The American journal of emergency medicine
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Blunt chest injury is a common presentation to the emergency department. However, a delayed hemothorax after blunt trauma is rare; current literature reports a delay of up to 30days. We present a case of 44-day delay in hemothorax which has not been previously reported in current literature. ⋯ Delayed hemothorax after blunt trauma is a rare clinical occurrence but associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The management of delayed hemothorax includes draining the hemothorax and controlling the bleeding. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Emergency physicians should be vigilant and weary that hemothorax could be a possibility after a chest injury despite a delay in presentation. A knowledge of delayed hemothorax will prompt physicians in providing important advice, warning signs and information to patients after a chest injury to avoid a delay in seeking medical attention.
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Comparative Study
Effect of the Macintosh curved blade size on direct laryngoscopic view in edentulous patients.
In the present study, we compared the laryngoscopic view depending on the size of the Macintosh curved blade in edentulous patients. ⋯ Compared to a standard-sized Macintosh blade, a smaller-sized Macintosh curved blade improved the laryngeal exposure in edentulous patients.
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Comparative Study
Psychological scales as predictors of emergency department hospitalizations in suicide attempters.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychological scales reflecting lethality and intent as predictors of suicide attempter's hospitalization. ⋯ The psychological scales can be helpful for predicting suicide attempter's hospitalization in emergency settings. Especially, the RRRS seemed to have a superior predictive ability. Moreover, combining the scales had significantly better predictive performance than use of the individual scale alone did.
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This study aimed to determine which children with suspected appendicitis should be considered for a computerized tomography (CT) scan after a non-diagnostic ultrasound (US) in the Emergency Department (ED). ⋯ Ordering CT should be considered after non-diagnostic US for appendicitis only when children meet at least 2 predictors of RLQ tenderness, peritoneal signs and WBC>10,000 in mm3.
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Observational Study
A brief assessment of capacity to consent instrument in acutely intoxicated emergency department patients.
The aim of this study was to determine to what extent acute alcohol intoxication effects capacity to assent, consent, or refuse research participation. ⋯ While intoxicated emergency department patients are able to complete the questionnaire, the majority do not possess capacity to provide informed consent to research. A minority of participants remember involvement once they have achieved sobriety, exception from informed consent protocols are needed to perform emergency research in this population.