Annals of emergency medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Clinical efficacy of racemic albuterol versus levalbuterol for the treatment of acute pediatric asthma.
An efficacy treatment study is conducted comparing levalbuterol to racemic albuterol for acute pediatric asthma in the emergency department (ED). ⋯ There was no difference in clinical improvement in children with acute moderate to severe asthma exacerbations treated with either racemic albuterol or levalbuterol.
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Comparative Study
Older emergency department patients with acute myocardial infarction receive lower quality of care than younger patients.
We assessed the independent relationship between age and the quality of medical care provided to patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute myocardial infarction. ⋯ Older patients presenting to the ED with acute myocardial infarction receive lower-quality medical care than younger patients. Further investigation to identify the reasons for this disparity and to intervene to reduce gaps in care quality will likely lead to improved outcomes for older acute myocardial infarction patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The efficacy of ketamine in pediatric emergency department patients who present with acute severe asthma.
We determine whether a continuous infusion of ketamine can decrease the severity of a moderately severe acute asthma exacerbation by a clinically significant 2 points using a 15-point Pulmonary Index scoring scale. ⋯ We conclude that ketamine given at 0.2 mg/kg followed by an infusion of 0.5 mg/kg per hour for 2 hours provided no incremental benefit to standard therapy in this cohort of children with a moderately severe asthma exacerbation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Evaluation of a brief intervention in an inner-city emergency department.
This study tests the effect of a brief intervention with emergency department (ED) patients to reduce at-risk drinking. ⋯ Brief motivational intervention administered by peer educators to ED patients appears to reduce moderately risky drinking and associated problems.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of 1- versus 2-person bag-valve-mask techniques for manikin ventilation of infants and children.
We compare the mean tidal volumes per weight and peak pressures generated by the 1- and 2-person techniques of bag-valve-mask ventilation in a pediatric model. ⋯ Two-person bag-valve-mask ventilation provided greater mean tidal volumes per weight and peak pressures in the infant- and child-manikin model compared with the 1-person technique.