Translating the COVID-19 epidemiological situation into policies and measures: the Belgian experience.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to sustained surveillance efforts, which made unprecedented volumes and types of data available. In Belgium, these data were used to conduct a targeted and regular assessment of the epidemiological situation. In addition, management tools were developed, incorporating key indicators and thresholds, to define risk levels and offer guidance to policy makers.

Immunovirological and environmental screening reveals actionable risk factors for fatal COVID-19 during post-vaccination nursing home outbreaks.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination has resulted in excellent protection against fatal disease, including in older adults. However, risk factors for post-vaccination fatal COVID-19 are largely unknown. We comprehensively studied three large nursing home outbreaks (20-35% fatal cases among residents) by combining severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) aerosol monitoring, whole-genome phylogenetic analysis and immunovirological profiling of nasal mucosa by digital nCounter transcriptomics.

A determination of the current causes of hyperkalaemia and whether they have changed over the past 25 years.

Objective: Hyperkalaemia is a potentially lethal electrolyte disorder. The objective of this study was to determine if the causes of hyperkalaemia-related visits to the emergency department (ED) have changed since 25 years.

Methods: All patients presenting to the ED with hyperkalaemia between January 2009 and August 2011 were included in this retrospective, single-centre study.

Does offering pricing information to resident physicians in the emergency department potentially reduce laboratory and radiology costs?

Objectives: The aim of this study was to establish whether price list information could reduce laboratory and radiological examination costs in emergency departments (EDs).

Materials And Methods: A prospective survey of adult (>16 years old) admissions was conducted at the ED of a university hospital in Belgium. Nine resident emergency physicians were followed for a span of 6 months, which was divided into 2-month periods: control (October and November 2011), intervention (December 2011 to January 2012), and washout (February and March 2012).

Bluish vomiting: a rare clinical presentation of poisoning.

Bluish vomiting is a symptom of poisoning that is rarely seen in Western emergency departments. Consequently, physicians are not aware of the diagnosis, complications, and treatment of this unusual form of intoxication. In this article, we report a case of bluish vomiting that occurred after an accidental ingestion of copper sulphate.