The American journal of emergency medicine
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Review Meta Analysis
Rapid tranquilization of the agitated patient in the emergency department: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Safe and effective tranquilization of the acutely agitated patient is challenging, and head-to-head comparisons of medications are limited. We aimed to identify the most optimal agent(s) for rapid tranquilization of the severely agitated patient in the emergency department (ED). ⋯ Available evidence suggests that ketamine and droperidol have intermediate effectiveness for rapid tranquilization of the severely agitated patient in the ED. There is insufficient evidence to definitively determine which agent(s) may be safest or fastest-acting. Further, direct-comparison study of ketamine and droperidol is recommended.
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Review Meta Analysis
Intravenous diltiazem versus metoprolol for atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate: A meta-analysis.
Intravenous diltiazem and metoprolol are both commonly used to treat atrial fibrillation (AF) with rapid ventricular rate (RVR) in the emergency department (ED), but the advantages and disadvantages of these drugs cannot be verified. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of intravenous diltiazem versus metoprolol for AF with RVR. ⋯ Intravenous diltiazem has higher efficacy, shorter average onset time, lower ventricular rate, less impact on blood pressure, and with no increase in adverse events compared to intravenous metoprolol.
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Comparative Study
Comparative prevalence of anogenital injury following sexual assault in women who have had recent consensual sexual contact.
The purpose of this study was to compare the frequency and types of anogenital trauma in rape victims as a function of the time interval between the assault and recent (72 h) consensual sexual intercourse. ⋯ This is the first clinical study to systematically compare the prevalence and typology of anogenital injuries in sexual assault victims who have had consensual intercourse within four days before a forensic exam. The frequency, type or location of anogenital trauma did not vary significantly based on the time interval from last consensual intercourse to the forensic examination.
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Understanding differences in mortality rate secondary to sepsis between pediatric and general emergency departments (EDs) would help identify strategies to improve pediatric sepsis care. We aimed to determine if pediatric sepsis mortality differs between pediatric and general EDs. ⋯ In a nationally representative sample, pediatric mortality from severe sepsis or septic shock was lower in pediatric EDs than in general EDs. Identifying features of pediatric ED care associated with improved sepsis mortality could translate into improved survival for children wherever they present with sepsis.
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Emergency departments (ED) are critical touchpoints for encounters among patients with opioid use disorder (OUD), but implementation of ED initiated treatment and harm reduction programs has lagged. We describe national patient, visit and hospital-level characteristics of ED OUD visits and characterize EDs with high rates of OUD visits in order to inform policies to optimize ED OUD care. ⋯ Targeting initial efforts of OUD care programs to high OUD visit rate EDs could improve care for a large portion of OUD patients utilizing emergency care.