decisions; however, implicit bias may affect the decision-making process leading to deviation from the algorithm recommendations. Conflict within the ethical domain may be affected as well. A knowledge gap was identified within the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) curriculum regarding ethics in crisis standards of care (CSC) medical decision-making. Incorporating a CSC simulation looked to address this knowledge gap. A simulation-based learning (SBL) experience was designed as a critical access setting where CSC are in place and three diverse, medically complex patients in need of critical care present to the hospital where one critical care bed remains open. Given the complexity of the simulation scenario, a table-top pilot test was selected. Three AG-ACNP fourth-quarter students in their critical care rotation volunteered for the pilot test. Students were provided with the topic, \"ethics crisis standards of care\" and the article, \"A catalogue of tools and variables from crisis and routine care to support decision-making during pandemics\" by M. Cardona et al. (2021), to read in advance. Students were provided with the triage AI algorithm (M. Cardona et al., 2021) utilizing prognostication tools to prioritize which patient requires the critical care bed. The expectation was that implicit bias would enter the decision-making process, causing deviation from the triage AI algorithm and moral distress. The debriefing session revealed that students deviated from the triage AI algorithm, experienced implicit bias, moral distress, and utilized clinical judgment and experience to care for all three patients. The pilot test results support that a CSC SBL experience addresses a critical knowledge gap in AG-ACNP education and an SBL experience incorporating ethical decision-making curriculum with standardized patients should be developed and trialed as the next step.</p>","PeriodicalId":45446,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139571698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Finger Thoracostomy for Tension Pneumothorax.","authors":"Tony Smith, Jennifer Wilbeck","doi":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000503","DOIUrl":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000503","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>One of the injuries associated with chest trauma is pneumothorax, a condition where air accumulates between the parietal and visceral pleura in the chest leading to collapse of the lung due to pressure. Left untreated, a tension pneumothorax may develop leading to cardiovascular collapse. This article reviews the development of a tension pneumothorax, discusses the clinical recognition of the diagnosis, and outlines the procedure for performing a finger (or simple) thoracostomy. A simple mnemonic for the procedure is offered as a memory aid to reduce cognitive load for this procedure.</p>","PeriodicalId":45446,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139571699","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"It's Not a Spider Bite-It's MRSA!","authors":"Kristine Anne Scordo","doi":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000496","DOIUrl":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000496","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although there is an increased awareness of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), there remains a bias of the public and health-care workers to blame spiders as a cause of skin and soft tissue infection when there is no valid incriminated evidence for this assumption. MRSA is a formidable infection and remains a threat to human health. Recognition and proper treatment by practitioners remain of utmost importance to improve patient outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":45446,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139571702","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"An Evidence-Based Algorithm of Management of Heatstroke in the Emergency Department.","authors":"Philip Davis, Dian Evans","doi":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000501","DOIUrl":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000501","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Annual rates of heat illness and heat-related deaths have been increasing across the United States as more regions of the country have been experiencing heat waves of extreme ambient temperatures of prolonged durations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heat illnesses have become the leading cause of weather-related deaths. This article critiques and describes the findings of a systematic review by C. Rublee et al. (2021). The review was conducted to develop an evidence-based algorithm specific for management of heatstroke in the emergency department with implications for improving recognition, initiating rapid cooling, and providing supportive care to reduce patient mortality and morbidity.</p>","PeriodicalId":45446,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139571648","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Acute Hyperkalemia Management in the Emergency Department.","authors":"Kyle A Weant, Haili Gregory","doi":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000504","DOIUrl":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000504","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Acute hyperkalemia is characterized by high concentrations of potassium in the blood that can potentially lead to life-threatening arrhythmias that require emergent treatment. Therapy involves the utilization of a constellation of different agents, all targeting different goals of care. The first, and most important step in the treatment of severe hyperkalemia with electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, is to stabilize the myocardium with calcium in order to resolve or mitigate the development of arrythmias. Next, it is vital to target the underlying etiology of any ECG changes by redistributing potassium from the extracellular space with the use of intravenous regular insulin and inhaled beta-2 agonists. Finally, the focus should shift to the elimination of excess potassium from the body through the use of intravenous furosemide, oral potassium-binding agents, or renal replacement therapy. Multiple nuances and controversies exist with these therapies, and it is important to have a robust understanding of the underlying support and recommendations for each of these agents to ensure optimal efficacy and minimize the potential for adverse effects and medication errors.</p>","PeriodicalId":45446,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139571670","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Odontoid/Dens Fractures.","authors":"Anthony E Good, Denise R Ramponi","doi":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000495","DOIUrl":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000495","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Odontoid fractures remain the most common C2 fracture and of those individuals older than 65 years. The type of optimal management remains in question given comorbidities, risk of nonunion, and limitations in mobility when surgical fusion is the treatment selected. These fractures are of particular importance, given the high incident of morbidity and mortality following an odontoid fracture. Overall quality of life remains a significant consideration when selecting the best intervention following careful examination and confirmation with radiographic imaging. The literature continues with controversies in the best treatment interventions for these fractures, resulting in a case-by-case decision-making process.</p>","PeriodicalId":45446,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139571709","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Areti Kasidouli, Vasiliki Matziou, Sofia Zyga, Ioannis Kasimis, Varvara Boutopoulou, Efrosini Vlachioti, Charalampia Deli, Pantelis Perdikaris
{"title":"Occupational Stress of Pediatric Emergency Nurses in Greece During the COVID-19 Pandemic.","authors":"Areti Kasidouli, Vasiliki Matziou, Sofia Zyga, Ioannis Kasimis, Varvara Boutopoulou, Efrosini Vlachioti, Charalampia Deli, Pantelis Perdikaris","doi":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000499","DOIUrl":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000499","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>During the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous studies have shown the high prevalence of occupational stress (OS) of health workers, affecting the quality of health care provided. To date, there is no study regarding OS of emergency care pediatric nurses working in Greece. This study aimed to examine the pediatric nurses' OS working in tertiary public hospitals in Greece. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 104 pediatric nurses were recruited randomly from summer 2020 to summer 2021. The Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (ENSS), which consists of 59 items grouped into nine categories, was used to assess nurses OS. The overall OS mean score was 141.04 (SD = 33.48), indicating mild stress. Among nine categories, pediatric nurses were more stressed about patients and families (mean = 22.83, SD = 5.71), as well as death and dying (mean = 19.33, SD = 5.22), whereas they were less stressed about discrimination (mean = 4.21, SD = 4.09) and problems with peer support (mean = 12.11, SD = 4.58). Sex, age, and shifts did not correlate with OS. Borderline correlation was present between age and inadequate emotional preparation for less experienced nurses (p = 0.047), while higher educated pediatric nurses were more stressed because of workload than lower educated pediatric nurses (p = 0.044). Greek pediatric nurses suffered mild OS during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a great need for further research and implementation of supportive sustainable programs aimed to the minimization of OS and the optimization of health care provided during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>","PeriodicalId":45446,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139571706","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}