Death certificates representing 766 decedents who had participated in the Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program (1973-1979) at one of 14 US centers were given to three nosologists for purposes of coding underlying cause of death. Analyses examined interobserver variability among the three nosologists as well as intraobserver variability for each of the three nosologists. All three nosologists agreed on a three-digit International Classification of Diseases, Adapted (ICDA) code in 90.2% of the cases and at least two out of three agreed in 99.7% of the death certificates examined. Agreement rates improved when disease codes were collapsed into broader categories utilized in the Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program. When particular disease classifications (e.g., cerebrovascular, ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, and neoplasms) were examined, three out of three agreement rates were highest for neoplasms (97.8%) and lowest for myocardial infarction (86.5%). Similarly, two out of three agreement was highest for neoplasms (98.5%) and lowest for myocardial infarction (88.0%). Intranosologist agreement rates were based on a recoded 20% sample of death certificates. Agreement rates for three-digit ICDA codes ranged from 94.8% to 96.1% for the three nosologists. The agreement rates for the general disease categories ranged from 96.7% to 97.4%.

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This study identified several weaknesses in acute care referral systems in Liberia, including lack of systematic care protocols for transfer, documentation, communication, and transport. However, several informal, well-functioning mechanisms for referral exist and could serve as the basis for a more robust system. Well-integrated acute care referral systems in low-income countries, like Liberia, may help to mitigate future public health crises by augmenting a country's capacity for emergency preparedness. Kim J , Barreix M , Babcock C , Bills CB . Acute care referral systems in Liberia: transfer and referral capabilities in a low-income country. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(6):642-650.

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The goal of a global health elective is for residents and medical students to have safe, structured, and highly educational experiences. In this article, the authors have laid out considerations for establishing a safe clinical site; ensuring a traveler's personal safety, health, and wellness; and mitigating risk during a global health rotation. Adequate oversight, appropriate mentorship, and a well-defined safety and security plan are all critical elements to a successful and safe experience.

BackgroundAn increasing number of emergency medicine (EM) residency training programs have residents interested in participating in clinical rotations in other countries. However, the policies that each individual training program applies to this process are different. To our knowledge, little has been done in the standardization of these experiences to help EM residency programs with the evaluation, administration and implementation of a successful global health clinical elective experience. The objective of this project was to assess the current status of EM global health electives at residency training programs and to establish recommendations from educators in EM on the best methodology to implement successful global health electives.MethodsDuring the 2011 Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors (CORD) Academic Assembly, participants met to address this issue in a mediated discussion session and working group. Session participants examined data previously obtained via the CORD online listserve, discussed best practices in global health applications, evaluations and partnerships, and explored possible solutions to some of the challenges. In addition a survey was sent to CORD members prior to the 2011 Academic Assembly to evaluate the resources and processes for EM residents’ global experiences.ResultsRecommendations included creating a global health working group within the organization, optimizing a clearinghouse of elective opportunities for residents and standardizing elective application materials, site evaluations and resident assessment/feedback methods. The survey showed that 71.4% of respondents have global health partnerships and electives. However, only 36.7% of programs require pre-departure training, and only 20% have formal competency requirements for these global health electives.ConclusionsA large number of EM training programs have global health experiences available, but these electives and the trainees may benefit from additional institutional support and formalized structure.

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