Annals of emergency medicine
-
To compare the diagnostic processes of experienced emergency physicians with those of novices. ⋯ Expertise in medical decision making is characterized by a moderate initial level of certainty concerning a diagnosis that significantly increases as the experienced clinician follows a flexible strategy of testing to arrive at a final diagnosis.
-
Stroke after oral trauma in children is a rare but catastrophic event. We describe two cases of stroke in children after each child fell with a writing instrument in the mouth. Both children had a latent period prior to the onset of neurologic symptoms. ⋯ Both children were left with permanent hemiparesis. The case reports are reviewed and diagnosis and therapy are discussed. Emergency physicians should be aware of the risk of neurologic complications following apparently asymptomatic oral trauma.
-
To identify the incidence and major causes of patient and parental complaints in a pediatric emergency department. ⋯ Assessment of ED complaints is useful to highlight areas of patient dissatisfaction and develop plans for improving patient care.