Articles: hospital-emergency-service.
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Involvement with both risk management and quality assurance programs has led many authors to the conclusion that the fundamental differences between these activities are, in fact, very small. "At the point of overlap, it is almost impossible to distinguish the purposes and methods of both functions from one another." "Good risk management includes real improvement in patient care through organized quality assurance activities." The interface between a proactive risk management program and a quality assurance program is dynamic and can serve the legitimate interests of both. There is little to be gained by thinking of them as separate entities and much to be gained by sharing the lessons of both. If one thinks of risk management in terms of "risk" to quality patient care, and that "assuring quality" is the most productive type of risk management, then there is no practical reason to separate one from the other.
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Emergency physicians often encounter covertly and overtly suicidal patients, and can thus play a key role in the prevention of suicide. The epidemiology and diverse presentations of suicidal behavior are reviewed. We then provide a detailed approach to the assessment of suicide risk, and criteria for safe discharge from the emergency department (ED). Finally, management considerations for the ED are discussed.
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Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · Feb 1992
ReviewLegal issues in emergency radiology. Practical strategies to reduce risk.
Various joint commission and individual state standards affect emergency radiology practice and have legal implications. The ACEP has entered the burgeoning field of practice guidelines; fortunately, their practice guideline preparation system is arguably the most thorough in medicine at this time. This is of great importance to emergency physicians, because practice guidelines are not without their own potential legal, educational, and compliance problems. ⋯ The use of CQI strategies may prove helpful in improving practice patterns. Communication between emergency physician and radiologists is critical. Good communication requires the development of good rapport and should pay dividends in improved patient care.
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Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · Nov 1991
ReviewQuality assurance for the radiology-emergency interface.
Quality assurance does not have to be a dirty word. Developing indicators, identifying trends, taking action, and reassessing the results can significantly benefit the technical and nursing staff, emergency physicians, radiologists, and, especially, the patients.
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Accurate patient triage to provide early identification of potentially seriously ill or high-risk infants and children is an important part of any emergency care system. Use of the SAVE-A-CHILD mnemonic in a busy ED setting provides systematic organization of important clinical observations that may serve as markers of serious disease. Early recognition of the high-risk patient will reduce morbidity and mortality. The discussion included may be helpful to emergency physicians in training their staff to provide a safe triage environment.