OBJECTIVE: To map the available evidence on nursing care provided to prevent the development of pressure ulcers/injuries in emergency services.
METHODS: Scoping review that follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and the Meta-Analyses extensions for Scoping Reviews and the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. The inclusion criteria were based on the PCC mnemonic. The main variables of interest were the nursing care provided to prevent the development of pressure ulcers/injuries (Condition) reported in studies developed in hospital emergency services (Context) with adult participants (Population). The scoping review protocol was registered on the OSF platform.
RESULTS: During the selection process, 175 articles were identified in different databases. Applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 20 studies were included in this scoping review. The preventive measures for the development of pressure ulcers/injuries were grouped into 9 categories: \"risk factors and risk assessment\", \"support surfaces\", \"dressings for pressure ulcer/injury prevention\", \"skin and tissue assessment\", \"repositioning and early mobilization\", \"preventive skin care\", \"nutrition in pressure ulcer/injury prevention\", \"health education\" and \"vital signs management\". The instruments for assessing the risk of developing pressure ulcers/injuries mentioned in the studies are the Braden, Waterlow and Norton scales. The most documented tool for assessing the risk of developing pressure ulcers/injuries in hospital emergency services was the Braden Scale.
CONCLUSIONS: International literature identified several preventive interventions that could be implemented in emergency services to avoid pressure ulcers/injuries development. However, is crucial that those preventive interventions were systematic implemented (in combination) since hospital admission.

The objective of this review was to explore parents\' experiences and information needs regarding management of their child with an intellectual and/or developmental disability (IDD) in the emergency department (ED). We searched six electronic databases and grey literature to identify primary studies in English published since 2000. We synthesized quantitative and qualitative outcome data simultaneously using a convergent integrated approach and used a Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) to assess methodological quality of the included studies. Nine articles derived from seven studies were included (3 qualitative, 3 quantitative, 1 mixed method). Four main themes related to parents\' self-reported experiences were identified: 1) appropriateness of the ED to manage and support their child; 2) acknowledgement/recognition of their child\'s IDD and incorporation of those considerations into overall care and management; 3) managing and navigating the ED environment; and 4) decision to disclose their child\'s condition when visiting the ED. Two articles provided data relevant to information needs, highlighting parents\' desire to have resources supporting ED orientation and access to services within and outside of the ED setting. From the limited number of studies, it was evident that parents wanted better communication with healthcare providers and a greater understanding by ED staff around physical space settings needed to support their child. Resources supporting ED staff and parents to communicate effectively and work together can ensure that children with IDDs care needs are met. Further research into understanding parents\' experiences and information needs related to managing a child with an IDD in the ED is needed to guide the development of effective resources.

Head computed tomography (CT) is the preferred imaging modality for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The routine use of head CT in low-risk individuals with mild TBI offers no clinical benefit but also causes notable health and financial burden. Despite the availability of related guidelines, studies have reported considerable rate of non-indicated head CT requests. The objectives were to provide an overall estimate for the head CT overutilization rate and to identify the factors contributing to the overuse. A systematic review of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases was conducted up to November 2023, following PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. Two reviewers independently selected eligible articles and extracted data. Quality assessment was performed using a bias risk tool, and a random-effects model was used for data synthesis. Fourteen studies, encompassing 28,612 patients, were included, with 27,809 undergoing head CT scans. Notably, 75% of the included studies exhibited a moderate to high risk of bias. The overutilization rate for pediatric and adult patients was 27% (95% CI: 5-50%) and 32% (95% CI: 21-44%), respectively. An alternative rate, focusing on low-risk pediatric patients, was 54% (95% CI: 20-89%). Overutilization rates showed no significant difference between teaching and non-teaching hospitals. Patients with mTBI from falls or assaults were less likely to receive non-indicated scans. There was no significant association between physician specialty or seniority and overuse, nor between patients\' age or sex and the likelihood of receiving a non-indicated scan. Approximately one-third of head CT scans in mTBI cases are avoidable, underscoring the necessity for quality improvement programs to reduce unnecessary imaging and its associated burdens.

