Emergency Department Presentation Rates Research Articles

Cannabis-Related Disorders Are Associated with Increased Early Postoperative Opioid Prescriptions and Delayed Emergency Department Visits Following Open Carpal Tunnel Release.

The effect of cannabis on pain management following open carpal tunnel release (CTR) surgery is unknown. The purpose of this study is to compare outcomes for patients with cannabis-related disorder (CRD) undergoing open CTR to a propensity-matched cohort of patients without CRD (no cannabis-related disorder [NCRD]). The TriNetX Research Network was queried to identify patients undergoing primary open CTR between January 2010 and December 2022. Patients with CRD were propensity matched to a NCRD cohort in a 1:1 ratio based on 7 characteristics. Rates of postoperative opioid prescriptions, emergency department (ED) services, and outpatient appointments were reported at 0-2, 2-6, and 6-12 weeks postoperatively. A total of 925 CRD patients were propensity matched to 925 NCRD patients undergoing open CTR. Within 0-2 weeks postoperatively, CRD patients received significantly greater rates of opioid prescriptions compared to NCRD patients (30.9% and 25.6%, P = .011). No cannabis-related disorder (NCRD) patients presented for outpatient follow-up at significantly higher rates than CRD patients within 6 weeks postoperatively. CRD patients presented to the ED at significantly higher rates between 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively (11.0% vs. 8.0%, respectively, P = .027). Cannabis-related disorder (CRD) is associated with lower rates of outpatient follow-up but higher rates of postoperative opioid prescriptions and ED presentations following open CTR compared to a propensity-matched cohort of NCRD patients. Cohort Study; Level III.

Outcomes After Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients With a History of Patella Fracture: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

Posttraumatic osteoarthritis is a common indication for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between a history of patella fracture and postoperative complication rates after TKA. Patients diagnosed with a patella fracture before undergoing TKA were identified from a large national database and matched to a control cohort using propensity scoring. Rates of medical complications occurring within 90 days of TKA and surgery-related complications occurring within 1 year of TKA were compared using odds ratios. Healthcare utilization outcomes including 90-day emergency department (ED) presentation, hospital readmission, and total cost were also compared. Compared with a propensity-matched control cohort, TKA patients with a history of patella fracture had a lower incidence of pulmonary embolism (OR 0.74, P = 0.0442) and higher incidences of periprosthetic joint infection (OR 1.68, P < 0.0001), revision surgery (OR 1.84, P < 0.0001), dislocation (OR 1.61, P = 0.026), lysis of adhesions (OR 2.21, P = 0.0082), and wound disruption (OR 1.52, P < 0.0001). A history of patella fracture was also associated with an increased rate of ED presentation (OR 1.08, P = 0.0454) and increased total cost ($14,359 vs. $12,786, P = 0.0003). A history of patella fracture is associated with early surgery-related complications after TKA including periprosthetic joint infection, revision surgery, dislocation, lysis of adhesions, and wound disruption. Healthcare utilization is increased among these patients with higher rates of ED presentation and increased total cost. These findings allow for more accurate risk stratification and counseling of patients. III, Retrospective review.

Acceptability and feasibility of a short-term group therapy for people with borderline personality disorder symptoms.

This study evaluated the acceptance, feasibility and safety of a short-term group program for adults (18 years and older) and youth (16 to 18 years) with borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms. Termed Road Maps, the content and development were informed by common treatment factors identified from evidence-based therapies for BPD. Two-hundred and eight people consented to participate in the research trial and completed baseline measures. Intervention participants rated the acceptability and subjective experience of the group. Attrition rates informed feasibility, and serious adverse events were tracked to identify potential harms. Participant post-group ratings of the group's acceptability and subjective experience were above average across both adult and youth populations. Attrition rate after commencement of group was 38% for adults and 27% among youth. The incidence rate of emergency department presentations was reduced by 41% in the 6 months post-group, relative to 6 months pre-group. The current study provides preliminary support for the acceptability and feasibility of a short-term group therapy program for people with a diagnosis of BPD. Road Maps may be a useful intermediate intervention in a broader model of stepped care. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, https://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12622000849796.aspx, (ACTRN12622000849796).

