We highlight the need for planning for mass workforce absentees as we prepare for subsequent surges. We suggest a multicomponent intervention including guiding return dates more by symptomatology and fitness for work rather than infectivity status.

BackgroundWe initiated an emergency department (ED) opt-out screening programme for HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) at our hospital in Dublin, Ireland. The objective of this study was to determine screening acceptance, yield and the impact on follow-up care.MethodsFrom July 2015 through June 2018, ED patients who underwent phlebotomy and could consent to testing were tested for HIV, HBV and HCV using an opt-out approach. We examined acceptance of screening, linkage to care, treatment and viral suppression using screening programme data and electronic health records. The duration of follow-up ranged from 1 to 36 months.ResultsOver the 36-month study period, there were 140 550 ED patient visits, of whom 88 854 (63.2%, 95% CI 63.0% to 63.5%) underwent phlebotomy and 54 817 (61.7%, 95% CI 61.4% to 62.0%) accepted screening for HIV, HBV and HCV, representing 41 535 individual patients. 2202 of these patients had a positive test result. Of these, 267 (12.1%, 95% CI 10.8% to 13.6%) were newly diagnosed with an infection and 1762 (80.0%, 95% CI 78.3% to 81.7%) had known diagnoses. There were 38 new HIV, 47 new HBV and 182 new HCV diagnoses. 81.5% (95% CI 74.9% to 87.0%) of known patients who were not linked were relinked to care after screening. Of the new diagnoses, 86.2% (95% CI 80.4 to 90.8%) were linked to care.ConclusionAlthough high proportions of patients had known diagnoses, our programme was able to identify many new infected patients and link them to care, as well as relink patients with known diagnoses who had been lost to follow-up.

Introduction:Mass gatherings are growing in frequency. Religious, or in this case, “mass” mass gatherings are also growing in complexity, requiring considerable effort from nations hosting a Papal Mass. Ireland hosted a papal mass in 1979 when the prospect of terrorism at such events was significantly lower. Large high-profile events such as a Papal Mass offer a platform via the media and social media to gain widespread coverage of adverse events. In 2018, a predicted 500,000 guests were scheduled to attend a Papal Mass gathering in Phoenix Park, Dublin, a bounded 1,700-hectare park in the center of Dublin.Aim:To develop a medical plan estimating numbers of people requiring medical attention at a Papal Mass held in Ireland late August 2018, and compare same with actual numbers treated post-event. This study aims to reduce the medical impact of such an event on local receiving hospitals through plans that effectively manage medical- and trauma-related presentations on site.Methods:A literature review of medical reports regarding medical care at Papal Mass gatherings worldwide found a range of predicted medical attendance from 21-61 per 10,000 attendees. On that basis we had prepared on-site facilities, facilities on travel routes and access point system for medical care for a crowd of 500,000 were selected.Results:One of 6 receiving hospitals in Dublin had an increase in average presentations on the day. Attendance was reduced significantly due to weather. 261 patients were treated on site, falling in line with lower rate predicted of 31 patients treated in hospital on site and 17 transports off-site.Discussion:A predictable number of patients presented for medical care. On-site medical services reduced transports to hospital. Reduced attendance ensured facilities were sufficient, but could have been under the pressure of the predicted attendance of 500,000.

