Annals of emergency medicine
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We previously reported that Hispanic ethnicity was an independent risk factor for inadequate analgesic administration among patients presenting to a single emergency department. We then attempted to generalize these findings to other ethnic groups and EDs. Our current study objective is to determine whether black patients with extremity fractures are less likely to receive ED analgesics than similarly injured white patients. ⋯ Black patients with isolated long-bone fractures were less likely than white patients to receive analgesics in this ED. No covariate measured in this study could account for this effect. Our findings have implications for efforts to improve analgesic practices for all patients.
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Ten years ago, serious overcrowding in emergency departments became a national issue. Although temporary improvement of the problem occurred, the issue of ED overcrowding has now resurfaced and threatens to become worse. ⋯ Solving the problem of overcrowding will not only require a major financial commitment from the federal government and local hospitals, but will also require a cooperation from managed care. Unless the problem is solved in the near future, the general public may no longer be able to rely on EDs for quality and timely emergency care, placing the people of this country at risk.
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[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Incidence of foodborne illnesses: preliminary data from the foodborne diseases active surveillance network (FoodNet)-United States, 1998. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1999;48:189-194.].
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The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypoglycemia and describe the clinical variables associated with hypoglycemia in children receiving resuscitation care. ⋯ Because hypoglycemia occurs often in children requiring resuscitation and clinical signs are often unspecific, routine rapid assessment of serum glucose is recommended. To increase physician awareness, adding "S" (sugar) to the popular mnemonic A (airway), B (breathing), and C (circulation): ABC'S is recommended. [Losek JD. Hypoglycemia and the ABC'S (sugar) of pediatric resuscitation. Ann Emerg Med. January 2000;35:43-46.]
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[Stephens GE. Selective omission. Ann Emerg Med. January 2000;35:96-97.].