Richard Paoloni

Impact of an electronic medication management system on hospital doctors' and nurses' work: a controlled pre–post, time and motion study

Objective To quantify and compare the time doctors and nurses spent on direct patient care, medication-related tasks, and interactions before and after electronic medication management system (eMMS) introduction. Methods Controlled pre–post, time and motion study of 129 doctors and nurses for 633.2 h on four wards in a 400-bed hospital in Sydney, Australia. We measured changes in proportions of time on tasks and interactions by period, intervention/control group, and profession. Results eMMS was associated with no significant change in proportions of time spent on direct care or medication-related tasks relative to control wards. In the post-period control ward, doctors spent 19.7% (2 h/10 h shift) of their time on direct care and 7.4% (44.4 min/10 h shift) on medication tasks, compared to intervention ward doctors (25.7% (2.6 h/shift; p=0.08) and 8.5% (51 min/shift; p=0.40), respectively). Control ward nurses in the post-period spent 22.1% (1.9 h/8.5 h shift) of their time on direct care and 23.7% on medication tasks compared to intervention ward nurses (26.1% (2.2 h/shift; p=0.23) and 22.6% (1.9 h/shift; p=0.28), respectively). We found intervention ward doctors spent less time alone (p=0.0003) and more time with other doctors (p=0.003) and patients (p=0.009). Nurses on the intervention wards spent less time with doctors following eMMS introduction (p=0.0001). Conclusions eMMS introduction did not result in redistribution of time away from direct care or towards medication tasks. Work patterns observed on these intervention wards were associated with previously reported significant reductions in prescribing error rates relative to the control wards.

The Effect of Computerized Provider Order Entry Systems on Clinical Care and Work Processes in Emergency Departments: A Systematic Review of the Quantitative Literature

STUDY OBJECTIVE We undertake a systematic review of the quantitative literature related to the effect of computerized provider order entry systems in the emergency department (ED). METHODS We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Inspec, CINAHL, and CPOE.org for English-language studies published between January 1990 and May 2011. RESULTS We identified 1,063 articles, of which 22 met our inclusion criteria. Sixteen used a pre/post design; 2 were randomized controlled trials. Twelve studies reported outcomes related to patient flow/clinical work, 7 examined decision support systems, and 6 reported effects on patient safety. There were no studies that measured decision support systems and its effect on patient flow/clinical work. Computerized provider order entry was associated with an increase in time spent on computers (up to 16.2% for nurses and 11.3% for physicians), with no significant change in time spent on patient care. Computerized provider order entry with decision support systems was related to significant decreases in prescribing errors (ranging from 17 to 201 errors per 100 orders), potential adverse drug events (0.9 per 100 orders), and prescribing of excessive dosages (31% decrease for a targeted set of renal disease medications). CONCLUSION There are tangible benefits associated with computerized provider order entry/decision support systems in the ED environment. Nevertheless, when considered as part of a framework of technical, clinical, and organizational components of the ED, the evidence base is neither consistent nor comprehensive. Multimethod research approaches (including qualitative research) can contribute to understanding of the multiple dimensions of ED care delivery, not as separate entities but as essential components of a highly integrated system of care.

Emergency cricothyroidotomy: a randomised crossover study of four methods

Emergency physicians and registrars performed emergency cricothyroidotomy on an artificial airway model using a standard surgical approach and three common commercial products, participants had received no refresher training. The order in which the methods were used was randomised to minimise any learning effect. Three methods (standard surgical, Minitrach II, and Quicktrach) were universally successful in obtaining ventilation within 150 s, whilst the Melker kit had a 26% failure rate and significantly longer median time to ventilation (126 s vs≤48 s for other methods, p < 0.001). Despite success in using the surgical method, the Quicktrach and Minitrach II were rated as first or second preference by the majority of operators (78% and 70% respectively). Without refresher training emergency physicians and registrars successfully performed emergency cricothyroidotomy using the standard surgical method, Quicktrach and Minitrach II kits however the use of the Melker kit under these conditions resulted in significant delays or failure to establish an airway.

Total access block time: A comprehensive and intuitive way to measure the total effect of access block on the emergency department

Objective:  Access block refers to delayed transfer of admitted patients in the ED to wards from lack of an inpatient bed. Existing measures are crude indicators of its impact on ED function. Our aim was to devise measures of the total burden of access block on ED function which better measured the impact on ED function, yet were intuitive and easy to communicate.

