The American journal of emergency medicine
-
Alcohol-intoxicated individuals account for a significant proportion of emergency department care and may be eligible for care at alternative sobering facilities. This pilot study sought to examine intermediate-level emergency medical technician (EMT) ability to identify intoxicated individuals who may be eligible for diversion to an alternative sobering facility. ⋯ Intermediate-level EMTs may be able to play an important role in facilitating triage of intoxicated patients to alternate sobering facilities.
-
The aim of this study was to investigate the value of procalcitonin (PCT) level in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the emergency department (ED). ⋯ Procalcitonin level is valuable for predicting mortality and the severity of disease among patients with CAP at ED admission. Procalcitonin level as an adjunct to CAP prediction rules may be valuable for prognosis and severity assessment.
-
The aim of this study was to describe the use and efficacy of low-dose (≤2 mg) droperidol for the treatment of primary headaches (ie, migraine, cluster, tension-type headache and trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, and other primary headaches) in the emergency department (ED). ⋯ The administration of low-dose (≤2 mg) droperidol may be safe and effective for the treatment of primary headaches in the ED.
-
We sought to assess the anatomical distribution of traumatic pneumothoraces (PTXs) on chest computed tomography (CT) to develop an optimized protocol for PTX screening with ultrasound in the emergency department (ED). ⋯ Our results indicate that 80.4% of right- and 83.7% of left-sided traumatic PTXs would be identified by scanning regions 9, 11, and 12. These findings suggest that a standardized protocol for PTX screening with ultrasound should include these regions.
-
Many of critically ill patients receive medical care for prolonged periods in emergency department (ED). This study is the evaluation of efficiency of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III scoring system in predicting mortality rate in these patients. ⋯ The APACHE III score and ED lengths of stay were higher in this study compared with other studies. This could be ascribed to more critical patients presenting to the study center and also limited ICU bed availability. This study was indicative of applicability of APACHE III scoring system in evaluating the quality of care and prognosis of ED patients in need of ICU.