Annals of emergency medicine
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To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of helicopter EMS for trauma patients. ⋯ Assuming that helicopter air medical transport provides a substantial survival benefit for trauma patients, our findings suggest that this service is a cost-effective option for the treatment of trauma patients. The magnitude of the survival benefit is the most important factor determining cost-effectiveness.
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To prospectively evaluate identification of geriatric depression by emergency physicians and to assess the utility of a self-rated depression scale to improve case-finding in geriatric patients presenting to the ED. ⋯ Depression is common in older ED patients but often goes unrecognized by emergency physicians. Use of a brief depression scale can improve case-finding in this age group, leading to appropriate referral for further management.
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To assess the treatment and outcome of patients with crush syndrome sustained in an earthquake disaster. ⋯ Our findings support current therapeutic strategies for crush syndrome, despite the long delay to initiation of intensive therapy. All the patients recovered kidney function and were weaned from hemodialysis; none required amputation.
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We sought to assess the effect of nitrates on prehospital mortality among patients with acute pulmonary edema (APE). ⋯ Our findings suggest that the use of intravenous nitrates improves short-term prognosis in APE.