Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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To determine: 1) provider behavior in screening for domestic violence (DV) and sexual assault (SA); 2) provider training in DV and SA; 3) provider knowledge of available protocols for DV and SA; and 4) provider perception of barriers to intervention. ⋯ Providers surveyed had received little training in and rarely screen for violence, and there are a range of personal and institutional barriers impeding intervention with victims of SA and DV. Institutional changes to enhance training and support providers working in the front line of this epidemic may improve services for victims of violence.
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To determine the availability of and sample statewide ED injury information obtained from hospital billing data for the purpose of demonstrating the feasibility of information acquisition for subsequent data linkage. ⋯ Retrospective compilation of multihospital ED billing data to create a statewide ED data sample-with the potential for injury research and probabilistic database linkage-can be accomplished; there are, however, important limitations.
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To determine the association of rural ED patient assessment documentation with state trauma system implementation, hospital trauma categorization level (i.e., Level-3 vs Level-4), injury diagnosis, and patient demographics. ⋯ The study found overall improved ED documentation of trauma patient status in association with implementation of a statewide trauma system. This improvement in documentation suggests an enhanced process of care with trauma system participation.
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To determine population-based firearm-related morbidity and mortality for Allegheny County, PA (population = 1.3 million), for the year 1994. ⋯ Firearm-related injury and death are a significant public health problem in Allegheny County. Although the crude mortality rate from firearms in the county is lower than the reported national rate, the observed rate for nonfatal injuries in the black youth of this community is the highest firearm injury incidence rate ever reported. Local surveillance of firearm-related injuries, including nonfatal events, is needed to more accurately demonstrate the magnitude of this problem.
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To describe the spectrum of work-related injury evaluated in a rural ED population. ⋯ Occupational injuries contribute significantly to the overall incidence of injuries seen in this ED and are responsible for significant medical charges each year.