The American journal of emergency medicine
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Emergency medical service (EMS) policy makers must seek to achieve maximum effectiveness with finite resources. This research establishes an EMS computer simulation model using eM-Plant software. The simulation model is based on Taipei city's EMS system with input data from prehospital care records from December 2000; it manipulates resource allocation levels and rates of idle errands. ⋯ Thus, ambulance utilization improves, times of patients waiting for pre-hospital care and arrival at hospitals are only slightly affected, and considerable cost savings result. This study provides a research methodology and suggests specific policy directions for resource allocation in EMS. Limiting the number of ambulances to one per response unit reduces costs, increases efficiency, and yet maintains the same operational pattern of medical service.
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To explore factors contributing to increased emergency department (ED) utilization, this retrospective chart review compared ED visits for a 2-week period in both 1992 and 2000 at a rural, tertiary medical center. Total ED visits increased 455 between the periods (% increase = 28.6%), whereas county population increased 18,253 (% increase = 16.1%) (P < 0.005). Average age increased from 35.2 +/- 23.8 years to 40.1 +/- 23.6 years (95% confidence interval, difference of means, 3.34 to 6.45). ⋯ The admission rate, increased from 21.9% to 25.6% (P < 0.005). Patients with Medicare as primary insurance increased from 17.9% to 23.6% (P < 0.005). Increased age of the population, increased acuity as shown by 4 different measurements, and limited access to primary care physicians all contributed to increased ED demand in this study.
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The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of intraperitoneal fluid (IF) in blunt trauma patients with intra-abdominal injuries, to determine the rate of exploratory laparotomy in patients with and without IF, and to identify the location of this IF. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 604 patients with intra-abdominal injuries after blunt trauma who were admitted to a level 1 trauma center over a 42-month period. Patients were considered to have intra-abdominal injuries if an injury to the spleen, liver, urinary tract, pancreas, adrenal glands, gallbladder, or gastrointestinal tract was identified on abdominal computed tomography (CT) or at exploratory laparotomy. ⋯ The majority of patients with intra-abdominal injuries have IF, and these patients are more likely to undergo laparotomy. Morison's pouch is the most common location for IF to be detected with radiologic imaging. However, visualization of the paracolic gutters with abdominal US may detect IF in patients with intra-abdominal injuries that would otherwise not be detected by US.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Subcutaneous lidocaine delivered by jet-injector for pain control before IV catheterization in the ED: the patients' perception and preference.
To evaluate patients' perceptions and preferences concerning pain control during intravenous (IV) catheterization, a sample of 50 adult patients received subcutaneous lidocaine (0.2 mL 1%) by jet injector, or no anesthetic with a sham injection before IV catheterization. Visual analog scale (VAS), pain intensity score (PIS), and adverse reactions were recorded. ⋯ Patients in both groups (84% overall) preferred local anesthesia based on this experience. Using the jet-injector to provide local anesthesia before IV catheterization in the ED is effective, fast, and does not require sharps disposal and handling precautions.
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Comparative Study
Painful discrimination: the differential use of analgesia in isolated lower limb injuries.
Our primary objective was to compare use of analgesia for patients with and without fracture as a result of isolated lower extremity trauma, in the emergency department (ED). Our secondary objective was to compare the analgesic practices of emergency physicians (EPs) with that of physician assistants (PAs). We performed a prospective, blinded cohort study with the presence of fracture as the risk factor and provision of any pain medication while in the ED as the primary outcome. ⋯ Our estimated adjusted ORs for providing analgesia in the ED were: fracture = 2.0 (CI 95% 1.13, 3.58); EP: 3.52 (CI 95% 1.98, 2.99); and for every additional point on the verbal pain scale: 1.28 (CI 95% 1.11, 1.48). Patients with fracture were more likely to receive pain, despite reporting identical degree of pain. EPs were more likely to provide analgesia than PAs.