Articles: emergency-services.
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The overcrowding of emergency departments (EDs) with inpatients results in an increased average inpatient length of stay; therefore, overcrowded hospitals have increased costs per patient. All admissions through the ED to our institution for 1988, 1989, and 1990 were reviewed. These admissions were analyzed based on whether they had spent less than 1 day or more than 1 day in the ED, after they had been admitted to the hospital and were waiting for a bed assignment. ⋯ In 1989, 32% of admissions via the ED remained in the ED for more than 1 day and had a 13% increase in total hospital length of stay. In 1990, 25% of admissions via the ED spent more than 1 day in the ED and had a 10% increase in total hospital length of stay. Inpatients who remained in the ED after admission had a greater average length of stay than those who were promptly transferred to inpatient units.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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To assess emergency medicine residents' perspectives on violence and personal safety in the emergency department. ⋯ Violence and personal safety in the ED are major concerns of emergency medicine residents.
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To assess the feasibility of coordinating home care services from an inner-city emergency department. ⋯ A significant proportion of elderly patients being discharged from the ED need home health services. Access to rapidly deployed home care services can obviate the need for hospital admission for a select group of debilitated patients. The provision of home care services from the ED is economically feasible.
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To determine the effect of Hurricane Andrew on a pediatric emergency department. ⋯ Following a hurricane, personnel in a pediatric ED can expect to see an increased census, with more diagnoses of open wounds, gastroenteritis, and skin infections. They may also see hydrocarbon and bleach ingestions. Alerting parents to the potential for injury and accidental poisoning in their children after a hurricane may help prevent the reported morbidity.