Publications by authors named "Merel Van Loon"
Aims: It is not clear which type of casting provides the best initial treatment in adults with a distal radial fracture. Given that between 32% and 64% of adequately reduced fractures redisplace during immobilization in a cast, preventing redisplacement and a disabling malunion or secondary surgery is an aim of treatment. In this study, we investigated whether circumferential casting leads to fewer the redisplacement of fewer fractures and better one-year outcomes compared with plaster splinting.
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- Routine screening for hazardous alcohol use in the emergency department (ED) misses many patients, largely due to factors related to patients and healthcare staff.
- During a study involving over 28,000 ED patients, 35% were not screened for hazardous alcohol consumption, with most missed cases occurring because staff forgot or patients were unable to cooperate.
- Patients with risk factors—like being male, having an alcohol-related visit, or experiencing trauma—were significantly less likely to be screened, indicating a concerning oversight that may put those patients at higher risk for hazardous alcohol use.
- The findings emphasize the need for improved screening processes, particularly for patients who are more vulnerable or unable to participate in screenings.
Objective: To describe the numbers and length of stay (LOS) of patients with mental health (MH) problems at a Dutch emergency department (ED) and the effect of a psychiatric intervention team (PIT) on patient flow.
Methods: A longitudinal design was used to assess number of MH presentations and LOS during a 3-year period (2014-2016). In 2017, we introduced a PIT during ED peak hours, to reduce LOS for patients with MH problems.
Introduction: Previous studies indicate that crowding scales may not perform well in low-volume emergency departments (EDs). In this study, face-validity of the Modified National ED OverCrowding Score (mNEDOCS) was assessed in a high-volume ED as well as in a low-volume ED.
Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was performed in the Netherlands.
Introduction: Abdominal pain has a wide range of possible causes, which may lead to difficulties in diagnosing and lengthy Emergency Department (ED) stays. In this study, bottlenecks in ED processes of patients with abdominal pain were identified.
Methods: Time-points of patients who presented to a Dutch ED with abdominal pain were observed and documented.
Introduction: In small studies, Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) in Emergency Departments (EDs) is effective in reducing hazardous alcohol use.
Objective: To examine the effectiveness of SBIRT at an inner-city ED in routine clinical practice.
Methods: Of the 41 900 consecutive ED patients aged 18 years and older, 22 537 (53.