Point-of-care urinary pneumococcal antigen test in the emergency department for community acquired pneumonia

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Early diagnosis would allow more directed therapy and confidence in appropriate treatment for a majority of patients. The BinaxNOW pneumococcal urinary antigen (PNAG) test has been evaluated at laboratory level and is easy to perform and interpret, but its use as a point-of-care test has not been evaluated. A study was undertaken to assess whether PNAG testing can be reliably performed and interpreted by staff in an adult emergency department and whether rapid results influence initial treatment decisions. Methods: Community-living adult patients presenting to the emergency department with clinical and radiological findings of pneumonia had PNAG testing performed on the same sample in both the emergency department and the microbiology laboratory in a blinded fashion. Accuracy and turnaround time were assessed. Diagnostic yield was compared with routine culture methods. Results: Fifty-nine patients were enrolled of whom nine (15%) had positive PNAG tests. These included three culture-proven cases and six additional cases. There was 98% concordance between emergency department and laboratory results. Turnaround time was significantly shorter when tested in the emergency department (median 2 h 39 min vs 19 h 40 min). Antibiotic prescribing was not influenced by results in this small sample. Conclusions: PNAG diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia can be accurately performed as a point-of-care test by emergency department clinical staff. Without specific efforts to achieve early urine collection, the timeframe of testing will frequently fall outside the 4-hour patient stay of a UK emergency department and may be more appropriately considered as a test for the medical admissions unit in this setting. Sensitivity is at least equal to conventional culture methods and the result is available rapidly enough to potentially influence treatment decisions, a strategy that warrants further investigation.

Comparison of lignocaine and water-based lubricating gels for female urethral catheterization: A randomized controlled trial

Objectives:  It is standard practice to use lignocaine gel during male urethral catheterization. However, it is commonly believed that topical anaesthetic confers no benefit during female catheterization hence lubricating gel alone is more commonly used. The present study aimed to determine whether lignocaine gel decreased pain compared with water‐based lubricating gel for female urethral catheterization in the ED.

Emergency Physicians’ Views of Direct Notification of Laboratory and Radiology Results to Patients Using the Internet: A Multisite Survey

Background Patients are increasingly using the Internet to communicate with health care providers and access general and personal health information. Missed test results have been identified as a critical safety issue with studies showing up to 75% of tests for emergency department (ED) patients not being followed-up. One strategy that could reduce the likelihood of important results being missed is for ED patients to have direct access to their test results. This could be achieved electronically using a patient portal tied to the hospital’s electronic medical record or accessed from the relevant laboratory information system. Patients have expressed interest in accessing test results directly, but there have been no reported studies on emergency physicians’ opinions. Objective The aim was to explore emergency physicians’ current practices of test result notification and attitudes to direct patient notification of clinically significant abnormal and normal test results. Methods A cross-sectional survey was self-administered by senior emergency physicians (site A: n=50; site B: n=39) at 2 large public metropolitan teaching hospitals in Australia. Outcome measures included current practices for notification of results (timing, methods, and responsibilities) and concerns with direct notification. Results The response rate was 69% (61/89). More than half of the emergency physicians (54%, 33/61) were uncomfortable with patients receiving direct notification of abnormal test results. A similar proportion (57%, 35/61) was comfortable with direct notification of normal test results. Physicians were more likely to agree with direct notification of normal test results if they believed it would reduce their workload (OR 5.72, 95% CI 1.14-39.76). Main concerns were that patients could be anxious (85%, 52/61), confused (92%, 56/61), and lacking in the necessary expertise to interpret their results (90%, 55/61). Conclusions Although patients’ direct access to test results could serve as a safety net reducing the likelihood of abnormal results being missed, emergency physicians’ concerns need further exploration: which results are suitable and the timing and method of direct release to patients. Methods of access, including secure Web-based patient portals with drill-down facilities providing test descriptions and result interpretations, or laboratories sending results directly to patients, need evaluation to ensure patient safety is not compromised and the processes fit with ED clinician and laboratory work practices and patient needs.

Understanding drivers of Demand for Emergency Service Trends in Years 2010-2014 in New South Wales: An initial overview of the DESTINY project.

This study aims to describe the general characteristics and data definitions used in a population‐based data set of ED presentations in New South Wales (NSW), used to form the basis of future‐trend analyses.

Sutured wounds: factors associated with patient-rated cosmetic scores.

Objective:  To determine the association between wound characteristics, wound management in the ED and patient‐rated cosmetic appearance of sutured wounds. Our hypothesis was that practitioner seniority would most strongly predict outcome.

Pilot study of high‐sensitivity troponin T testing to facilitate safe early disposition decisions in patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain

Background: Many patients present to emergency departments with chest pain, but little is known about this population and the safest, most efficient testing strategies. We assessed clinical risk stratification of all patients with chest pain and, on a subset, utility of high‐sensitivity troponin at 4 and 6 h after pain onset in aiding disposition decisions.