Annals of emergency medicine
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We have developed a new method of implementing a transcribed emergency record at minimum cost. Dictated emergency records are typed immediately by a transcriber located in the emergency department. This member of the medical record transcriber pool is given other non-urgent medical record material to type when there are no emergency records to type. ⋯ The remaining charts were handwritten because insufficient funds had been allocated to type all emergency records. The transcriber is capable of typing a maximum of 64 charts, averaging 13 lines (156 words) each, per 8-hour shift. The service can be phased in gradually as funds for transcribing the emergency record are allocated to the central transcriber pool.
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Reported is a case of Brown-Sequard syndrome following attempted heroin injection into the right external jugular vein. A right-sided hemiparalysis with a contralateral sensory loss of touch, pain, proprioception, and temperature developed over several hours to the C3 dermatome level. ⋯ After six weeks of inpatient physical therapy, only minimal motor and sensory return was seen. Although this syndrome is usually due to lateral hemisection of the spinal cord by a stab wound or a gunshot wound, in this case we believe it resulted from chemical transection due to the heroin or quinine diluent or both.
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In 1979-1980, 950 telephone company personnel were trained and tested at the basic rescuer level on recording manikins. In October 1981, a random group of 40 were retested without warning on the recording manikin. Skills retention was measured by comparing the tapes from training and retesting. ⋯ However, the effective performance group on the average were younger, and the majority had first aid training in addition to their CPR training. Only one had CPR retraining. This study supports the following recommendations: 1) lay basic rescuers should be retrained within the first year; 2) further studies of the factors influencing retention are advisable; 3) the younger age groups should be the first priority for citizen CPR training; and 4) because first aid training appears to improve CPR retention, training in both should be encouraged.
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This study was conducted to determine whether hospital emergency department (ED) use has been affected by the presence of freestanding emergency centers (FECs) in hospitals' service areas. A sample of FECs was drawn and hospitals in their service areas identified. ED visits to those hospitals from 1970 to 1980 were compared with those of a comparison group of hospitals not studied. ⋯ Because of the relative newness of FEC development, future studies of this type should be conducted. This study could not answer the question of whether FECs caused the growth of hospital ED visits to slow. It did not attempt to measure the impact FECs have on private medical practices or determine whether FECs attract currently underserved patient groups.
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A case of cyanide poisoning from laetrile ingestion is presented as an illustration of the recognition and treatment of cyanide intoxication. The pharmacology of laetrile, of cyanide, and of antidotes to cyanide intoxication are discussed as they relate to the acute management and successful treatment of this patient after this highly lethal ingestion.