Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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The existence of race and gender differences in the provision of cardiovascular health care has been increasingly recognized. However, few studies have examined whether these differences exist in the emergency department (ED) setting. ⋯ This study documents race, gender, and insurance differences in the provision of electrocardiography and chest radiography testing as well as cardiac rhythm and oxygen saturation monitoring in patients presenting with chest pain. These observed differences should catalyze further study into the underlying causes of disparities in cardiac care at an earlier point of patient contact with the health care system.
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To explore attitudes surrounding exception from informed consent enrollment into research studies. In addition, the authors sought to determine the level of awareness of such an ongoing study among potential subjects, as defined by their presence in an emergency department (ED). ⋯ The overall awareness of an ongoing exception from informed consent trial after community consultation and notification was low. A population with potential for enrollment in such a study did not demonstrate a high degree of acceptance of such practices. There were differences among certain demographic groups in the degree of acceptance. These differences may guide institutional review boards and investigators in community-consultation strategies for future waiver of or exception from informed consent studies.
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The field of international emergency medicine has grown rapidly over the past several decades, with an increase in the number of interested individuals and in the range of topics included under its rubric. One of the greatest obstacles, however, faced by international emergency medicine researchers and practitioners alike remains the lack of a high-quality, consolidated, and easily accessible evidence base of literature. ⋯ Articles for this first annual review, covering research published in 2005, were selected according to explicit, predetermined criteria that included both methodological quality and perceived impact of the research. It is our hope that this annual review will act as a forum for disseminating best practices, while also stimulating further research in the field of international emergency medicine.
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To determine the existing patterns of sign-out processes prevalent in emergency departments (EDs) nationwide. In addition, to assess whether training programs provide specific guidance to their trainees regarding sign-outs and attitudes of emergency medicine (EM) residency and pediatric EM fellowship program directors toward the need for the development of standardized guidelines relating to sign-outs. ⋯ There is wide variation in the sign-out processes followed by different EDs. A majority of those surveyed expressed the need for standardized sign-out systems.