Journal of emergency nursing : JEN : official publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Hemolysis of coagulation specimens: a comparative study of intravenous draw methods.
Hemolysis of blood samples creates significant delays in the treatment and disposition of patients in the emergency department. The purpose of this study was to compare the hemolysis rates of coagulation blood samples obtained during insertion of an intravenous (IV) catheter without (group 1) or with (group 2) extension tubing connected to the IV catheter hub. A secondary purpose of this study was to determine whether the investigators could predict whether a coagulation sample was hemolyzed based on visual observation during the specimen withdrawal process. ⋯ High hemolysis rates occurred equally when coagulation blood samples were drawn via a peripheral IV catheter either at the hub or through extension tubing. Emergency nurse investigators could not accurately predict by visualization whether a coagulation sample was hemolyzed at the time of blood withdrawal. Venipuncture as the preferred method of blood draw is an industry recommendation. This method has been shown in prior experimental studies to reduce hemolysis rates to less than 4%. Therefore, if hemolysis rates are a concern, one should consider obtaining blood whenever possible through a venipuncture rather than through an IV catheter. Replication studies are needed to determine whether the findings of this study can be generalized to the larger population.
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The American Heart Association and other scientific guidelines recommend emergency medical services acquire prehospital (PH) electrocardiography (ECG) in all patients with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome. The purpose of this article is to critically review the scientific literature about PH ECG. ⋯ PH ECG plays a major role in emergency cardiac systems of care and can facilitate early intervention by identifying patients with acute coronary syndrome sooner.