Journal of emergency nursing : JEN : official publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association
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The research literature reveals that the emergency care rendered to elderly patients may be of poor quality. Research examining elderly patients' ED use and their perceptions of their ED experiences was analyzed and synthesized, revealing gaps in the research and identifying areas for future research. ⋯ The elderly are being cared for by ED personnel who have limited geriatric education within an environment that is antithetical to their needs. Research and endeavors that concentrate on improving the care of the elderly ED patient must be given top priority.
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Comparative Study
The effect of blood drawing techniques and equipment on the hemolysis of ED laboratory blood samples.
The objective of this study was to identify venipuncture and blood draw factors associated with hemolysis (red blood cell damage) of ED blood samples. ⋯ Drawing blood through intravenous catheters was associated with significantly more hemolysis than drawing blood with straight needles. Using a combination of intravenous catheter and vacutainer caused more hemolysis than using an intravenous catheter with a syringe.
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Undertriage of older trauma victims has been a persistent and serious problem. Because of physiologic changes and pre-existing disease, blunt trauma in older persons is often covert. Prehospital trauma triage guidelines developed for use with a general adult population may not be sensitive enough to detect covert injuries in elderly trauma patients. This study examined the sensitivity and specificity of one state's prehospital trauma triage guidelines for adults, with a particular focus on the triage of elderly persons. ⋯ Low sensitivity and specificity of trauma triage guidelines results in undertriage and overtriage. These guidelines should include age as a decision point to avoid placing older persons at risk for undertriage. Although some degree of overtriage is unavoidable without increasing undertriage, efforts should be made to minimize this costly occurrence.