The American journal of emergency medicine
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Comparative Study
Design rationale and intended use of a short optical stylet for routine fiberoptic augmentation of emergency laryngoscopy.
Patient safety in emergency airway management has traditionally relied upon prediction of difficult laryngoscopy and alternative intubation devices. Unfortunately, screening tests for difficult laryngoscopy have poor predictive value, and alternative devices are often not suitable for emergency airways. ⋯ By making a commitment to minimally modify practice and expand our skill set, fiberoptic augmentation of every laryngoscopy can promote patient safety through the avoidance of repetitive laryngoscopy and esophageal intubation. This article presents the design rationale and intended use of a new short optical stylet for the routine augmentation of emergency direct laryngoscopy.
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To investigate the association between a child's preprocedural state anxiety and the success of sedation. ⋯ Our data suggest that preprocedural state anxiety is associated with the success of sedation in children.
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The aim of this study was to examine the effect of advanced age on ED outcomes, including hospitalization for any reason, ambulatory care-sensitive hospitalizations (ACSHs), and supply-sensitive hospitalizations. ⋯ Further research is needed to understand how comorbidity contributes to increasing ED and hospital use among older adults.
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Minor chest wall trauma is a common complaint in the emergency department (ED) (Barnea Y, Kashtan H, Skornick Y, Werbin N. Isolated rib fractures in elderly patients: mortality and morbidity. Can J of Surgery 2002;45(1):43-6; Lee RB, Bass SM, Morris JA, Mackenzie EJ. ⋯ The overall chi2 calculation showed no differences between the fractured group and the no fracture group (P=.072). From this, it can be concluded that there were no between-group differences in drugs prescribed based on whether a fracture was diagnosed by the ED physician. Indicating that the interpretation of the rib series does not influence the physicians treatment plan.
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Despite the effectiveness of early beta-blocker (BB) use in reducing mortality in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), they remain underutilized in the emergency department (ED) management of AMI. The elderly, with higher AMI mortality, and women, may be particularly vulnerable to underutilization of BB. ⋯ Despite convincing evidence of effectiveness, BB remain underutilized in ED management of AMI, especially in the elderly. There does not appear to be a gender difference in BB use. Education programs should be directed towards emergency physicians regarding BB use in AMI, especially in elderly ED patients.