Articles: emergency-services.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
ReviewReview article: Somatization Disorders in emergency department: A critical overview of current challenges and future directions.
Individuals with Somatization Disorders present frequently to the ED with non-cardiac chest pain, non-specific abdominal pain, headaches and a range of other non-specific symptoms. Somatization Disorder presentations are ubiquitous within the healthcare system. ⋯ The current review explores the scope of the problem and, the challenges inherent in diagnosing and treating these disorders in ED environments. Based on available evidence and the essential character of these disorders, future directions are suggested for more effective emergency management and possible referral from ED.
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Case Reports
Point-of-Care Ultrasound Diagnosis of Pyocele: A Rare Complication of Testicular Infection.
Epididymo-orchitis is one of the common causes of acute scrotal pain that requires an accurate diagnosis as delayed management can result in complications such as pyocele, abscess, or testicular infarction. Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) has emerged as a valuable diagnostic tool in the management of testicular emergencies in the emergency department (ED) including testicular infections CASE REPORT: Here we report a case of an elderly man who presented to the ED with a complaint of right-sided testicular pain and swelling. ⋯ WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: This case underscores the important role of PoCUS in the timely and accurate diagnosis of pyocele. The prompt identification of pyocele enabled early referral to urology services, highlighting the significance of integrating PoCUS into the management of testicular emergencies in the ED.
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Multicenter Study
Pediatric firearm injuries and socioeconomic vulnerability before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pediatric firearm injuries disproportionately affect groups experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage. Firearm injuries increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the impact on communities by degree of socioeconomic disadvantage is unknown. We examined the association between socioeconomic vulnerability and change in pediatric firearm injuries before versus during the pandemic. ⋯ The increase in pediatric firearm injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted youth in all but the lowest deprivation quartile. Efforts at curbing gun violence should identify and amplify protective effects in under-resourced communities.
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Multicenter Study
The effects of the 2022 computed tomography IV contrast shortage on the emergency department diagnosis of abdominal pathology.
A COVID-19 lockdown in China resulted in a global disruption in IV contrast media production, which resulted in a hospital system advisory limiting contrast studies. The purpose of this study was to describe the effects of the IV contrast shortage on the ED diagnosis of emergent abdominopelvic pathology. ⋯ We did not identify differences in diagnoses during the contrast shortage period compared to the control period, and did not identify any missed important diagnoses as a consequence of the IV contrast shortage.
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The three-step programme to treat locum addiction locum dependency in rural EDs is a pervasive issue, leading to significant financial strain and impacting clinical care and staff morale. This article outlines a three-step programme to mitigate this dependency. ⋯ Step three emphasises the role of individual hospitals in effective recruitment, highlighting the benefits of rural living and the potential of NPs to provide departmental continuity and reduce turnover. These reforms, although independent, collectively aim to enhance the quality of care in rural EDs and optimise resource allocation.