Category: Medical

#NoF – Unsuspected NoF

We have seen multiple incidence where clinicians of ALL grades have assessed patients with falls and examined hips and even mobilised patients

Evidence shows (and reflected in the incidents) this predominantly effects patients with:

  • Communication difficulties: inc. Delirium, dementia, learning difficulties
  • Live in Supported accommodation
  • Normally require help mobilising

If a patient presents with ANY of these and a fall – X-ray Pelvis

 

Myocardial Infarction (MI) – PPCI/Thrombolysis

PPCI (Leeds PPCI Pathway)

  • Target: Door to balloon 90min
  • Criteria:
    • Time: Chest pain within 12hrs (or worsened within 12hrs)
    • ECG:  ST elevation MI (1mm Limb or 2mm Chest leads) OR New LBBB. (Posterior MI do posterior leads and discuss with LGI)
  • Actions:
    • Resuscitate
    • Contact PPCI team @ LGI (Mobile No. up in Resus)
    • Arrange blue light (P1) ambulance to LGI
    • Prasagrel 60mg if no previous CVA or Ticagrelor 180mg if previous CVA and Aspirin 300mg (if anti-coagulated Discuss with PCI team)
  • Problems: 
    • Intubated patient: Often LGI would accept but need to arrange Cardiac ICU. If no bed patient could go for PCI to return locally immediately after PCI to our ICU’S?
    • LGI Full: Occasionally the cath lab is full and can’t accept your patient
      • Calling Manchester and Sheffield: It’s worth a go but they don’t have agreements with us  so having your patient accepted can be difficult
      • Don’t Forget Thrombolyisis: We need to open up the patients artery, if there is no quick decision to go for PPCI – Consider Thrombolysis

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Acute Cystitis and Pyelonephritis Pathway

A joint Medical-Urology pathway has been agreed for Pyelonephritis

Study Running  – Send Urine Sample prior to Antibiotics

(if this does not interfere with treatment of Red-Flag Sepsis)

 

Imaging in ED is only required if ED suspects:

  • Ureteric Obstruction – Renal colic symptoms/Hx of stone
  • Acute Surgical Abdomen
  • Emphysematous pyelonephritis – Rare necrotising infection of the renal tract, presenting with flank pain and fever, 90% in uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (but immunocompromise and stones also increase chances)
  • Renal Abscess – Presents with flank pain and fever, risk factors include; diabetes mellitus, Renal stones, obstruction

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Alcohol Withdrawl

Generally we DON’T admit patients acutely solely for “Detox”

However the following groups should be admitted [taken from trust guide]

  • Patients requiring admission for another reason – refer to appropriate specialty (e.g.  Head injury going to CDU, or Upper GI bleed going to medicine)
  • ALL patients with symptoms / signs of Wernicke’s – medicine
  • ALL patients with Delirium Tremens – medicine
  • ALL alcohol withdrawal fits if patient to remain abstinent – medicine
  • ALL alcohol related seizures with possible other trigger – medicnie
  • ALL decompensated alcoholic liver disease – medicine

If admitted to CDU – complete the PAT tool

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Lower Limb DVT

Signs and Symps

No single feature is diagnostic:

  • Single limb oedema – Most specific
  • Leg pain – 50% but is nonspecific
  • Calf pain on dorsiflexion of the foot (Homan’s sign)
  • Tenderness of deep veins – 75% of patients
  • Warmth AND/OR erythema (although blanching is possible)
  • A palpable, indurated, cordlike, tender subcutaneous venous segment

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