The American journal of emergency medicine
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Review Case Reports
Imaging & other potential predictors of deterioration in COVID-19.
This case report describes a young patient with COVID-19 who is initially diagnosed with CT chest imaging. Upon admission to the hospital, his clinical condition deteriorates requiring ventilatory support. We explore the value of imaging and other potential predictors of deterioration.
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Observational Study
Validation of the Elderly Risk Assessment Index in the Emergency Department.
The Elderly Risk Assessment (ERA) score is a validated index for primary care patients that predict hospitalizations, mortality, and Emergency Department (ED) visits. The score incorporates age, prior hospital days, marital status, and comorbidities. Our aim was to validate the ERA score in ED patients. ⋯ The ERA score can be automatically calculated within the electronic health record and helps identify patients at increased risk of death, hospitalization and return ED visits. The ERA score can be applied to ED patients, and may help prognosticate the need for advanced care planning.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Comparison of intradermal mesotherapy with systemic therapy in the treatment of low back pain: A prospective randomized study.
Musculoskeletal pain such as low back pain (LBP) are routinely encountered in the ED and contribute to ED overcrowding. The aim of our study was to compare the efficiency of mesotherapy with systemic therapy in pain control in patients with lumbar disk herniation. ⋯ Changes in medical practices, from the systemic administration of NSAIDs to the minimally invasive techniques such as mesotherapy with potent efficacy and minimal side effects, may enhance the ability of EDs to meet the waiting time targets and improve patient's satisfaction.
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Electrical storm is a dangerous condition presenting to the Emergency Department that requires rapid diagnosis and management. ⋯ Electrical storm is a condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It is important for clinicians to be aware of the current evidence regarding the evaluation and management of these patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Impact of endotracheal tube twisting on the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound for intubation confirmation.
Ultrasound is a readily-available technique used to identify accurate placement of an endotracheal tube (ETT) after an intubation attempt. There is limited research on using manipulation of the ETT to improve the diagnostic accuracy of ETT location confirmation. Our study sought to directly assess whether ETT twisting during the standard grayscale technique influenced the accuracy of intubation confirmation by ultrasound. ⋯ There was no statistically significant difference in the accuracy of ETT location identification between the two groups. However, utilizing the ETT twisting technique showed a statistically significant improvement in the time to identification and sonographer confidence.