TY - JOUR
T1 - Rates and features of methamphetamine-related presentations to emergency departments
T2 - An integrative literature review
AU - Jones, Rikki
AU - Woods, Cindy
AU - Usher, Kim
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
PY - 2018/7
Y1 - 2018/7
N2 - Aims and objectives: To review the clinical impact methamphetamine has on emergency departments by assessing the available research on the rates and features of methamphetamine-related presentations. Background: Globally, methamphetamine availability, distribution and use have rapidly increased. As a result, the number of methamphetamine-related presentations to emergency departments has also increased. In this context, it is timely to review the rate and features of methamphetamine-related presentations to understand the impact of methamphetamine on emergency departments and facilitate the allocation of services, staff and resources. Design: An integrative literature review. Methods: This study presents an integrated literature review, following the systematic review process as outlined in the PRISMA flow chart. Several databases were searched using a combination of search terms. Articles were measured against inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the final ten articles were subjected to quality appraisal and outcomes reported. Results: Methamphetamine accounted for 2.3% or less of all emergency departments presentations. The majority of methamphetamine users presenting to emergency departments were males, with a mean age 31–37. Methamphetamine-related presentations to emergency departments were more likely to present with trauma, psychosis, and be placed on 24-hr psychiatric hold. Methamphetamine-related presentations were more likely to present with agitation, aggression and homicidal behaviour and present to emergency departments out of hours and accompanied by police compared with other emergency departments substance-related presentations. Conclusions: Several important themes were highlighted in this review that has an impact on emergency departments services, resources and staff. Understanding the rate and patterns of methamphetamine-related presentations can help to provide evidence for policy development and staff education in emergency departments. Relevance to clinical practice: Methamphetamine-related presenters are more aggressive and agitated and more likely to be brought in by police. There is a need for policy development and staff training around these issues and further research in this area using stronger study designs.
AB - Aims and objectives: To review the clinical impact methamphetamine has on emergency departments by assessing the available research on the rates and features of methamphetamine-related presentations. Background: Globally, methamphetamine availability, distribution and use have rapidly increased. As a result, the number of methamphetamine-related presentations to emergency departments has also increased. In this context, it is timely to review the rate and features of methamphetamine-related presentations to understand the impact of methamphetamine on emergency departments and facilitate the allocation of services, staff and resources. Design: An integrative literature review. Methods: This study presents an integrated literature review, following the systematic review process as outlined in the PRISMA flow chart. Several databases were searched using a combination of search terms. Articles were measured against inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the final ten articles were subjected to quality appraisal and outcomes reported. Results: Methamphetamine accounted for 2.3% or less of all emergency departments presentations. The majority of methamphetamine users presenting to emergency departments were males, with a mean age 31–37. Methamphetamine-related presentations to emergency departments were more likely to present with trauma, psychosis, and be placed on 24-hr psychiatric hold. Methamphetamine-related presentations were more likely to present with agitation, aggression and homicidal behaviour and present to emergency departments out of hours and accompanied by police compared with other emergency departments substance-related presentations. Conclusions: Several important themes were highlighted in this review that has an impact on emergency departments services, resources and staff. Understanding the rate and patterns of methamphetamine-related presentations can help to provide evidence for policy development and staff education in emergency departments. Relevance to clinical practice: Methamphetamine-related presenters are more aggressive and agitated and more likely to be brought in by police. There is a need for policy development and staff training around these issues and further research in this area using stronger study designs.
KW - amphetamine
KW - drug abuse
KW - emergency department
KW - literature review
KW - methamphetamine
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85047661089&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/jocn.14493
DO - 10.1111/jocn.14493
M3 - Review article
C2 - 29679414
AN - SCOPUS:85047661089
SN - 0962-1067
VL - 27
SP - 2569
EP - 2582
JO - Journal of Clinical Nursing
JF - Journal of Clinical Nursing
IS - 13-14
ER -