Nurse-initiated radiographic-test protocol for ankle injuries: A randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Nurse-initiated radiographic-test protocol was compared with usual practice in reducing unnecessary ankle and foot radiographic-test requests and shortening patients' length of stay (LOS) in an emergency department (ED) by reducing their waiting time for physician reassessment.

Methods: Patients with ankle injuries were enrolled in an unblinded randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomized to receive either the protocol (n = 56) or usual practice (n = 56).

Cost-effectiveness of 'Program We Care' for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A case-control study.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of a discharge program for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients on discharge from an emergency medical ward on discharge home rate, hospital length of stay (LOS), inpatient admission rate and cost.

Background: Frequent visits to the emergency department (ED) and subsequent hospital admission are common among patients with COPD, which adds a burden to ED and hospital care. A discharge program was implemented in an ED emergency medical ward.

Effectiveness of Emergency Medicine Wards in reducing length of stay and overcrowding in emergency departments.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an Emergency Medicine Ward (EMW) in reducing the length of stay (LOS) in the emergency department, length of hospitalization, emergency medical admission rate, and the hospital bed occupancy rate.

Methods: This study is a cross-sectional, observational study with a retrospective, quantitative record review conducted at the EMW of a regional acute hospital in Hong Kong from January 2009 to June 2009.

Results: During the study, a retrospective audit was conducted on 1834 patient records.

Geriatric consultation service in emergency department: how does it work?

Background: Hong Kong is having a significant prevalence of geriatric patients who usually require admission after presentation to the hospital through emergency departments. The geriatric consultation programme 'We Care' aims at lowering acute geriatric medical admission.

Objectives: The study aims at analysing the impact of the geriatric consultation service on the acute medical admission, and to study the characteristics and outcome of geriatric patients.

Measuring performance of night-time interfacility transport service.

The service reorganization is a part of the healthcare system reform. Some hospitals may not be able to provide all services in a 24-h basis. This evaluation was on all night-time (22 : 00 p.

Hazmat disaster preparedness in Hong Kong: what are the hazardous materials on Lantau, Lamma, and Hong Kong Islands?

Objective: Hazmat disaster preparedness is critical, especially as Hong Kong prepares for major international events, such as the 2008 Olympic Equestrian Games. No published medical study describes the identities and quantities of hazardous materials (HMs) in Hong Kong and lists what antidotes are needed for these dangerous goods (DGs). This study describes what HMs are most common in Hong Kong to prioritize disaster preparedness and training.