Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
-
It is hypothesized that student and program characteristics will influence the probability of passing the national paramedic certification exam. The objective of this study was to utilize student and program characteristics to build a statistical model to determine the probability of success on the cognitive portion of the national paramedic certification exam. ⋯ National program accreditation, lead instructor qualifications, student educational background, and student demographics are all significantly associated with the probability of success on the national paramedic certification examination. This model can be used by program directors, paramedic program instructors, and prospective paramedic students to maximize the probability of attaining national paramedic certification.
-
Comparative Study
A prospective study of the impact of multiple patient transports on care provided during aeromedical transport.
The purpose of the current study was to determine reasons for multiple-patient transports using a helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) and to observe for any negative impact on patient care caused by the presence of the second patient. ⋯ Patients transported as doubles do not include the most severely injured trauma patients. In only a small percentage of doubles did the second patient have a perceived impact on care of the primary patient.
-
To assess the time to treatment for emergency department (ED) patients with critical hyperkalemia and to determine whether the timing of treatment was associated with clinical characteristics or electrocardiographic abnormalities. ⋯ Recognition of patients with severe hyperkalemia is challenging, and the initiation of appropriate therapy for this disorder is frequently delayed.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Ondansetron versus promethazine to treat acute undifferentiated nausea in the emergency department: a randomized, double-blind, noninferiority trial.
The authors sought to compare ondansetron and promethazine among emergency department (ED) patients with undifferentiated nausea. The hypothesis was that ondansetron was not inferior to promethazine and that rates of adverse effects were similar. ⋯ Promethazine and ondansetron have similar efficacy in reducing nausea among ED patients. Change in anxiety was similar, but promethazine was associated with greater sedation.
-
As emergency physicians (EPs) and other noncardiologists incorporate bedside ultrasound (US) and bedside echocardiography (echo) into their practice, confusion has resulted from the differing imaging conventions used by cardiac and general imaging. The author discusses the origin of these differences, current cardiac imaging conventions, and controversies in emergency medicine (EM) regarding adoption of imaging conventions. Also discussed in detail are specific echo windows and experience with different approaches. While there is no perfect solution to merging the differing conventions, it is important that those performing and teaching bedside US and echo have a thorough understanding of the issues involved, and adopt a consistent approach.