The American journal of emergency medicine
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Regionalization of emergency medical care aims to provide consistent and efficient high-quality care leading to optimal clinical outcomes by matching patient needs with appropriate resources at a network of hospitals. Regionalized care has been shown to improve outcomes in trauma, myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiac arrest, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. In rural areas, effective regionalization often requires interhospital transfer. ⋯ These risks include clinical deterioration, limited resource availability during transport, vehicular crashes, time delays for time-sensitive care, poor communication between providers, and neglect of patient preferences. This article reviews the transfer decision, financial implications, risks, and considerations for patients undergoing rural interhospital transfer. We identify several strategies that should be considered for development of the regionalized emergency health care system of the future and identify areas where further research is necessary.
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Observational Study
Hypoxic hepatitis in survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Hypoxic hepatitis (HH) is commonly observed in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors. The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence, clinical courses, and outcomes of as well as predisposing factors for HH in OHCA survivors. ⋯ Hypoxic hepatitis occurred frequently in survivors of OHCA. The no flow time was an independent risk factor for HH, which was significantly related to death and poor neurologic outcomes.