The American journal of emergency medicine
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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to progress, the medical community is rapidly trying to identify complications and patterns of disease to improve patient outcomes. In a recent systematic review, it has been reported that isolated cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) have occurred secondary to COVID-19 infection. GBS is defined as a rare, but potentially fatal, immune mediated disease of peripheral nerves and nerve roots that is usually triggered by infections. ⋯ The reported case in the US was a 54- year old male. We present a case of GBS secondary to a COVID-19 infection and believe this to be the first documented female case in the US and the second documented case in the US overall. The presented case aims to supplement the existing body of knowledge and to assist clinicians in managing complications of COVID-19.
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Children with minor head injuries (MHI) are routinely transferred to a pediatric trauma center for definitive care. Unwarranted transfers result in minimal benefit to the patient and add substantially to healthcare costs. The purpose of this study is to explore the factors associated with avoidable interhospital transfers of children with MHI. ⋯ There is a high rate of avoidable transfers in children with MHI. Focused interventions targeting risk factors associated with avoidable transfers may reduce unwarranted interhospital transfers.
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The increasing worldwide demand for ambulance transport may worsen patient prognosis due to a prolonged response time and overcrowding in the emergency department. Triage in the prehospital setting may reduce the demand for ambulance transport by advising low-acuity patients seek non-emergency medical care. In Japan, a five-level triage system that allows emergency medical services (EMS) to triage patients has been implemented since 2014. This study aimed to validate the five-level triage system. ⋯ Our study validates the five-level prehospital triage system for patients transported by EMS and demonstrates an association between the triage acuity and ICU admissions.
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Amlodipine overdoses have significant cardiac toxicity and are difficult to treat. Methylene blue has potential as a treatment for overdoses. ⋯ In this mouse model of amlodipine overdose, methylene blue decreased cardiac toxicity.