Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
-
Comparative Study
National study of the relation of primary care shortages to emergency department utilization.
Emergency department (ED) visit volumes are increasing nationwide. ⋯ A positive association between primary care shortage densities and ED visit densities was found. Although most states adhere to this pattern, some states do not. Further investigation of this dissociation may yield additional explanations for rising ED visit volumes.
-
Comparative Study
Duplex ultrasound in the emergency department for the diagnostic management of clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis.
To evaluate the accuracy and safety of an emergency duplex ultrasound (EDUS) evaluation performed by emergency physicians in the emergency department. ⋯ EDUS examination yielded a high negative predictive value and good positive predictive value, allowing rapid discharge and avoiding improper anticoagulant treatment.
-
Comparative Study
Relationship between a clear-cut alternative noncardiac diagnosis and 30-day outcome in emergency department patients with chest pain.
Accurate identification of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) in the emergency department (ED) remains problematic. Studies have not been able to identify a cohort of patients that are safe for immediate ED discharge; however, prior studies have not examined the utility of a clear-cut alternative noncardiac diagnosis. ⋯ In the ED chest pain patient, the presence of a clear-cut alternative noncardiac diagnosis reduces the likelihood of a composite outcome of death and cardiovascular events within 30 days. However, it does not reduce the event rate to an acceptable level to allow ED discharge of these patients.