Journal of emergency nursing : JEN : official publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association
-
Women frequently seek ED care for complications in early pregnancy, including loss of pregnancy. This review evaluates the current literature and discusses the care of patients experiencing loss of pregnancy in the emergency department. ⋯ Although there are multiple recommendations for the clinical management of loss of pregnancy in the emergency department, the psychological and emotional support of women was addressed infrequently. Additional studies investigating holistic care would be beneficial for ED providers in the management of early loss of pregnancy.
-
Emergency nurses play an important role in the care of critically ill and injured patients, and their competency to perform clinical skills is vital to safe and effective patient care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of clinical skills performed and perceived competency levels among Iranian emergency nurses. In addition, attitudes toward expanding the professional roles of Iranian emergency nurses were also assessed. ⋯ Higher perceived competency levels were significantly associated with more frequent performance of clinical skills. This has implications for nurse managers and educators who may consider offering more frequent experiential and educational opportunities to emergency nurses. Expansion of nurses' roles could also result in increased experience in clinical skills and higher levels of competency. Research is needed to investigate nurses' clinical competence using direct and observed measures.
-
Observational Study
Reliability of Triage Nurses and Emergency Physicians for the Interpretation of the C-3PO Rule for Head Trauma in Children.
The C-3PO rule has been validated for use by emergency physicians to identify young children at risk of skull fracture following head trauma. The use of the rule by triage nurses could improve patient flow in the emergency department. ⋯ This study demonstrates an almost perfect interrater reliability between triage nurses and emergency physicians in interpreting the C-3PO rule when evaluating children who presented at an emergency department for head trauma. Contribution to Emergency Nursing Practice.
-
Various medical or anatomical conditions can lead to difficult intravenous access (DIVA) in the emergency department. It was hypothesized that developing an emergency nurse-training program could reduce IV attempts in the emergency department, improving throughput and patient care. ⋯ USGIV training programs can decrease total number of IV attempts. A simplified and economical USGIV training program for emergency nurses can be successful and may be dependent on emergency nurse experience levels and initiative.
-
Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is frequently seen in emergency departments. Secondary injury, such as subarachnoid hemorrhage-associated myocardial injury (SAHMI), affects one third of survivors and contributes to poor outcomes. SAHMI is not attributed to ischemia from myocardial disease but can result in hypotension and arrhythmias. It is important that emergency nurses recognize which clinical presentation characteristics are predictive of SAHMI to initiate proper interventions. The aim of this study was to determine whether patients who present to the emergency department with clinical aSAH are likely to develop SAHMI, as defined by troponin I ≥0.3 ng/mL. ⋯ Components of the clinical presentation of subarachnoid hemorrhage to the emergency department predict SAHMI. Identifying patients with SAHMI in the emergency department can be helpful in determining surveillance and care needs and informing transfer unit care. Contribution to Emergency Nursing Practice.