Journal of emergency nursing : JEN : official publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association
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This study was designed to define 1 trauma center's drunk driver patient population, determine the incidence of alcohol intoxication in motorists admitted to the hospital following a collision, and ascertain the frequency of the Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charges filed against this population. ⋯ Overall, 60% of admitted injured drivers who were tested had positive results for 1 or more substances known to impair driving ability, yet only 16% of those with a blood alcohol level of > or = 100 mg/dL were charged with DUI. This finding supports previously published data suggesting that injury and transport to a hospital protect the alcohol-impaired driver from legal consequences.
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Delays in providing thrombolytic agents to patients with chest pain occur mainly in the prehospital arena. To reduce prehospital delay in treating patients with chest pain, we created a discharge teaching video that emphasized calling 911 in the event of a possible heart attack and a written action plan to be posted near the telephone. We also gave patients their EKG readings to bring with them on their next visit to the emergency department. ⋯ We concluded that patients understood the message they were given and retained some of the material 3 days after discharge from the Chest Pain Observation Unit. The follow-up telephone calls revealed areas for improvement in the discharge teaching tools.
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After several years of planning, The SART at Immanuel St. Joseph's--Mayo Health Systems became a reality in August 1997. The nurses who were trained for this program were already providing 24-hour coverage in the emergency department for psychiatric emergencies and patients with chemical dependency. ⋯ The providers are continuing to meet monthly as an interdisciplinary, interagency team and are addressing concerns as they arise. Members of the SART are developing a good working relationship. Everyone involved agrees that developing this program has been a worthwhile effort and that the hospital is providing a valued service for the community.