The purpose of this study is to investigate the preparedness at the prehospital emergency care unit in north-western Skåne. Measuring preparedness is important to ensure that the ability to respond on emergency calls is satisfactory. To do this for north-western Skåne historical data from 2015 was extracted from SOS Alarm’s database. It was used to calculate preparedness using workload and coverage as measurements. The workload was calculated by taking the busy periods and comparing them to the ambulances working times. The coverage was calculated by defining neighbouring stations to cover for each station and then finding the amount of hours when there was no ambulance at either station. These calculations show that two of the six stations in north-western Skåne are in need of improvement. To increase the preparedness to a good level resources will have to be added at the liable stations. These resources would be new ambulances. There is a possibility to relocate ambulances from stations within the district but that would lead to a worsened preparedness for the stations which these ambulances belonged to in the first place.

published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing in Advanced Practice

Healthcare systems are traditionally characterised by complexity and heterogeneity. With the continuous increase in size and shrinkage of available resources, the healthcare sector faces the challenge of delivering high quality services with fewer resources. Healthcare organisations cannot be seen in isolation since the services of one such affects the performance of other healthcare organisations. Efficient management and forward planning, not only locally but rather across the whole system, could support healthcare sector to overcome the challenges. An example of closely interwoven organisations within the healthcare sector is the emergency medical services (EMS). EMS operate in a region and usually consist of one ambulance service and the available accident and emergency (A&E) departments within the coverage area. EMS provide, mainly, pre-hospital treatment and transport to the appropriate A&E units. The life-critical nature of EMS demands continuous systems improvement practices. Modelling and Simulation (M&S) has been used to analyse either the ambulance services or the A&E departments. However, the size and complexity of EMS systems constitute the conventional M&S techniques inadequate to model the system as a whole. This research adopts the approach of distributed simulation to model all the EMS components as individual and composable simulations that are able to run as standalone simulation, as well as federates in a distributed simulation (DS) model. Moreover, the hybrid approach connects agent-based simulation (ABS) and discrete event simulation (DES) models in order to accommodate the heterogeneity of the EMS components. The proposed FIELDS Framework for Integrated EMS Large-scale Distributed Simulation supports the re-use of existing, heterogeneous models that can be linked with the High Level Architecture (HLA) protocol for distributed simulation in order to compose large-scale simulation models. Based on FIELDS, a prototype ABS-DES distributed simulation EMS model was developed based on the London EMS. Experiments were conducted with the model and the system was tested in terms of performance and scalability measures to assess the feasibility of the proposed approach. The yielded results indicate that it is feasible to develop hybrid DS models of EMS that enables holistic analysis of the system and support model re-use. The main contributions of this thesis is a distributed simulation methodology that derived along the process of conducting this project, the FIELDS framework for hybrid EMS distributed simulation studies that support re-use of existing simulation models, and a prototype distributed simulation model that can be potentially used as a tool for EMS analysis and improvement.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Health Sciences in Emergency Medical Care, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Purpose Emergency care education and training in South Africa is experiencing an important transformation period, involving migration from short course based training to a newly proposed, formalised, three-tier qualification system, aligned with the Higher Education Sub-framework. Many existing and experienced holders of short course emergency care certificates face the challenge of gaining access to formal emergency care programmes without meeting the minimum entry requirements. