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Objective To compare the performance of the Canadian CT Head Rule (CCHR) and the New Orleans Criteria (NOC) in minor head injury patients.Method This retrospective cohort study collected data and CT head reports of all minor head injury patients from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2010. We compared the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of both rules in predicting clinically important brain injury on CT and the need of neurosurgical intervention.Results We reviewed 474 patients with minor head injury. Seventy seven patients had clinically important brain injury and 11 underwent neurosurgical intervention. The sensitivity of the CCHR and NOC in predicting clinically important brain injury were 80% (95% confidence interval [CI] 70-88%) and 92% (95% CI 86-98%), respectively; and the specificity of the CCHR and NOC were 39% (95% CI 33-44%) and 17% (95% CI 13-21%), respectively. The sensitivity of the CCHR and NOC in predicting the need of neurosurgical intervention were 80% (95% CI 55-100%) and 100% (95% CI 100-100%), respectively; and the specificity of the CCHR and NOC were 36% (95% CI 31-41%) and 15% (95% CI 12-19%), respectively. The negative predictive values (NPV) of the CCHR and NOC for clinically important brain injury were 88% (95%CI 83-94%) and 91% (95%CI 84-98%); and for the need of neurosurgical intervention were 99% (95% CI 96-100%) and 100% (95% CI 100-100%). Amongst those missed cases, 88% in the CCHR group and 83% in the NOC group reported loss of consciousness.Conclusions The NOC is more sensitive but less specific than the CCHR in predicting both outcomes. Both rules have excellent NPV to rule out the need of neurosurgical intervention.

To compare the performance of the Canadian CT Head Rule (CCHR) and the New Orleans Criteria (NOC) in minor head injury patients. This retrospective cohort study collected data and CT head reports of all minor head injury patients from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2010. We compared the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of both rules in predicting clinically important brain injury on CT and the need of neurosurgical intervention. We reviewed 474 patients with minor head injury. Seventy seven patients had clinically important brain injury and 11 underwent neurosurgical intervention. The sensitivity of the CCHR and NOC in predicting clinically important brain injury were 80% (95% confidence interval [CI] 70-88%) and 92% (95% CI 86-98%), respectively; and the specificity of the CCHR and NOC were 39% (95% CI 33-44%) and 17% (95% CI 13-21%), respectively. The sensitivity of the CCHR and NOC in predicting the need of neurosurgical intervention were 80% (95% CI 55-100%) and 100% (95% CI 100-100%), respectively; and the specificity of the CCHR and NOC were 36% (95% CI 31-41%) and 15% (95% CI 12-19%), respectively. The negative predictive values (NPV) of the CCHR and NOC for clinically important brain injury were 88% (95%CI 83-94%) and 91% (95%CI 84-98%); and for the need of neurosurgical intervention were 99% (95% CI 96-100%) and 100% (95% CI 100-100%). Amongst those missed cases, 88% in the CCHR group and 83% in the NOC group reported loss of consciousness. The NOC is more sensitive but less specific than the CCHR in predicting both outcomes. Both rules have excellent NPV to rule out the need of neurosurgical intervention.

Introduction Computed tomography (CT) brain has become a popular modality to detect head injury related problems for patients seen at the Emergency Departments (ED) in Hong Kong. This study aims to assess the diagnostic accuracy of local ED medical staff in interpretation of head injury related CT and to assess the association between years of working experience of ED medical staff and the diagnostic accuracy of CT brain interpretation.Methods This is a retrospective cohort study reviewing all patients attending the ED of Princess Margaret Hospital in three years (from 2008 to 2010) with head injuries requiring CT brain during ED stay. The findings of CT brain by ED medical staff were compared with those by radiologists, the reference standard.Results A total of 1716 cases were assessed. The overall sensitivity and specificity for detecting an abnormal CT were 0.66 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60-0.71) and 0.96 (95% CI 0.95-0.97), respectively. The sensitivity showed an increasing trend from 0.63 (95% CI 0.54-0.72) in ED staff with 0-3 years of working experience, to 0.71 (95% CI 0.59-0.84) with 4-6 years of experience and 0.75 (95% CI 0.63-0.86) with 7-10 years of experience. It dropped to 0.59 (95% CI 0.47-0.71) with more than 10 years of experience.Conclusions The head injury related CT interpretation skill by ED medical staff is suboptimal. More training is necessary. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2015;22:241-247)

