For the majority of the reported elder abuse cases at least two associated risk factors could be identified. Knowledge about these red flags and a multifaceted strategy are needed to identify and prevent elder abuse.

Leistungsmessgrössen in der Grundversorgung von Patienten mit COPD – eine Analyse Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Das Befolgen der Empfehlungen für ein gutes Management der chronisch-obstruktiven Lungenkrankheit (COPD) verbessert wichtige Endpunkte. Leistungsmessgrössen (LM) reflektieren die Qualität der Betreuung, dennoch existieren über die Dokumentation dieser Messgrössen bei COPD für die Grundversorgung kaum Daten. Ziel: Überprüfen der Dokumentation von COPD spezifischen Messgrössen in Grundversorgerpraxen des Kanton Zürich. Methode: Retrospektive Auswertung der Krankengeschichten von Patienten mit ärztlich diagnostizierter COPD, über einen Zeitraum von zwölf Monaten. Die Dokumentation der LM wurde durch Berechnen des Prozentsatzes der dokumentierten Parameter bewertet. Zusätzlich erfolgte ein Vergleich der LM Dokumentation mit einer Praxis, die ein strukturiertes COPD-Programm implementiert hatte. Resultate: Es wurden Daten von 115 Patienten aus 14 Praxen, davon 57% männlich, mit einem Durchschnittsalter von 68 (44–93) Jahren, analysiert. 46% waren aktive Raucher mit 56 (22–150 py) Packyears. Komorbiditäten waren in 73% der Fälle dokumentiert, der Schweregrad mit GOLD-Klassifizierung in 70% (GOLD I 11%, GOLD II 64%, GOLD III 21%, GOLD IV 4%).Gemäss Dokumentation hatten die Patienten durchschnittlich 1,4 Exazerbationen pro Jahr. Die Dokumentation der LM lag zwischen 16% (schriftlicher Aktionsplan im Falle von Exazerbationen) und 95% (Raucherstatus). Eine Dokumentation für eine Rauchstopp-Empfehlung fand sich in 74% der Fälle, für die Grippeimpfung in 49%. Eine adäquate medikamentöse Therapie und Instruktion der Inhalation war für 65 bzw. 57%, für pulmonale Rehabilitation in 27% der Patienten dokumentiert. Angaben zu einer kollaborativen und proaktiven Betreuung fanden sich bei 60 resp. 51%. Die Praxis mit dem laufenden COPD-Programm zeigte eine signifikant bessere Dokumentation (p<0,01) für alle LM ausser für die Grippeimpfung. Schlussfolgerung: In der Schweizer Grundversorgung bestehen Lücken in der Dokumentation hinsichtlich der Empfehlungen für eine nutzbringende COPD-Versorgung. Die Identifikation und Überbrückung dieser Lücken ist zentral für mehr Qualität in der Gesundheitsversorgung.

BackgroundNon-cardiac chest pain is common and there is no formal recommendation on what diagnostic tests to use to identify underlying diseases after an acute coronary syndrome has been ruled out.ObjectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic tests, treatment recommendations and initiated treatments in patients presenting with non-cardiac chest pain to the emergency department (ED).MethodsSingle-center, retrospective medical chart review of patients presenting to the ED. Included were all medical records of patients aged 18 years and older presenting to the ED with chest pain and a non-cardiac discharge diagnosis between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2011. Information on the diagnosis, diagnostic tests performed, treatment initiated and recommendation for further diagnostic testing or treatment were extracted. The primary outcomes of interest were the final diagnosis, diagnostic tests, and treatment recommendations. A formal ACS rule out testing was defined as serial three troponin testing.ResultsIn total, 1341 ED admissions for non-cardiac chest pain (4.2% of all ED admissions) were analyzed. Non-specific chest pain remained the discharge diagnosis in 44.7% (n = 599). Identified underlying diseases included musculoskeletal chest pain (n = 602, 44.9%), pulmonary (n = 30, 2.2%), GI-tract (n = 35, 2.6%), or psychiatric diseases (n = 75, 5.6%). In 81.4% at least one troponin test and in 89% one ECG were performed. A formal ACS rule out troponin testing was performed in 9.2% (GI-tract disease 14.3%, non-specific chest pain 14.0%, pulmonary disease 10.0%, musculoskeletal chest pain 4.7%, and psychiatric disease 4.0%). Most frequently analgesics were prescribed (51%). A diagnostic test with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) was prescribed in 20% (mainly in gastrointestinal diseases). At discharge, over 72 different recommendations were given, ranging from no further measures to extensive cardiac evaluation.ConclusionIn this retrospective study, a formal work-up to rule out ACS was found in a minority of patients presenting to the ED with chest pain of non-cardiac origin. A wide variation in diagnostic processes and treatment recommendations reflect the uncertainty of clinicians on how to approach patients after a cardiac cause was considered unlikely. Panic and anxiety disorders were rarely considered and a useful PPI treatment trial to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease was infrequently recommended.

Aims: Diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is often associated with a diagnostic delay. Although faecal calprotectin is a helpful screening tool, the widespread use in primary care (PC) may not be appropriate due to the low prevalence of IBD in this setting. To increase pretest probability for a positive calprotectin test, an 8-item questionnaire (CalproQuest) was tested for its feasibility and acceptability in PC. Methods: Population: PC patients with unspecific gastrointestinal complaints for at least 2 weeks. The CalproQuest consists of four major and four minor questions specific for IBD. It is considered positive if greater than or equal to two major or one major and two minor criteria are positive. Primary outcome: feasibility of CalproQuest, secondary outcome: patient's acceptance of stool sampling.Results: Of 95 patients with a complete CalproQuest 52 (54.7%) were positive, 39 (41.1%) fulfilled two major and 13 (13.7%) one major and greater than or equal to two minor criteria. Twenty-seven general practitioners completed 83 (87.4%) questionnaires on feasibility which was assessed positive. Eighty-two patients (86.3%) completed questionnaires on acceptance which was high. Conclusion:The CalproQuest is a feasible instrument for assessing IBD in PC. Further prospective studies concerning validity and cost effectiveness of a combined use with the calprotectin test in this setting are necessary.