UNASSIGNED: Emergency departments frequently care for patients at the end of life and should have robust processes for reviewing delivery of care. The aim of this scoping review is to examine and collate the chart audit tools available to assess the quality of end of life care of patients who die in the emergency department, or, in the subsequent hospital admission.
UNASSIGNED: A scoping review of the literature using the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines, and the methodological framework outlined by Arksey and O\'Malley was conducted. Primary and secondary research, along with grey literature were searched. Both adult and paediatric populations were included. Databases Ovid Emcare, CINAHL and Medline were searched from 1961 to December 2022; followed by screening and appraisal. Articles were compared and data synthesised into categories.
UNASSIGNED: Fifty-eight articles were included generating three categories; contexts for end of life audit use, development and evaluation of audit tools, and audit characteristics / components. Four tools focused on the emergency department, however, did not comprehensively review both end of life and emergency department specific data. A draft audit tool for the emergency department was developed that consisted of the common elements to evaluate end of life care as identified in this review, emergency department-specific quality of care measures and the integration of the Criteria for Screening and Triaging to Appropriate aLternative care (CriSTAL) tool.
UNASSIGNED: No audit tool to comprehensively review end of life care provided for patients at the end of life in the emergency department was found. We developed an audit tool based on best available evidence that now needs testing for validity, feasibility, and usability to evaluate end of life in the emergency department setting is required.

BACKGROUND: Medication errors significantly compromise patient safety in emergency departments. Although previous studies have investigated the prevalence of these errors in this setting, results have varied widely.
OBJECTIVE: The aim was to report pooled data on the prevalence and severity of medication errors in emergency departments, as well as the proportion of patients affected by these errors.
METHODS: Systematic searches were conducted in Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library from database inception until June 2023. Studies provided numerical data on medication errors within emergency departments were eligible for inclusion. Random-effects meta-analysis was employed to pool the prevalence of medication errors, the proportion of patients experiencing these errors, and the error severity levels. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed using the I2 statistic and Cochran\'s Q test.
RESULTS: Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis gave a pooled prevalence of medication errors in emergency departments of 22.6% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 19.2-25.9%, I2 = 99.9%, p < 0.001). The estimated proportion of patients experiencing medication errors was 36.3% (95% CI 28.3-44.3%, I2 = 99.8%, p < 0.001). Of these errors, 42.6% (95% CI 5.0-80.1%) were potentially harmful but not life-threatening, while no-harm errors accounted for 57.3% (95% CI 14.1-100.0%).
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of medication errors, particularly those potentially harmful, underscores potential safety issues in emergency departments. It is imperative to develop and implement effective interventions aimed at reducing medication errors and enhancing patient safety in this setting.

Traumatic pain is frequently encountered in emergency care and requires immediate analgesia. Unfortunately, most trauma patients report sustained pain upon arrival at and discharge from the Emergency Department. Obtaining intravenous access to administer analgesics can be time-consuming, leading to treatment delay. This review provides an overview of analgesics with both fast onset and parenteral, non-intravenous routes of administration, and also indicates areas where more research is required.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the comparative effectiveness and safety of parenteral agents for pain reduction in patients with acute migraine.
BACKGROUND: Parenteral agents have been shown to be effective in treating acute migraine pain; however, the comparative effectiveness of different approaches is unclear.
METHODS: Nine electronic databases and gray literature sources were searched to identify randomized clinical trials assessing parenteral agents to treat acute migraine pain in emergency settings. Two independent reviewers completed study screening, data extraction, and Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment, with differences being resolved by adjudication. The protocol of the review was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42018100096).
RESULTS: A total of 97 unique studies were included, with most studies reporting a high or unclear risk of bias. Monotherapy, as well as combination therapy, successfully reduced pain scores prior to discharge. They also increased the proportion of patients reporting pain relief and being pain free. Across the pain outcomes assessed, combination therapy was one of the higher ranked approaches and provided robust improvements in pain outcomes, including lowering pain scores (mean difference -3.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] -4.64 to -2.08) and increasing the proportion of patients reporting pain relief (risk ratio [RR] 2.83, 95% CI 1.74-4.61). Neuroleptics and metoclopramide also ranked high in terms of the proportion of patients reporting pain relief (neuroleptics RR 2.76, 95% CI 2.12-3.60; metoclopramide RR 2.58, 95% CI 1.90-3.49) and being pain free before emergency department discharge (neuroleptics RR 4.8, 95% CI 3.61-6.49; metoclopramide RR 4.1, 95% CI 3.02-5.44). Most parenteral agents were associated with increased adverse events, particularly combination therapy and neuroleptics.
CONCLUSIONS: Various parenteral agents were found to provide effective pain relief. Considering the consistent improvements across various outcomes, combination therapy, as well as monotherapy of either metoclopramide or neuroleptics are recommended as first-line options for managing acute migraine pain. There are risks of adverse events, especially akathisia, following treatment with these agents. We recommend that a shared decision-making model be considered to effectively identify the best treatment option based on the patient\'s needs.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the reasons and/or risk factors for hospital admission and/or emergency department attendance for older (≥60 years) residents of long-term care facilities.
BACKGROUND: Older adults\' use of acute services is associated with significant financial and social costs. A global understanding of the reasons for the use of acute services may allow for early identification and intervention, avoid clinical deterioration, reduce the demand for health services and improve quality of life.
METHODS: Systematic review registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022326964) and reported following PRISMA guidelines.
METHODS: The search strategy was developed in consultation with an academic librarian. The strategy used MeSH terms and relevant keywords. Articles published since 2017 in English were eligible for inclusion. CINAHL, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection were searched (11/08/22). Title, abstract, and full texts were screened against the inclusion/exclusion criteria; data extraction was performed two blinded reviewers. Quality of evidence was assessed using the NewCastle Ottawa Scale (NOS).
RESULTS: Thirty-nine articles were eligible and included in this review; included research was assessed as high-quality with a low risk of bias. Hospital admission was reported as most likely to occur during the first year of residence in long-term care. Respiratory and cardiovascular diagnoses were frequently associated with acute services use. Frailty, hypotensive medications, falls and inadequate nutrition were associated with unplanned service use.
CONCLUSIONS: Modifiable risks have been identified that may act as a trigger for assessment and be amenable to early intervention. Coordinated intervention may have significant individual, social and economic benefits.
CONCLUSIONS: This review has identified several modifiable reasons for acute service use by older adults. Early and coordinated intervention may reduce the risk of hospital admission and/or emergency department.
UNASSIGNED: This systematic review was conducted and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology.
UNASSIGNED: No patient or public contribution.

