Journal of emergency nursing : JEN : official publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association
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This study was conducted to determine the pediatric forensic case type and demographic characteristics of patients presenting to the emergency department. ⋯ The study results have implications for nurses and health professionals to increase awareness of high-risk groups and diagnoses. This evidence can be used to inform standard protocols and education programs about pediatric forensic cases in emergency care.
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Intimate partner violence is a serious public health issue that can be addressed through identification and early intervention. Although screening for intimate partner violence in health care settings is recommended by medical and nursing organizations, it is underperformed. The project objectives were to increase intimate partner violence screening rates, identification, and the referrals/resources provided. ⋯ This project demonstrates that nurse training along with a computer prompt intervention and standard referral process can contribute to intimate partner violence identification and the referrals/resources provided to the patients. Ultimately, the patients exposed to partner violence may benefit from increased identification and delivery of the referrals/resources.
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Review
Drug Overdose, Loss of Consciousness, and Compartment Syndrome: A Life-Threatening Combination.
Acute extremity compartment syndrome is considered an orthopedic emergency that has serious consequences if a correct diagnosis is not made rapidly. Patients who lose consciousness due to a drug overdose are known to collapse onto their extremities. The limbs are compressed for hours, placing them at an increased risk for acute extremity compartment syndrome and its sequelae. ⋯ However, it differs in relation to the muscles affected, physical assessment strategy, and accurately determining the amount of the time from onset of injury to the presentation of symptoms. The purpose of this article is to facilitate emergency department nurses' understanding of the complexities of overdose compartment syndrome, combined with the importance of early recognition of the condition. In addition, the authors review the pathophysiology, the traditional and innovative diagnostic techniques, and the current treatment options available for overdose compartment syndrome.
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Forensic nursing is an evolving specialty designed to address the unique, intersecting health and legal needs of patients who are victims, suspects, and perpetrators of trauma. The "Forensic Nurse Hospitalist" is proposed as a new term to describe the role of the nurse who is qualified by licensure and education as a specialist in forensic nursing and practices specifically in the hospital setting. ⋯ The purpose of this paper is to highlight the need and importance of the forensic nurse hospitalist and describe the multifaceted responsibilities of the role as a transformational leader in health care today. It is vital that health care systems employ forensic nurse hospitalists to deliver expert patient care, offer specialized consultation and collaboration, and implement systemwide policy and educational initiatives to best meet the needs of patients who have experienced intentional or unintentional trauma.