Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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Comparative Study
Assessment of the impact on time to complete medical record using an electronic medical record versus a paper record on emergency department patients: a study.
Electronic medical records are becoming an integral part of healthcare delivery. ⋯ This is the first study that we are aware of which compared paper versus electronic medical records in the emergency department. Electronic recording took longer than paper records. Physicians were not satisfied using this electronic record. Given the time pressures on emergency physicians, a solution to minimise the charting time using electronic medical records must be found before widespread uptake of electronic charting will be possible.
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Capillary refill time is a predictor of short-term mortality for adult patients admitted to a medical department: an observational cohort study.
Capillary refill time (CRT) has been advocated as a tool for rapid assessment of circulatory status. The correlation between neither CRT and mortality nor CRT and markers of circulatory status has been assessed. We performed a prospective observational cohort study to assess the relationship between CRT (using two existing definitions and as a continuous variable) and short-term mortality. ⋯ We found a significant association between CRT measured as a continuous variable and short-term mortality. Using the definition of Schriger and Baraff also seems appropriate, but this is based on calculations of limited power.
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Many patients will require extrication following a motor vehicle collision (MVC). Little information exists on the time taken for the various stages of extrication. ⋯ In patients requiring extrication following an MVC a median time of 8 min is typically required before initial limited patient assessment and intervention. A further 22 min is typically required before full extrication. Prehospital personnel should be aware of these times when planning their approach to a trapped patient.