Journal of accident & emergency medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Should accident and emergency nurses request radiographs? Results of a multicentre evaluation.
To evaluate whether waiting time in accident and emergency (A&E) departments is shortened when experienced nurses request peripheral limb radiographs before a patient is assessed by a doctor. ⋯ 14 min can be saved by getting the patient to see the nurse first; however, because nurses in three out of four hospitals requested more radiological examinations than doctors, overall only 4 min waiting time was saved when peripheral limb radiographs were requested by nurses. The findings are somewhat against expectations but do identify that specific training and constant monitoring is essential if nurses are to request peripheral limb radiographs, as reflected in hospital C results.
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To assess the management of elderly patients presenting to the accident and emergency (A&E) department with a proximal femoral fracture. ⋯ The fast track system was of benefit to all involved, including the patient, A&E staff, ward staff, and orthopaedic personnel.
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Victims of near hanging are being increasingly seen in accident and emergency (A&E) department. This paper reports on seven cases of near hanging seen over four years in a district general hospital. The mechanism of injury is ligature strangulation rather than cervical spinal cord injury. All cases of near hanging should be actively and vigorously resuscitated, as initial presenting features bear a poor correlation to eventual outcome.
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To assess the effect of a preprinted form on the documentation of clinical data and compliance with the national guidelines for the management of asthma. ⋯ The preprinted form resulted in enhanced documentation of data and conformity with current guidelines for the management of asthma.
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Tourniquet of hair and thread fibres may become tightly wrapped around a child's digit. The resultant ischaemia may lead to tissue necrosis and autoamputation. ⋯ The need for prompt recognition and complete removal of all fibres is stressed. The possibility of non-accidental injury should be born in mind.