Publications by authors named "Juan Gonzalez-Castillo"

Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to investigate whether older patients (≥65 years) have a diminished tachypneic response to hypoxia, meaning they may not breathe faster in response to low oxygen levels as much as younger patients do.
  • Researchers analyzed data from 7126 patients in Spanish emergency departments, measuring peripheral arterial oxygen saturation (SatO2) and respiratory rate (RR) upon arrival, finding significant correlations across all age groups studied.
  • Results indicated that as patient age increased, the respiratory rate response to decreasing oxygen levels slowed down, with younger individuals showing a faster increase in breathing rate in response to hypoxia compared to older individuals, particularly those aged ≥90 years.
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Objective: Analyse the association between the use of diagnostic tests and the characteristics of older patients 65 years of age or more who consult the emergency department (ED).

Methods: We performed an analysis of the EDEN cohort that includes patients who consulted 52 Spanish EDs. The association of age, sex, and ageing characteristics with the use of diagnostic tests (blood tests, electrocardiogram (ECG), microbiological cultures, X-ray, computed tomography, ultrasound, invasive techniques) was studied.

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Article Synopsis
  • A study evaluated the impact of older adults (aged 75+) spending a night in emergency departments (ED) on their risk of in-hospital mortality, comparing those who were admitted to wards before midnight versus those who stayed in the ED until morning.
  • Despite slightly higher in-hospital mortality rates for those in the ED (10.7%) compared to the ward group (9.5%), the differences were not statistically significant, indicating that staying overnight in the ED did not conclusively increase mortality risk.
  • The findings suggest that while older patients may face potential risks when waiting in an ED overnight, especially in non-academic hospitals, overall, there was no evidence of longer hospital stays or higher mortality rates tied to this practice
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The elderly population frequently consults the emergency department (ED). This population could have greater use of EDs and hospital health resources. The EDEN cohort of patients aged 65 years or older visiting the ED allowed this association to be investigated.

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Background: While multidimensional and interdisciplinary assessment of older adult patients improves their short-term outcomes after evaluation in the emergency department (ED), this assessment is time-consuming and ill-suited for the busy environment. Thus, identifying patients who will benefit from this strategy is challenging. Therefore, this study aimed to identify older adult patients suitable for a different ED approach as well as independent variables associated with poor short-term clinical outcomes.

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Nosocomial pneumonia, or hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) are important health problems worldwide, with both being associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. HAP is currently the main cause of death from nosocomial infection in critically ill patients. Although guidelines for the approach to this infection model are widely implemented in international health systems and clinical teams, information continually emerges that generates debate or requires updating in its management.

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To investigate factors related to the development of hyperactive delirium in patients during emergency department (ED) stay and the association with short-term outcomes. A secondary analysis of the EDEN (Emergency Department and Elderly Needs) multipurpose multicenter cohort was performed. Patients older than 65 years arriving to the ED in a calm state and who developed confusion and/or psychomotor agitation requiring intravenous/intramuscular treatment during their stay in ED were assigned to delirium group.

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Aim: In a randomized control trial mid-regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM)-guided decision-making has been proven to safely reduce hospital admissions based on an accurate assessment of disease severity in the Emergency Department (ED). This study aimed to assess the impact of a MR-proADM-Guided Triage (MR-GT) versus standard Hospital Triage (HT) on clinical and economic outcomes in ED patients with suspected infection in Spain, Italy, Germany, and the UK, using Patient-Level Data (PLD) from two observational studies.

Methods: PLD was collected from patients enrolled at a Spanish hospital during two observational studies.

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Background: Functional decline and frailty are common in older adults and influence the risk of adverse outcomes. We aimed to assess the value of a Barthel index at the Emergency Department (ED-BI) score in predicting 30-day mortality and ED reconsultation among older patients with acute infection.

Methods: We performed a prospective multicentre cohort study of older patients (≥75 years) diagnosed with acute infection in 69 Spanish EDs.

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Platelets are the blood cells in charge of maintaining the body hemostasis, recognising the damaged vessel wall, and providing the appropriate cellular surface for the coagulation cascade to act locally. Additionally, platelets are active immunomodulators. At the crossroads of hemostasis and inflammation, platelets may exert either beneficial actions or participate in pathological manifestations, and have been associated with the prothrombotic nature of multi-organ failure in systemic inflammation.

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Introduction: Mid-regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM), a novel biomarker, has recently gained interest particularly with regards to its potential in assisting clinicians' decision making in patients with suspicion of infection in the emergency department (ED). A group of international experts, with research and experience in MR-proADM applications, produced this review based on their own experience and the currently available literature.

Areas Covered: The review provides evidence related to MR-proADM as a triaging tool in avoiding unnecessary admissions to hospital and/or inadequate discharge, and identifying patients most at risk of deterioration.

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Novel rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) offer huge potential to optimise clinical care and improve patient outcomes. In this study, we aim to assess the current patterns of use around the world, identify issues for successful implementation and suggest best practice advice on how to introduce new tests. An electronic survey was devised by the International Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (ISAC) Rapid Diagnostics and Biomarkers working group focussing on the availability, structure and impact of RDTs around the world.

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Background: There is a lack of validated tools to assess potential disease progression and hospitalisation decisions in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with a suspected infection. This study aimed to identify suitable blood biomarkers (MR-proADM, PCT, lactate and CRP) or clinical scores (SIRS, SOFA, qSOFA, NEWS and CRB-65) to fulfil this unmet clinical need.

Methods: An observational derivation patient cohort validated by an independent secondary analysis across nine EDs.

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Objective: To review the prevalence, clinical characteristics, approach and outcome of patients with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) evaluated at the Emergency Departments (ED) in Spain.

Methods: A descriptive multicenter cross-sectional analysis in 49 ED of patients with SSTI. Data were collected for age, gender, comorbid conditions, risk factors for multiresistant pathogens, STTI type, sepsis criteria, microbiology, antibiotic treatment, destination and ED mortality.

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Objective: Assessment of the characteristics of patients with Staphylococcus aureus (SA) infections, and factors associated with resistance to methicillin in a hospital emergency department (ED) in Spain.

Materials And Methods: All adult patients admitted between January 2007 and December 2010 with a SA infection confirmed by a positive culture in a sample obtained in the hospital emergency department were selected for enrolment. Epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and microbiological variables were retrospectively collected from the patients' medical charts.

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Infectious diseases, besides being a major cause of mortality in developing countries, are one of the main reasons for consultation in emergency medicine. In the last few years, there have been numerous published studies on the importance of starting antibiotic treatment at an early stage in the Emergency Department. However, this issue is of great controversy, owing to some contradictory studies as well as the implications this may have on the pressure of the patient care.

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