Annals of emergency medicine
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To evaluate the ability of emergency medical technician-paramedic (EMT-P) units to become and remain proficient in the performance of the intraosseous infusion procedure. ⋯ EMT-P units can successfully perform the intraosseous infusion line procedure in patients of all ages. Proficiency is maintained over time despite its infrequent use by individual EMT-Ps.
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Physician service time varies with patient service category, length of stay, and intensity of service. ⋯ Case mix of patient services affects emergency physician workload and should be considered in planning departmental staffing needs.
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To establish the frequency of use of pediatric emergency departments by adult patients and the spectrum of disease with which they present. ⋯ Adults frequently present to pediatric EDs for both minor and serious illnesses. Training in adult emergency medicine should be a part of all pediatric emergency medicine fellowship programs.
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Comparative Study
Does nasotracheal intubation increase complications in patients with skull base fractures?
To determine if the complications associated with skull base fractures are increased when nasotracheal intubation is performed in the field. ⋯ Patients with skull base fracture have a significant complication rate (25%). The complications associated with skull base fractures are not markedly increased by attempts at nasotracheal intubation in the field.
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To determine the accuracy of diagnosing appendicitis in the pediatric population by using graded compression ultrasonography. ⋯ Use of ultrasound to diagnose acute appendicitis was performed with a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 94%. This allows the same accuracy in children as has been reported with adults.