International emergency nursing
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To determine the frequency, duration and type of audible monitor alarms in an ED, utilising the standard manufacturer's classification. ⋯ Whilst high level monitoring is desired from a patient safety perspective, it contributes to a significant ambient noise level, which is recognised by all who pass through an ED, and can be detrimental to patients, relatives and staff. We have demonstrated that there is a high probability of near-continuous alarm noise from patient monitoring in a 10-bedded Majors area. We make suggestions for methods of noise reduction and intend to implement some of these within our own ED.
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This study investigated the inter-observer agreement (IOA) between doctors and nurses on triaging adult ED dyspneic patients. ⋯ Trained ED nurses were safe and managed adult dyspneic patients as well as doctors at triage.
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Cultural awareness of emergency department staff is important to ensure delivery of appropriate health care to people from all ethnic groups. Cultural awareness training has been found to increase knowledge about other cultures and is widely used as a means of educating staff, however, debate continues as to the effectiveness of these programs. ⋯ Future strategies to improve staff cultural awareness need to be investigated, developed, implemented and evaluated.
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The majority of patients who attend emergency departments (EDs) in Saudi Arabia have non-urgent problems, resulting in overcrowding, excessive waiting times and delayed care for more acutely ill patients. The purpose of this research was to examine the reasons for non-urgent visits to a Saudi ED and factors associated with patient perceptions of urgency. ⋯ Multiple factors influence non-urgent visits to the ED in the Saudi context including insufficient community awareness of the role of the ED and perceived lack of access to primary healthcare services.
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This study evaluated the use and effect of a rapid rehydration guideline for the management of gastroenteritis in children 6months to 4years of age in an Emergency Department (ED). The guideline aims to facilitate rehydration within 4h of arrival to the ED, using oral or nasogastric fluids. Primary outcome measures were ED Length of Stay (LOS) and hospital admission rates. Documentation of physiological recovery and consistency of re-hydration regimes used were examined as secondary outcomes. ⋯ The need for improvements in the ED management of dehydration secondary to gastroenteritis has been highlighted providing potential benefits to patient care and outcomes.