The American journal of emergency medicine
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Acute head and neck cancer (HNC) bleeding is a life-threatening situation that frequently presents to the emergency department (ED). The purpose of the present study was to analyze the risk factors for the 30-day mortality in patients with HNC bleeding. ⋯ The results of this study may aid physicians in the evaluation of short-term survival in HNC bleeding patients and provide critical information for risk stratification and medical decisions.
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Flexible bronchoscopy has been safely used for decades in ambulatory and critical care settings to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of tracheobronchial tree disorders. Although emergency physicians have the requisite skills to operate and interpret flexible bronchoscopy, no reports exist on the use of bronchoscopy by emergency physicians apart from endotracheal tube placement and confirmation. ⋯ At our institution, emergency physicians can safely and effectively use flexible bronchoscopy to diagnose and treat critically ill patients.
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Zinc phosphide is a highly toxic rodenticide that reacts with hydrochloric acid in the stomach to form phosphine gas. Ingestion of zinc phosphide can result in consequential toxicity even when ingested in small quantities. Clear guidelines are lacking on appropriate personal protective equipment for providers to avoid additional exposure. ⋯ Clinicians should be aware of the potential clinical ramifications to patients who ingest zinc phosphide and the potential risks of caring for such patients. To prevent additional exposure, providers should don appropriate personal protective equipment and contact HAZMAT (or local health department) to safely remove additional zinc phosphide.
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Observational Study
Therapeutic anticoagulation using heparin in early phase severe coronavirus disease 2019: A retrospective study.
Although several reports recommend the use of systemic anticoagulation therapy in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia, appropriate target population and timing of administration are unknown. We assessed association between therapeutic anticoagulation administration with unfractionated heparin and outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, assuming that anticoagulant administration effects are influenced by therapy timing. ⋯ Late administration of therapeutic-dose anticoagulation in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia was significantly associated with worse outcomes than early administration.
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Spending on emergency department (ED) services in recent years has increased faster than spending in any other area of healthcare. Analyzing growth rates of ED treatment costs by patient and hospital attributes may illuminate ways to reduce overall hospital cost growth. Prior studies have examined changes in ED visit charges and expenditures over time, but little research has focused on changes in ED treatment costs. ⋯ By highlighting overall ED cost trends, as well as specific segments of the delivery system with the most rapidly increasing costs, this study provides important information for policymakers and hospital decisionmakers.