The American journal of emergency medicine
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The Covid19 pandemic has reignited debates and discussions around healthcare systems' biosecurity vulnerabilities and cast a spotlight on the potential weaponization of biological agents. Terrorist and violent extremist groups have already attempted to incite the intentional spread of Covid19 and to use it as an improvised form of a biological weapon. This study aims to provide an epidemiological description of all terrorism-related attacks using biological agents sustained between 1970 and 2019. ⋯ The reported use of biological agents as a terrorist weapon is extremely rare and accounts for 0.02% of all historic terrorist attacks. Despite its apparent rarity, however, bioterrorism has the ability to inflict mass injuries unmatched by conventional weapons. Anthrax has been the most commonly used in previous bioterrorism events with the vast majority of reported attacks occurring in the United States by a single suspected perpetrator. Counter-Terrorism Medicine (CTM) and Disaster Medicine (DM) specialists need to be proactive in delivering ongoing educational sessions on biological events to first responder communities, and anticipate emerging novel biotechnology threats.
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Increasing use of the internet for health information has decreased utilization of traditional telephone-based poison centers in the United States. webPOISONCONTROL®, a browser-based tool and app was launched to meet the growing demand for online, personalized recommendations for human poison exposures. This study was conducted to characterize webPOISONCONTROL cases and highlight its potential for real-time monitoring of poisoning. ⋯ The webPOISONCONTROL tool provides a safe, quick and fully-automated alternative to those who are unable or unwilling to use the telephone to call a traditional poison center.
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Electroencephalograms (EEG) can be helpful in evaluating patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). ⋯ EEG done in the ED is a useful diagnostic tool that may prevent admission to the hospital. Video EEGs should be considered in patients where the diagnosis is uncertain despite obtaining a routine EEG in the ED.
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There is a paucity of data looking at resident error or contrasting errors and adverse events among residents and attendings. This type of data could be vital in developing and enhancing educational curricula OBJECTIVES: Using an integrated, readily accessible electronic error reporting system the objective of this study is to compare the frequency and types of error and adverse events attributed to emergency medicine residents with those attributed to emergency medicine attendings. ⋯ Resident error, somewhat expectedly, is most commonly related to treatment interventions, and rarely is due to an individual resident mistake. Resident error instead seems to reflect concomitant error on the part of the attending. Error, in general as well as adverse events, are more likely to be attributed to an attending alone rather than to a resident.
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Mechanical bull-riding has become a popular form of entertainment in the United States (US) over the last few decades. While mechanical bull-riding may result in injuries, the literature on such injuries is limited. This study characterized mechanical bull-riding injuries treated at US emergency departments (EDs). ⋯ The highest proportion of mechanical bull-riding injuries involved patients age 20-29 years. The majority of injuries involved the patient falling or being thrown from the mechanical bull. The most frequently reported diagnosis among mechanical bull-riding injuries was sprain or strain followed by fracture and contusion or abrasion.