Emergency medicine clinics of North America
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US is the imaging modality of choice in many situations encountered in the Emergency Department. It is particularly useful in evaluating renal colic, pain or vaginal bleeding in the pregnant patient, and pelvic pain in the nonpregnant woman; and in diagnosing gallbladder disease, appendicitis, proximal lower extremity DVT, and pericardial effusion. The information presented in each section, including sonographic findings and the role of US, should be helpful in choosing the most appropriate test in the evaluation process.
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Emergency physicians need an understanding of the utility of echocardiography in the Emergency Department. With the recent emphasis of emergency department use of portable ultrasonography, emergency physicians will have the opportunity to gain proficiency in using echocardiography to diagnose certain conditions. Echocardiography may aid in the diagnosis of acute MI, pericardial effusion and tamponade, acute valvular dysfunction, acute aortic dissection, and post-traumatic cardiac disorders. An understanding of the potential limitations of echocardiography, combined with experience in its techniques, will ultimately help the emergency physician with its use in daily patient care.
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Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · Nov 1991
ReviewQuality assurance for the radiology-emergency interface.
Quality assurance does not have to be a dirty word. Developing indicators, identifying trends, taking action, and reassessing the results can significantly benefit the technical and nursing staff, emergency physicians, radiologists, and, especially, the patients.
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Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · Nov 1991
ReviewFacilitating cervical spine radiography in blunt trauma.
The interpretation of cervical spine radiographs is an important facet of the evaluation of blunt trauma victims. The diagnostic accuracy of cervical spine films is dependent upon the technical adequacy of the radiographs and the clinician's diagnostic and interpretive skills. The anxiety inherent in cervical radiographic interpretation by the nonradiologist can be minimized by coupling the use of several simple techniques aimed at enhancing visualization of all cervical spine elements and optimizing bony definitions with an unhurried, methodical radiographic evaluation utilizing a number of radiologic "pearls" in those instances in which injury is less than readily apparent but still suspect.
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Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · Aug 1991
ReviewMedicolegal issues in pediatric and adolescent emergencies.
The process of providing emergency care is a difficult one. In pediatric emergency care, this process is complicated by a host of factors, including special legal considerations. A basic identification of these legal issues as discussed will enhance the ability of the emergency physician to feel more comfortable in an already complicated work environment. ⋯ When questions of law versus medicine conflict, it is best to consult competent legal authority. When time does not permit such access, it is imperative that proper medical care is pursued to the best ability of the physician provider. No matter what the legal outcome in a particular case, one must feel comfortable within professional practice standards and be able to live with oneself.