The American journal of emergency medicine
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The metered-dose inhaler (MDI) techniques of 125 asthma patients who presented to a county hospital emergency department (ED) were evaluated. Correct technique was divided into 7 steps. Twenty-one percent of the patients performed all 7 steps correctly. ⋯ The Vitalograph Aerosol Inhalation Monitor was used to verify correct patient technique and as a teaching aid with variable success. Education in proper use of the MDI is important in the overall care of the asthma patient; however, instruction requires a definite time commitment and may not be feasible for all patients in a busy ED. For some patients, alternatives that require less lengthy instruction, such as the use of breath-actuated devices, spacers, and reservoirs, may be required.
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This study examined the concordance of radiographic readings between emergency department (ED) attending physicians and radiologists in a community teaching hospital. In addition, the incidents of misinterpretations leading to an alteration in patient care were also reviewed. All radiographs obtained from January through October 1993 were initially interpreted by ED attending physicians with subsequent final review by attending radiology staff. ⋯ The most frequently obtained radiographs included: chest, 7,012 (0.33% MR-FU); cervical spine, 1,112 (0.18% MR-FU); ankle, 758 (0.66% MR-FU); knee, 633 (0.32% MR-FU); and foot, 621 (0.97% MR-FU). In this study, 99.0% of all emergency department radiographs were read correctly on initial review by ED attending physicians. Of all misread radiographs, less than half (46%) were deemed clinically significant and required a follow-up intervention.
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Comparative Study
End-tidal carbon dioxide changes during cardiopulmonary resuscitation after experimental asphyxial cardiac arrest.
A study was undertaken to determine the pattern of end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) changes during asphyxia-induced cardiac arrest in a pediatric canine model. Eleven intubated, anesthetized, paralyzed dogs (mean age, 4.1 mo; mean weight, 5.5 kg) were used. Asphyxia was induced by clamping the endotracheal tube (ETT) and discontinuing ventilation. ⋯ This pattern, not previously described, is different from that observed in animal and adult cardiac arrest caused by ventricular fibrillation, during which ETCO2 decreases to almost zero after the onset of arrest, begins to increase after the onset of effective CPR, and increases to normal levels at ROSC. In this model of asphyxial arrest, continued cardiac output prior to arrest allows continued delivery Of CO2 to the lungs, resulting in higher alveolar CO2; this, in turn, is reflected as increased ETCO2 once ventilation is resumed during CPR. Further study is needed to determine whether the pattern Of ETCO2 changes can be used prospectively to define the etiology of cardiac arrest.
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Editorial Comment
Conscious sedation: we are getting sleepy, very sleepy....
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Modern health care reform emphasizes efficient resource and facility management and the need to develop strategies to direct patients with lower-acuity concerns away from the relatively cost-inefficient full-service pediatric emergency department (ED). This study examined a pediatric fast track system for triage accuracy and turnaround times. Egleston Children's Hospital is a regional, urban, tertiary-care academic center which is a major teaching affiliate of Emory University School of Medicine. ⋯ Only 63 of the 2,243 (2.8%) patients assigned to fast track were found to have higher acuity levels than suspected at initial triage. In all cases they were appropriately cared for in the fast track area. The fast track system appears to be an effective method by which an urban pediatric ED can efficiently maintain patient flow in light of limited resources, space constraints, limited manpower, and an increasing census.