Journal of emergency nursing : JEN : official publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association
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Delays in providing thrombolytic agents to patients with chest pain occur mainly in the prehospital arena. To reduce prehospital delay in treating patients with chest pain, we created a discharge teaching video that emphasized calling 911 in the event of a possible heart attack and a written action plan to be posted near the telephone. We also gave patients their EKG readings to bring with them on their next visit to the emergency department. ⋯ We concluded that patients understood the message they were given and retained some of the material 3 days after discharge from the Chest Pain Observation Unit. The follow-up telephone calls revealed areas for improvement in the discharge teaching tools.
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Before 1994, violence toward EMS personnel was informally recognized but was the subject of only limited scientific investigation. Confrontations with EMS personnel in the out-of-hospital workplace appear to involve verbal and physical assaults, injuries, disabilities, and mental stresses and often seem to go unreported. Without formal recognition of violent encounters, EMS agencies are unlikely to implement appropriate policies, procedures, or training to deal with this issue. This article focuses on quantifying the current existence of violence toward EMS personnel, as well as violence-related policies and appropriate training at EMS agencies. ⋯ Prehospital providers will encounter violent and abusive situations while on the job. Violence-related policies, associated training, and reporting systems were not in place for the Albuquerque Fire Department in 1995. With a 90% exposure to violence, combined with the lack of training or policies about violence, the potential for work-related injuries and liabilities is evident. Management personnel need violence education to understand the scope of the problem. Violence reporting should be consistent and be encouraged, according to "Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Health Care and Social Workers" from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.