Clinical Toxicology
Gholamreza Faridaalaee; Seyed Hesam Rahmani; Amin Mahboubi
Volume 2, Issue 2 , July 2016, , Pages 58-61
Abstract
Cisplatin was the first of the platinum drugs. Second-generation platinum derivative was carboplatin that its efficacy in the treatment of many malignancies is equal to cisplatin, and its toxicity profile is more favorable. Here we report on a 50-year-old woman with a history of cervix cancer who developed ...
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Cisplatin was the first of the platinum drugs. Second-generation platinum derivative was carboplatin that its efficacy in the treatment of many malignancies is equal to cisplatin, and its toxicity profile is more favorable. Here we report on a 50-year-old woman with a history of cervix cancer who developed a severe hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) to carboplatin. She was admitted to the emergency department (ED) with shortness of breath, tachypnea, restless, agitation, and lethargy. On arrival, the patient was hemodynamically unstable; we initiated treatment immediately with hydration, oxygen therapy with mask, hydrocortisone, midazolam, and adrenalin. After 1 hour, BP and O2 sat improved to 100/70 mm Hg and 92% respectively, but there was not any significant improvement in tachycardia as well as tachypnea and she was still lethargic and agitated. Her symptoms improved gradually after 18 hours of admission. She was discharged after 36 hours. HSRs to cisplatin and carboplatin can be potentially life-threatening. The symptoms can range from a mild rash to severe anaphylaxis. Doctors should be aware of these reactions, determine appropriate treatment, and know the cross-reactivity among these drugs.
Emergency medicine
Leyli Asadabadi; Mohmmad Mehdy Heiran; Amirhosein Mirafzal
Volume 2, Issue 1 , January 2016, , Pages 7-10
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the capability of ascitic fluid dipstick results for pH, glucose, and protein in order to predict a low serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) at the bedside of the patient in the emergency department (ED). Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted during one ...
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Objective: To evaluate the capability of ascitic fluid dipstick results for pH, glucose, and protein in order to predict a low serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) at the bedside of the patient in the emergency department (ED). Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted during one year in the ED of Afzalipour hospital in Kerman, Iran. All patients with diagnostic or therapeutic paracentesis of ascitic fluid were considered as eligible patients. Exclusion criteria included clinical suspicion for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), any contraindications to paracentesis, and patients’ refusal to participate in the study. Dipstick values were obtained at the bedside, and SAAG was calculated after the determination of serum and ascitic fluid albumin by laboratory. A low SAAG ascitic fluid was defined as the study outcome. We also used our study population as a test group to evaluate an equation proposed in one previous study: K = 0.012 Protein−0.012 Glucose−3.329 pH+23.498 Results: A total of 50 patients were enrolled in the study. Based on multivariate regression analysis, dipstick values for protein and glucose were independently predictive of a low SAAG ascitic fluid (P = 0.23, OR = 1.04; and P = 0.001, OR = 0.81, respectively). The formula proposed in one of the previous studies was tested by our data set, with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) at 84%, 83%, 84%, and 80%, respectively. Conclusion: Dipstick test of ascitic fluid for pH, glucose, and protein has an acceptable sensitivity and specificity as a point of care test, but it cannot be recommended as a substitute for SAAG determination based on the current findings.
Emergency medicine
payman Asadi; Vahid Monsef Kasmaei; Seyyed Mahdi Zia Ziabari; Behzad Zohrevandi
Volume 2, Issue 1 , January 2016, , Pages 11-15
Abstract
Objective: Low back pain is the most common skeletal disorder worldwide that 50% to 80% of people experience it at least once in their lifetime. Physical and psychological factors in the work environment can relatively contribute to low back pain. In this study, we examined the prevalence of low back ...
