The American journal of emergency medicine
-
Fluid resuscitation of infants and children is a common management problem in prehospital and emergency department care. We present two cases of children who received 5% dextrose in water as the initial resuscitation fluid. Bolus administration of hypotonic fluid contributed to fatal outcomes in these cases. Recommendations are made for eliminating hypotonic fluids as stock items in both the prehospital and emergency department settings.
-
The study objective was to determine emergency department (ED) patients' perceptions of the specialty of emergency medicine. We surveyed a convenience sample of adult ED patients regarding their knowledge of the specialty of emergency medicine. ⋯ Patients estimated ED physicians' mean annual mean salary to be $100,000 and 61% believe that ED physicians are hospital employees. In conclusion, the specialty of emergency medicine is not well understood by our patients.
-
Luxatio erecta is an uncommon disorder and presents in a unique, unusual manner. Luxatio erecta is often misdiagnosed as an anterior dislocation. The presentation is unmistakable and classic: the arm hyperabducted and locked above the head. ⋯ Reduction is done with the traction and countertraction maneuver. Once it is reduced the arm is then placed and maintained with a sling in adduction to the chest. Orthopedic referral is required because of the high incidence of rotator cuff injury.
-
The Republic of the Seychelles enjoys a sophisticated health care system by developing country standards. Basic food, water, sanitation, and preventative health care needs have been addressed and the Seychelles Ministry of Health has recently focused on the need to improve the country's emergency medical services (EMS). ⋯ This report profiles the current health care system in the Seychelles, with special emphasis on EMS. It also describes an international collaborative effort between the Seychelles Ministry of Health and the UCLA Center for International Emergency Medicine designed to improve existing EMS.