CJEM
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A simple bedside test, the Dix-Hallpike test (DHT), can reliably diagnose benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in patients with acute onset dizziness or vertigo. We evaluated patterns of DHT use by emergency physicians in patients presenting with dizziness and vertigo. Our objective was to assess the frequency and clinically appropriate use of the DHT in an emergency department. ⋯ The DHT is both underutilized and frequently applied to patients whose symptoms are not consistent with BPPV. This may result in prolonged patient discomfort and increased resource utilization, as well as increasing the risk of misdiagnosing central vertigo.
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While electrolyte maintenance solution is recommended and commonly used in pediatric gastroenteritis, it can be more costly and less palatable than preferred fluids such as apple juice. ⋯ Apple juice/preferred fluids strategy was dominant over electrolytes in the treatment of children with minimal dehydration secondary to acute gastroenteritis as this option yielded fewer treatment failures and a lower societal cost. Given the high prevalence of acute gastroenteritis, this approach may result in significant cost savings while leading to improved clinical outcomes.
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In emergency department patients with ureteral colic, the prognostic value of hydronephrosis is unclear. Our goal was to determine whether hydronephrosis can differentiate low-risk patients appropriate for trial of spontaneous passage from those with clinically important stones likely to experience passage failure. ⋯ Absent and mild hydronephrosis identify low-risk patients unlikely to experience passage failure, who may be appropriate for trial of spontaneous passage without CT imaging. Moderate hydronephrosis is weakly associated with larger stones but not with significantly greater passage failure. Severe hydronephrosis is an important finding that warrants definitive imaging and referral. Differentiating "moderate-severe" from "absent-mild" hydronephrosis provides risk stratification value. More granular hydronephrosis grading is not prognostically helpful.
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Physicians working in the emergency department (ED) will interact with two-spirited, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and intersex (2SLGBTQI+) persons as colleagues and patients. These patients have unique healthcare needs and encounter negative experiences when seeking medical care, leading to poorer health outcomes and inequities. This study aims to explore the attitudes, behaviour, and comfort of Canadian emergency medicine (EM) physicians in caring for 2SLGBTQI+ patients. ⋯ This study suggests that Canadian EM physicians feel that 2SLGBTQI+ patients deserve equitable care when compared to cis-het patients. Future work should focus on educational needs and curricular enhancements in residency programs and continuing professional development for physicians to improve care for 2SLGBTQI+ patients in the ED.