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Objective: Low back pain is the most common skeletal disorder worldwide that 50% to 80% of people experience it at least once in their lifetime. Physical and psychological factors in the work environment can relatively contribute to low back pain. In this study, we examined the prevalence of low back pain and influential factors in its development among nursing staff. Methods: In this cross-sectional study we assessed the prevalence of low back pain among nurses working in Poursina hospital, Rasht, Iran, during March and April 2012. Demographic data and information on the status of skeletal pain, as well as, associated factors were collected using a pre-designed check list. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: A total of 350 nurses with a mean age of 32.00 ± 8.24 years (minimum 22 and maximum 56 years) were studied (90.3% female). 246 participants (70.3%) had a history of low back pain. There was no significant difference between gender and the incidence of low back pain, (P = 0.286). 96 participants (27.4%) aged 27 to 31 had the highest rate of low back pain and 11 participants (3.1%) aged 52 to 56 were the least frequent age group. Low back pain significantly differed by age (P = 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.222), and physical activity (P = 0.050). Conclusion: The results of this study showed a prevalence of 70% for low back pain among nurses working in Poursina hospital in Rasht, in Gilan province. Age, BMI, and physical activity were significantly associated with the prevalence of low back pain. However, gender, occupation, marital status, smoking, family history, frequency of lifting heavy things, work experience, and workplace did not show a significant relationship
Emergency medicine
Maryam Eshghi; Farzad Rahmani; Behjat Derakhti; Fariba Abdollahi; Shahrad Tajoddini
Volume 2, Issue 1 , January 2016, , Pages 15-20
Abstract
Objective: Patient satisfaction is one of the most important indicators for measuring the quality of emergency services and health care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the patients’ satisfaction in the emergency department (ED) of Sina hospital. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional ...
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Objective: Patient satisfaction is one of the most important indicators for measuring the quality of emergency services and health care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the patients’ satisfaction in the emergency department (ED) of Sina hospital. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed during one month in Sina hospital in 2014. Data were collected by a questionnaire which its validity and reliability were confirmed in previous studies. The questionnaire consisted of 2 parts. Part 1 included the demographic characteristics and part 2 encompassed the scales of satisfactory. Data analysis was conducted by SPSS version 15. Results: Totally, 425 patients participated in this study. The mean age of patients was 41.6±17.6 years. The mean total score of patient satisfaction was 17.43±1.56. The maximum satisfaction was related to the knowledge of physicians and the minimum satisfaction was related to the remaining period in the ED. Additionally, there was a desirable satisfaction for nurses’ performances. In terms of satisfaction regarding the physical environment and the workflow of the ED, the results were moderate. There was a significant statistical difference regarding nurses and physicians behavior in the ED during different working shifts, vacation days, and workdays. Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, patients had good satisfaction for the received services in the ED. It is necessary to develop physical spaces and improve the workflow of patients in the ED.
Emergency medicine
Alireza Baratloo; Marzieh Amiri; Mohammad Mehdi Forouzanfar; Sadegh Hasani; Samar Fouda; Ahmad Negida
Volume 2, Issue 1 , January 2016, , Pages 21-24
Abstract
Objective: One of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) named as ketorolac is frequently used to relieve acute pain. Current study was conducted with the aim of ketorolac efficacy measurement as a pain killer agent for controlling the primary headache in emergency departments. Methods: In this ...
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Objective: One of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) named as ketorolac is frequently used to relieve acute pain. Current study was conducted with the aim of ketorolac efficacy measurement as a pain killer agent for controlling the primary headache in emergency departments. Methods: In this study, we enrolled 50 patients with primary headache who received 60 mg ketorolac intravenously as a slow infusion in about 10 minutes. Pain scores were evaluated with visual analog scale (VAS) on arrival and also 1 hour and 2 hours after ketorolac infusion. Statistical analysis was performed on collected data by using Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests to assess the differences in VAS pain scores. Results: Decreasing the VAS more than 3 points from the arrival until 1 hour (P < 0.001), and more than 5 points from the arrival until 2 hours after ketorolac administration (P < 0.001) were seen. Those with history of analgesic use before admission in emergency department in comparison with the others did not accompany with more decline in pain score after 1 hour (P = 0.34) or 2 hours (P = 0.92). Conclusion: It seems that ketorolac is assured, safe and well tolerated agent for pain control in patients presented with primary headache to the emergency departments. Based on the results achieved in this study, ketorolac illustrates its perceptible effects within 1 hour after administration that even more prominent after 2 hours.
Emergency medicine
Ali Arhami Dolatabadi; Parvin Kashani; Hamidreza Hatamabadi; Hamid Kariman; Alireza Baratloo
Volume 1, Issue 1 , January 2015, , Pages 3-6
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to determine the association of cardiac risk factors and the risk of Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) in Emergency Department (ED) patients with non-diagnostic ECG changes.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the ED of Imam Hossein Hospital during a period ...
