J Emerg Med
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Pediatric resuscitation is challenging for the emergency physician because the diverse range in the age and size of the patients encountered complicates the appropriate selection of medications, equipment, and supplies. The following enhancements in the pediatric resuscitation room were made to facilitate effective management of critically ill neonates and children: 1) expanding the concept of the Broselow tape as the central color theme of organization of all medication doses and equipment; 2) use of a large, simplified, color-coded wall chart to define patient parameters; 3) color-coded equipment; 4) adjustable "break-away" resuscitation stretcher; and 5) equipment suspended from the ceiling: a) radiant warmer; b) suction, oxygen, and electricity; c) cardiac monitor and fluid controller; d) X-ray unit. These changes give the resuscitation team greater accessibility to both the patient and the needed resuscitation supplies.
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A prospective study of Emergency Medicine (EM) residents was conducted over two consecutive 1-month periods at a rural tertiary-care teaching hospital with a residency in EM to evaluate the effect of a 4-h pain management education program on the assessment and management of acute pain in the emergency department (ED). All patients presenting to the ED with an acute, painful condition were eligible to participate in the survey. Patients were excluded if they had taken any pain medication within 4 h of presenting to the ED, or had any condition requiring immediate resuscitation, suspected cardiac pain, or pain from a potential surgical abdomen. ⋯ Only 65% of the patients studied before the EP had significant reduction in their pain scores after 30 min in the ED; after institution of the EP, 92% had a significant reduction in their pain scores at 30 min. Similarly, a significant improvement was seen in the patients' global evaluation of treatment after the educational program was instituted. It appears that the use of a 4-h educational program on pain assessment and management directed toward EM residents in their training can improve their skills at recognizing and treating painful conditions.
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We report on a process for assessing the communication skills of emergency medicine residents that includes 1) a faculty development initiative; 2) videotaping of actual resident-patient encounters in the emergency department; and 3) creation of an observation instrument for evaluating communication behaviors. We tested this observation instrument for inter-rater reliability, finding moderate-to-high agreement for only 11 of 32 items. ⋯ There was poor or no agreement for behaviors related to establishing rapport, gathering information, and contracting or informing. Challenges of assessing interpersonal skills of emergency medicine residents are discussed.
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Case Reports
Epidural pneumatosis associated with spontaneous pneumomediastinum: case report and review of the literature.
Epidural pneumatosis rarely has been reported in association with spontaneous pneumomediastinum. We report a case of an asymptomatic 24-year-old male who presented after forceful vomiting with both findings. The patient recovered uneventfully without residual signs or symptoms. We discuss spontaneous pneumomediastinum as well as epidural pneumatosis and review reported cases in the literature.
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The objective of this study was to determine whether helical computed tomography (CT) performed without oral or intravenous contrast agents is accurate in the evaluation of patients with suspected acute renal colic. One hundred consecutive patients with suspected renal colic or ureteral colic were referred by our institution's emergency department for unenhanced helical CT scans. We reviewed the original radiographic report for each patient and recorded the size and location of ureteral calculi and other concurrent urinary tract calculi, if any. ⋯ The room time for CT averaged 26 min, compared to 69 min for intravenous urography (IVU). The charge for CT was $600 compared to $400 for IVU in our institution. Unenhanced helical CT was fast and accurate in determining the cause of colic and proved to be highly accurate for emergency situations.