The American journal of emergency medicine
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A growing body of evidence suggests outcomes for cardiac arrest in adults are worse during nights and weekends when compared with daytime and weekdays. Similar research has not yet been carried out in the infant setting. ⋯ ROSC achievement rates for infant out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are significantly lower on weekends when compared with weekdays. Further study and quality improvement work is needed to better understand this.
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In the context of polysubstance use and fentanyl detection in non-opioid drugs supplies (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine), it is important to re-evaluate and expand our understanding of which populations are at high risk for fatal drug overdoses. The primary objective of this pilot study was to gather data from the ED to characterize the population presenting with drug overdose, including demographics, drug use patterns and comorbidities, to inform upstream overdose prevention efforts. ⋯ This study demonstrated high rates of fentanyl exposure on toxicology testing at time of overdose across all participants including study participants without self-reported intentional opioid use. Data gathered in the ED at time of overdose can be used to inform upstream naloxone distribution and public health initiatives.
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Does pre-injury anticoagulation make chest tubes any less safe? A nationwide retrospective analysis.
Oral anticoagulation is becoming more common with the aging population, which raises concern for the risk of invasive procedures that can cause bleeding, such as chest tube placement (thoracostomy). With the increase in CT imaging, more pneumothoraces and hemothoraces are being identified. The relative risk of thoracostomy in the presence of anticoagulation is not well-established. The objective of this study was to determine whether pre-injury anticoagulation affects the relative risk of tube thoracostomy following significant chest trauma. ⋯ Therapeutic, Level III.