Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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Seizures are one of the most common neurological reasons for emergency department (ED) visits. The benefit of ED-initiated, short-course outpatient benzodiazepine (BZD) treatment to prevent early recurrent seizure is unknown. This study assesses the risk of early seizure recurrence in patients who were or were not started with outpatient BZD in the ED. ⋯ BZD therapy was started in 42% of patients who were discharged home after ED visit for a seizure. This treatment was not an independent factor associated with the risk of return visit for seizure recurrence at 30 days.
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Case Reports
Myopericarditis in a previously healthy adolescent male following COVID-19 vaccination: A case report.
We report the case of a previously healthy 16-year-old male who developed myopericarditis following the second dose of his Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, with no other identified triggers. Adolescents and young adults experiencing chest pain after COVD-19 vaccination should seek emergent medical care, and emergency providers should have a low threshold to consider and evaluate for myopericarditis. ⋯ If a true causal link is identified, the risk must also be viewed in context with the millions of patients who have been safely vaccinated and the known morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 infection. As we see widespread vaccine rollout, it is important that all potential adverse reactions are reported as we continue to monitor for more rare but potentially serious side effects not identified in vaccination trials.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Direct access physiotherapy to help manage patients with musculoskeletal disorders in an emergency department: results of a randomized controlled trial.
The objective was to evaluate the effects of direct-access physiotherapy on patients presenting with a musculoskeletal disorder (MSKD) to the emergency department (ED) on clinical outcomes and use of health care resources. ⋯ Patients presenting with a MSKD to the ED with direct access to a PT had better clinical outcomes and used less services and resources than those in the usual care group after ED discharge and up to 3 months after discharge.
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Firearm injuries are one of the leading preventable causes of morbidity and mortality among children. Limited information exists about the impact of nonfatal firearm injuries on utilization and expenditures. Our objective was to compare health care encounters and expenditures 1 year before and 1 year following a nonfatal firearm injury. ⋯ Children who experience nonfatal firearm injury have increased number of health care encounters, chronic disease classification, and health care expenditures in the year following the injury. Prevention of firearm injuries in this vulnerable age group may result in considerable reductions in morbidity and health care costs.