Annals of emergency medicine
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We report 2 deaths and 1 injury that resulted from 2 separate unintentional discharges of the same Ruger Blackhawk revolver. One discharge was a consequence of careless firearm handling combined with a slip during a decocking procedure unique to certain hammer-action firearms. ⋯ The second death may have been prevented by the timely intervention of a health care or law enforcement professional at the time of the first unintentional discharge. Physicians who become knowledgeable about the functioning of different types of firearms and how they can malfunction may help promote the safe and responsible use of firearms among their patients.
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Taking advantage of a medical student strike, the authors evaluated the effect of medical students on emergency department length of stay (LOS). ⋯ Medical students lengthen ED LOS. This should be explained to patients and should be considered as one justification for increasing medical staff in the teaching ED.