The American journal of emergency medicine
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The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of emergency department (ED) crowding levels on patient admission decisions and outcomes. ⋯ Patient admission probability was found to be directly associated with ED census and physician workload census, but inversely associated with the boarder census. The effects of boarder census and physician workload census were stronger for patients of triage levels 3-5. Our results suggested that (i) insufficient physician staffing may lead to unnecessary patient admissions; (ii) too many boarding patients in ED leads to an increase in unsafe discharges, and as a result, an increase in 7-day revisit probability.
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Comparative Study
Injury characteristics and hemodynamics associated with guideline-compliant CPR in a pediatric porcine cardiac arrest model.
Guidelines for depth of chest compressions in pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are based on sparse evidence. ⋯ In this pediatric model of cardiac arrest, chest compressions to 1/3APd were more harmful without a concurrent benefit for resuscitation outcomes compared to the 1.5 in. compression group.
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Emergency department (ED)-initiated buprenorphine/naloxone has been shown to improve treatment retention and reduce illicit opioid use; however, its potential may be limited by a lack of accessible community-based facilities. This study compared one state's geographic distribution of EDs to outpatient treatment facilities that provide buprenorphine treatment and identified ED and geographic factors associated with treatment access. ⋯ Only half of Michigan EDs are within 10 miles of a buprenorphine treatment facility. Given these limitations, expanding access to ED-initiated buprenorphine in states similar to Michigan may require developing alternative models of care.
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We present a case of hyperacute hyponatremia with stroke like symptoms on presentation. Symptoms included confusion, left-sided facial droop, right-sided hemiparesis, dysarthria and aphasia, with an NIH stroke score of 5. Sodium level at the time of presentation was 119 mmol/L which dropped acutely from 138 mmol/L seven hours prior. ⋯ The patient remained symptom free after discharge with resolution of hyponatremia. Acute hyponatremia can cause focal neurological complaints and deficits, mimicking acute ischemic stroke. We advise clinicians to be aware of this entity when considering interventions for possible acute ischemic stroke and evaluating a patient with focal neurological deficits.
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Understanding differences in mortality rate secondary to sepsis between pediatric and general emergency departments (EDs) would help identify strategies to improve pediatric sepsis care. We aimed to determine if pediatric sepsis mortality differs between pediatric and general EDs. ⋯ In a nationally representative sample, pediatric mortality from severe sepsis or septic shock was lower in pediatric EDs than in general EDs. Identifying features of pediatric ED care associated with improved sepsis mortality could translate into improved survival for children wherever they present with sepsis.