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will therefore become one of the key strategies for planned migration of short course graduates into professional learning programmes. However, the research reports on RPL practice in the field of emergency care are scarce. Hence, valuable lessons about RPL in emergency care programmes are missed. The purpose of this study is to explore the efficacy of RPL practice within the National Certificate: Emergency Care (NCEC) Programme in the Western Cape, through the experience of ambulance emergency assistants, who applied for RPL on the Programme and the paramedic educators involved in the facilitation and RPL assessment on the NCEC Programme. Methodology The design of this descriptive exploratory study was qualitative, and was set in the interpretative paradigm using a case study mode of inquiry. The qualitative data was collected through semi-structured focus groups, individual interviews, and document analysis. The participants were from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Department of Emergency Medical Sciences, and the Western Cape Government College of Emergency Care (WCCEC). Collected data was interpreted by means of thematic analysis, set against the context of the study objectives and the theoretical framework. Finding The study revealed three main themes related to RPL efficacy in the NCEC Programme. These included the need for RPL training for educators involved in RPL, lack of support and guidance for RPL assessors and participants, and the need for careful selection of RPL assessment methods. The document analysis highlighted the gap between a comprehensive and sound RPL policy document and the practical implementation of these policies. Conclusion and Recommendations The emergency care field requires greater awareness and information on RPL processes, principles, assessments, and requirements. The higher education institutions, as the sole providers of the newly proposed formal emergency care programmes need to consider building capacity for RPL by means of training and dedicating academic staff to RPL, and developing comprehensive RPL policies, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders in the field. RPL assessment methods need to be more diverse and tailored to the individual RPL claimants. Further research on RPL will ensure a fair, social inclusive and redressing process during the planned migration of emergency care education and training. / M

Esse estudo teve como objetivo geral identificar as evidências científicas sobre os riscos psicossociais aos quais estão expostos os trabalhadores de enfermagem de Unidades de Pronto Atendimento e Serviços de Emergência. Trata-se de um estudo de Revisão Integrativa em que foi realizada a busca nas bases de dados LILACS, MEDLINE, BDENF e Biblioteca Virtual SciELO. Os descritores utilizados na busca foram: risco psicossocial, enfermagem em emergência e serviços médicos de emergência. De 413 artigos, foram selecionados seis, a maioria de âmbito nacional. Quanto as características dos trabalhadores de enfermagem, identificou-se que a maioria foi constituída por mulheres com nível superior de escolaridade, adultas jovens, casadas/solteiras, trabalhando em turnos alternados, com carga horária de até 40 horas semanais, com ritmo acelerado de trabalho, com tempo de atuação profissional de cerca de cinco anos. Os principais fatores de riscos psicossociais, identificados foram: trabalho de alta exigência; condições laborais inadequadas, de baixo controle e alta demanda; conflitos entre equipes de saúde; falta de motivação; sobrecarga de trabalho; insatisfação profissional; ambientes negativos de trabalho, entre outros. Alguns dos danos à saúde identificados foram: estresse, transtorno mental comum, insônia, mal estar gástrico, angústia, sofrimento, depressão, tristeza, alteração no sono e repouso, fadiga, nervosismo, entre outras. Como proposta para orientação dos trabalhadores de enfermagem, elaborou-se um produto tecnológico na modalidade cartilha intitulada \"Riscos Psicossociais e os Trabalhadores de Enfermagem que atuam em Emergência\" / This study aimed to identify the scientific evidence on the psychosocial risks to which nursing workers from Emergency Care Units and Emergency Services are exposed. This is an Integrative