Articles: emergency-services.
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Neurological research · Dec 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialRandomized evaluation of adverse events and length-of-stay with routine emergency department use of phenytoin or fosphenytoin.
Intravenous phenytoin has come under increased scrutiny with the introduction of the prodrug, fosphenytoin. We evaluated adverse events and length-of-stay using parenteral the two drugs in routine emergency department use. Open-label randomization of phenytoin or fosphenytoin in 256 Emergency Department patients prescribed 279 parenteral doses of a phenytoin-equivalent. ⋯ One patient developed hypotension (fosphenytoin); there were no other serious adverse events, including phlebitis. Median Emergency Department length-of-stay was 6.7 h for phenytoin and 5.7 h for fosphenytoin (p = 0.6). In routine Emergency Department use, our data do not support formulary conversion from phenytoin to fosphenytoin, based on the incidence of adverse events or Emergency Department length-of-stay.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Next-day care for emergency department users with nonacute conditions. A randomized, controlled trial.
Because of overcrowding and cost-control efforts, emergency departments are under pressure to refer patients with nonacute conditions to other settings. However, no validated systematic methods exist for safely performing such referrals. ⋯ Clinically detailed standardized screening criteria can safely identify patients at public hospital emergency departments for referral to next-day care. However, larger studies are needed to assess the possibility of adverse effects.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Provision of clinically based information improves patients' perceived length of stay and satisfaction with EP.
We conducted a focused, prospective, randomized study to evaluate whether periodic personal provision of clinically based information to patients during an Emergency Department (ED) visit improves patients' perceptions of physician's excellence and efficiency of patient care. Six hundred nineteen consecutive adult patients or proxy informants, who were evaluated in the ED and subsequently discharged, were randomized into the standard of care (n = 307) and intervention group (n = 312). Under supervision by ED attending physicians, a single research assistant periodically provided patients with process and medical information at 15-minute intervals, starting at arrival and continuing through until discharged from the ED. ⋯ Patients' perception of nursing skills were, however, statistically similar in the 2 groups (Bedside: 83.1% vs. 83.0%, P =.942; Technical skill: 84.5% vs. 82.7%, P =.613). Given the sample size and observed proportions, the chi(2) analysis of perception of nursing skill had a power of 4.8% (registered nurse [RN] bedside) and 7.5% (RN technical skill). Periodic personal interaction and provision of clinically based information in the ED is thought to improve patients' perceived LOS, efficiency, and clinical skills of EP after an ED visit.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Behavior change counseling in the emergency department to reduce injury risk: a randomized, controlled trial.
To determine whether a brief session of behavior change counseling (BCC), offered to injured adolescents in the emergency department (ED) as a therapeutic intervention, could be used to change injury-related risk behaviors and the risk of reinjury. ⋯ Brief BCC can be delivered to adolescents undergoing treatment for injury in the ED and can be used to address injury-related risk behaviors. The intervention was associated with a greater likelihood of positive behavior change in seatbelt and bicycle helmet use. This effect lasted over 6 months of follow-up. BCC was not associated with changes in other risk behaviors and could not be shown to significantly reduce the risk of reinjury.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Dashing with scooters to in-hospital emergencies: a randomised cross-over experiment.
Physical exhaustion is a frequent condition in emergency medical teams after in-house emergency runs, which might affect the quality of advanced care. Newly available light-weight scooters may reduce exertion as measured by the cardiovascular response in these circumstances and, therefore, may reduce physical exhaustion on arrival. ⋯ Using scooters for simulated in-house emergency alarm runs markedly reduces the cardiovascular response of emergency medical teams.