Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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A short course of corticosteroids is among the management strategies considered by specialists for the treatment of vestibular neuritis (VN). We conducted an umbrella review (systematic review of systematic reviews) to summarize the evidence of corticosteroids use for the treatment of VN. ⋯ There is limited evidence to support the use of corticosteroids for the treatment of VN in the emergency department.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Personalized Risk Communication and Opioid Prescribing In Association With Non-Prescribed Opioid Use: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.
To determine the impact of personalized risk communication and opioid prescribing on nonprescribed opioid use, we conducted a secondary analysis of randomized controlled trial participants followed prospectively for 90 days after an emergency department (ED) visit for acute back or kidney stone pain. ⋯ Among Black but not White participants, personalized opioid risk communication and opioid prescribing were associated with lower odds of nonprescribed opioid use. Our findings suggest that racial disparities in opioid prescribing-which have been previously described within the context of this trial-may paradoxically increase nonprescribed opioid use. Personalized risk communication may effectively reduce nonprescribed opioid use, and future research should be designed specifically to explore this possibility in a larger cohort.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Efficacy and Safety Of Ultrasound Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block Compared To Sham Procedure in Adult Patients With Rib Fractures Presenting To The Emergency Department: A Randomized Control Trial.
The primary objective was to compare the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) with a sham procedure in adult patients presenting with rib fractures to the emergency department (ED). ⋯ Ultrasound-guided ESPB resulted in significantly reduced pain intensity over the study period and reduced amount of rescue analgesia and had no discernible difference in adverse events when compared with a sham.
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Emergency department (ED) utilization is a significant concern in many countries, but few population-based studies have compared ED use. Our objective was to compare ED utilization in New York (United States), Ontario (Canada), and New Zealand (NZ). ⋯ Patterns of ED utilization differed widely across three high-income countries. These differences highlight the varying approaches that our countries take with respect to urgent visits, suggest opportunities for shared learning through international comparisons, and raise important questions about optimal approaches for all countries.
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Observational Study
A Mobile Integrated Health Program for the Management of Undifferentiated Acute Complaints in Older Adults is Safe and Feasible.
Poor care access and lack of proper triage of medical complaints leads to inappropriate use of acute care resources. Mobile integrated health (MIH) programs may offer a solution by providing adaptable on-demand care. There is little information describing programs that manage undifferentiated complaints in the community. The objective of this study was to assess the safety and feasibility of an MIH program that responds to the community to manage medical complaints in older adults. ⋯ An MIH program designed to address the acute complaints of community-dwelling older adults was feasible and safe, with low rates of unforeseen emergency services utilizations. MIH programs have valuable diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities and may serve to help triage the acute medical needs of patients. Further study is required to validate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of MIH programs.