Articles: emergency-department.
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Australas Emerg Nurs J · Aug 2014
Shortfalls in residents' transfer documentation: challenges for emergency department staff.
Increasing numbers of residents are transferred from aged care facilities to emergency departments. Frequently, residents arrive with inadequate documentation regarding their presenting complaint or medical history, making it difficult for emergency department staff to make decisions about care. ⋯ Inadequate documentation negatively impacted the resident's journey through the emergency department. There is evidence that inadequate documentation contributes to poor patient outcomes. To minimise the gaps in the transfer documentation regular staff development and quality assurance programs may be required in residential aged care facilities.
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Pediatric emergency care · Aug 2014
Rate of and Risk Factors for Early Recurrence in Patients With Febrile Seizures.
Patients with febrile seizures (FSs) are observed in emergency departments or admitted to hospitals because of the possibility of recurrence. There are no guidelines regarding the observation time for recurring FS. The aim of this study was to identify the rate, time, risk factors, and cumulative probability of early recurrence. ⋯ The majority of recurrent FSs occurred in the first 24 hours. The type and duration of seizures were significant risk factors for early recurrence.
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ABSTRACTExtracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a method to provide temporary cardiac and respiratory support to critically ill patients. In recent years, the role of ECMO in emergency departments (EDs) for select adults has increased. ⋯ Over the next 48 hours following ECMO commencement, the patient's cardiorespiratory function rapidly improved, and he was discharged home 9 days after admission with no neurologic sequelae. The history, indications, and increasing role of ECMO in a range of conditions, including cardiac arrest, are reviewed.
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Emerg Med Australas · Aug 2014
Mild traumatic brain injury in children: Management practices in the acute care setting.
Accurate diagnosis, treatment and follow up of children suffering mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) is important as post-concussive symptoms and long-term disability might occur. This research explored the decisions clinicians make in their assessment and management of children with MTBI in acute care settings, and identified barriers and enablers to the delivery of best-practice care. ⋯ Opportunities exist to improve care for children who present in acute care settings following mild traumatic brain injury. These include having up-to-date guidelines that are consistent across acute care settings; providing clearer pathways for referral and follow up; targeting continuing medical education towards potential complications; and providing computerised decision support so that assessment and management are conducted systematically.
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Little is known about the characteristics of patients who visit the emergency department (ED) due to food allergy in Taiwan. This study aims to assess the triggers, clinical presentations, and management of patients presenting to a tertiary ED for food allergy. ⋯ Seafood, fish, and fruits are common foods which cause acute allergic reactions in Taiwan. Although most food allergies are mild, anaphylactic shock still presents in about 1% of patients. Only a minority of patients with anaphylaxis receive epinephrine. As anaphylaxis may be life-threatening, prompt education and use of an epinephrine auto-injector deserves further concern.