J Emerg Med
-
Infantile botulism is the result of ingestion of Clostridium botulinum spores, and is the most common form of infection with botulism in the United States. Ninety percent of cases occur in infants <6 months old. The infants typically present with vague symptoms such as hypotonia and poor feeding. This article reports an infant with confirmed infantile botulism that presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with complaints of decreased feeding and absence of bowel movements for >1 week. ⋯ Awareness of the symptoms of botulism and a high degree of clinical suspicion is needed to make a prompt diagnosis.
-
Boarding of admitted patients in the emergency department (ED) is a major cause of crowding. One alternative to boarding in the ED, a full-capacity protocol where boarded patients are redeployed to inpatient units, can reduce crowding and improve overall flow. ⋯ Patients overwhelmingly preferred the inpatient hallway rather than the ED hallway when admitted to the hospital.
-
Böhler's historical tuber-joint angle of the calcaneus has been used since 1931. Surprisingly, there is a paucity of literature on its use. ⋯ A Böhler's angle of 20° or less is highly accurate in determining the presence or absence of calcaneal fracture. Böhler's angle serves as a useful screening tool in fracture diagnosis.
-
Case Reports
Sacrococcygeal Foreign Body Progressing with Pilonidal Sinus Clinical Picture: Report of a Case.
Pilonidal sinus is a benign anorectal disease that is frequently seen in the sacrococcygeal area when a foreign body reaction develops after the invasion of hair follicles. ⋯ The presence of a foreign body in cases progressing with a single and wide inlet and frequently recurring abscess formation is a condition of which to be aware.
-
On April 14, 2010, a catastrophic earthquake hit Yushu, China, causing 2698 deaths and 12,135 injuries. A large number of patients were evacuated by air to hospitals in unaffected areas for specialty treatment. ⋯ Aeromedical evacuation of a large number of patients after major disasters in remote areas can be done safely and effectively; however, problems such as a lack of suitable AE aircraft and medical equipment, as well as insufficient professional medical training in AE, were revealed after the Yushu earthquake.