Annals of emergency medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
A randomized, controlled trial of a simple emergency department intervention to improve the rate of primary care follow-up for patients with acute asthma exacerbations.
We determined whether a simple emergency department intervention improves the likelihood of primary care provider (PCP) follow-up after ED discharge for an acute asthma exacerbation. ⋯ Providing medication, transportation vouchers, and a telephone reminder to make an appointment increased the likelihood that discharged patients with asthma obtained PCP follow-up.
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Trauma deaths continue to show a trimodal distribution: immediately at the scene, within the first 24 hours during initial resuscitation, and in the next 3 to 4 weeks as a result of multiple organ failure.(1) Failure to resuscitate adequately in the emergency department can lead to acidosis, hypothermia, and coagulopathy, which can result in multiple organ failure and cause death in these patients. Our current understanding of the initial response to shock and trauma and the development of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome and progressive organ failure is one of a continuum initiated and perpetuated by inflammation and inflammatory mediators. The pathophysiologic character, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of traumatic injury-induced multiple organ failure are discussed.
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Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Efficacy of eye patching for traumatic corneal abrasions: a controlled clinical trial.
We sought to evaluate the efficacy of eye patching in the treatment of traumatic corneal abrasions in terms of time to healing and reduction in pain and discomfort. ⋯ Eye patching does not appear to be beneficial in the treatment of traumatic corneal abrasions compared with topical antibiotic ointment.
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We sought to assess older patients' satisfaction with care in the emergency department and to identify factors associated with global satisfaction with care. ⋯ To improve quality of care for older adults in the ED, physicians should be more attentive to older patients' concerns and questions, recognize and aggressively treat pain, and reduce the patients' perception of a long waiting time.