Mental health impacts of COVID-19: A retrospective analysis of dynamic modelling projections for Australia

BackgroundIn early 2020, we developed a dynamic model to support policy responses aimed at mitigating the adverse mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. As the pandemic has progressed, it has become clear that our initial model forecasts overestimated the impacts of infection control measures (lockdowns, physical distancing, etc.) on suicide, intentional self-harm hospitalisation, and mental health-related emergency department (ED) presentation rates. MethodsPotential explanations for the divergence of our model predictions from observed outcomes were assessed by comparing simulation results for a set of progressively more refined models with data on the prevalence of moderate to very high psychological distress and numbers of suicides, intentional self-harm hospitalisations, and mental health-related ED presentations published after our modelling was released in July 2020. ResultsAllowing per capita rates of spontaneous recovery and intentional self-harm to differ between people experiencing moderate to very high psychological distress prior to the pandemic and those developing comparable levels of psychological distress only as a consequence of infection control measures substantially improves the fit of our model to empirical estimates of the prevalence of psychological distress and leads to significantly lower predicted effects of COVID-19 on suicide, intentional self-harm hospitalisation, and mental health-related ED presentation rates. ConclusionAccommodating the influence of prior mental health on the psychological effects of population-wide social and economic disruption is likely to be critical for accurately forecasting the mental health impacts of future public health crises as they inevitably arise.

Associations Between Supported Accommodation and Health and Re-offending Outcomes: a Retrospective Data Linkage Study.

Following release from prison, housing and health issues form a complex and mutually reinforcing dynamic, increasing reincarceration risk. Supported accommodation aims to mitigate these post-release challenges. We describe the impact of attending Rainbow Lodge (RL), a post-release supported accommodation service for men in Sydney, Australia, on criminal justice and emergency health outcomes. Our retrospective cohort study using linked administrative data includes 415 individuals referred to RL between January 2015 and October 2020. Outcomes of interest were rates of criminal charges, emergency department (ED) presentations and ambulance attendance; and time to first reincarceration, criminal charge, ED presentation and ambulance attendance. The exposure of interest was attending RL; covariates included demographic characteristics, release year and prior criminal justice and emergency health contact. Those who attended RL (n = 170, 41%) more commonly identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (52% vs 41%; p = 0.025). There was strong evidence that attending RL reduced the incidence criminal charges (adjusted rate ratio [ARR] = 0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.340.86; p = 0.009). Absolute rates indicate a weak protective effect of RL attendance on ED presentation and ambulance attendance; however, adjusted analyses indicated no evidence of an association between attending RL and rates of ED presentations (ARR = 0.88; 95% CI = 0.65-1.21), or ambulance attendance (ARR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.57-1.18). There was no evidence of an association between attending RL and time to first reincarceration, charge, ED presentation or ambulance attendance. Greater detail about reasons for emergency health service contact and other self-report outcome measures may better inform how supported accommodation is meeting its intended aims.

Integrated health and social care with a CALD focus: a service mapping study in Sydney Metropolitan

Background: Underrepresented and underserved communities such as culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) groups experience higher reported prevalence and severity of multimorbidity along with unmet social needs and disadvantages in accessing services. Minority populations report higher rates of emergency department presentations globally and nationally and it is understood that services are more frequently accessed on consumer initiative when problems become acute and critical, demonstrating significant barriers for early intervention. In Australia, most of the efforts to reduce over-utilisation of emergency care have focused on developing integrated health and social care approaches for the general population. There is little evidence available on how CALD populations are involved in the design and implementation of integrated care health and social care initiatives and how their needs are identified and addressed.&#x0D; Methods: A service mapping study informing the development of a framework for comparative analysis of integrated health and social care services targeting CALD populations will be sought. Semi-structured interviews, with key stakeholders and decision-makers representing health and social services, as well as document review, will inform the development of a map of integrated health and social care services available for individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Core defining elements of the mapped services comprise the basis for the framework that enables comparison of level of integration with a CALD focus, including governance and partnerships, health and social care staff, financing and payment systems, and data sharing and use. &#x0D; Implications: This study will advance the understanding of how integrated health and social care policies (policy learning) and services are conceptualised, developed, and implemented at a local level (policy implementation) to address the needs of CALD populations. and how they can better respond to the health and social needs of CALD consumers.

