Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
A multicenter comparison of tap water versus sterile saline for wound irrigation.
To compare wound infection rates for irrigation with tap water versus sterile saline before closure of wounds in the emergency department. ⋯ Equivalent rates of wound infection were found using either irrigant. The results of this multicenter trial evaluating tap water as an irrigant agree with those from previous single institution trials.
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Multicenter Study
Estimated risk for undiagnosed diabetes in the emergency department: a multicenter survey.
One third of the 21 million Americans with diabetes remain undiagnosed. The emergency department (ED) is a novel setting for diabetes screening. ⋯ Many ED patients in the study had risk factors for undiagnosed diabetes. Patient attitudes toward ED-based diabetes screening support further exploration of this important and currently underutilized opportunity for public health intervention.
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To characterize the initial management of patients with sickle cell disease and an acute pain episode, to compare these practices with the American Pain Society Guideline for the Management of Acute and Chronic Pain in Sickle-Cell Disease in the emergency department, and to identify factors associated with a delay in receiving an initial analgesic. ⋯ Patients with an acute painful episode related to sickle cell disease experienced significant delays to administration of an initial analgesic.
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To determine what percentage of out-of-hospital laryngoscopes meet a predetermined minimal illumination criterion and what factors may be altered to improve illumination. ⋯ Only a small percentage of out-of-hospital laryngoscopes met the minimal illumination criterion. There was a statistically significant increase in illumination after replacement with new batteries, replacement with a new bulb, replacement with new batteries and a new bulb, or attachment of a disposable blade. Optimal changing of lightbulbs and batteries in the out-of-hospital setting will have to be more clearly defined.
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To determine whether peripheral veins can be detected by ultrasound (US) and to determine vein characteristics, as measured by US, that are associated with successful peripheral venous (PV) catheterization in young children. ⋯ Ultrasound appears to be capable of detecting peripheral veins in children younger than 7 years of age, with lack of US vein visualization likely leading to unsuccessful PV placement. Greater vein length visualization may be a useful predictor of successful PV catheterization.