OBJECTIVES:Studies suggest 2 per 1000 people in Dublin are living with HIV, the level above which universal screening is advised. We aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a universal opt-out HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C testing programme for Emergency Department patients and to describe the incidence and prevalence of blood-borne viruses in this population. METHODS:An opt-out ED blood borne virus screening programme was piloted from March 2014 to January 2015. Patients undergoing blood sampling during routine clinical care were offered HIV 1&2 antibody/antigen assay, HBV surface antigen and HCV antibody tests. Linkage to care where necessary was co-ordinated by the study team. New diagnosis and prevalence rates were defined as the new cases per 1000 tested and number of positive tests per 1000 tested respectively. RESULTS:Over 45 weeks of testing, of 10,000 patient visits, 8,839 individual patient samples were available for analysis following removal of duplicates. A sustained target uptake of >50% was obtained after week 3. 97(1.09%), 44(0.49%) and 447(5.05%) HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C tests were positive respectively. Of these, 7(0.08%), 20(0.22%) and 58(0.66%) were new diagnoses of HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C respectively. The new diagnosis rate for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C was 0.8, 2.26 and 6.5 per 1000 and study prevalence for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C was 11.0, 5.0 and 50.5 per 1000 respectively. CONCLUSIONS:Opt-out blood borne viral screening was feasible and acceptable in an inner-city ED. Blood borne viral infections were prevalent in this population and newly diagnosed cases were diagnosed and linked to care. These results suggest widespread blood borne viral testing in differing clinical locations with differing population demographic risks may be warranted.

Objective The objective of this study was to develop a consensus among emergency medicine (EM) specialists working in Ireland for emergency department (ED) key performance indicators (KPIs).Methods The method employed was a three-round electronic modified-Delphi process. An online questionnaire with 54 potential KPIs was set up for round 1 of the Delphi process. The Delphi panel consisted of all registered EM specialists in Ireland. Each indicator on the questionnaire was rated using a five-point Likert-type rating scale. Agreement was defined as at least 70% of the responders rating an indicator as 'agree' or 'strongly agree' on the rating scale. Data were analysed using standard descriptive statistics. Data were also analysed as the mean of the Likert rating with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Sensitivity of the ratings was examined for robustness by bootstrapping the original sample. Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS version 16.0.Results The response rates in rounds 1, 2 and 3 were 86, 88 and 88%, respectively. Ninety-seven potential indicators reached agreement after the three rounds. In the context of the Donabedian structure-process-outcome framework of performance indicators, 41 (42%) of the agreed indicators were structure indicators, 52 (54%) were process indicators and four (4%) were outcome indicators. Overall, the top-three highest rated indicators were: presence of a dedicated ED clinical information system (4.7; 95% CI 4.6-4.9), ED compliance with minimum design standards (4.7; 95% CI 4.5-4.8) and time from ED arrival to first ECG in suspected cardiac chest pain (4.7; 95% CI 4.5-4.9). The top-three highest rated indicators specific to clinical care of children in EDs were: time to administration of antibiotics in children with suspected bacterial meningitis (4.6; 95% CI 4.5-4.8), separate area available within EDs (seeing both adults and children) to assess children (4.4; 95% CI 4.2-4.6) and time to administration of analgesia in children with forearm fractures (4.4; 95% CI 4.2-4.7).Conclusion Employing a Delphi consensus process, it was possible to reach a consensus among EM specialists in Ireland on a suite of 97 KPIs for EDs. European Journal of Emergency Medicine 20:109-114 (c) 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Aim. To evaluate the utility of a seizure care pathway for seizure presentations to the emergency department (ED) in order to safely avoid unnecessary admission and to provide early diagnostic and therapeutic guidance and minimize length of stay in those admitted. Methods. 3 studies were conducted, 2 baseline audits and a 12-month intervention study and prospective data was collected over a 12-month period (Nov 2008-09). Results. Use of the Pathway resulted in a reduction in the number of epilepsy related admissions from 341 in 2004 to 276 in 2009 (P = 0.0006); a reduction in the median length of stay of those admittedfrom 4-5 days in the baseline audits to 2 days in the intervention study (P ≤ 0.001); an improvement in time to diagnostic investigations such as CT brain, MRI brain and Electroencephalography (P ≤ 0.001, P ≤ 0.048, P ≤ 0.001); a reduction in readmission rates from 45.1% to 8.9% (P ≤ 0.001); and an improvement in follow-up times from a median of 16 weeks to 5 weeks (P < 0.001). From a safety perspective there were no deaths in the early discharged group after 12 months follow-up. Conclusion. The burden of seizure related admissions through the ED can be improved in a safe and effective manner by the provision of a seizure care pathway.

