Open access emergency medicine : OAEM
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Open Access Emerg Med · Jan 2020
COVID-19 Emergency Department Protocols: Experience of Protocol Implementation Through in-situ Simulation.
During the outbreak of Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), the preparedness of emergency departments (EDs) for triaging of the patients and safety of staff is of utmost importance. The aim of our study was to develop and implement COVID-19 ED triage and protected intubation protocols for COVID-19 patients with in-situ simulation (ISS) training. The latent safety threats (LST) detection also served as a platform to test new system amendments and refine the protocols and workflows with infection control issues. We also explored the effectiveness of this approach based on Kirkpatrick's model of evaluating training outcomes. ⋯ ISS is a quick and efficient tool to implement the ED protocols for preparation of outbreaks like COVID-19. It helps the ED staff to triage and manage the airway safely. We recommend such an approach to train the multidisciplinary staff and continue to improve ourselves through ISS addressing the changing nature of the pandemic.
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Open Access Emerg Med · Jan 2020
Assessing the Utility of Ultrasound and Urinalysis for Patients with Possible Epididymo-Orchitis - A Retrospective Study.
Many experts recommend ordering an ultrasound and a urinalysis on all patients with scrotal pain. While the ultrasound may help diagnose a number of potential causes of scrotal pain, the urinalysis primarily has value in assessing for epididymo-orchitis. This study sought to evaluate the utility of these diagnostic tests for patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) with acute scrotal pain and possible epididymo-orchitis. ⋯ The diagnosis of patients who present to the ED with scrotal pain is primarily driven by the ultrasound results. While the urinalysis may occasionally provide some benefit in the evaluation of patients with suspected epididymo-orchitis, the reflexive ordering of a urinalysis in patients with scrotal pain may be unnecessary.