Articles: emergency-services.
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One of the most important aspects of healthcare knowledge is having a thorough understanding of the triage system which is used in emergency departments. This study aims to assess the level of awareness of Jordanian patients who visit the ED about the triage procedure. ⋯ More investigation is required to determine the causes of the low knowledge of the triage system. The study suggests increasing staffing levels, giving nursing staff ongoing education and training, and integrating technology and automation to reduce the load of patient care.
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Traumatic cardiac arrest is associated with poor prognosis, and timely evidence-based treatment is paramount for increasing survival rates. Physician-staffed helicopter emergency medical service use in major trauma has demonstrated improved outcomes. However, the sparsity of data highlights the necessity for a comprehensive understanding of the epidemiology of traumatic cardiac arrest. ⋯ This study highlights the low survival rates observed among patients with traumatic cardiac arrest assessed by helicopter emergency medical services. The findings support the positive impact of an initial shockable cardiac rhythm and endotracheal intubation in improving the likelihood of ROSC. The study contributes to the limited literature on traumatic cardiac arrests assessed by physician-staffed helicopter emergency services. Finally, the findings emphasise the need for further research to understand and improve outcomes in this subgroup of cardiac arrest.
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Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2024
ReviewPractical strategies for caring for patients with functional neurological disorder in the ED.
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) presents unique challenges in the emergency department (ED), where patients often arrive with varied and vague symptoms that can be difficult to address. This article provides practical strategies for effectively managing and supporting FND patients in the ED, emphasizing a compassionate, systematic approach, tailored treatments, appropriate use of investigations, and ensuring continuity of care. Key principles include clear communication of the diagnosis, preventing iatrogenic harm, and facilitating appropriate referrals for follow-up care. ⋯ A low threshold for investigating potential comorbid neurological conditions should be maintained when patients present to ED, especially in cases of unclear diagnoses or acute presentations, while avoiding repetitive testing that may reinforce illness behaviour. Managing FND in the ED requires a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach. By adopting these strategies, health professionals can improve outcomes and support patients in managing their condition effectively.
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To examine if an ED interprofessional team ("ED1Team") could safely decrease hospital admissions among older persons. ⋯ ED1Team consultation was associated with a decreased hospital admission rate in older ED patients. It was associated with a slightly longer ED length-of-stay and subsequent early hospitalizations. Given that even a small increase in freed hospital beds would release some of the pressure on an overextended healthcare system, these results suggest that upscaling of the intervention might procure systems-wide benefits.
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Approximately 95% of children treated in emergency departments (EDs) in Alberta, Canada, are discharged home. Discharge teaching is an opportunity to provide caregivers with the information that they need to manage their child's condition at home and ensure appropriate follow-up. Our ED lacked a standard discharge instruction process. In preparation for local quality improvement, we sought to understand caregiver preferences regarding discharge instructions by assessing the preferred format, need for translated resources, and ability to effectively access electronic information using a Quick Response (QR) code. ⋯ Caregivers had a strong preference for receiving written discharge instructions, with electronic or paper formats preferred equally. Translated resources will be important for some families. QR codes may be an effective tool for distributing electronic resources to most but not all families.