The American journal of emergency medicine
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Urolithiasis is not a frequent diagnosis in school-aged children. The clinical presentation can lack many of the clinical clues such as flank pain that are seen in older patients. We present four cases demonstrating this potential diagnostic dilemma.
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The objective of this study was to determine the rate of positive ED diagnostic evaluations and significant interventions during the hospitalization of infants after an apparent life-threatening event (ALTE). The study was performed at a single, tertiary care children's hospital. Patients under 6 months of age were identified for a potential ALTE from the ED chief complaint log. ⋯ Risk factors for significant medical interventions included prematurity, a positive medical history, and age >60 days. The overall rate of either positive ED diagnostic evaluations or significant medical interventions during hospitalizations of infants after an ALTE is low. A majority of these patients can be best managed with a limited ED diagnostic evaluation and a period of observation.
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Pain is an important but understudied and often overlooked aspect of emergency medical care. This study examined the management of pain after discharged of patients from the emergency department (ED). We hypothesized that pain management after discharge would be adequate, and that patients would use their medications as prescribed. ⋯ The patients in the study were quite satisfied with their pain control. Most filled their prescriptions and did so in a timely manner. Those who did not fill prescriptions for medications reported the least satisfaction with pain control.