Annals of emergency medicine
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The purpose of the Emergency Medical Services Outcomes Project (EMSOP) is to develop a foundation and framework for out-of-hospital outcomes research. In prior work (EMSOP I), discomfort had the highest weighted score among outcome categories for the top 3 adult conditions (ie, minor trauma, respiratory distress, chest pain) and the first and third highest rankings for children's conditions (ie, minor trauma, respiratory distress). ⋯ The Oucher Scale, combining a visual analog scale with pictures, seems most promising for out-of-hospital use among younger children. Future research in out-of-hospital care should be conducted to determine the utility and feasibility of these measures, as well as the effectiveness of interventions for pain relief.
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Meta Analysis
The effectiveness of inhaled corticosteroids in the emergency department treatment of acute asthma: a meta-analysis.
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are of proven benefit in the treatment of chronic asthma; however, their role in the management of acute asthma is unclear. ⋯ There is evidence of decreased admission rates for patients with acute asthma treated with ICSs. However, there is insufficient evidence that ICS therapy results in clinically important changes in pulmonary function when used in acute asthma, and there is insufficient evidence that ICSs alone are as effective as systemic corticosteroids.
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Meta Analysis
The accuracy of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay D-dimer test in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism: a meta-analysis.
We sought to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) D -dimer test in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) in the adult emergency department population. ⋯ The ELISA D -dimer test is highly sensitive but nonspecific for the detection of PE in the clinical setting. This test might help clinicians safely rule out PE, especially in the face of low and low-to-moderate pretest probabilities.
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We evaluate the ability of paramedic rapid sequence intubation (RSI) to facilitate intubation of patients with severe head injuries in an urban out-of-hospital system. ⋯ Paramedics can use RSI protocols that include neuromuscular blocking and sedative agents to facilitate intubation of patients with head injuries.
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We determine the frequency of patients presenting without a primary complaint of chest pain who are admitted with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and identify factors associated with an increased risk of a presentation without chest pain. ⋯ Our results demonstrate that patients with AMI commonly present to the ED without a primary initial complaint of chest pain and that the frequency of initial presentations without chest pain in our urban, public hospital is as high or higher than that reported in the general ED population. Heightened awareness of atypical presentations may affect assessment of patients with AMI and provide further focus for research into presentations of acute coronary syndrome other than chest pain.