Annals of emergency medicine
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Comparative Study
Quality assurance in the emergency department: evaluation of the ECG review process.
To determine whether the review of emergency department ECGs by cardiologists contributes to the quality of patient care. ⋯ Review of ED ECGs by cardiologists did not affect patient care at our institution.
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The case of a 33-year-old woman who presented with abdominal pain referable to the lower abdomen is discussed. She had had an uncomplicated intrauterine abortive procedure two weeks earlier. It was determined that a ruptured ectopic pregnancy was the etiology of her abdominal pain. The rare phenomenon of combined intrauterine and extrauterine pregnancy is discussed.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Buffered lidocaine as a local anesthetic: an investigation of shelf life.
To determine whether buffered lidocaine must be prepared just before use. ⋯ Buffered lidocaine stays effective for up to one week after preparation. It is therefore convenient to use in emergency settings.
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Auricular pain, redness, and swelling are usually the result of infectious cellulitis. However, relapsing polychondritis is another cause of this symptom complex and is the result of an autoimmune phenomenon. ⋯ We present a case of relapsing polychondritis initially mistaken for auricular cellulitis. The clinical manifestations and course of relapsing polychondritis are reviewed, along with the emergency department management.
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To determine the frequency of, and patient population requiring involuntary treatment orders in the emergency department. ⋯ The frequent need for involuntary treatment orders for patients in an urban ED is reported. The patient population described, especially among restrained patients, differs significantly from those of studies performed in psychiatric settings. Legal doctrines pertinent to involuntary treatment are reviewed.