Ebola preparedness: a rapid needs assessment of critical care in a tertiary hospital.

Background: The current outbreak of Ebola has been declared a public health emergency of international concern. We performed a rigorous and rapid needs assessment to identify the desired results, the gaps in current practice, and the barriers and facilitators to the development of solutions in the provision of critical care to patients with suspected or confirmed Ebola.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative study with an emergent design at a tertiary hospital in Ontario, Canada, recently designated as an Ebola centre, from Oct.

A study of the efficacy of flashing lights to increase the salience of alcohol-gel dispensers for improving hand hygiene compliance.

Background: Many interventions have been implemented to improve hand hygiene compliance, each with varying effects and monetary costs. Although some previous studies have addressed the issue of conspicuousness, we found only 1 study that considered improving hand hygiene by using flashing lights.

Method: Our attention theory-based hypothesis tested whether a simple red light flashing at 2-3 Hz affixed to the alcohol gel dispensers, within the main hospital entrance, would increase hand hygiene compliance over the baseline rate.

Assessment of the impact on time to complete medical record using an electronic medical record versus a paper record on emergency department patients: a study.

Background: Electronic medical records are becoming an integral part of healthcare delivery.

Objective: The goal of this study was to compare paper documentation versus electronic medical record for non-traumatic chest pain to determine differences in time for physicians to complete medical records using paper versus electronic mediums. We also assessed physician satisfaction with the electronic format.

Is this subarachnoid hemorrhage significant? A National Survey of Neurosurgeons.

Background: Previously all subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients were admitted, whereas now patients with angiography may be discharged.

Objective: To survey neurosurgeons to determine current practice and what constitutes a clinically significant subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Methods: We surveyed all neurosurgeons listed in the Canadian Medical Directory.

National survey of Canadian neurologists' current practice for transient ischemic attack and the need for a clinical decision rule.

Background And Purpose: Four percent to 10% of patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) have a stroke or die within 1 week of their diagnosis. This national survey examined Canadian neurologists' current practice for managing TIA, the need for a clinical decision rule to identify high-risk patients, and the required sensitivity of such a rule.

Methods: We surveyed 650 neurologists registered in a national physician directory.