Review study in which the search of the databases LILACS, MEDLINE, BDENF and SciELO Virtual Library was carried out. The descriptors used in the search were: psychosocial risk, emergency nursing and emergency medical services. Of 413 articles, six were selected, most nationwide. Regarding the characteristics of nursing workers, it was identified that the majority were women with a higher educational level, young adults, married / single, working in alternating shifts, with a workload of up to 40 hours a week, with a fast pace of work, with a professional time of about five years. The main psychosocial risk factors identified were: high-demand work; inadequate working conditions, low control and high demand; conflicts between health teams; lack of motivation; work overload; professional dissatisfaction; negative work environments, among others. Some of the health damages identified were: stress, common mental disorder, insomnia, gastric distress, anguish, suffering, depression, sadness, altered sleep and rest, fatigue, nervousness, among others. As a proposal for the orientation of nursing workers, a technological product was developed in the booklet modality entitled \" Psychosocial Risks and Nursing Workers that work in Emergency\"

Esse estudo teve como objetivo geral identificar as evidências científicas sobre os riscos psicossociais aos quais estão expostos os trabalhadores de enfermagem de Unidades de Pronto Atendimento e Serviços de Emergência. Trata-se de um estudo de Revisão Integrativa em que foi realizada a busca nas bases de dados LILACS, MEDLINE, BDENF e Biblioteca Virtual SciELO. Os descritores utilizados na busca foram: risco psicossocial, enfermagem em emergência e serviços médicos de emergência. De 413 artigos, foram selecionados seis, a maioria de âmbito nacional. Quanto as características dos trabalhadores de enfermagem, identificou-se que a maioria foi constituída por mulheres com nível superior de escolaridade, adultas jovens, casadas/solteiras, trabalhando em turnos alternados, com carga horária de até 40 horas semanais, com ritmo acelerado de trabalho, com tempo de atuação profissional de cerca de cinco anos. Os principais fatores de riscos psicossociais, identificados foram: trabalho de alta exigência; condições laborais inadequadas, de baixo controle e alta demanda; conflitos entre equipes de saúde; falta de motivação; sobrecarga de trabalho; insatisfação profissional; ambientes negativos de trabalho, entre outros. Alguns dos danos à saúde identificados foram: estresse, transtorno mental comum, insônia, mal estar gástrico, angústia, sofrimento, depressão, tristeza, alteração no sono e repouso, fadiga, nervosismo, entre outras. Como proposta para orientação dos trabalhadores de enfermagem, elaborou-se um produto tecnológico na modalidade cartilha intitulada \"Riscos Psicossociais e os Trabalhadores de Enfermagem que atuam em Emergência\" / This study aimed to identify the scientific evidence on the psychosocial risks to which nursing workers from Emergency Care Units and Emergency Services are exposed. This is an Integrative Review study in which the search of the databases LILACS, MEDLINE, BDENF and SciELO Virtual Library was carried out. The descriptors used in the search were: psychosocial risk, emergency nursing and emergency medical services. Of 413 articles, six were selected, most nationwide. Regarding the characteristics of nursing workers, it was identified that the majority were women with a higher educational level, young adults, married / single, working in alternating shifts, with a workload of up to 40 hours a week, with a fast pace of work, with a professional time of about five years. The main psychosocial risk factors identified were: high-demand work; inadequate working conditions, low control and high demand; conflicts between health teams; lack of motivation; work overload; professional dissatisfaction; negative work environments, among others. Some of the health damages identified were: stress, common mental disorder, insomnia, gastric distress, anguish, suffering, depression, sadness, altered sleep and rest, fatigue, nervousness, among others. As a proposal for the orientation of nursing workers, a technological product was developed in the booklet modality entitled \" Psychosocial Risks and Nursing Workers that work in Emergency\"