Single-handed versus multiple-handed general practices: A cross-sectional study of quality outcomes in England.

As general practice increasingly moves towards large group practices, there is debate about the relative benefits, safety and sustainability of different care delivery models. This study investigates the performance of single-handed practices compared to practices with multiple doctors in England, UK. Practices in England with more than 1000 patients were included. Workforce data and a quality control process classified practices as single-handed or multiple-handed. Outcomes were (i) GP patient survey scores measuring access, continuity, confidence in health professional and overall satisfaction; (ii) reported diabetes and hypertension outcomes; and (iii) emergency department presentation rates and cancer detection (percentage of cancers diagnosed by a 2-week wait). Generalised linear models, controlling for patient and practice characteristics, compared outcomes in single and multiple-handed practices and assessed the effect of GP age in single-handed practices. Single-handed practices were more commonly found in areas of high deprivation (41% compared to 20% of multiple-handed practices). Single-handed practices had higher patient-reported access, continuity and overall satisfaction but slightly lower diabetes management and cancer detection rates. Emergency department presentations were higher when controlling for patient characteristics in single-handed practices but not when also controlling for practice rurality and size. Increased deprivation was associated with lower performance in seven out of eight outcomes. We found single-handed practices to be associated with high patient satisfaction while performing slightly less well on selected clinical outcomes. Further research is required to better understand the association between practice size, including increasing multidisciplinary working, on patient experience and outcomes.

An institutional experience in applying quality improvement measures to pituitary surgery: clinical and resource implications.

The aim of this study was to report the authors' experience developing a Lean Six Sigma clinical care pathway (CCP) for endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal operations. Using Lean Six Sigma quality improvement principles-including the define, measure, analyze, improve, and control framework-the authors developed a CCP for endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal operations, incorporating preoperative, intraoperative, and inpatient and outpatient postoperative phases of care. Efficacy and quality metrics were defined as postoperative length of stay (LOS), presentation to the emergency department (ED) or readmission within 30 days of discharge, and hospital charges. The study included all adult patients who underwent elective endoscopic endonasal resection for pituitary adenoma, Rathke's cleft cyst, craniopharyngioma, pituicytoma, or arachnoid cyst during the sampling period (April 1, 2018, to December 31, 2022). Two hundred twenty-eight patients met criteria and were included; 94 were treated before and 134 were treated after implementation of the CCP. Differences between groups in age, gender, race, BMI, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, geographic distribution, preoperative serum sodium, tumor size, adenoma functional status, and prior surgery were not significant. The mean postoperative LOS significantly decreased from 4.5 to 1.7 days following CCP implementation (p < 0.0001); LOS variability also decreased, with the standard deviation declining from 3.1 to 1.5 days. The proportion of patients discharged on postoperative day (POD) 1 significantly increased from 0% to 61.9% (p < 0.0001). Fewer than one-quarter of the patients (23.4%) were discharged by POD 2 prior to the CCP, while 88.8% of were discharged by POD 2 after CCP implementation (p < 0.0001). Rates of 30-day ED presentations or readmissions were not significantly different (2.1% vs 6.0%, p = 0.20, and 7.5% vs 6.7%, p > 0.99, respectively). Mean per-patient hospital costs declined from $38,326 to $26,289 (p < 0.0001), with an associated change in cost variability from a standard deviation of $16,716 to $12,498. CCP implementation significantly improved LOS and costs of endoscopic endonasal resection, without adversely impacting postoperative ED presentations or readmissions.

Improving the quality and sustainability of home-based acute care models using virtual care technology

