Journal of emergency nursing : JEN : official publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association
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The purpose of this study was to show that acceptable blood samples can be collected through intravenous (i.v.) catheters. Hemolysis of blood samples and appropriate methods of blood sample collection can be a topic of controversy in an emergency department and throughout a hospital. This investigation was conducted by laboratory personnel and ED nursing staff at a moderately sized hospital in the northwestern United States. Nearly 9,000 blood draws were collected and categorized between May and August 2011 to determine hemolysis rates. At the start of this project, there was some question about whether blood collected from i.v. catheter starts in the emergency department provided an acceptable laboratory sample. By the end of the project, it was clear that low rates of hemolysis were consistently achievable by each of the 3 methods investigated. ⋯ The data show that low rates of samples rejected because of hemolysis are achievable by the collection of blood from an i.v. catheter start. With all 3 collection methods studied, the sample rejection rates because of hemolysis were well below the 2% level that has been cited as a benchmark best practice of the American Society of Clinical Pathology. The results of this investigation clearly support the use of blood samples collected from i.v. starts.
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High triage volumes can delay rapid identification of walk in ESI level 2 patients. This concern coupled with persistently increasing volumes prompted the Reading Hospital Emergency Department to move from single-tiered triage to duel-tiered rapid triage in 2008, then brought the addition of the RN Greeter in 2011. The purpose of this study was to assess how rapid triage then the RN Greeter impacted the ability to quickly identify the walk-in ESI 2 patient. ⋯ While moving from single to duel-tiered triage met little resistance from staff, the RN Greeter role was initially not as well received. However, as empirical data demonstrated the efficacy of the RN Greeter to quickly identify the potential ESI 2 patient, the role ultimately became an integral part of triage.
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We aimed to describe current nursing practice and clarify the safest and most effective dose of milk and molasses enemas used to relieve constipation in pediatric patients presenting to a suburban pediatric emergency department. ⋯ Our nursing survey showed that varying practice exists regarding technique and dosing of milk and molasses enemas. Historical chart review showed that milk and molasses enemas in our emergency department were safe and effective with minimal side effects.
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At our urban academic medical center, efforts to alleviate ED overcrowding have included the implementation of a "fast track" area, increasing the ED size, using hallway beds, and ambulance diversion. In October 2012, we began the first steps of a process that created a system in which the admission process involves equal amounts of pushing and pulling to achieve the balance necessary to accomplish optimal outcomes. The foundation of the initiative was based on the use of a BSN-educated emergency nurse as a flow coordinator; a position specifically empowered to affect patient throughput in the emergency department. ⋯ Investing in a flow coordinator program can generate improvements to patient flow and can yield significant financial returns for the hospital. A decrease in diversion by an average of 49.8 hours per month translates to an annual decrease of nearly $20 million in lost potential charges. A decrease in the LWBS rate by 1.5% (31% relative decrease) per month translates to an annual decrease in lost potential charges of more than $5 million. Our research shows that an ED flow coordinator, when supported by departmental and hospital leadership, can yield significant results in a large academic medical center and that the program is able to produce an effective return on investment.
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The review questions that are featured in each of the issues of the JEN are based upon the Emergency Nursing Core Curriculum and other pertinent resources to emergency nursing practice, pediatric and adult. These questions offer emergency nurses an opportunity to test their knowledge about their practice. These questions appear online only.