Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Beneficial effects of albuterol therapy driven by heliox versus by oxygen in severe asthma exacerbation.
To determine and define the beneficial effects of heliox-driven albuterol therapy on severe asthma exacerbation and clinical factors that affect greater response. ⋯ Heliox-driven albuterol may be a useful adjunct therapy for older asthmatic patients with severe asthma exacerbation.
-
Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A prospective comparison of supine chest radiography and bedside ultrasound for the diagnosis of traumatic pneumothorax.
Supine anteroposterior (AP) chest radiography may not detect the presence of a small or medium pneumothorax (PTX) in trauma patients. ⋯ With CT as the criterion standard, US is more sensitive than flat AP chest radiography in the diagnosis of traumatic PTX. Furthermore, US allowed sonologists to differentiate between small, medium, and large PTXs with good agreement with CT results.
-
To determine the sensitivity and specificity of a brief two-question depression screen for the detection of depression in older emergency department (ED) patients, and to determine the prevalence of depression in this population. ⋯ Depression is fairly prevalent in older ED patients. The brief two-question depression screen, using a cutoff score of at least one positive response, is promising for ED use. However, given lower specificity, patients scoring positive for depression should be followed up with a more specific tool such as the self-administered SFGDS prior to referral for further evaluation and treatment.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Human patient simulation is effective for teaching paramedic students endotracheal intubation.
The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether the endotracheal intubation (ETI) success rate is different among paramedic students trained on a human patient simulator versus on human subjects in the operating room (OR). ⋯ When tested in the OR, paramedic students who were trained in ETI on a simulator are as effective as students who trained on human subjects. The results support using simulators to teach ETI.
-
There has been little systematic study of emergency department (ED) patients with elevated blood pressure (BP) values. The authors sought to characterize ED patients with elevated BP values, assess presenting symptoms, and determine the prevalence of elevated BP after discharge. ⋯ Elevated BP is common among ED patients. African American patients are more likely than those of other ethnic groups to have greater BP values. The ED visit may be a good opportunity to identify patients with unrecognized or poorly controlled hypertension.