Importance COVID-19 has facilitated the rise of a new service model that combines HITH service provision with technology to create ‘virtual hospitals’, but evidence on the impact of this new model in terms of cost and clinical outcomes, compared to usual Hospital in the Home (HITH) care, is currently lacking.&#x0D; Objective To assess the clinical and financial impacts of virtual care technology on Hospital in the Home models of care.&#x0D; Design Quasi-experimental study comparing outcomes of a control group receiving ‘usual’ home-based acute care and a virtual care cohort using remote monitoring technology while also receiving usual Hospital in the Home (HITH) care.&#x0D; Main Outcomes and Measures Readmissions within 28 days, unplanned emergency department (ED) presentations, transfers-in to facility-based hospital beds, and average length of stay.&#x0D; Results During the study period, 151 adult and 26 paediatric patients utilised virtual care technology for the majority, or all, of their home-based acute care. Use of such technology was associated with a statistically significant reduction in risk of hospital readmission within 28 days—from 43% to 21%. The risk of hospital readmission within 28 days for the same diagnosis-related group (DRG) dropped from 18% to 4%, and the length of stay for the top three DRGs by volume decreased from a mean of 7.2 days to 4.0 days, saving an average of $3,698 per admission. Use of technology was also associated with reduced rates of unplanned ED presentations and transfers-in to traditional hospital beds compared to usual care for adults.&#x0D; Conclusions Our findings confirm there are clinical and economic benefits associated with embedding virtual care technology in Hospital in the Home (HITH) service models that warrant consideration in health systems facing capacity constraints and rising costs.

Determining the Impact of Opioid Policy on Substance Use and Mental Health-Related Harms: Protocol for a Data Linkage Study.

Increasing harms related to prescription opioids over the past decade have led to the introduction of a range of key national and state policy initiatives across Australia. These include introducing a mandatory real-time prescription drug-monitoring program in the state of Victoria from April 2020 and a series of changes to subsidies for opioids on the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme from June 2020. Together, these changes aim to influence opioid supply and reduce harms related to prescription opioids, yet few studies have specifically explored how these policies have influenced opioid prescribing and related harms in Australia. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of a range of opioid-related policies on hospital admissions and emergency department (ED) presentations in Victoria, Australia. In particular, the study aims to understand the effect of various opioid policies and opioid-prescribing changes on (1) the number and rates of ED presentations and hospital admissions attributed to substance use (ie, opioid and nonopioid related) or mental ill-health (eg, suicide, self-harm, anxiety, and depression), (2) the association between differing opioid dose trajectories and the likelihood of ED presentations and hospital admissions related to substance use and mental ill-health, and (3) whether changes in an individual's opioid prescribing change the risk related to ED presentations and hospital admissions related to substance use and mental ill-health. We will conduct a population-level linked data study. General practice health records obtained from the Population Level Analysis and Reporting platform are linked with person-level data from 3 large hospital networks in Victoria, Australia. Interrupted time series analysis will be used to examine the impact of opioid policies on a range of harms, including the rates of presentations related to substance use (opioid and nonopioid) and mental ill-health among the primary care cohort. Group-based trajectory modeling and a case-crossover design will be used to further explore the impact of changes in opioid dosage and other covariates on opioid and nonopioid poisonings and mental ill-health-related presentations at the patient level. Given that this paper serves as a protocol, there are currently no results available. The deidentified primary health data were sourced from electronic medical records of approximately 4,717,000 patients from 542 consenting general practices over a 6-year period (2017-2022). The submission of results for publication is planned for early 2024. This study will add to the limited evidence base to help understand the impact of opioid policies in Australia, including whether intended or unintended outcomes are occurring as a result. EU PAS Register EUPAS104005; https://www.encepp.eu/encepp/viewResource.htm?id=104006. DERR1-10.2196/51825.

Dynamic modelling of the impact of community-based acute mental health services for children and adolescents.

To evaluate the potential impact of the recently announced 'Safeguards' initiative on mental health-related emergency department presentation rates for children and adolescents (0-17 years). This state-funded initiative aims to establish 25 Child and Adolescent Acute Response Teams across New South Wales. We estimated the effects of the 'Safeguards' initiative using a state-level dynamic model of child and adolescent acute mental health care. Potential reductions in total numbers of mental health-related emergency department presentations and re-presentations (i.e. presentations within 3 months of an initial presentation) were assessed via a series of simulation experiments in which we systematically varied the total number of Child and Adolescent Acute Response Teams and the mean duration of care per patient. Assuming a mean treatment duration of 6 weeks per patient, 25 Child and Adolescent Acute Response Teams are projected to reduce total numbers of mental health-related emergency department presentations and re-presentations over the period 2022-2031 by 15.0% (95% interval, 12.0-18.2%) and 31.7% (26.2-37.8%), respectively. Increasing the total number of Child and Adolescent Acute Response Teams above 25 has minimal additional impact on projected reductions in numbers of emergency department presentations and re-presentations, provided the mean duration of care is no more than 8 weeks. However, where the mean duration of care is greater than 4 weeks, a decrease in the number of Child and Adolescent Acute Response Teams below 25 reduces the potential effectiveness of the 'Safeguards' initiative significantly. Our simulation results indicate that full and timely implementation will be critical if the potentially substantial impact of the 'Safeguards' initiative on demand for hospital-based emergency mental health care is to be realised.

