Articles: emergency-services.
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Clinical cardiology · Dec 2009
Multicenter StudyPrehospital electrocardiograms (ECGs) do not improve the process of emergency department care in hospitals with higher usage of ECGs in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients.
This article will describe the impact of prehospital electrocardiogram (ECG) use on emergency department (ED) processes of care for non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients and assess the characteristics associated with prehospital ECG use. ⋯ Use of prehospital ECG in NSTEMI patients is uncommon. In contrast to its impact on reperfusion times in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, its use does not appear to be associated with an improvement in ED processes of care at the hospital level.
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Circ Cardiovasc Interv · Dec 2009
Multicenter StudyPrehospital 12-lead ECG to triage ST-elevation myocardial infarction and emergency department activation of the infarct team significantly improves door-to-balloon times: ambulance Victoria and MonashHEART Acute Myocardial Infarction (MonAMI) 12-lead ECG project.
American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines recommend >75% of patients with an ST-elevation myocardial infarction receive primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PPCI) within 90 minutes. Despite these recommendations, this goal has been difficult to achieve. ⋯ The performance of prehospital 12-lead ECG triage and emergency department activation of the infarct team significantly improves D2BT and results in a greater proportion of patients achieving guideline recommendations.
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Blood pressure monitoring · Dec 2009
Multicenter StudyEvaluation, management, and referral of elderly emergency department patients with elevated blood pressure.
To determine blood pressure (BP) reassessment rates and to describe the evaluation and outpatient referral rates of elderly emergency department (ED) patients with elevated BP. ⋯ Unlike other ED-based studies of adult hypertensive patients, BP reassessment in the elderly occurred in the majority. Referral and intervention rates, however, were low.
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Multicenter Study
Protocol-driven trauma resuscitation: survey of UK practice.
To evaluate the use of protocol-driven trauma resuscitation strategies in UK emergency departments. ⋯ The utilisation of trauma resuscitation protocols and guidelines in British emergency departments is limited. Given the clear benefits of these strategies, consideration should be given to greater integration of such algorithms into practice.
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J Immigr Minor Health · Dec 2009
Multicenter StudyLanguage barriers among patients in Boston emergency departments: use of medical interpreters after passage of interpreter legislation.
Since 2001, Massachusetts state law dictates that emergency department (ED) patients with limited English proficiency have the right to a professional interpreter. ⋯ We found that 11% of ED patients had significant language barriers, but use of professional medical interpreters remained low. One year after passage of legislation mandating access, use of professional medical interpreters remained inadequate.