Articles: emergency-department.
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This study's aims were to describe the outcomes of patients with diabetes presenting with their first ED visit for hyperglycemia, and to identify predictors of recurrent ED visits for hyperglycemia. ⋯ This population-level study identifies predictors of recurrent ED visits for hyperglycemia, including male sex, type 1 diabetes, regions with fewer visible minority groups and with less education or employment, higher hemoglobin A1C, higher previous healthcare system utilization (ED visits and hospitalization) for hyperglycemia, being rostered to a family physician, and access to homecare services. Knowledge of these predictors may be used to develop targeted interventions to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare system costs.
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Multicenter Study
Impact of an emergency department nurse training intervention on the adequacy of thromboprophylaxis for venous thromboembolism: the PROTESU III study.
Objectives. To assess the impact of training for emergency department (ED) nurses on adequate thromboprophylaxis for patients admitted to hospital from the ED for medical conditions. Methods. ⋯ In phase 3, 166 patients (54.1%, 95% CI, 48.3%-59.7%) received adequate prophylaxis (difference, -3.3% (95% CI, -11.0% to 4.4%; P = .405). Conclusions. A training intervention for ED nurses, implemented as an isolated strategy, had no impact on the adequacy of thromboprophylaxis in patients admitted from the ED for medical conditions.
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Case Reports
Ultrasound-guided erector spinae nerve block for relief of chest pain from pneumonia in the emergency department.
Erector spinae plane blocks (ESPB) have shown to provide meaningful chest wall anesthesia and reduce opioid consumption after thoracic surgery. Emergency physicians often use erector spinae plane blocks in the emergency department (ED) for rib fractures when acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), and opioids fail to control pain. ⋯ We present the case of a 58-year-old male presenting to the ED with chest pain from pneumonia which remained unmanageable after acetaminophen, NSAID, and opioid administration. An ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block was performed in the ED and the patient had a significant reduction in his chest pain.
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Multicenter Study
Restrictive calcium replacement in septic shock: a multicenter before-after intervention study.
To study the impact of a restrictive calcium replacement protocol in comparison with a liberal one in patients with septic shock. ⋯ The implementation of a restrictive calcium replacement protocol in patients with septic shock was not associated with a decrease in 28-day mortality in comparison with use of a liberal protocol. However, we were able to reduce calcium replacement without adverse effects.
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Few studies have assessed sex differences in the management of suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We aimed to compare the evaluation, treatment, and outcomes between males and females with suspected ACS in the emergency department. Data were obtained from a prospective registry of acute chest pain involving 21 emergency departments in Shandong Province, China. ⋯ Women with non-ST-elevation chest pain in China received suboptimal treatment in the emergency department. However, their clinical outcomes were not significantly different from those of men. Further studies are needed to determine the causes and impacts of these sex differences.