Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Does IV Acetaminophen Reduce Opioid Requirement in Pediatric Emergency Department Patients with Acute Sickle Cell Crises?
We evaluated the ability of intravenous (IV) acetaminophen to reduce the amount of opioid medication administered in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) having vasoocclusive crisis (VOC) in an emergency department (ED) setting. ⋯ In this study, patients who received IV acetaminophen did not receive less morphine than patients in the placebo group. Disposition pain scores for the two groups were also equivalent. We conclude that IV acetaminophen, when used in addition to morphine for pediatric sickle cell VOC pain, does not provide an opioid-sparing effect. Further searches for adjunctive nonaddictive pain medicines are indicated.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Nasal High Flow Oxygen Versus Conventional Oxygen Therapy for Acute Severe Asthma Patients: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
Nasal high flow (NHF) has demonstrated efficacy in relieving dyspnea in various patients with hypoxemic and hypercapnic respiratory failure. It may also reduce dyspnea in patients with acute severe asthma in the emergency department (ED). The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of NHF with conventional oxygen therapy (COT) in improving dyspnea in acute severe asthma patients with hypoxemia in the ED. ⋯ Nasal high flow reduced the severity of dyspnea and respiratory rate in hypoxemic patients with acute severe asthma in the ED.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomized trial comparing prescribed light exercise to standard management for emergency department patients with acute mild traumatic brain injury.
There is a paucity of effective management strategies to prevent prolonged symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), and emerging evidence suggesting possible benefits of exercise. The objective of this trial was to determine whether adult patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with a diagnosis of acute mTBI prescribed light exercise were less likely to develop persistent postconcussion symptoms (PCS). ⋯ In this trial of prescribed early light exercise for acute mTBI, there were no differences in recovery or health care utilization outcomes. Results suggest that early light exercise may be encouraged as tolerated at ED discharge following mTBI, but this guidance is not sufficient to prevent PCS.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Randomized Double-Blind Trial of Intramuscular Droperidol, Ziprasidone and Lorazepam for Acute Undifferentiated Agitation in the Emergency Department.
The optimal agent to treat acute agitation in the emergency department (ED) has not been determined. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of intramuscular droperidol, ziprasidone, and lorazepam for acute agitation in the ED. ⋯ Droperidol was more effective than lorazepam or either dose of ziprasidone for the treatment of acute agitation in the ED and caused fewer episodes of respiratory depression.