The American journal of emergency medicine
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The Emergency Severity Index (ESI) is the most commonly used system in over 70% of all U.S. emergency departments (ED) that uses predicted resource utilization as a means to triage [1], Mistriage, which includes both undertriage and overtriage has been a persistent issue, affecting 32.2% of total ED visits [2]. Our goal is to develop a machine learning framework that predicts patients' resource needs, thereby improving resource allocation during triage. ⋯ This study shows the high accuracy in predicting resource needs for patients in the ED using a machine learning model. This can greatly improve patient flow and resource allocation in already resource limited emergency departments.
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Low back pain (LBP) is ranked in the top 10 conditions presenting to emergency departments (ED) in Australia. We aimed to investigate ED re-presentation rates and length of stay (LOS) of patients with LBP, including associated factors. ⋯ A re-presentation within 12 months occurs in 7.7% of episodes of LBP in ED. Over one-quarter of patients stayed longer than 4 h.
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Case Reports
An unusual cause of neonatal hypothermia and shock in the emergency department: Diamond Blackfan Anemia.
Diamond Blackfan Anemia (DBA) is a rare disease characterized by anemia secondary to impaired red blood cell production from bone marrow failure. We present a case of infantile hypothermia and shock caused by this clinical pathology. A seven-week-old infant was brought to the emergency department by the father with the chief complaint of abnormal breathing and low activity level throughout the day. ⋯ Numerous abnormal laboratory readings were reported, with the most significant being a hemoglobin of 1.7 and a hematocrit of 7.4. Emergent blood transfusion was initiated, and the patient was eventually air-lifted to a pediatric hospital two hours away. This case highlights the imperative of a thorough history and examination and consideration of a broad differential for neonatal hypothermia and shock, especially in the setting of no obvious bleeding.
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Hydrodissection is becoming increasingly recognized as a treatment for nerve entrapment syndromes in the orthopedic and rehabilitation world. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the most prevalent nerve entrapment neuropathy, characterized by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel. ⋯ This case report demonstrates the potential for an alternative approach to analgesia in the Emergency Department (ED) for patients presenting with pain related to CTS. Here we discuss a case of a 26-year-old female presenting with CTS symptoms and her successful treatment with ultrasound-guided hydrodissection in the ED.