Epidemiology of pediatric trauma and fractures during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Previous literature has shown decreases in pediatric trauma during the COVID-19 outbreak, but few have analyzed beyond the peak of the pandemic. This study assesses the epidemiology of pediatric trauma cases in a high-volume teaching hospital in New York City before, during, and after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Institutional data on pediatric trauma orthopedic cases from January 1, 2018 to November 30, 2021 were extracted. The following time frames were studied: (1) April 1-June 22 in 2018 and 2019 (pre-pandemic), (2) April 1-June 22, 2020 (peak pandemic), and (3) April 1-June 22, 2021 (post-peak pandemic). Inferential statistics were used to compare patient and trauma characteristics. Compared to the pre-pandemic cohort (n = 6770), the peak pandemic cohort (n = 828) had a greater proportion of fractures (p < 0.01) and had a significantly decreased overall traumas per week rate (p < 0.01) and fractures per week rate (p < 0.01). These decreased trauma (p < 0.01) and fracture rates (p < 0.01) persisted for the post-peak pandemic cohort (n = 2509). Spatial analysis identified zip code clusters throughout New York City with higher rates of emergency department presentation during the peak pandemic compared to pre-pandemic, and these areas aligned with lower-income neighborhoods. During the peak of the pandemic, overall trauma and fracture volumes decreased, the types of prevalent injuries changed, and neighborhoods of different economic resources were variably impacted. These trends have mostly persisted for 12 months post-peak pandemic. This longitudinal analysis helps inform and improve long-term critical care and public health resource allocation for the future. Level III.

Relationship of the emergency department presentation frequency of patients using methamphetamine with the COVID-19 pandemic

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the emergency department (ED) presentation frequency of patients using methamphetamine in pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 pandemic periods. According to their presentation period, the patients were evaluated in two groups as pre-pandemic and pandemic. The frequency of presentation and demographic characteristics of the patients were compared according to the periods. The study included a total of 620 patients, including 500 patients that presented to ED during the pre-pandemic period and 120 during the pandemic period. When the rates of ED presentation were compared between the two periods, there was a decrease of 76% in the pandemic period. These results suggest that the rate of the use of addictive substances can be reduced by taking public health measures.

Readmission and emergency department presentation after hospitalisation for epilepsy in people with intellectual disability: A data linkage study.

Despite the high prevalence of epilepsy and multiple barriers to care in people with intellectual disability, the risk of returning to hospital after an admission for epilepsy is largely unknown. In this study, we sought to quantify and compare readmission and emergency department (ED) presentations after hospitalisation for epilepsy in people with and without intellectual disability. Using linked administrative datasets, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of people aged 5-64 years with an acute hospitalisation for epilepsy from 2005-2014 in New South Wales, Australia. Acute readmission and ED presentation rates within 30, 90, and 365 days of the index hospitalisation were estimated and compared between people with and without intellectual disability using modified Poisson regression. Of 13537 individuals with an index hospitalisation, 712 children and 1862 adults had intellectual disability. Readmission and ED presentation after the index hospitalisation were common in people with intellectual disability. Within 30 days, 11% of children and 15.6% of adults had an all-cause readmission and 18% of children and 23.5% of adults had an ED presentation. Over 60% of both children and adults presented to an ED within a year. Neurological, respiratory, and infectious conditions were overrepresented reasons for readmission in people with intellectual disability. Age-adjusted relative risks (RRs) within each period showed a higher risk of readmission and ED presentation in children and adults with intellectual disability than without. Most RRs remained statistically significant after controlling for covariates. The largest adjusted RRs were observed for readmission for epilepsy (RR 1.70, 95% CI: 1.42 to 2.04) and non-epilepsy related conditions (RR 1.73, 95%: CI 1.43 to 2.10) in children. Study limitations include lack of clinical data. Increased risk of returning to acute care after epilepsy hospitalisation suggests there is a need to improve epilepsy care for people with intellectual disability. We recommend research into strategies to improve management of both seizures and comorbidity.

