Open access emergency medicine : OAEM
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Open Access Emerg Med · Jan 2018
Can base excess and anion gap predict lactate level in diagnosis of septic shock?
Lactate measurement is the key component in septic shock identification and resuscitation. However, point-of-care lactate testing is not widely used due to the lack of access to nearby test equipment. Biomarkers such as serum lactate, anion gap (AG), and base excess (BE) are used in determining shock in patients with seemingly normal vital signs. ⋯ In patients with septic shock, lactate and AG showed a strong correlation with each other, whereas lactate and BE showed a moderate correlation with each other. Thus, these biomarkers can be used interchangeably to help determine septic shock earlier in patients.
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Open Access Emerg Med · Jan 2018
Strategies for improving outcomes in the acute management of ischemic stroke in rural emergency departments: a quality improvement initiative in the Stroke Belt.
The timely evaluation and initiation of treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is critical to optimal patient outcomes. However, clinical practice often falls short of guideline-established goals. Hospitals in rural regions of the USA, and notably those in the Stroke Belt, are particularly challenged to meet timing goals since the vast majority of primary stroke centers (PSCs) are concentrated in urban academic institutions. ⋯ Structured QI interventions that engage ED care teams to reflect on processes related to AIS diagnosis and treatment and deploy repeat audit-and-feedback cycles with real-time patient data have the potential to support an increase in the number of patients who receive alteplase within the guideline-recommended timeframe of 60 minutes from hospital arrival.
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Open Access Emerg Med · Jan 2017
A renal colic fast track pathway to improve waiting times and outcomes for patients presenting to the emergency department.
Renal colic is commonly encountered in the emergency department (ED). We validated a fast track renal colic (FTRC) initiative to decrease patient waiting times and streamline patient flow. ⋯ The FTRC pathway is a safe and efficacious method of reducing diagnostic delay and improving patient flow in the ED.
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Open Access Emerg Med · Jan 2017
Automated external defibrillation training on the left or the right side - a randomized simulation study.
Correct placement of the left automated external defibrillator (AED) electrode is rarely achieved. AED electrode placement is predominantly illustrated and trained with the rescuer sitting on the right side of the patient. Placement of the AED electrodes from the left side of the patient may result in a better overview of and access to the left lateral side of the thorax. This study aimed to investigate if training in automated external defibrillation on the left side compared to the right side of a manikin improves left AED electrode placement. ⋯ Training in automated external defibrillation on the left side of a manikin does not improve left AED electrode placement compared to training on the right side.
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Open Access Emerg Med · Jan 2017
A multicenter prospective randomized study comparing the efficacy of escalating higher biphasic versus low biphasic energy defibrillations in patients presenting with cardiac arrest in the in-hospital environment.
Biphasic defibrillation has been practiced worldwide for >15 years. Yet, consensus does not exist on the best energy levels for optimal outcomes when used in patients with ventricular fibrillation (VF)/pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT). ⋯ First-shock termination and ROSC rates were not significantly different between LE and HE biphasic defibrillation for cardiac arrest patients. Patients responded best at 150/200 J and at 360 J energy levels. For patients with VF/pulseless VT, consideration is needed to escalate quickly to HE shocks at 360 J if not successfully defibrillated with 150 or 200 J initially.