Background The actual impact of emergency department (ED) 'wait' time on hospital mortality in patients admitted as a medical emergency has often been debated. We have evaluated the impact of such waits on 30-day mortality, for all medical patients over a 7-year period.Methods All patients admitted as medical emergencies by the ED between 2002 and 2008 were studied; we looked at the impact of time to medical referral and subsequent time to a ward bed on any inhospital death within 30 days. Significant univariate predictors of outcome, including Charlson's comorbidity and acute illness severity score, were entered into a multivariate regression model, adjusting the univariate estimates of the readmission status on mortality.Results We studied 23 114 consecutive acute medical admissions between 2002 and 2008. The triage category in the ED was highly predictive of subsequent 30-day mortality ranging from 4.8 (category 5) to 46.1% (category 1). After adjustment for all outcome predictors, including comorbidity and illness severity, both door-to-team and team-to-ward times were independent predictors of death within 30 days with respective odds ratios of 1.13 (95% confidence interval 1.07-1.18), and 1.07 (95% confidence interval 1.02-1.13).Conclusion Delay to admission have been shown to be independently adversely related to mortality outcome. We recommend maximal target limits of 4 and 6 h for referrals and admissions, respectively, based on these mortality observations. European Journal of Emergency Medicine 18:192-196 (C) 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Background In 1998 'Dubdoc', Ireland's first out-of-hours general practice emergency service, opened in an outpatient suite in St James's Hospital with a separate entrance 300 m from the emergency department (ED). Dubdoc was established with the aim of providing an easy access out-of-hours service for ambulatory patients of those doctors supplying the service.Aim To determine whether ED attendances for patients in the lower acuity triage categories 4 and 5 have changed since the establishment of 'Dubdoc'.Methods A retrospective review of all attendances at the 'Dubdoc' service was compared with attendances at the ED for triage categories 4 and 5 of the same hospital over a 9-year period (1999-2007 inclusive) for equivalent times of day.Results ED attendances during 'Dubdoc' hours have decreased as a proportion of all attendances for triage categories 4 and 5. ED attendances for triage categories 4 and 5 fell substantially during the study period.Conclusions Although the presence of the 'Dubdoc' service has resulted in a decrease in ED attendances for triage categories 4 and 5, this is a minor proportion of the overall decrease in attendances in this group of patients.

Syncope is a common clinical problem accounting for up to 6% of hospital admissions. Little is known about resource utilisation for patients admitted for syncope management in Ireland.

OBJECTIVE:To analyse the presence of women on the editorial teams of emergency medicine journals and the potential relationship between the pre-eminence of the journal and their presence.MATERIALS AND METHODS:In this cross-sectional study, we examined 10 journals cited under the heading of 'Emergency Medicine' by Thomson Scientific in the Journal Citation Reports and 14 additional emergency journals not cited but which publish investigations in emergency medicine. We evaluated the editorial board posted on their websites, determining the number of men and women occupying executive tasks, as well as the sex of the editor-in-chief of each journal.RESULTS:We identified 372 people working on the editorial teams (mean: 15.5, SD: 13.5), 49 being women (13.2%). Of these 372 people, 28 were editors-in-chief but only one was female (3.6%). We found no statistical differences between indexed and nonindexed emergency journals regarding female representation on the editorial team or in the position of editor-in-chief. Neither did we find any relationship between female presence and the pre-eminence of the indexed journals using impact factor as a surrogate marker.CONCLUSION:Very few women are found either on editorial teams or in editor-in-chief positions in the emergency medicine journals, irrespective of the pre-eminence of the journal. It should be investigated whether a negative journal bias underlies these findings.

