The American journal of emergency medicine
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The elderly population in the United States is growing. This age shift has important implications for emergency departments (EDs), which currently account for more than 50% of inpatient hospitalizations. Our objective was to compare the percentage of inpatient admissions starting in the ED between elderly and younger patients. ⋯ Emergency departments are increasingly used as the gateway for hospital admission for older adults. An aging US population may increase the effect of this trend, a prospect that should be planned for. From the patient perspective, barriers to care contributing to the age-based discrepancy in the use of the ED as source of admission should be investigated.
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Although the number of older adults who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is not insignificant, research on older adults' NSSI is scant. The current study examined the prevalence and characteristics of NSSI compared to suicide attempt (SA) in adults older than 50 years who were seen at Emergency Departments (EDs) and their ED visit outcomes. ⋯ The findings of higher hospitalization and death rates among those with NSSI than SA show how lethal intentional self-destructive behaviors in late life can be even if they are not classified as suicide attempts. The need for mental health and substance abuse treatment is discussed.
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Ocular ultrasonography of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) to determine intracranial pressure (ICP) has become favorable in recent years. ⋯ Optic nerve sheath diameter measurement via bedside ocular ultrasonography in patients with suspected intracranial event in the emergency department is a useful method to determine ICP increase and its severity.