The American journal of emergency medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Efficacy and safety of nebulized morphine given at 2 different doses compared to intravenous titrated morphine in trauma pain.
Our aim was to compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) titrated morphine with nebulized morphine given at 2 different doses in severe traumatic pain. ⋯ Nebulized morphine using boluses of 10 mg has similar efficacy and better safety than IV titrated morphine in patients with severe posttraumatic pain. Increasing nebulized boluses to 20 mg increases the effectiveness without increasing side effects.
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Increasing the value of health care delivery is a national priority, and providers face growing pressure to reduce cost while improving quality. Ample opportunity exists to increase efficiency and quality simultaneously through the application of systems engineering science. ⋯ In this study, Lean-based reorganization of laboratory process flow significantly increased process efficiency. Broader application of systems engineering science might further improve health care quality and capacity while reducing waste and cost.
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Rising health care costs demands justifying prolonged hospitalization for syncope, yet predictors of shorter length of stay (LOS) have not been identified. ⋯ Patients with less than 1 predictor of prolonged stay, who present to the ED with syncope, are unlikely to require hospitalization of more than 1 day. A set of predictors may help define which patients are appropriate for 24-hour observation rather than full hospitalization.