Computed tomography (CT) brain has become a popular modality to detect head injury related problems for patients seen at the Emergency Departments (ED) in Hong Kong. This study aims to assess the diagnostic accuracy of local ED medical staff in interpretation of head injury related CT and to assess the association between years of working experience of ED medical staff and the diagnostic accuracy of CT brain interpretation. This is a retrospective cohort study reviewing all patients attending the ED of Princess Margaret Hospital in three years (from 2008 to 2010) with head injuries requiring CT brain during ED stay. The findings of CT brain by ED medical staff were compared with those by radiologists, the reference standard. A total of 1716 cases were assessed. The overall sensitivity and specificity for detecting an abnormal CT were 0.66 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60-0.71) and 0.96 (95% CI 0.95-0.97), respectively. The sensitivity showed an increasing trend from 0.63 (95% CI 0.54-0.72) in ED staff with 0-3 years of working experience, to 0.71 (95% CI 0.59-0.84) with 4-6 years of experience and 0.75 (95% CI 0.63-0.86) with 7-10 years of experience. It dropped to 0.59 (95% CI 0.47-0.71) with more than 10 years of experience. The head injury related CT interpretation skill by ED medical staff is suboptimal. More training is necessary. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2015;22:241-247)

Objective Bladder scan was firstly used in the ambulatory management protocol for acute urinary retention (AUR) in Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) emergency department (ED) since 2012. Bladder scan measurement was performed immediately after triage for early catheterisation in the new protocol for AUR. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of bladder scan in estimating the volume of urinary retention. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the change in unnecessary catheterisation rate and the change in door to catheterisation time (DTCT) after the implementation of new protocol.Setting Emergency department of a regional hospital.Methods Male patients over 40 years old presenting to the ED of PMH for difficulty to void within the study period were enrolled and managed according to the study protocol. Agreement analysis was carried out by the Bland and Altman method. The changes in DTCT were assessed by comparing data of current study and historical control.Results A total of 121 male patients were recruited. The bias between bladder scan readings and catheterised volume was 26.09 ml when the average bladder scan measurement and catheterised volume was 300ml. The 95% upper and lower limit were -95.82 ml and 151 ml, respectively. The relative risk reduction of unnecessary catheterisation was 90.9%. The absolute risk reduction was 8.26%. Number need to treat was 12 (95% CI 8-30). The DTCT of current study were shorter than that of historical control (DTCT: 22.85 minutes vs. 48.42 minutes; p<0.001).Conclusions Agreement between bladder scan readings and catheterised volume is satisfactory. Bladder scan can serve as a device to facilitate nurses to make decision on early catheterisation for AUR patients with presumed diagnosis of benign prostatic hypertrophy. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2014;21:300-307)

Bladder scan was firstly used in the ambulatory management protocol for acute urinary retention (AUR) in Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) emergency department (ED) since 2012. Bladder scan measurement was performed immediately after triage for early catheterisation in the new protocol for AUR. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of bladder scan in estimating the volume of urinary retention. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the change in unnecessary catheterisation rate and the change in door to catheterisation time (DTCT) after the implementation of new protocol. Emergency department of a regional hospital. Male patients over 40 years old presenting to the ED of PMH for difficulty to void within the study period were enrolled and managed according to the study protocol. Agreement analysis was carried out by the Bland and Altman method. The changes in DTCT were assessed by comparing data of current study and historical control. A total of 121 male patients were recruited. The bias between bladder scan readings and catheterised volume was 26.09 ml when the average bladder scan measurement and catheterised volume was 300ml. The 95% upper and lower limit were -95.82 ml and 151 ml, respectively. The relative risk reduction of unnecessary catheterisation was 90.9%. The absolute risk reduction was 8.26%. Number need to treat was 12 (95% CI 8-30). The DTCT of current study were shorter than that of historical control (DTCT: 22.85 minutes vs. 48.42 minutes; p<0.001). Agreement between bladder scan readings and catheterised volume is satisfactory. Bladder scan can serve as a device to facilitate nurses to make decision on early catheterisation for AUR patients with presumed diagnosis of benign prostatic hypertrophy. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2014;21:300-307)

