The American journal of emergency medicine
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Hyponatremia, defined as a serum sodium <135 mmol/L, is frequently encountered in patients presenting to the emergency department. Symptoms are often unspecific and include a recent history of falls, weakness and vertigo. Common causes of hyponatremia include diuretics, heart failure as well as Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuresis (SIAD) and correct diagnosis can be challenging. Emergency treatment of hyponatremia should be guided by presence of symptoms and focus on distinguishing between acute and chronic hyponatremia.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of an ultrasound-first clinical decision tool in emergency department patients with suspected nephrolithiasis: A randomized trial.
Previously, we found that the use of ultrasonography for patients with suspected nephrolithiasis resulted in similar outcomes and less radiation exposure vs. CT scan. In this study, we evaluated the implementation of an ultrasound-first clinical decision support (CDS) tool in patients with suspected nephrolithiasis. ⋯ Implementation of the US-first CDS tool resulted in lower CT use for ED patients with suspected nephrolithiasis. The use of this decision support may improve the evaluation of a common problem in the ED.