Abstract
Objective: Overcrowding in hospitals, especially in EDs, is a serious problem in the United States, Europe, and Taiwan. However, the association between prolonged ED boarding stay and mortality in patients with necrotizing fasciitis remains underinvestigated. Methods: This was a retrospective study. A total of 195 patients were enrolled and analyzed. The sample was divided into 2 groups: nonmortality and mortality. A stepwise logistic regression model was developed to investigate 3 factors of clinical relevance predicting patient mortality. Result: The results of the stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that hypotension (odds ratio [OR], 32.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.9-156.0) and prolonged ED boarding stay (OR, 3.4; 95% CI 1.3-8.6) were both associated with higher mortality. Early operation (OR: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.06 - 0.45) was associated with lower mortality. Conclusion: Prolonged ED boarding stay was associated with increased mortality in patients with necrotizing fasciitis. Early operation (within 24 hours of ED arrival) was associated with decreased mortality.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 385-390 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | American Journal of Emergency Medicine |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 05 2009 |