The essential features of a clinical specialty include a unique field of action, a defined body of knowledge and a rigorous training programme. Emergency Medicine has a unique field of action, both within the Emergency department and in the community. The European Society for Emergency Medicine (EuSEM) first published a European Core Curriculum for Emergency Medicine in 2002. The present paper presents the new and expanded version of the Curriculum. The document was developed by a Curriculum Task Force of EuSEM (which included representatives of 17 National Societies), has been reviewed by the Multidisciplinary Joint Committee of the Union Europeenne des Medecins Specialistes (MJC-UEMS), and finally approved by EuSEM on May 2009. This curriculum document not only incorporates the relevant body of knowledge and associated competencies but also establishes the essential principles for a rigorous training programme and should constitute a guideline for the development and organisation of recognised training programmes of comparable standard across Europe. The recommended minimum period of training for the specialists in Emergency Medicine is five years even though it is now accepted that the duration of a training programme should be determined more by the length of time needed to acquire the necessary competencies. European countries are encouraged to adopt this curriculum and to train Emergency Physicians to a European standard which will enable them to transfer their skills across national borders. [Emergencias 2009;21:456-470]

AIMS The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of introducing a European Society of Cardiology guideline-based Integrated Care Plan (ICP) for Syncope on hospital admissions and referral patterns to an outpatient Syncope Management Unit, of patients presenting to an Emergency Department (ED) with a syncopal episode and to determine the underlying causes of syncope. METHODS AND RESULTS This study is a single-centre observational case series of consecutive adult patients presenting to the ED over a 5-month period. Two hundred and fourteen of 18 898 patients (1.1%) had a syncopal episode, 110 (51.4%) of whom were admitted. Forty-six (41.8%) admissions were indicated by the ICP. All potential cardiac syncope cases were admitted. There was a 500% increase in the overall number of referrals to the Syncope Management Unit with a small increase in the number of unnecessary referrals. CONCLUSION The introduction of an ICP for syncope was not associated with any cases with potential adverse outcomes being lost to follow-up and resulted in increased referral rates to the syncope unit. However, hospitalization rates for syncope remain high, and a large number of patients requiring early outpatient assessment were not referred. There remains a need to develop further interventions to guide appropriate and safe syncope management in the ED.

The curriculum for emergency medicine in Europe has undergone significant remodelling during that period, after its first public appearance in 2002 [1]. Given the rate of progress of medical learning, it is obvious that the print version is too rigid a model for such a dynamic field as emergency medicine. For that reason, the current revision of the curriculum will not be published as a paper version, but retained as an electronic version on the website of the EuSEM (http://www.eusem.org/downloads/ pdfs/Emergency_Medicine_curriculum_final_draft.pdf), just as the version for the United Kingdom is maintained on the website of the College of Emergency Medicine (www. collemergmed.ac.uk).

Background and Purpose: Noncontrast CT ( NCCT) has become the standard imaging study in the emergency department (ED) diagnosis of nephro- and ureterolithiasis. We undertook to audit the results from the first 500 NCCTs performed for patients presenting to the ED with suspected renal colic.Patients and Methods: In a retrospective study at one institution from October 2003 to February 2006, 500 patients with suspected stone disease were investigated. In the study, NCCT findings, patient clinical records, and urinary microscopy results were evaluated for 166 women and 334 men.Results: Renal or ureteral calculi were identified in 279 (56%) of NCCTs performed. Of the 500, 112 (19%) NCCTs performed identified unexpected intra-abdominal pathology. When the findings deemed to be of low clinical significance were excluded, the number of scans with additional pathology amounted to 67 (13%). These included vascular emergencies, new cancer diagnoses, and gastrointestinal conditions.Conclusions: The variety of diagnoses found unexpectedly on the NCCT that alter a patient's treatment demonstrates the pivotal role of NCCT in the triage of these patients rapidly toward optimal therapy. The rapid acquisition time of NCCT has enabled definitive ED patient diagnosis and less bed occupancy for clinically insignificant calculi.

A study was performed to determine the utility of the 8-point recognition of stroke in the emergency room (ROSIER) instrument as a diagnostic tool in a large Irish emergency department.