J Emerg Med
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Use of illicit drugs results in an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, which is often seen in the Emergency Department (ED). Chest pain is frequently associated with cocaine and methamphetamine use. ⋯ The self-report rate among cocaine- or methamphetamine-using patients presenting to the ED with chest pain was 51.8%. There seems to be no significant difference in the self-report rate among those who use methamphetamine vs. those who use cocaine, nor by gender, nor stratified by age over 50 years.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Comparison of mortality due to severe multiple trauma in two comprehensive models of emergency care: Atlantic Pyrenees (France) and Navarra (Spain).
Injury due to external causes is an important health problem in our society today. Emergency care systems based on the concept of "comprehensive care" can prevent deaths and disabilities as well as limit the severity and pain caused by trauma. ⋯ Despite a more aggressive approach and employment of greater resources, the French comprehensive trauma system does not show greater survival rates among injured patients compared to Navarra, even when controlling for confounding factors like age, injury mechanism, RTS, ISS, and others.
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Hip fracture is a common injury, with an incidence rate of > 250,000 per year in the United States. Diagnosis is particularly important due to the high dependence on the integrity of the hip in the daily life of most people. ⋯ We present an evidence-based algorithm for the evaluation of a patient suspected to have an occult hip fracture in the ED. Also outlined are future directions for research to distinguish more effective techniques for identifying occult hip fractures.
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Emergency physician use of bedside ultrasound has increased dramatically over the last two decades. However, many emergency departments find it difficult to gain formal hospital credentialing for bedside sonography. We present the Emergency Department (ED) Ultrasound Credentialing Policy from the University of California, San Francisco. ⋯ We have not changed the components of the previously published guidelines. Rather, this document has withstood the rigor of our own credentialing process and is presented as an example in the hopes that it may help other EDs who seek credentialing in their institutions. This document is intended as a guideline for credentialing committees and will require alteration to meet the needs of each different hospital; however, the overall framework should allow for a less time-consuming process.