Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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To the best of the authors' knowledge, no previous study has compared the prevalences of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) or Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) cervical infection among pregnant and non-pregnant patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with vaginal bleeding. ⋯ The prevalence of CT or NG cervical infection in pregnant patients presenting to the ED with vaginal bleeding is 16%. Pregnant and non-pregnant patients with vaginal bleeding are at similar risks for having CT or NG cervical infection. Cervical swab specimens should be obtained in all patients with vaginal bleeding.
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To compare ultrasound (US)-guided vs. landmark-guided techniques for central venous access (CVA) in the emergency department. ⋯ Emergency physicians with limited training and experience are able to use ultrasound as an adjunct for central venous access. Ultrasound technology may decrease the number of CVA attempts required to cannulate a central vein and will decrease the amount of time required to cannulate the vein starting from the time when the needle is on the skin, after the ultrasound machine has been set up and turned on. These results are especially true for those patients considered to be "difficult sticks."
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Although bedside ultrasound is listed in the Model of the Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine as an integral diagnostic procedure, the manner in which the didactic, hands-on, and experiential components of emergency ultrasound are taught is not specifically prescribed by the Residency Review Committee for Emergency Medicine (RRC-EM) or any single sponsoring group. Seven professional organizations [the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM), the American College of Emergency Medicine (ACEP), the Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors (CORD), the Emergency Medicine Residents Association (EMRA), the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP), the RRC-EM, and the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM)] developed the Scope of Training Task Force, with the goal of identifying emerging areas of clinical importance to the specialty of emergency medicine, including emergency department (ED) ultrasound. The Task Force then identified a group of recognized authorities to thoughtfully address the issue of ED ultrasound training. This report represents a consensus of these identified experts on how emergency ultrasound training should be incorporated into emergency medicine residency programs.