Trends in calls to a state poisons centre and presentation to emergency departments for intentional antidepressant overdose in Victoria, Australia.

To describe the rates and trends of emergency department presentations and calls to a state poisons centre for antidepressant overdose. A retrospective cohort study utilising the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset and Victorian Poisons Information Centre call registry between January 2009 and December 2018 was conducted. This captured all presentations to Victorian emergency departments and calls to the Victorian Poisons Information Centre. Any intentional overdose involving an antidepressant was included. Annual rates of emergency department presentations and calls per 100,000 persons and 100,000 prescriptions for antidepressants overall and individual antidepressant classes, in addition to age-group-specific rates, were reported. A total of 3650 presentations to emergency department and 7096 calls to the poisons centre were included. No changes were seen in overall emergency department presentation rates when controlled for population or prescription numbers, but large and significant increases were seen for younger age groups. The 10-14- and 15-19-year age groups had average annual increases of 13.1% (95% CI = [6.5%, 19.7%], p < 0.001) and 7.2% (95% CI = [2.8%, 11.5%], p < 0.001) per 100,000 persons, respectively. Increases were seen in overall annual call rates of 6.7% (95% CI = [5.2%, 8.1%], p < 0.001) per 100,000 persons and 7.5% (95% CI = [4.9%, 10.1%], p < 0.001) per 100,000 prescriptions. Overall, emergency department presentation rates remained stable during the study period. Overall poisons centre call rates increased moderately. However, when examining younger persons, large increases were seen in both emergency department presentations and poison centre call rates. These findings highlight the need for future interventions to mitigate against intentional overdose in younger populations.

English language proficiency and hospital admissions via the emergency department by aged care residents in Australia: A mixed-methods investigation.

Residents of Residential Age Care Facilities (RACFs) have particularly high rates of Emergency Department (ED) visits, with up to 55% being potentially avoidable (e.g. not resulting in a hospital admission). This is concerning as ED visits by RACF residents are associated with negative outcomes including longer hospital stays, iatrogenic illness, complications and mortality. Limited English proficiency (LEP) has significant negative impacts on the healthcare quality and outcomes for older people but has not been studied as a factor in ED visits from RACFs. This study aimed to examine if RACF residents with LEP have a lower rate of hospital admission via the ED compared to non-LEP controls and identify any associated factors. We hypothesised that LEP-related communication difficulties would reduce the ability to manage minor health issues in the RACF, leading to a lower proportion of LEP ED transfers being admitted. We used a parallel mixed-methods design, comprising a quantitative matched cohort study of ED visit data from two Local Hospital Networks (LHNs) in South-East Melbourne, Australia and secondary thematic analysis of 25 interviews with LEP residents, family carers and staff from two RACFs in the same region. We found no differences in the proportion of hospital ED transfers that led to admission (LHN1, 87.1% LEP, 85.6% non-LEP controls, p=0.57; LHN2, 76.0% LEP, 76.9% non-LEP controls, p=0.41) and no direct qualitative evidence suggesting that resident LEP affected decisions to transfer residents to ED, despite communication difficulties being reported during the transfer process. These results may be due to the high level of family carer involvement in residents' care identified in the qualitative study. However, additional research using different measures of LEP is recommended to further explore a broader range of cultural and linguistic factors in both rates of ED presentations and the decision-making processes underpinning resident transfers to ED.

Premature mortality in early-intervention mental health services: a data linkage study protocol to examine mortality and morbidity outcomes in a cohort of help-seeking young people

IntroductionUnderstanding the risk of premature death from suicide, accident and injury and other physical health conditions in people seeking healthcare for mental disorders is essential for delivering targeted clinical interventions...