Introdução: A hipertensão arterial é uma doença crônica que requer tratamento para toda vida, porém elevações expressivas da pressão arterial, a crise hipertensiva, podem levar os indivíduos aos serviços de emergência. A crise hipertensiva é uma complicação grave da hipertensão arterial e classificada em urgência hipertensiva quando não há lesão de órgãos-alvo e emergência hipertensiva quando há lesão de órgão-alvo. Além da pseudocrise hipertensiva caraterizada por elevação transitória da pressão arterial. Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência e as características clínicas associadas a crise hipertensiva, em pessoas atendidas em um serviço de emergência. Casuística e Método: Foi realizado um estudo transversal retrospectivo, com abordagem quantitativa, no pronto-socorro Municipal da cidade de São Vicente, SP, no período de Janeiro a Junho de 2015. Foram selecionados indivíduos atendidos na Clínica Médica do pronto-socorro com crise hipertensiva (pressão diastólica 120 mmHg) e idade 18 anos. As variáveis independentes foram: idade, sexo, valores da pressão arterial, motivos da procura ao serviço, tratamento e destino. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio da análise das fichas de atendimento do serviço de emergência. Estatística descritiva foi usada para avaliar as variáveis nominais e ordinais, por meio das frequências absolutas e relativas e, as variáveis contínuas foram descritas através da média e desvio-padrão. Teste ANOVA e qui-quadrado foram utilizados para comparar as médias e para avaliação de proporções. Foi realizado análise multivariada por meio de regressão logística multinomial e árvore de decisão utilizando o algoritmo CHAID (Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detection). O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. O estudo foi aprovado por Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa (CAAE: 53896016.9.0000.5392). Resultados: A prevalência de crise hipertensiva foi 0,61%, sendo categorizadas em urgência hipertensiva (71,7%), emergência hipertensiva (19,1%) e pseudocrise hipertensiva (9,2%). A média de idade foi 56,3 (DP=13,8) anos, a maioria era do sexo feminino (63,8%). Os níveis pressóricos na admissão no pronto-socorro para pseudocrise, urgência e emergência hipertensiva para a pressão sistólica e diastólica foram, respectivamente: [197,7 (DP=22,9) / 124,5 (DP=8,1), 197,2 (DP=23,6) / 124,9 (DP=9,2), 214,8 (DP=29,2) / 130,8 (DP=14,9), mmHg]. Os principais motivos da procura ao serviço de emergência que se associaram (p<0,05) à pseudocrise, urgência e emergência hipertensiva foram, respectivamente: cefaleia (15,0% vs 35,9% vs 2,5%), dor (65,0% vs 16,4% vs 2,5%), mal estar (7,5% vs 19,1% vs 4,9%), precordialgia (0% vs 17,8% vs 8,6%), problemas neurológicos (0% vs 5,0% vs 48,1%), náuseas (17,5% vs 14,1% vs 3,7%), dispneia (5,0% vs 8,7% vs 27,2%), problemas emocionais (25,0 vs 0,3% vs 2,5%), queda (2,5% vs 0,3% vs 9,8%), fratura (2,5% vs 0% vs 0%). Os tratamentos realizados que se associaram (p<0,05) à pseudocrise, urgência e emergência hipertensiva foram, respectivamente: inibidor da Enzima Conversora da Angiotensina (67,5% vs 81,4% vs 72,3%), bloqueador dos canais de cálcio (5,0% vs 15,1% vs, 7,2%), nitroprussiato de sódio (0% vs 1,6% vs 8,4%), antiagregante plaquetários (0% vs 13,5% vs 13,3%), analgésico (52,5% vs 31,1% vs 13,3%), anti-inflamatório (32,5% vs 15,1% vs 30,1%), oxigenoterapia (0% vs 3,2% vs 21,7%), broncodilatador (0% vs 8,3% vs 25,3%), anticonvulsivante (0% vs 0,6% vs 9,6%) e insulina (2,5% vs 6,4% vs 13,3%). A maioria dos pacientes (55,6%) realizou exames sendo que 91,6% pertenciam às emergências hipertensivas. Os diagnósticos médicos identificados nos pacientes com pseudocrise, urgência e emergência hipertensiva foram, respectivamente: hipertensão arterial sistêmica (25,0% vs 33,7% vs 54,2%), diabetes mellitus descompensada (16,7% vs 47,6% vs 12,3%). Acidente vascular encefálico (40,7%), edema agudo de pulmão (24,7%), e infarto agudo do miocárdio (12,3%), ocorreram apenas nos pacientes com emergências hipertensivas. Os pacientes com pseudocrise hipertensiva receberam alta em maior proporção (59,1%), porém os pacientes com emergência hipertensiva foram internados em maior proporção (85,5%). A regressão logística multinomial mostrou (p<0,05) que as variáveis associadas à pseudocrise hipertensiva em relação à emergência hipertensiva foram (OR: odds ratio; IC95%: intervalo de confiança): dor exceto cefaleia e precordialgia (55,58; 10,55-292,74), problemas emocionais (17,13; 2,80-104,87) ,idade