Ambulatory electrocardiography (AECG) or Holter has a long history of use in patients with suspected symptomatic arrhythmia. In Hong Kong, patients with AECG monitoring were entirely under the care of internal medicine in the past. This report described a pioneer trial on the use of AECG in a local emergency setting under the supervision of emergency physicians. A departmental guideline for AECG use on suitable patients was drawn up and patients underwent AECG monitoring in the emergency medicine ward. The AECG results were reported preliminarily by emergency physicians and then confirmed with additional comments by cardiologists. This report presented the clinical features, AECG results and clinical outcomes of all patients recruited from the start of the protocol in May 2008 to July 2009.

Ambulatory electrocardiography (AECG) or Holter has a long history of use in patients with suspected symptomatic arrhythmia. In Hong Kong, patients with AECG monitoring were entirely under the care of internal medicine in the past. This report described a pioneer trial on the use of AECG in a local emergency setting under the supervision of emergency physicians. A departmental guideline for AECG use on suitable patients was drawn up and patients underwent AECG monitoring in the emergency medicine ward. The AECG results were reported preliminarily by emergency physicians and then confirmed with additional comments by cardiologists. This report presented the clinical features, AECG results and clinical outcomes of all patients recruited from the start of the protocol in May 2008 to July 2009.

Introduction Acute urinary retention (AUR) is a common urological presentation to emergency departments (ED). An ambulatory care protocol had been developed allowing trial without catheterization (TWOC) instead of admission to hospital after catheterization in the ED. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the ambulatory care protocol for patients with AUR. The secondary aim was to identify any independent predictor(s) for successful weaning of urinary catheter in a short duration.Methods This was a prospective cohort study. A total of 143 male patients presenting with an episode of AUR underwent urinary catheterization once. Those who were unable to pass urine afterwards were catheterized again and discharged home with a urinary catheter in-situ (Day 0). On Day 3, ability of spontaneous urination was assessed. If failed, spontaneous urination was assessed again on Day 6.Results Successful TWOC was recorded in 50.3% of the 143 patients after first catheterization. The cumulative successful rates for first (Day 3) and second (Day 6) follow-ups were 76.9% and 79.0%, respectively. Among the associated predictors, only the urine retention volume on first catheterization was found to be independently associated with successful TWOC, using binary logistic regression (p=0.001).Conclusion The ambulatory care protocol was successful in weaning off urinary catheter for 50.3% of patients with AUR after first catheterization and a further 26.6% on Day 3, making a cumulative success rate of 76.9%. Those who failed TWOC on Day 3 would get little benefit on further trials. The first catheterization volume was independently associated with the chance of successful TWOC.

Acute urinary retention (AUR) is a common urological presentation to emergency departments (ED). An ambulatory care protocol had been developed allowing trial without catheterization (TWOC) instead of admission to hospital after catheterization in the ED. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the ambulatory care protocol for patients with AUR. The secondary aim was to identify any independent predictor(s) for successful weaning of urinary catheter in a short duration. This was a prospective cohort study. A total of 143 male patients presenting with an episode of AUR underwent urinary catheterization once. Those who were unable to pass urine afterwards were catheterized again and discharged home with a urinary catheter in-situ (Day 0). On Day 3, ability of spontaneous urination was assessed. If failed, spontaneous urination was assessed again on Day 6. Successful TWOC was recorded in 50.3% of the 143 patients after first catheterization. The cumulative successful rates for first (Day 3) and second (Day 6) follow-ups were 76.9% and 79.0%, respectively. Among the associated predictors, only the urine retention volume on first catheterization was found to be independently associated with successful TWOC, using binary logistic regression (p=0.001). The ambulatory care protocol was successful in weaning off urinary catheter for 50.3% of patients with AUR after first catheterization and a further 26.6% on Day 3, making a cumulative success rate of 76.9%. Those who failed TWOC on Day 3 would get little benefit on further trials. The first catheterization volume was independently associated with the chance of successful TWOC.