The American journal of emergency medicine
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Every year in the United States about 5,000 people sustain a cervical spinal cord injury. Vastly greater numbers present to hospitals after motor vehicle crashes and falls with potential cervical spine injuries (CSI) for evaluation. ⋯ It is, therefore, incumbent on everyone caring for these patients to distinguish between fact and fiction in regard to CSI management. This article addresses the following areas of controversy: CSI is a rare injury; patients with cranial and facial injuries are at increased risk for CSI; everyone with a significant mechanism of injury needs radiological clearance of their cervical spine; a normal cross-table lateral view radiograph excludes significant CSI; oral intubation of patients with CSI is not safe; a semi-rigid collar prevents movement of the cervical spine; and the evaluation of the cervical spine needs to begin in the resuscitation room in every patient.
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Case Reports
Evaluation of cerebral hemodynamics in a head-injured patient with hypovolemia using transcranial Doppler sonography.
A 20-year-old man presented with hypovolemic shock caused by abdominal injury. Cerebral hemodynamics were evaluated by transcranial Doppler (TCD) sonography. Middle cerebral artery flow velocities decreased, and the pulsatility indices increased markedly. ⋯ These abnormal Doppler signals seemed to be caused by a compromise in CPP and to be aggravated by hypovolemia. The patient was discharged with a residual mild memory disturbance. Hypovolemia aggravates a reduced cerebral blood flow caused by a compromised CPP, and the waveform of TCD in a case of hypovolemic shock should be differentiated from intracranial hypertension.
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Few studies have examined differences in mechanism, presentation, and outcome of trauma in geriatric patients. This study compared pelvic fractures and associated injuries in geriatric and nongeriatric patients. The medical charts of all patients presenting to a large urban emergency medicine teaching program with a pelvic fracture between January 1, 1987 and December 31, 1993 were retrospectively reviewed by study-blinded physicians. ⋯ Six geriatric deaths were caused by exacerbation of underlying cardiovascular disease. Geriatric patients underwent significantly fewer operative procedures (6% v 43%, P < .05) but there were no significant differences in the percent admitted (85%) or mean length of hospital stay (9.59 days). Despite the decreased severity of pelvic fractures, care must be taken to prevent morbidity caused by exacerbation of premorbid illnesses in geriatric patients with pelvic fractures.
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Using a public hospital's computerized database, we formulated a statistical model to explain emergency department (ED) patient volume for better staffing and resource allocation. All patients visiting the ED over a 3-year period were included in this retrospective study. Each observation described the total daily number of referrals and was defined by the following variables: day of the week, month of the year, holiday/ weekday, relative order in a 3-year sequence, and number of visits to the ED on that day. ⋯ Based on a graphic analysis, the model was defined and explained 65% of the variance during the 3-year study, with a relatively low standard deviation of error. A statistically significant correlation existed between time-related factors and the number of visits to the ED. This statistical model may prove to be of value for planning emergency services, which operate under stressful, unpredictable situations.
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To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a "fast track" system for diverting lower acuity patients away from the pediatric emergency department (ED), 4,060 patients triaged to the fast track area of an urban pediatric ED with the 10 most common discharge diagnoses from 1/1/94 through 12/31/94 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients triaged as having nonurgent concerns qualified for treatment in a separate fast track area for 8 hours per day (fast track patients). These patients were compared with 5,199 seen in the main pediatric ED for the same concerns during the remaining hours when the fast track was not in operation (ED patients). ⋯ A fast track is an effective system for maintaining patient flow at a cost savings to society. It can help the hospital in its negotiations with payors because it curtails charges. It is also a potential means for maintaining overall departmental revenues as payors increasingly deny traditional pediatric ED visits for patients with lower acuity concerns.