Journal of emergency nursing : JEN : official publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association
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We evaluated the accuracy of a non-contact infrared thermometer compared with a rectal thermometer. ⋯ In this study, non-contact infrared thermometry did not sufficiently agree with rectal thermometer to indicate its routine use.
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Comparative Study
Pharmacist improves timely administration of medications to boarded patients in the emergency department.
Our purpose was to assess the variations in timely administration of medications based on differences in nursing staff (ED nurses who are responsible for emergency and boarded patients vs inpatient nurses who are responsible for only boarded patients) and to determine whether a pharmacist's interventions can improve the timely administration of medications to boarded patients in the emergency department. ⋯ This study illustrates that assigning nurses with varying workloads as a means to manage overcrowding is likely to result in boarded patients in the emergency department not receiving their medications. ED pharmacists' interventions may fill the gap, ensuring compliance with the administration of medication orders prescribed for boarded patients and ensuring more timely administration. A multidisciplinary team approach is needed to manage current overcrowding issues.