International emergency nursing
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Multicenter Study
Emergency nurses: procedures performed and competence in practice.
Emergency nurses play an important role in identifying and managing critical illness. Thus, nurses' competence in performing a range of functions is important. This study aimed to identify the procedures performed and associated competencies of emergency nurses. ⋯ Emergency nurses in Ireland engage in a wide range of activities, many of which are described in other countries as advanced practice. Recognition needs to be given and education prioritised in deficit areas.
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Patients in prehospital care, irrespective of diseases or trauma might experience thermal discomfort because of a cold environment and are at risk for decreasing body temperature which can increase both morbidity and mortality. ⋯ Thermal discomfort became the largest problem independent of the severity of the injuries. We recommend the use of active heat supply to reduce the negative experiences of thermal discomfort when a person is injured in a cold environment.
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Healthcare providers' beliefs and comfort with analgesics can impact medication decisions. Interprofessional educational interventions (IPE) improve medication delivery processes ultimately resulting in better patient care. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact on nurses' satisfaction and comfort with administering intranasal fentanyl for pediatric pain management in the Emergency Department (ED) before and following IPE. ⋯ The use of IPE facilitated knowledge sharing to improve nurses' comfort with administering analgesic medication and the quality of patient care services.
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This survey evaluates the attendance patterns of people who responded to a two part questionnaire (before and after treatment) regarding the reasons they had presented at a hospital Emergency Department co located with an Urgent Care Centre. A total 485 people responded before treatment and 163 people responded after completing treatment. ⋯ Some were frustrated at the apparent speed of access to care by those with apparently trivial problems, not understanding that they were accessing a different service. On the whole people who attended were happy with the advice and treatment they received.
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Anaphylaxis is one of the potentially life threatening conditions which present to the ED however there is no universal understanding or definitive diagnostic test to aid ED practitioners in its management. Evidence suggests this leads to confusion for ED staff and may compromise patient care. This paper reviews the existing evidence around the effective diagnosis, emergency treatment and long term management of anaphylaxis. ⋯ A retrospective audit design sampled all patients presenting with anaphylaxis in one calendar year, 146 cases were eligible for inclusion. The audit results were consistent with the existing understanding and showed widespread inconsistencies in the diagnosis and treatment of this patient group. The implications the findings may have for the wider ED nursing community are discussed and we conclude that further research and service development is needed to ensure the best possible care for patients with anaphylaxis.