The American journal of emergency medicine
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An academic emergency group was surveyed to determine if scheduling night shifts in blocks ("floats") improved attitudes and functioning. Seven physicians worked most of their nights as floats. Another four chose only isolated nights. ⋯ Physicians have different adaptability to night work. For some, concentrating night shifts is a useful strategy for improving shift work. This would require shorter shifts and larger groups than are now commonplace.
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Inhalation of volatile halogenated hydrocarbons may produce life-threatening cardiac and neurological toxicity. A 15-year-old boy developed ventricular fibrillation immediately after intentional inhalation of a fluorinated hydrocarbon from an automobile air conditioner recharge unit. ⋯ Aspiration pneumonitis and rhabdomyolysis complicated his hospital course before complete neurological recovery. The mechanism and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias after volatile fluorinated hydrocarbon inhalation are reviewed.