UNASSIGNED: The aim of this review was to identify reported nursing-sensitive outcomes in the Emergency Department to date.
UNASSIGNED: An Umbrella review was conducted. Four databases, CINAHL, Pubmed, Web of Science and Scopus, were searched from inception until October 2022. MeSH terms were: \"nursing\", \"sensitivity and specificity\", \"emergency service, hospital\", \"nursing care\". Two reviewers independently screened studies against the inclusion criteria for eligibility, extracted data and assessed study quality with the SIGN tool. Results of the included studies were summarized and described in themes for narrative analysis. The study was enrolled in the PROSPERO registry (CRD42022376941) and PRISMA guidelines were followed.
UNASSIGNED: The search strategy yielded 2289 records. After duplicate removal, title, abstract and full-text eligibility screening, nine systematic reviews were included in the review. A total of 35 nursing-sensitive outcomes were reported. The most described outcomes were waiting times, patient satisfaction and time to treatment. The less measured were mortality, left without being seen and physical function. Synthesizing nursing-sensitive outcomes in themes for reporting, the most measured outcomes were within the safety domain (n=20), followed by the clinical (n=9), perceptual (n=5) and the least explored functional domain (n=1).
UNASSIGNED: Nursing sensitive outcomes research in emergency nursing practice is a conceptual challenge still in its early stage. Several nursing-sensitive outcomes were identified in this review that can evaluate the contribution of emergency department nursing care to patient outcomes. Further research is required to explore patient outcomes sensitive to emergency nursing care.

UNASSIGNED: The burgeoning burden on emergency departments is a global challenge that we have been confronting for many years. Emerging artificial intelligence (AI)-based solutions may constitute a critical component in the optimization of these units. This systematic review was conducted to thoroughly examine and summarize the currently available AI solutions, assess potential benefits from their implementation, and identify anticipated directions of further development in this fascinating and rapidly evolving field.
UNASSIGNED: This systematic review utilized data compiled from three key scientific databases: PubMed (2045 publications), Scopus (877 publications), and Web of Science (2495 publications). After meticulous removal of duplicates, we conducted a detailed analysis of 2052 articles, including 147 full-text papers. From these, we selected 51 of the most pertinent and representative publications for the review.
UNASSIGNED: Overall the present research indicates that due to high accuracy and sensitivity of machine learning (ML) models it\'s reasonable to use AI in support of doctors as it can show them the potential diagnosis, which could save time and resources. However, AI-generated diagnoses should be verified by a doctor as AI is not infallible.
UNASSIGNED: Currently available AI algorithms are capable of analysing complex medical data with unprecedented precision and speed. Despite AI\'s vast potential, it is still a nascent technology that is often perceived as complicated and challenging to implement. We propose that a pivotal point in effectively harnessing this technology is the close collaboration between medical professionals and AI experts. Future research should focus on further refining AI algorithms, performing comprehensive validation, and introducing suitable legal regulations and standard procedures, thereby fully leveraging the potential of AI to enhance the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery.