Annals of emergency medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Efficacy and impact of intravenous morphine before surgical consultation in children with right lower quadrant pain suggestive of appendicitis: a randomized controlled trial.
The evidence supporting the use of analgesia in children with abdominal pain suggestive of appendicitis is limited. The objectives of the study are to evaluate the efficacy of morphine before surgical consultation in children presenting to the pediatric emergency department (ED) with right lower quadrant pain suggestive of appendicitis and determine whether it has an impact on the time between arrival in the ED and the surgical decision. ⋯ The use of morphine in children with a presumptive diagnosis of appendicitis did not delay the surgical decision. In our group of patients, however, morphine at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg was not more effective than placebo in diminishing their pain at 30 minutes.
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Editorial Comment
Truth, and epinephrine, at our fingertips: unveiling the pseudoaxioms.
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We characterize and describe the communication links and patterns between and within emergency department (ED) practitioner types. ⋯ Distinct patterns are identified. These results will be helpful in designing future communication adjuncts in the ED.
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The objective of this investigation is to determine time-dependent workload patterns for emergency department (ED) physician teams across work shifts. A secondary aim was to demonstrate how ED demand patterns and the timing of shift changes influence the balance of workload among a physician team. ⋯ Physician patient load patterns and ED demand patterns should be taken into consideration when physician shift times are scheduled so that patient load may be balanced among a team. Real-time monitoring of physician patient load may reduce stress and prevent physicians from exceeding their safe capacity for workload.