| Evidence-based algorithms and the management of falls and syncope presenting to acute medical services. | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 18478859 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
Falls and syncope are symptoms that commonly present to medical services. Detailed international guidelines for their management are available but tend to be aimed at specialists rather than generalists. Novel, evidence-based algorithms for the management of these symptoms when they present to acute medical services were formulated and their impact on patient care audited. The percentage of people admitted with falls and syncope was unexpectedly high (10.6% at baseline); this had decreased to 8.2% at repeat audit. Readmission rates decreased from 12% at baseline audit to 0% in repeat audit, while length of inpatient stay was unchanged. Mortality was strikingly high (12%) in both audits. Although inappropriate use of investigations decreased, the use of appropriate management strategies increased. Easy-to-use algorithms can help reduce the number of patients admitted to acute medical services with falls and syncope while optimising the care of those managed as inpatients. The algorithms are provided for use by interested parties. |
| | |
Authors:
|
Steve W Parry; Richard Frearson; Nick Steen; Julia L Newton; Prathiba Tryambake; Rose Anne Kenny |
Related Documents
:
|
15572989 - Evidence-based practice and rehabilitation: occupational therapy in australia and new z... 12195609 - Progress in clinical neurosciences: status epilepticus: a critical review of management... 12493099 - Evidence-based neurosurgery. 16639989 - Evidence-based medicine in pathology: an introduction. 18021839 - Teaching evidence-based medicine in otolaryngology. 14738699 - Evidence-based medicine and geriatric psychiatry. 22627599 - Exposing exposure: enhancing patient safety through automated data mining of nuclear me... 16292019 - Symptom management in hiv/aids: advancing the conceptualization. 12818579 - Complexity theory in the management of communicable diseases. |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: Clinical medicine (London, England) Volume: 8 ISSN: 1470-2118 ISO Abbreviation: Clin Med Publication Date: 2008 Apr |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2008-05-15 Completed Date: 2008-08-14 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 101092853 Medline TA: Clin Med Country: England |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 157-62 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
|
Falls and Syncope Service and Institute for Ageing and Health, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne. swparry@hotmail.com |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Accidental Falls*
/
mortality Adolescent Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Algorithms* Evidence-Based Medicine Female Great Britain / epidemiology Humans Internal Medicine / methods* Male Medical Audit Middle Aged Prospective Studies Referral and Consultation Risk Factors Statistics, Nonparametric Syncope* / etiology, mortality, therapy |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Specialist recertification: a survey of Members and Fellows.
Next Document: Can acute medicine units in the UK comply with the Surviving Sepsis Campaign's six-hour care bundle?