Annals of emergency medicine
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The primary objective was to determine whether rates of ambulance misuse varied systematically by type of health insurance. The secondary objective was to determine whether the level of service provided in the ambulance varied by ambulance company ownership. ⋯ Ambulance misuse is common in the studied community and may be related to the broader problem of the provision of care to the poor or otherwise underserved. Our results raise several interesting questions for further research.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A comparison of chest compressions between mechanical and manual CPR by monitoring end-tidal PCO2 during human cardiac arrest.
To compare the use of mechanical and manual chest compressions during cardiac arrest based on continuous monitoring of end-tidal PCO2 (PETCO2). ⋯ This study suggests that cardiac output produced with mechanical chest compressions is greater than that produced with manual compressions as demonstrated by the significantly higher PETCO2 levels during mechanical CPR. Reasons for this are unclear. In addition, monitoring of PETCO2 may help optimize chest compressions during CPR.
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Comparative Study
Continuous pulse oximetry during emergency endotracheal intubation.
To determine whether continuous pulse oximetry improves the recognition and management of hypoxemia during emergency endotracheal intubation. ⋯ Continuous pulse oximetry monitoring reduces the frequency and duration of hypoxemia associated with emergency intubation attempts.
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This was a follow-up study of patients diagnosed in and discharged from the emergency department with undifferentiated abdominal pain to establish the natural history of this condition and to define clinical features of patients with undifferentiated abdominal pain. ⋯ Patients with the diagnosis of undifferentiated abdominal pain have a benign short-term course. Almost 88% of patients were pain-free or improved by two to three weeks after their evaluation. No signs or symptoms clearly identified subgroups of patients with undifferentiated abdominal pain.