The American journal of emergency medicine
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
A comparison of bilevel and continuous positive airway pressure noninvasive ventilation in acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema.
Whether bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) is advantageous compared with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema (ACPO) remains uncertain. The aim of the meta-analysis was to assess potential beneficial and adverse effects of CPAP compared with BiPAP in patients with ACPO. ⋯ There are no significant differences in clinical outcomes when comparing CPAP vs BiPAP. Based on the limited data available, our results suggest that there are no significant differences in clinical outcomes when comparing CPAP with BiPAP.
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This study aimed to develop emergency department best practice guidelines for improved communication during patient care transitions. ⋯ The best practices provide feasible standards for evaluating and improving how patients transition out of the emergency department and can provide a framework for emergency department leaders expanding their collaboration with community partners, particularly in the context of emerging payment models. They also catalyze introspection and debate about how to improve communication and accountability across the care continuum.
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One of the most used methods to evaluate patients with a high risk not responding to clinical treatment is the measurement of blood levels of lactic acid (LA). The objective of this study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of an LA test for capillary and venous blood with LA test for arterial blood in a population of patients with tissue hypoperfusion and to evaluate the time needed for each test. ⋯ The utilization of capillary and venous LA is an effective method of evaluation and risk stratification for patients with different degrees of tissue hypoperfusion. The time needed to elicit capillary LA proved much faster with respect to arterial and venous LA.