The American journal of emergency medicine
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Cryptorchidism and testicular torsion (TT) are relatively common conditions in clinical practice; however, sparse information about cryptorchid TT is available in the current literature. ⋯ Greater awareness among caregivers and primary care physicians about acute cryptorchid TT is required to improve their timely diagnosis and treatment. A physical examination of the external genitalia and inguinal regions should be mandatory to attain a proper diagnosis and treatment without delay.
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A growing body of evidence suggests outcomes for cardiac arrest in adults are worse during nights and weekends when compared with daytime and weekdays. Similar research has not yet been carried out in the infant setting. ⋯ ROSC achievement rates for infant out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are significantly lower on weekends when compared with weekdays. Further study and quality improvement work is needed to better understand this.
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Observational Study
Suctioning in the management of bronchiolitis: A prospective observational study.
Bronchiolitis accounts for a considerable number of Emergency Department (ED) visits by infants each year and is the leading cause of respiratory infection in children 2 years of age and younger. Suctioning remains one of the main supportive treatments, but suctioning practices of nasal aspiration and deep suctioning vary among practitioners in bronchiolitis management. Our objective was to explore associations between suction type and respiratory distress, oxygen saturation, and markers of respiratory compromise such as airway escalation, disposition, ED length of stay (LOS), and outpatient outcomes. ⋯ There was no difference in respiratory scores or outpatient outcomes between suction types. Deep suctioning may not be needed in all infants with bronchiolitis.
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Observational Study
Effect of access block on emergency department crowding calculated by NEDOCS score.
Emergency department (ED) crowding poses a significant challenge in healthcare systems globally, leading to delays in patient care and threatening public health and staff well-being. Access block, characterized by delays in admitting patients awaiting hospitalization, is a primary contributor to ED overcrowding. To address this issue, the National Emergency Department Overcrowding Study (NEDOCS) score provides an objective framework for assessing ED crowding severity. This study aims to evaluate the impact of access block on ED crowding using the NEDOCS score and to explore strategies for mitigating overcrowding through scenarios over a 39-day period. ⋯ Although ED crowding is a multifactorial problem, our study has shown that access block contribute significantly to this problem. The study emphasizes that eliminating access block through timely admissions could substantially alleviate crowding, highlighting the importance of addressing this issue to enhance ED efficiency and overall healthcare delivery.
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Case Reports
ECG manifestations of occlusion of septal perforator of left anterior descending artery.
The fourth universal definition of MI defines requires presence of j point elevation in two contiguous leads except v2-3 where the elevation should be equal to or >2 mm in men (2.5 mm in <40 years) and 1.5 mm in women.(1) We present two cases of patients who presented with electrocardiographic manifestations of occlusion of septal perforator of left anterior descending artery and discuss the salient feature of ECG in such patients. We also present the limitations of STEMI criteria given the dynamic nature of acute coronary occlusion and stress on early recognition of this MI.