A Population-based Analysis of the COVID-19 Generated Surgical Backlog and Associated Emergency Department Presentations for Inguinal Hernias and Gallstone Disease

Objective:To evaluate the downstream effects of the COVID-19 generated surgical backlog.Background:Delayed elective surgeries may result in emergency department (ED) presentations and the need for urgent interventions.Methods:Population-based repeated cross-sectional study utilizing administrative data. We quantified rates of elective cholecystectomy and inguinal hernia repair and rates of ED presentations, urgent interventions, and outcomes during the first and second waves of COVID-19 (March 1, 2020- February 28, 2021) as compared to a 3-year pre-COVID-19 period (January 1, 2017-February 29, 2020) in Ontario, Canada. Poisson generalized estimating equation models were used to predict expected rates during COVID-19 based on the pre-COVID-19 period. The ratio of observed (actual events) to expected rates was generated for surgical procedures (SRRs) and ED visits (ED-RRs).Results:We identified 74,709 elective cholecystectomies and 60,038 elective inguinal hernia repairs. During the COVID-19 period, elective inguinal hernia repairs decreased by 21% (SRR 0.791; 0.760–0.824) whereas elective cholecystectomies decreased by 23% (SRR 0.773; 0.732–0.816). ED visits for inguinal hernia decreased by 17% (ED-RR 0.829; 0.786 - 0.874) whereas ED visits for gallstones decreased by 8% (ED-RR 0.922; 0.878 - 0.967). A higher population rate of urgent cholecystectomy was observed, particularly after the first wave (SRR 1.076; 1.000–1.158). No difference was seen in inguinal hernias.Conclusions:An over 20% reduction in elective surgeries and an increase in urgent cholecystectomies was observed during the COVID-19 period suggesting a rebound effect secondary to the surgical backlog. The COVID-19 generated surgical backlog will have a heterogeneous downstream effect with significant implications for surgical recovery planning.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital-treated self-harm in Sydney (Australia).

This study investigated trends in hospital-treated self-harm and hospital presenting suicidal ideation in the period before and after COVID-19 public health responses by key socio-demographic groups among those presenting to hospitals in the Western Sydney (Australia) population catchment. Emergency department presentations for the period January 2016 to June 2021 were used to specify a series of interrupted time-series models to compare the observed and expected event rates of (1) hospital-treated self-harm and (2) hospital presenting suicidal ideation in the period following the onset of COVID-19 public health measures in March 2020. Rate differences between observed and expected rates in the post-implementation period were also estimated in models stratified by sex, age group, country of birth and socio-economic status. There was no significant increase in hospital-treated self-harm in the period post-implementation of public health orders (March 2020) compared to the previous period, although there were lower than expected rates of emergency department presentations among non-Australian-born males, males aged 0-14 years and 25-44 years, and females aged 45-64 years. In contrast, there was a significant increase in hospital presenting suicidal ideation, particularly among women (rate difference per 100,000 = 3.91, 95% confidence interval = [1.35, 6.48]) and those aged 15-24 years (both males and females, rate differences ranging from 8.91 to 19.04), and among those residing in lower socio-economic status areas (both males and females, rate differences ranging from 0.90 to 2.33). There was no increase in hospital-treated self-harm rates in the 15 months post-implementation of COVID-19 public health orders in Western Sydney; however, there was a significant increase in hospital presenting suicidal ideation. The limited change in suicidal behaviour may reflect the success of social and economic supports during this period, the benefits of which may have been different for young people, and those of lower socio-economic status.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on critically ill patients with acute stroke and diabetic ketoacidosis

Introduction and aim. This study aimed to compare the hospitalization rate, mortality rate and morbidity status of patients hospitalized with stroke and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods. The data of 2522 patients who applied to the emergency department (ED) before and during the pandemic were evaluated. A Poisson regression analysis was used to examine the number of presentations between two different periods. Results. Stroke cases during the pandemic era were compared to those during the pre-pandemic period, and it was shown that the mortality rate for stroke patients during the pandemic period was much higher. Treatment-related ED presentations decreased significantly during the pandemic period, particularly among patients aged 75–84 years. Rates of ED presentation decreased by 84 percent (IRR: 0.14, 95 percent CI: 0.03-0.59) in those with DKA and by 37 percent (IRR: 0.67, 95 percent CI: 0.53- 0.75) in those with stroke during the pandemic period. Conclusion. Conclusion: Stroke and DKA admissions decreased during the pandemic, but the rate of stroke mortality increased statistically 3.375 times. Getting emergency medical care increases their chances of survival. Even in a COVID-19 outbreak, treatment is critical.