The American journal of emergency medicine
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This study was performed to investigate the association of red cell distribution width (RDW) with 28-day mortality in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. ⋯ Red cell distribution width is associated with 28-day mortality in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.
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The estimates of patients who present with transient ischemic attacks (TIA) in the emergency departments (EDs) of United States and their disposition and factors that determine hospital admission are not well understood. ⋯ From 2006 to 2008, approximately 64% of all patients presenting with TIAs to the EDs within United States were admitted to the hospital. Factors unrelated to patients' condition such as median household income, insurance status, and ED affiliated hospital type play an important role in the decision to admit TIA patients to the hospitals.
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The aim of this study was to develop a strategy for imposing peer pressure on emergency physicians to discharge patients and to evaluate patient throughput before and after intervention. ⋯ The intervention strategy used peer pressure to enhance patient flow and throughput. More patients were discharged at the end of shifts, particularly triage level III patients. The ED LOS for patients whose final disposition was discharge decreased significantly.
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Elevated blood glucose levels (BGL) are known to be part of the physiologic response to stress following physical trauma. We aimed to study whether a measured BGL might help improve accuracy of field triage. ⋯ Elevated BGL improved prediction of high Injury Severity Score and ICU use among casualties triaged as severe. If future research using BGL measured in the field yields similar results, combining BGL with standard field triage may allow for more accurate identification of casualties who need acute field intervention, have major injury, or require ICU admission.