European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
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To describe the initial experience of a group of emergency department (ED) physicians, utilizing a Glidescope videolaryngoscope (GVL) for orotracheal intubations in the ED. ⋯ We found the GVL to be an effective device in our ED's emergency airway control repertoire. Its role in the anticipated difficult airway in the ED will need further studies.
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The FRench Emergency Nurses Classification in Hospital scale (FRENCH) is the first French triage tool for patients visiting an emergency department. The FRENCH scale modified in 2006, based on about 100 determinants (complaints, signs, and vital parameters), allows the triage of adult patients according to five increasing levels of complexity/severity. We evaluated FRENCH version 2 (v.2) in our emergency department. ⋯ FRENCH v.2 is a reliable and validated triage tool to predict the complexity/severity of a patient in our emergency department.
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This research was conducted to determine the opinions of the emergency department's personnel about the causes and prevention of violence directed at them by patients and their relatives. ⋯ On the basis of the research results, it is recommended that emergency personnel be trained on the subject of violence, a documentation system be developed for recording and reporting violence, and corrections be made to prevent violence based on the personnel's opinions.
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Recent data, focused on the inability to transfer emergency patients to inpatient beds, has shown this to be the single most important factor contributing to overcrowding. Our Emergency Department (ED) was reorganized in the year 2000 based on the optimization of patients' flow. In this model, the emergency team had to refer patients to units fitting best to their condition with minimal delays. ⋯ A short time of stay in the ED is compatible with both a good diagnosis and a good orientation of ED patients requiring admission for specialized care.
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Case Reports
Severe metformin intoxication treated with prolonged haemodialyses and plasma exchange.
Biguanides pose a significant risk of morbidity, mortality and permanent sequelae secondary to prolonged periods of hypoglycaemia. ⋯ For the maximum elimination of metformin, extended haemodialysis is required and the treatment of the accompanying metabolic acidosis with bicarbonate is important for the effectiveness of the treatment. Patients benefit much more from the treatment of combined haemodialysis with plasma exchange.