Annals of emergency medicine
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The use of the International Classification of Diseases system to describe emergency department (ED) case mix has disadvantages. We therefore developed computer algorithms that recognize a combination of words, word fragments, and word patterns to link free-text complaint fields to 20 reason-for-visit categories. We examine the feasibility and reliability of applying these reason-for-visit categories to ED patient-visit databases. ⋯ The method by which free-text complaint fields are parsed into reason-for-visit categories is feasible and reasonably reliable; the finalized database 1 reason-for-visit category inclusion/exclusion terms lists required only modest changes to work well in database 2. The reason-for-visit categories used here are broadly defined to maximize the proportion of visits that they capture; more narrowly defined reason-for-visit categories will require more extensive revision of their inclusion/exclusion terms lists when used in different databases. A prospective, reason-for-visit-based ED classification system could have several useful applications (including syndromic surveillance), although content validity analysis will be necessary to investigate this hypothesis.
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Unintended pregnancy is a major medical, social, and public health problem. Emergency contraceptive pills can prevent 75% to 85% of unintended pregnancies if administered within 72 hours of intercourse. We perform this study to measure knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived needs about emergency contraception in a sample of women seeking emergency department (ED) care. ⋯ Sexually active women seeking ED care have high rates of unintended pregnancy and abortion. There is broad acceptance of emergency contraceptive pills to prevent pregnancy, but knowledge of availability, timing, and proper use is limited. Emergency contraceptive pills are a safe, effective, and low-cost primary preventive and emergency care intervention, and information about their use should be made available to ED patients. Patients should be advised not to abandon their use of barrier or other traditional contraceptives.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Sterile versus nonsterile gloves for repair of uncomplicated lacerations in the emergency department: a randomized controlled trial.
Although sterile technique for laceration management continues to be recommended, studies supporting this practice are lacking. Using clean nonsterile gloves rather than individually packaged sterile gloves for uncomplicated wound repair in the emergency department may result in cost and time savings. This study is designed to determine whether the rate of infection after repair of uncomplicated lacerations in immunocompetent patients is comparable using clean nonsterile gloves versus sterile gloves. ⋯ This study demonstrated that there is no clinically important difference in infection rates between using clean nonsterile gloves and sterile gloves during the repair of uncomplicated traumatic lacerations.
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Review Historical Article
Nonoperative management of abdominal gunshot wounds.
Mandatory surgical exploration for gunshot wounds to the abdomen has been a surgical dictum for the greater part of this past century. Although nonoperative management of blunt solid organ injuries and low-energy penetrating injuries such as stab wounds is well established, the same is not true for gunshot wounds. The vast majority of patients who sustain a gunshot injury to the abdomen require immediate laparotomy to control bleeding and contain contamination. ⋯ Although the physical examination remains the cornerstone in the evaluation of patients with gunshot injury, other techniques such as computed tomography, diagnostic peritoneal lavage, and laparoscopy allow accurate determination of intra-abdominal injury. The ability to exclude internal organ injury nonoperatively avoids the potential complications of unnecessary laparotomy. Clinical data to support selective nonoperative management of certain gunshot injuries to the abdomen are accumulating, but the approach has risks and requires careful collaborative management by emergency physicians and surgeons experienced in the care of penetrating injury.