Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The Effect of Nebulized Albuterol on Serum Lactate and Potassium in Healthy Subjects.
The objectives were to determine if nebulized albuterol causes an increase in the serum lactate level compared to placebo and, secondarily, to confirm that albuterol decreases serum potassium levels compared to placebo in patients with normokalemia. ⋯ Nebulized albuterol increases lactate levels and decreases potassium levels in healthy adults.
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Observational Study
Variations in resource intensity and cost among high users of the emergency department.
High users of emergency department (ED) services are often identified by number of visits per year, with little exploration of the distribution/pattern of visits over time. The purpose of this study was to examine patient- and encounter-level factors and costs related to periods of short-term resource intensity among high users of the ED within a tertiary care teaching facility. ⋯ Using a novel methodology that accounts for both number and intensity of ED encounters over time, we were able to identify specific subpopulations of high ED users. Further work is required to determine if this methodology has utility for targeting care pathways within this heterogeneous and high-risk patient group.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
High single-dose vancomycin loading is not associated with increased nephrotoxicity in emergency department sepsis patients.
Vancomycin loading doses are recommended; however, the risk of nephrotoxicity with these doses is unknown. The primary objective of this study was to compare nephrotoxicity in emergency department (ED) sepsis patients who received vancomycin at high doses (>20 mg/kg) versus lower doses (≤20 mg/kg). ⋯ Initial dosing of vancomycin > 20 mg/kg was not associated with an increased rate of nephrotoxicity compared with lower doses. Findings from this study support compliance with initial weight-based vancomycin loading doses.
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The Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program aims to strengthen and support translational research by accelerating the process of translating laboratory discoveries into treatments for patients, training a new generation of clinical and translational researchers, and engaging communities in clinical research efforts. Yet, little is known about how emergency care researchers have interacted with and utilized the resources of academic institutions with CTSAs. ⋯ Despite little initial involvement in development of the CTSA program, there has been moderate interaction between CTSAs and emergency care. There is considerable interest in participating in a CTSA consortium-based emergency care translational research network.