The American journal of emergency medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The effect of hypertonic saline and mannitol on coagulation in moderate traumatic brain injury patients.
Hyperosmolar therapy, using either hypertonic saline (HTS) or mannitol (MT), is considered the treatment of choice for intracranial hypertension, a disorder characterized by high intracranial pressure (ICP). However, hyperosmolar agents have been postulated to impair coagulation and platelet function. The aim of this study was to identify whether HTS and MT could affect coagulation in moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. ⋯ ROTEM parameters included CT (clotting time), CFT (clot formation time), maximum clot firmness (MCF) measured by MCF (EXTEM and INTEM), MCF (FIBTEM) and standard coagulation tests (p>0.05). No significant differences were found between the two groups. Moreover, ROTEM parameters did not show significant changes at different time points after administration of the hyperosmolar solutions (p>0.05). Conclusions Overall, use of 3% HTS and 20% MT for the control of ICP did not significantly affect patients' coagulation function. Therefore, hyperosmotic solution is safe and does not increase the risk of intracranial rebleeding.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Differences in test ordering between nurse practitioners and attending emergency physicians when acting as Provider in Triage.
To compare diagnostic test ordering practices of NPs with those of physicians in the role of Provider in Triage (PIT). ⋯ NPs in the PIT role ordered slightly less diagnostic tests than attending physicians. This slight difference did not affect time spent in an ED bed. By the end of the ED stay, there was no significant difference in total test categories ordered between provider types. PIT staffing with NPs does not appear to be associated with excess test ordering or prolonged ED patient stays.
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Delirium is a widespread and serious but under-recognized problem. Increasing evidence argues that emergency health care providers need to assess the mental status of the patient as the "sixth vital sign". A simple, sensitive, time-efficient, and cost-effective tool is needed to identify delirium in patients in the emergency department (ED); however, a stand-alone measurement has not yet been established despite previous studies partly because the differential diagnosis of dementia and delirium superimposed on dementia (DSD) is too difficult to achieve using a single indicator. ⋯ For instance, we proposed the 100 countdown test as an effective means of detecting inattention. Further dedicated studies are warranted to shed light on the pathophysiology and better management of dementia, delirium and/or "altered mental status". We reviewed herein the clinical questions and controversies concerning delirium in an ED setting.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A prospective randomized, double-dummy trial comparing intravenous push dose of low dose ketamine to short infusion of low dose ketamine for treatment of moderate to severe pain in the emergency department.
Compare adverse effects and analgesic efficacy of low-dose ketamine for acute pain in the ED administered either by single intravenous push (IVP) or short infusion (SI). ⋯ Low-dose ketamine given as a short infusion is associated with significantly lower rates of feeling of unreality and sedation with no difference in analgesic efficacy in comparison to intravenous push.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparing the effectiveness of vapocoolant spray and lidocaine/procaine cream in reducing pain of intravenous cannulation: A randomized clinical trial.
Venous cannulation is the most common procedure in emergency departments. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of vapocoolant spray and EMLA cream in reduction of pain during venous cannulation in 6-12years old children. ⋯ The results indicated that vapocoolant spray was not as effective as EMLA cream, in the event of an emergency and in patients with allergic reactions to lidocaine and procaine ingredients Vapocoolant is an efficacious alternative.