Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
-
The authors review the current state of procedural sedation and analgesia research and clinical practice in adults and children, discuss the limitations in research methodology, and propose future areas of investigation.
-
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.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Routine versus selective abdominal computed tomography scan in the evaluation of right lower quadrant pain: a randomized controlled trial.
To determine the role of abdominal computed tomography (CT) imaging in patients with right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain. The authors hypothesized that selective use of abdominal CT would reduce imaging without increasing the rates of negative appendectomy and perforated appendicitis. ⋯ In this small sample of adult patients with RLQ abdominal pain and suspected acute appendicitis, CT imaging was performed less frequently in the selective group and there was a trend with mandatory CT imaging to reduced rates of negative appendectomy and perforated appendices.
-
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.
-
Despite national attention, there is little evidence that the quality of emergency department (ED) pain management is improving. ⋯ Although the quality of ED pain management for acute fractures appears to be improving, there is still room for further improvement.