J Emerg Med
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Freestanding emergency departments (FEDs) have become increasingly popular as the need for emergency care continues to grow. ⋯ Opening two FEDs decreased the volume and admission rates for the main ED and increased the overall ED volume for the health care system.
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Boating is a common recreational activity that may subject its participants to specific patterns of injury. ⋯ Given the widespread use of this type of recreational boat, this apparent design flaw may place additional individuals at risk of significant hand injury with cosmetic and functional loss. Methods to reduce the public health impact of this type of injury are also discussed.
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The symptoms of mad honey poisoning resemble those of cholinergic toxidromes; however, it is not clear whether they share a common biochemical basis. ⋯ A low pseudocholinesterase level was found in 3 (10%) of our 30 patients. These biochemical data do not support the hypothesis that mad honey poisoning should be regarded as cholinergic poisoning.
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Past self-harming behavior is one of the most significant predictors of future suicide. Each year in Ireland there are approximately 11,000 presentations of self-harm to emergency departments (EDs) across the country. ⋯ Little is known regarding specific factors that influence perceived effectiveness in dealing with self-harming patients in the ED setting. These findings have implications for psycho-education and training content for staff. The findings suggest that increasing knowledge of self-harm and confidence in dealing with self-harming patients can lead to more positive perceived personal effectiveness in responding to clients' needs.
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Focused bedside ultrasound is a screening tool frequently used by emergency physicians to evaluate hepatobiliary and renal pathology in patients presenting with abdominal complaints in the emergency department (ED). ⋯ The exact location of anechoic fluid in the abdomen is not always apparent on bedside ultrasound. To minimize misinterpreting focused bedside ultrasound examination findings, we recommend a number of sonographic techniques to identify possible mimics of free fluid. Suspected free fluid findings on bedside ultrasound should always be evaluated within the clinical context of the patient's presentation.