The American journal of emergency medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Utility of a Medical Alert Protection System compared to telephone follow-up only for home-alone elderly presenting to the Emergency Department - A randomized controlled trial.
Medical Alert Protection Systems (MAPS) are a form of assistive technology designed to support independent living in the care of elderly patients in the community. We aimed to investigate the utility of using such a device (eAlert! System) in elderly patients presenting to an Emergency Department (ED). ⋯ In this population of elderly ED patients, the use of a MAPS decreased length of stay for admissions and improved quality of life measures.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Blood pressure variability as an indicator of sepsis severity in adult emergency department patients.
Quantify the correlation between blood pressure variability (BPV) and markers of illness severity: serum lactate (LAC) or Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores. ⋯ With the finding of a positive correlation between BPV and markers of illness severity (LAC and SOFA scores), this pilot study introduces BPV analysis as a real-time, non-invasive tool for continuous sepsis monitoring in the ED.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The potential use of unmanned aircraft systems (drones) in mountain search and rescue operations.
This study explores the potential use of drones in searching for and locating victims and of motorized transportation of search and rescue providers in a mountain environment using a simulation model. ⋯ In conclusion, a wider area can be searched faster by drone using DST compared to the classical technique, and the victim can be located faster and reached earlier with rescuers transported by snowmobile.
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Multicenter Study
Clinical decision support increases diagnostic yield of computed tomography for suspected pulmonary embolism.
Determine effects of evidence-based clinical decision support (CDS) on the use and yield of computed tomographic pulmonary angiography for suspected pulmonary embolism (CTPE) in Emergency Department (ED) patients. ⋯ Implementing evidence-based CDS in the ED was associated with an immediate, significant and sustained increase in CTPE yield without a measurable decrease in CTPE utilization. Further studies will be needed to assess whether stronger interventions could further improve appropriate use of CTPE.