Purpose: We evaluated the effects of after-hours/nighttime patient transfers out of the ICU on patient outcomes, by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO CRD 42017074082). Data Sources: MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library from 1987-November 2019. Conference abstracts from the Society of Critical Care Medicine, American Thoracic Society, CHEST, Critical Care Canada Forum, and European Society of Intensive Care Medicine from 2011-2019. Data Extraction: Observational or randomized studies of adult ICU patients were selected if they compared after-hours transfer out of the ICU to daytime transfer on patient outcomes. Case reports, case series, letters, and reviews were excluded. Study year, country, design, co-variates for adjustment, definitions of after-hours, mortality rates, ICU readmission rates, and hospital length of stay (LOS) were extracted. Data Synthesis: We identified 3,398 studies. Thirty-one observational studies (1,418,924 patients) were selected for the systematic review and meta-analysis. Included studies had varying definitions of after-hours, with the after-hours period starting anytime between 16:00-22:00 and ending between 06:00-09:00. Approximately 16% of transfers occurred after-hours. After-hours transfers were associated with increased in-hospital mortality for both unadjusted (odds ratio [OR] 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30-1.75, I2 = 96%, number of studies [n] = 26, P < 0.001, low certainty) and adjusted (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.25-1.38, I 2 = 33%, n = 10, P < 0.001, low certainty) data, compared to daytime transfers. They were also associated with increased ICU readmission (pooled unadjusted OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.18-1.38, I2 = 85%, n = 17, P < 0.001, low certainty) and longer hospital LOS (standardized mean difference 0.13, 95% CI 0.09-0.18, I 2 = 93%, n = 9, P < 0.001, low certainty), compared to daytime transfers. Conclusions: After-hours transfers out of the ICU are associated with increased in-hospital mortality, ICU readmission, and hospital LOS, across many settings. While the certainty of evidence is low, future research is needed to reduce the number and effects of after-hours transfers.
We will discuss the case of a 17-year-old male who initially presented to care with shortness of breath on exertion. His symptoms progressed over 7 months to include general weakness, anorexia, and malaise. He presented again to care with tachycardia and hypotension. A combination of dermatological manifestations of autoimmune disease, extensive family history of autoimmune disease, and electrolyte abnormalities prompted a bedside thyroid ultrasound, which led to investigation for thyroid disease. Hormone and antibody testing confirmed the diagnosis of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 2 (APS2), and he was successfully treated with levothyroxine, hydrocortisone, and fludrocortisone replacement. We present a case of APS2 in an unusual patient population, with a seldom reported initial manifestation. We will discuss diagnostic clues, investigations, management, and further monitoring of APS2. ResumeNous aborderons le cas d’un adolescent de 17 ans qui a d’abord consulté pour un essoufflement à l’effort. Ses symptômes ont évolué sur une période de sept mois et comprennent une faiblesse générale, une anorexie et un malaise. Puis, il a consulté de nouveau pour une tachycardie et une hypotension. Une combinaison de signes dermatologiques de maladie auto-immune, d’antécédents familiaux importants de maladie auto-immune et d’anomalies électrolytiques a conduit à la réalisation d’une échographie de la thyroïde au chevet du patient, ce qui a mené à la recherche d’une maladie thyroïdienne. Le dosage des hormones et le dépistage d’anticorps ont confirmé le diagnostic de polyendocrinopathie auto-immune de type 2 (PEA2), et il a été traité avec suc-cès par la lévothyroxine, l’hydrocortisone et la fludrocortisone de remplacement. Nous présentons un cas de PEA2 chez une population de patients inhabituelle, une manifestation initiale y étant rarement rapportée. Nous aborderons les pistes de diagnostic, les examens, la prise en charge et la surveillance accrue de la PEA2.
Introduction: In the rural setting, Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) can dramatically impact rural acute care. In Saskatchewan, many rural clinicians have undertaken POCUS training, but widespread integration into rural emergency care remains elusive. We aimed to explore of the obstacles limiting adoption and their possible solutions to inform the development of a robust and innovative rural POCUS program in Saskatchewan. Methods: We conducted a mixed methods Participatory Action Research (PAR) study using surveys and focus groups. Our rural co-investigators identified 4 key realms relating to rural POCUS use: equipment, access to training, quality assurance (QA), and research. These guided the design of an online survey sent out to rural clinicians throughout Saskatchewan. Results of the survey informed the development of three approaches (centralized, hub-and-spoke, and decentralized) to training, QA, and research which were discussed at focus group sessions held at Saskatchewan’s Emergency Medicine Annual Conference (Regina, SK. 2016). The focus groups were facilitated by the study investigators. Responses were analyzed using a simple thematic analysis to identify relevant themes and subthemes. Results: 34 rural clinicians responded to the online survey. There was general agreement that POCUS is valuable in rural acute care, training is difficult to access and should be standardized, and that QA and research are desired but impractical in the current environment. 11 rural clinicians attended the focus groups. Analysis of focus groups yielded seven distinct themes/needs: infrastructure needs, peer networks, common standards, both local and regional training opportunities, academic support, access to resources, and culture change. Seventeen sub-themes were identified and noted as having either a positive or negative and direct or indirect effect on the above themes. Broadly speaking, participants supported a distributed “spoke-hub” model where training, research and QA occurs within distributed, regional hubs with support from academic sites. Conclusion: The adoption of POCUS for emergency care in rural Saskatchewan faces significant opportunities and obstacles. There is interest on the part of rural clinicians to overcome these challenges to improve patient care.
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