Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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Frequent emergency department (ED) users are high-risk and high-resource-utilizing patients. This systematic review evaluates effectiveness of interventions targeting adult frequent ED users in reducing visit frequency and improving patient outcomes. ⋯ Interventions targeting frequent ED users appear to decrease ED visits and may improve stable housing. Future research should examine cost-effectiveness and adopt standardized definitions.
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The current national opioid epidemic is a public health emergency. We have identified an outbreak of exaggerated opioid toxicity caused by fentanyl adulterated tablets purchased on the street as hydrocodone/acetaminophen. ⋯ A serious outbreak of exaggerated opioid toxicity caused by fentanyl-adulterated tablets purchased on the street as hydrocodone/acetaminophen is under way in California. These patients required higher dosing and prolonged infusions of naloxone. Additionally, observation periods off naloxone were extended due to delayed, recurrent toxicity. The outbreak has serious ramifications for public health and safety, law enforcement, and healthcare facilities and resources.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Prospective Investigation of a Novel Ultrasound Assisted Lumbar Puncture Technique on Infants in the Pediatric Emergency Department.
The objective was to describe a novel ultrasound-assisted lumbar puncture (UALP) technique and to compare it to standard lumbar puncture (SLP) technique in infants. ⋯ The UALP technique increases the rate of a successful LP in infants compared to standard technique.