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Objective: This study aimed to determine the association of cardiac risk factors and the risk of Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) in Emergency Department (ED) patients with non-diagnostic ECG changes.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the ED of Imam Hossein Hospital during a period of one year. In this study, patients with symptoms suggestive of AMI including chest pain, dyspnea, palpitation, syncope, cerebrovascular incidents, nausea, vomitting, dizziness and loss of consciousness were included. The demographic data and risk factors, such as age, gender, history of diabetes, Hypertension (HTN), Hyperlipidemia (HLP), renal failure, positive family history of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), smoking, substance abuse, alcohol consumption within the past 24 hours and cocaine use within the past 48 hours were recorded. Non-diagnostic ECG included: normal, non-specific, abnormal without ischemic symptoms such as old bundle branch block, Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH), etc. The final diagnosis of AMI was determined by Creatine Phosphokinase-MB (CPK-MB) serum markers and Troponin I. The data were analyzed by using SPSS V. 20 and the level of statistical significance was considered to be P< 0.05.
Results: HTN, HLP, family history of heart disease were significantly higher in those who had non-diagnostic ECG (P< 0.05). However, the ischemic heart diseases were significantly lower in those with non-diagnostic ECG. History of diabetes, stroke, renal failure, alcohol or opium and menopause showed no significant association with non-diagnostic or diagnostic ECG.
Conclusion: Overall, the risk factors are limitedly associated with the occurrence of Myocardial Infarction (MI) in cases where ECG is not diagnostic and it is better to use other criteria to diagnose AMI.
Emergency medicine
Mohammad Reza Amiresmaili; Mahmood Nekooi Moghadam; Amin Saberi Nia; Rahil Ghorbani Nia
Volume 1, Issue 1 , January 2015, , Pages 23-27
Abstract
Objective: Emergency department is the most important part of a hospital and it seems that 24-hour presence of emergency medicine specialist can be effective in improving the performance of this ward. Therefore, the present study was performed with the aim of studying the effect of 24-hour presence of ...
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Objective: Emergency department is the most important part of a hospital and it seems that 24-hour presence of emergency medicine specialist can be effective in improving the performance of this ward. Therefore, the present study was performed with the aim of studying the effect of 24-hour presence of emergency medicine specialists in the emergency department of Shahid Bahonar hospital, Kerman/Iran.
Methods: In this mixed methods study, data collection was done through studying various related documents and semi-structured interview. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis.
Results: The presence of emergency medicine specialists resulted in a decrease in waiting time, hospital’s revenue growth, increase in number of requested laboratory tests, improvement of decision-making for patients and decrease of first 24-hour mortality rate. Economic benefits, improvement of the quality of services and emergency department management were among qualitative results of the present study.
Conclusion: In whole, 24-hour presence of emergency medicine specialists in the emergency department of Kerman Shahid Bahonar hospital has been effective in improving the performance and quality of services.
Cardiology
Samad Shams Vahdati; Neda Parnianfard; Sanaz Beigzali; Shahrad Tajoddini
Volume 1, Issue 1 , January 2015, , Pages 29-34
Abstract
Objective: Acute chest pain is an important and frequently occurring symptom in patients. Chest pain is often a sign of ischemic heart disease. Chest pain due to suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) is responsible for a large and ijncreasing number of hospital attendances and admissions. Current practice ...
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Objective: Acute chest pain is an important and frequently occurring symptom in patients. Chest pain is often a sign of ischemic heart disease. Chest pain due to suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) is responsible for a large and ijncreasing number of hospital attendances and admissions. Current practice for suspected ACS involves troponin testing 10–12 hours after symptom onset to diagnose Myocardial Infarction (MI). Patients with a negative troponin can be investigated further with Computed Tomographic Coronary Angiography (CTCA) or exercise Electrocardiography (ECG). A review of cardiac biomarkers as screening test in acute chest pain over 15 years was conducted. Separate searches were under taken for biomarkers. We Searched electronic databases up to 2004-2014, reviewed citation lists and contacted experts to identify diagnostic and prognostic studies comparing a relevant index test (biomarker, CTCA or exercise ECG) to the appropriate reference standard. We classified studies to two part early rise biomarkers, high sensitivity biomarkers.
Conclusion: Although presentation troponin has suboptimal sensitivity, measurement of a 10-hour troponin level is unlikely to be cost-effective in most scenarios compared with a high sensitivity presentation troponin. Measurement of cardiac troponin using a sensitive method was the best test for the early diagnosis of an Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI). Measurement of myoglobin or Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB) in addition to a sensitive troponin test is not recommended. Heart-type Fatty Acid-Binding Protein (H-FABP) shows promise as an early marker and requires further study.