J Emerg Med
-
African tick bite fever (ATBF) is an emerging infection endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and increasingly noted in travelers to the region. ⋯ We present a case of ATBF in a 63-year-old man who presented with complaints of a rash and fever to the emergency department. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Rickettsial diseases are increasingly common and are seen on every continent except Antarctica. Many factors are contributing to their prevalence, and they have become the second most common cause of fever behind malaria in the traveler returning from Africa. Due to the global distribution of rickettsial diseases, as well as increasing international travel, emergency physicians might encounter ill and febrile travelers. A careful travel history and examination will enable the emergency physician to consider spotted fever group rickettsial diseases in their differential diagnosis for single and multiple eschars.
-
Review
Statistical Process Control: Separating Signal from Noise in Emergency Department Operations.
Statistical process control (SPC) is a visually appealing and statistically rigorous methodology very suitable to the analysis of emergency department (ED) operations. ⋯ Because data have no meaning apart from their context, and every process generates information that can be used to improve it, we contend that SPC should be seriously considered for driving quality improvement in emergency medicine.
-
A pediatric emergency department (PED) may be utilized by neonates for nonurgent complaints. Various factors, such as primiparity, maternal age, early postnatal discharge, race, income, and maternal and paternal educational levels, have been reported to affect the acuity of neonatal emergency department utilization. ⋯ The results suggest that there may be a relationship between nonacute neonatal visits to a PED and insufficient knowledge of the caretaker on newborn care. Thus, more detailed education and early postnatal support programs regarding newborn care may help to decrease nonacute PED visits by neonates.
-
Asthma and hypertension are common among Emergency Department (ED) patients. Primary care providers are integral in managing these conditions, yet these patients are often in the ED. ⋯ Poor access to disease treatment and aspects of socioeconomic status were associated with seeking care in the ED. Changes in access to treatment may affect the number of patients seeking ED care, but not the severity of the presenting illness.