acima de 60 anos (0,32; 0,10-0,96) e problemas neurológicos (1,5 10-8; 1,5 10-8- 1,5 10- 8). As variáveis que se associaram à urgência hipertensiva em relação à emergência hipertensiva foram (OR: odds ratio; IC95%: intervalo de confiança): idade acima de 60 anos (0,50; 0,27-0,92), problemas neurológicos (0,09; 0,04-0,18), problemas emocionais (0,06; 4.7 10-3-0,79) e cefaleia (14,28; 3,32-61,47). No modelo árvore de decisão, problemas neurológicos se associou às emergências hipertensivas (p<0,001), dor à pseudocrise hipertensiva (p<0,001) e cefaleia às urgências hipertensivas (p=0,017). Conclusões: A prevalência da crise hipertensiva foi similar à de estudos com métodos semelhantes. Idade avançada e problemas neurológicos se associaram à emergência hipertensiva, cefaleia se associou à urgência hipertensiva, dor e problemas emocionais se associaram à pseudocrise hipertensiva. / Introduction: Arterial hypertension is a chronic disease that requires treatment for life, but expressive increases in arterial blood pressure- the hypertensive crisis- may lead individuals to emergency care services. Hypertensive crisis is a grave complication of the arterial hypertension and is classified in: hypertensive urgency, when injuries on target-organs are absent; and hypertensive emergency, when there are injuries on target-organs. There is also the hypertensive pseudocrisis that is a transitory increase in blood pressure. Aim: to assess the prevalence and the clinical features associated with hypertensive crisis in persons admitted in an emergency care service. Casuistic and Method: we conducted a retrospective crosssectional study in the Municipal Emergency Healthcare Center of Sao Vicente, SP, from January to June 2015. Individuals admitted in the medical clinic of the emergency service presenting hypertensive crisis (arterial blood pressure 120 mmHg) and aging over 18 years were included. The independent variables were: age sex, measures of arterial blood pressure, reason for seeking the healthcare center, treatment and destination. Data were gathered trough the healthcare records at the emergency center. We filled a form designed to approach the studied variables. Nominal and ordinal variables were showed trough absolute and relative frequencies; as well as continuous variables were described in means and standard deviation. The chi-square test and ANOVA were applied to compare means and to evaluate proportions. We conducted a multivariate analysis trough multinomial logistic regression and decision tree using the CHAID (Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detection) Algorithm. The significance level adopted was 5%. This this investigation was approved by the ethical council (CAAE: 53896016.9.0000.5392). Results: The prevalence of hypertensive crisis was 0.61%, categorized as hypertensive urgency (71,7%), hypertensive emergency (19.1%) and hypertensive pseudocrisis (9.2%). The mean age was 56,3 (SD = 13,8) years, the majority were female (63,8%). The pressure levels at admission to the emergency room for pseudocrisis, urgency and hypertensive emergency for systolic and diastolic pressure were, respectively: [197,7 (SD = 22,9) / 124,5 (SD = 8,1), 197, 2 (SD = 23,6) / 124,9 (SD = 9,2), 214,8 (SD = 29,2) / 130,8 (SD = 14,9), mmHg]. The main reasons for the demand for emergency services associated with pseudocrisis, urgency and hypertensive emergency were: headache (15,0% vs 35,9% vs 2,5%), pain (p <0,05) 65,0% vs. 16,4% vs 2,5%), malaise (7,5% vs 19,1% vs 4,9%), chest pain (0% vs 17,8% vs 8,6%) , Neurological problems (0% vs 5,0% vs 48,1%), nausea (17,5% vs. 14,1% vs 3,7%), dyspnea (5,0% vs 8,7% vs 27,2%), emotional problems (25,0 vs 0,3% vs 2,5%), decrease (2,5% vs. 0,3% vs 9,8%), fracture (2,5% vs. 0% vs. 0%). The treatments that were associated (p <0,05) with pseudocrisis, urgency and hypertensive emergency were, respectively: Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor (67,5% vs 81,4% vs 72,3%), channel blocker (0% vs. 1,6% vs 8,4%), antiplatelet drugs (0% vs. 13,5% vs. 13%), sodium nitroprusside , Anti-inflammatory (32,5% vs. 15.1% vs 30.1%), oxygen therapy (0% vs. 3%), analgesic (52.5% vs 31.1% vs 13.3% 2% vs. 21,7%), bronchodilator (0% vs 8,3% vs 25,3%), anticonvulsant (0% vs. 0,6% vs 9,6%) and insulin (2,5% vs. 6,4% vs. 13,3%). The majority of the patients (55,6%) underwent exams and 91,6% belonged to hypertensive emergencies. The diagnoses identified in patients with