The American journal of emergency medicine
-
This study identifies reasons and predictors of LWBS and examines outcomes of patients in a model that uses "point-of-service" (POS) collection for low acuity patients. ⋯ In an ED setting with POS collection for low acuity patients, non-compensable coverage status was the strongest predictor for LWBS. Further studies are needed to assess the outcomes of patients who LWBS in this model of care.
-
The "quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment" (qSOFA) score is a bedside risk-stratification tool to predict the likelihood of organ dysfunction. This study evaluated the qSOFA score as a prognostic factor for 30-day mortality in emergency department (ED) patients with sepsis identified by the Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) criteria. ⋯ Almost one third of the patients with a qSOFA score of ≥2 had died within 30 days and a qSOFA score of ≥2 was independently associated with mortality. This study indicated that qSOFA score of at least two could provide useful prognostic information for septic patients defined by the SIRS criteria.
-
Vaginal cuff dehiscence is a rare, but potentially morbid, complication of a total hysterectomy. Bowel evisceration can lead to serious sequelae and is considered a surgical emergency however there is a paucity of information on it in the Emergency Medicine literature. ⋯ The history and physical exam were concerning for vaginal cuff dehiscence (VCD). The patient underwent an Exam Under Anesthesia (EUA) and subsequent laparoscopic repair of the vaginal cuff defect and fully recovered.
-
Caffeine is the most commonly used central nervous system stimulant. While it has a high LD50 (150-200 mg/kg), when ingested in significant quantity, caffeine can lead to severe and even lethal side effects. Manifestation of toxicity include tachyarrhythmias, seizures, and metabolic derangements which can eventually lead to cardiovascular collapse and death. ⋯ Initial pre-dialysis caffeine level was found to be 254 μg/ml. After treatment with two sessions of hemodialysis the patient's caffeine level decreased dramatically. We believe this is the first case report to demonstrate the success of preemptive hemodialysis, prior to cardiovascular collapse and/or renal failure, in a case of caffeine overdose and should be considered very early in patients presenting with recent toxic ingestion.
-
Valproic acid (VPA) is a broad-spectrum antiepileptic drug indicated for monotherapy and adjunctive therapy of seizures, and complex manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder [1]. While uncommon due to monitoring, VPA can cause toxicity at supratherapeutic levels [1, 2]. ⋯ Recent literature suggests co-administration of meropenem with VPA reduces mean plasma VPA levels by 50-80% [4, 6]. This case report describes the successful use of carbapenems to intentionally lower toxic VPA levels in a 42 year old female that presented to the emergency department with VPA toxicity from an overdose with divalproex sodium.