Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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Color and power Doppler ultrasound are commonly used in the evaluation of ovarian torsion but are unreliable. Because normal-sized ovaries are unlikely to cause torsion, maximum ovarian diameter (MOD) could theoretically be used as a screening test in the ED. Identification of MOD values below which torsion is unlikely would be of benefit to providers interpreting radiology department or point-of-care pelvic ultrasound. ⋯ A threshold MOD of 5 cm on pelvic ultrasound may be useful to rule out ovarian torsion in postmenarchal females presenting with lower abdominal and pelvic pain.
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Observational Study
Impact of Medical Scribes on Provider Efficiency in the Pediatric Emergency Department.
Today's emergency department (ED) providers spend a significant amount of time on medical record documentation, decreasing clinical productivity. One proposed solution is to utilize medical scribes who assist with documentation. We hypothesized that scribes would increase provider productivity and increase provider satisfaction without affecting patient experience or nursing satisfaction. ⋯ Medical scribes increased ED efficiency without decreasing patient satisfaction. Providers strongly favored the use of scribes, while nurses were indifferent. The next steps include a cost analysis of the scribe program.
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Rising rates of opioid overdose deaths require innovative programs to prevent and reduce opioid-related morbidity and mortality. This study evaluates adoption, utilization, and maintenance of an emergency department (ED) take-home naloxone and peer recovery coach consultation program for ED patients at risk of opioid overdose. ⋯ ED naloxone distribution and consultation of a community-based peer recovery coach are feasible and acceptable and can be maintained over time.