pseudocrisis, urgency and hypertensive emergence were, respectively, systemic arterial hypertension (25,0% vs 33,7% vs 54,2%), decompensated diabetes mellitus (16,7% vs 47,6% Vs. 12,3%). Acute encephalic stroke (40,7%), acute pulmonary edema (24,7%), and acute myocardial infarction (12,3%) occurred only in patients with hypertensive emergencies. Patients with hypertensive pseudocrisis were discharged in greater proportion (59,1%), but patients with hypertensive emergency were hospitalized in a greater proportion (85,5%). The multinomial logistic regression showed (p <0.05) that the variables associated with hypertensive pseudocrisis in relation to hypertensive emergency were: pain - except for headache and chest pain - (55,58; 10,55-292,74), age over 60 years (0,32, 0,10-0,96), and neurological problems (1,5 10-8; 1,5 10-8- 1,5 10-8). The variables that were associated with hypertensive urgency in relation to hypertensive emergency were: (OR: odds ratio, 95% CI: confidence interval): age over 60 years (0,50, 0,27-0,92), neurological problems 0,09, 0,04-0,18), emotional problems (0,06, 4,7 10-3-0,79), and headache (14,28, 3,32-61,47). In the decision tree model, neurological problems were associated with hypertensive emergencies (p <0,001), pain on hypertensive pseudocrisis (p <0,001) and headache on hypertensive urgencies (p = 0,017). Conclusions: The prevalence of the hypertensive crisis was similar to that of studies with similar methods. Advanced age and neurological problems were associated with hypertensive emergency, headache was associated with hypertensive urgency, pain and emotional problems were associated with hypertensive pseudocrisis.

Introdução: A classificação de risco tem importância comprovada na organização dos serviços de emergência, mas algumas questões acerca de sua utilização ainda são apontadas. É comum pacientes chegarem ao serviço de emergência em situações críticas de ameaça à vida e necessitarem de avaliação profissional rápida (neste estudo denominada triagem rápida) ainda na porta de emergência do hospital. Assim, pode-se detectar com rapidez a gravidade do caso, bem como realizar o encaminhamento imediato para o atendimento médico. Objetivo: Analisar aspectos da triagem rápida realizada pelos enfermeiros na identificação de pacientes graves na porta de emergência, provenientes de demanda espontânea. Método: Estudo transversal, prospectivo, desenvolvido no Hospital Universitário da Universidade de São Paulo, entre maio e novembro de 2017. Foi realizada observação direta da triagem rápida. O grau de prioridade estabelecido pelo enfermeiro triador foi categorizado como alta prioridade (pacientes graves direcionados imediatamente à sala de emergência) e baixa prioridade (pacientes não graves encaminhados ao fluxo habitual de classificação de risco). Simultaneamente, os pacientes foram avaliados pela pesquisadora com aplicação do Sistema Manchester de Classificação de Risco (SMCR), dicotomizado em alta prioridade (vermelhos e laranjas) e baixa prioridade (amarelos, verdes e azuis). Sensibilidade, especificidade, acurácia, valores preditivos positivo e negativo, e razão de verossimilhança positiva e negativa foram calculados para avaliar o desempenho dos índices na predição de diferentes variáveis. O teste Mann-Whitney e a regressão logística múltipla foram aplicados, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: No total, 173 pacientes (52,0% mulheres; idade média 60,4±21,2 anos) foram avaliados e triados por enfermeiras na emergência. Nove pacientes foram avaliados em duas ocasiões diferentes, caracterizando 182 atendimentos (avaliações). Destes, 56,0% permaneceram em observação no pronto-socorro, 11,0% foram internados em enfermaria, e 5,0% em unidade de terapia intensiva. A taxa de mortalidade foi de 13,2%. A triagem rápida foi mais inclusiva para alta prioridade (n=154; 84,6%) do que o SMCR (n=132; 72,5%). Os sinais e sintomas mais frequentes no grupo da alta prioridade pela triagem rápida foram alterações do nível de consciência (34,6%) e da pele relacionadas ao choque (25,3%). A triagem rápida apresentou melhor sensibilidade e pior especificidade do que o SMCR na análise de quase a totalidade das variáveis (exceto para internação em enfermaria). Ainda, a probabilidade de pacientes não graves serem admitidos na observação do pronto-socorro (variável considerada padrão-ouro no estudo) foi menor pela triagem rápida do que pelo SMCR. Houve diferença