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As we know, singular value decomposition (SVD) is designed for computing singular values (SVs) of a matrix. Then, if it is used for finding SVs of an -by-1 or 1-by- array with elements representing samples of a signal, it will return only one singular value that is not enough to express the whole signal. To overcome this problem, we designed a new kind of the feature extraction method which we call ''time-frequency moments singular value decomposition (TFM-SVD).'' In this new method, we use statistical features of time series as well as frequency series (Fourier transform of the signal). This information is then extracted into a certain matrix with a fixed structure and the SVs of that matrix are sought. This transform can be used as a preprocessing stage in pattern clustering methods. The results in using it indicate that the performance of a combined system including this transform and classifiers is comparable with the performance of using other feature extraction methods such as wavelet transforms. To evaluate TFM-SVD, we applied this new method and artificial neural networks (ANNs) for ballistocardiogram (BCG) data clustering to look for probable heart disease of six test subjects. BCG from the test subjects was recorded using a chair-like ballistocardiograph, developed in our project. This kind of device combined with automated recording and analysis would be suitable for use in many places, such as home, office, and so forth. The results show that the method has high performance and it is almost insensitive to BCG waveform latency or nonlinear disturbance.

No universal definitions have been proposed for non-urgent emergency department (ED) patients. Robust evidence on safety issues and the subsequent utilisation of health care services among diverted patients is insufficient. The aim of this study was to establish the revisit rate within 7 days, as well as the 30-day mortality and outcome of patients diverted by triage. An observational single-centre retrospective study was conducted at the Tampere University Hospital ED for the full calendar year of 2019. The primary outcomes were a revisit within 7 days and 30-day mortality. A total of 92,406 ED visits were registered. Of these patients, 7.8% (7216 visits) were diverted by triage. Among the diverted patients, the hospital revisit rate within 7 days was 10.1%, and a diagnostic or therapeutic intervention was performed on 81.4% of the readmitted patients. The all-cause 30-day mortality, hospitalisation and intensive care unit admission rates of diverted patients were 0.07%, 1.7% and 0.1%, respectively. Diverting non-urgent patients reduces ED visits. The current study showed a revisit rate of 10.1% and a 30-day mortality rate of 0.07% for diverted patients. There were more unanticipated adverse outcomes than reported previously, and the strategy may thus be suitable only for some groups of patients without increasing risks. Therefore, further investigation is needed to determine the factors associated with readmissions and adverse outcomes to enhance the performance of triage in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Emergency Medicine (EM) is an independent specialty in all five Nordic countries. This study aims to evaluate the structure of post-graduate EM training in the area. Methods: A leading hospital or hospitals in EM training in each country were identified. An e-survey was sent to each hospital to gather data on patient volume and physician staffing, curriculum, trainee supervision, and monitoring of progression in training. Results: Data were collected from one center in Iceland and Norway, two in Finland and Sweden, and four centers in Denmark. The data from each country in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden, were pooled to represent that country. The percentage of consultants with EM specialist recognition ranged from 49–100% of all consultants working in the participating departments. The number of patients seen annually per each full time EM consultant was almost three times higher in Finland than in Sweden. In Iceland, Denmark, and Sweden a consultant was present 24/7 in the ED but not in all centers in the other countries. The level of trainee autonomy in clinical practice varied between countries. Requirements for completing standardized courses, completing final exams, scientific and quality improvement projects, and evaluation of trainee progression, varied between the countries. Conclusions: All Nordic countries have established EM training programs. Despite cultural similarities, there are significant differences in how the EM training is structured between the countries. Writing and implementing a standardized training curriculum and assessment system for EM training in the Nordic countries should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stiffening of arteries is associated with various cardiovascular diseases. Arterial stiffening can be studied utilizing arterial pulse wave velocity (PWV), but the absence of reliable reference values for PWV has limited its use in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to establish a range of reference values for PWV. PWV was examined by measuring the time difference of systolic pulse waves in arteries from the aortic arch to the popliteal artery using whole-body impedance cardiography (ICG). The study population consisted of 799 individuals (age range 25–76 years), 283 of whom had no evidence of cardiovascular disease, and a low burden of risk factors was selected to represent an apparently healthy population. In healthy study population, PWV was higher in males (8·9 ± 1·8 m s−1) than females (8·1 ± 2·0 m s−1, P<0·001). Young males had lower PWV values than old males. Correspondingly, young females also had lower PWV values than old females. PWV was clearly associated with age, and PWV was higher in young and middle-aged males than in females. There was no statistically significant difference between old males and females in PWV. In conclusion, whole-body ICG provides a practical method for PWV measurement. Reference values can be useful in the clinical management of patients, especially in detecting early vascular disease or an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Importance: Existing data are limited for determining the medical conditions best suited for an emergency department (ED) redirection strategy in a heterogeneous, nonurgent patient population., Objective: The aim was to establish factors associated with hospital revisits within 7 days among patients discharged or redirected by a triage team., Design, Settings, and Participants: An observational single-center case-control study was conducted at the Tampere University Hospital ED for the full calendar year of 2019. The cases comprised unplanned hospital revisits within 7 days of being discharged or redirected by triage, while the controls were discharged or redirected but did not revisit., Outcome Measures and Analysis: The primary outcome was an unplanned hospital revisit within 7 days. A subgroup analysis was conducted for revisits leading to hospitalization. Basic demographics, comorbidities before triage, and triage visit characteristics were considered as predictive factors for the revisit. A backward stepwise conditional logistic regression analysis was performed., Main Results: During the calendar year of 2019, there were a total of 92 406 ED visits. Of these, 7216 (7.8%) visits were discharged or redirected by triage, and 6.5% (n = 467) of all these patients revisited. Of the revisiting patients, 25% (n = 117) were hospitalized. In multivariable analysis, higher age was associated with both revisitation [odds ratio (OR): 1.01, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00-1.02] and hospitalization (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.04). Furthermore, using other visits as a reference, abdominal pain was associated with revisitation and hospitalization (OR: 3.70, 95% CI: 2.24-6.11 and OR: 5.28, 95% CI: 2.08-13.4, respectively)., Conclusion: Higher age and abdominal pain were associated with hospital revisitation and hospitalization within 7 days among patients directly discharged or redirected by the triage team. Regardless of the triage system in use, there might be patient groups that should be evaluated more cautiously if a triage-based discharge or redirection strategy is to be considered., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

In Finland, there is a trend towards joint regional emergency departments where emergency medicine specialists work together with physicians from specialties. This collaboration will benefit the care process management and patient care. Moreover, an observation unit is an essential part of the modern emergency department.