Predictors of health care utilization in patients with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC).

Background: Research on Post-acute sequelae of COVID (PASC) has focused on the prevalence of symptoms, leaving gaps in our understanding of predictors of health care seeking.

Objective: To identify clinical and sociodemographic characteristics associated with PASC care seeking.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of adult patients with COVID-19 diagnosis between January 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022 in a community-based comprehensive health care delivery system at 21 hospitals and medical clinics in Northern California.

Identifying low-risk patients within the observation zone of a 0/2-h high-sensitivity troponin diagnostic protocol for chest pain evaluation.

Background: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) based accelerated diagnostic protocols for suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the emergency department (ED) can classify up to 40 % of patients as intermediate-risk (the "observation zone"). Expert consensus pathways recommend further risk stratification with additional hs-cTn testing and clinical risk scores.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult encounters for chest pain across 21 community EDs from January 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.

Characterizing Patients With Cold Drink-Triggered Atrial Fibrillation.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia with significant health implications. Identifying modifiable lifestyle triggers is important in mitigating recurrence and improving patient outcomes. A subset of AF patients has reported cold drinks or foods as triggers, a phenomenon termed "cold drink heart" (CDH).

Assessing the Risk of Urinary Tract Infection and Invasive Bacterial Infection in Febrile Infants Aged 7-90 Days With COVID-19.

Introduction Concomitant urinary tract infection (UTI) or invasive bacterial infection (IBI) in previously healthy, well-appearing febrile infants with COVID-19 is low. We sought to review the rates of UTI and IBI in all febrile infants with COVID-19 presenting to community emergency departments (EDs). Methods We retrospectively reviewed infants aged 7-90 days with COVID-19 from July 1, 2020, to August 31, 2022, who had an ED visit.

Oakland score to identify low-risk patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding performs well among emergency department patients.

Background: The Oakland Score predicts risk of 30-day adverse events among hospitalized patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) possibly identifying patients who may be safe for discharge. The Oakland Score has not been studied among emergency department (ED) patients with LGIB. The Oakland Score composite outcome includes re-bleeding, defined as additional blood transfusion requirements and/or a further decrease in hematocrit (Hct) >/= 20% after 24 h in clinical stability; red blood cell transfusion; therapeutic intervention to control bleeding, including surgery, mesenteric embolization, or endoscopic hemostasis; in-hospital death, all cause; and re-admission with further LGIB within 28 days.

Decision Support Intervention and Anticoagulation for Emergency Department Atrial Fibrillation: The O'CAFÉ Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Oral anticoagulation for adults with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (AFF) who are at elevated stroke risk reduces the incidence of ischemic stroke but remains underused. Efforts to increase anticoagulation initiation on emergency department (ED) discharge have yielded conflicting results.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a multipronged intervention supporting anticoagulation initiation for eligible adult ED patients.