significativa (p<0,001) entre os grupos (alta e baixa prioridade atribuída pela triagem rápida) em relação ao número de procedimentos/recursos utilizados. Os fatores associados à classificação de pacientes de alta prioridade pela triagem rápida foram alterações na ventilação (OR de 6,09), disfunção neurológica (OR de 44,96) e presença de dor (OR de 5,80). Conclusão: A triagem rápida obteve melhor desempenho que o SMCR na predição de admissão dos pacientes na observação do pronto-socorro. Os enfermeiros devem valorizar as alterações neurológicas e de ventilação, além da dor dos pacientes durante a triagem rápida, uma vez que estes sinais e sintomas estão associados à gravidade e à alta prioridade de atendimento. / Introduction: Triage plays an important role in the organization of emergency services, but questions about its use are still raised. It is common for patients to get at emergency services in critical life-threatening situations, demanding a fast professional evaluation (in this study, we called fast triage). Thus, we can quickly detect the severity of the case and immediately refer the patient to the medical care. Objective: To analyze aspects of fast triage performed by nurses to identify severe patients from spontaneous demand at the emergency door. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was carried out at the University Hospital of the University of São Paulo, from May 2017 to November 2017. We performed direct observation of the fast triage. The triage nurse established the degree of priority as high priority (severe patients immediately directed to the emergency room) and low priority (non-severe patients referred to the usual triage flow). At the same time, a researcher evaluated the patients considering the Manchester Triage System (MTS), dichotomized in high priority (reds and oranges) and low priority (yellow, green and blue). Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values and positive and negative likelihood ratio were calculated to evaluate the performance of indices in the prediction of different variables. The Mann-Whitney test and the multiple logistic regression were applied, with a significance level of 5%. Results: A total of 173 patients (52.0% women; mean age 60.4±21.2 years) were evaluated and triaged by nurses in the emergency door. Nine patients were evaluated on two different occasions, characterizing 182 visits (evaluations). Among them, 56.0% were in observation in the emergency department, 11.0% were admitted to the ward, and 5.0% were in the intensive care unit. The mortality rate was 13.2%. The fast triage was more inclusive for high priority (n=154; 84.6%) than MTS (n=132; 72.5%). The most frequent signs and symptoms in the high priority group for fast triage were disorders in the level of consciousness (34.6%) and in the skin related to the shock (25.3%). Fast triage showed better sensitivity and worse specificity than MTS in the analysis of almost all variables (except for admission to the ward). In addition, the probability of non-severe patients being admitted to observation in the emergency department (variable considered standard gold in the study) was lower by fast triage than MTS. There was a significant difference (p<0.001) between the groups (high and low priority by fast triage) in relation to the number of procedures/ resources used. The factors associated with the classification of high priority patients by fast triage were alterations in ventilation (OR 6.09), neurological dysfunction (OR 44.96) and presence of pain (OR 5.80). Conclusion: The fast triage performed better than MTS in prediction of admission of patients in observation in the emergency department. Nurses should value neurological and ventilation disorders, as well as patients pain during fast triage, since these signs and symptoms are associated with the severity and high priority of care.

This dissertation examines factors with influence on the organizational cultural competence of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems. The purpose of this study was to draw on theories of representative bureaucracy and transformational leadership to assess cultural competence in Emergency Medical Services systems from the perspective of EMS leadership, within careful consideration of the external environment in which EMS systems operate. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015 / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection