The American journal of emergency medicine
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Gestalt clinical severity score (GCSS) as a predictor of patient severity of illness or injury.
To determine if clinical judgement is accurate to predict the severity of injury or illness, and can be used at patient arrival when other formal scoring systems are not yet available. ⋯ Physicians can make accurate predictions of severity of injury and illness using a gestalt method and the scoring system we have developed as patient disposition correlates well with GCSS score. GCSS is most accurate with the 18-44 age group.
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Testicular torsion is a serious condition that carries with it a high rate of morbidity. ⋯ An understanding of testicular torsion can assist emergency clinicians in diagnosing and managing this disease.
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Severe hyperkalemia is a common and life-threatening problem presenting to the emergency department. Rapid correction of the electrolyte abnormality is essential but doing so can be detrimental in circumstances under which delaying treatment for confirmation is required. Our case exemplifies one of those scenarios: pseudohyperkalemia in the setting of severe leukocytosis. ⋯ Pseudohyperkalemia can occur in the setting of severe leukocytosis. It is important for emergency physicians to recognize this phenomenon and avoid iatrogenic hypokalemia. The pathophysiology behind this phenomenon and the methods for correct analysis are presented here.