Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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Comparative Study
Utilization of the emergency department after self-inflicted injury.
To compare emergency department (ED) utilization by individuals who present with self-inflicted injuries with utilization by control populations. Individuals with self-inflicted injuries commonly present to the ED, yet little research has been conducted on this population in this setting. ⋯ Individuals who harm themselves are chronic users of the ED. The ED represents an opportune setting from which individuals can be directed to appropriate treatment programs.
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Comparative Study
An evaluation of emergency medicine resident interaction time with faculty in different teaching venues.
To measure actual emergency medicine (EM) resident interaction time with faculty and to investigate the potential to use direct observation as an assessment tool for the core competencies. By 2006 all EM residencies must implement resident assessment techniques of the six Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education core competencies. Emergency medicine educators recommend direct observation as the optimal evaluation tool for patient care, systems-based practice, interpersonal and communication skills, and professionalism. Continuous faculty presence in the emergency department (ED) is widely believed to facilitate direct observation as an assessment technique. ⋯ Faculty direct observation time of EM residents was low in all training venues studied. Direct observation was the highest in ED critical care areas and lowest on medicine ward rotations. Emergency medicine faculty involved simultaneously in routine ED teaching, supervision, and patient care rarely performed direct observation, despite their continuous physical presence. This finding suggests that alternative strategies may be required to assess core competencies through direct observation in the ED.
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To determine the length of catheter required to perform a needle thoracostomy, as determined by chest wall thickness, to treat the majority of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with a potential tension pneumothorax. ⋯ In this study, a catheter length of 5 cm would reliably penetrate the pleural space of only 75% of patients. A longer catheter should be considered, especially in women.
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Comparative Study
Error identification, disclosure, and reporting: practice patterns of three emergency medicine provider types.
To gather preliminary data on how the three major types of emergency medicine (EM) providers, physicians, nurses (RNs), and out-of-hospital personnel (EMTs), differ in error identification, disclosure, and reporting. ⋯ This study suggests that error identification, disclosure, and reporting challenge all members of the ED care delivery team. Provider-specific education and enhanced teamwork training will be required to further the transformation of the ED into a high-reliability organization.
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To report the pathology, toxicology, cause, and manner of death in 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-associated fatalities in the United States. Although use trends are increasing, data regarding the hazards of MDMA are limited. ⋯ The MDMA-associated fatal events typically occur in young, otherwise healthy individuals. MDMA's impact on the public health and safety of young adults and teenagers needs further assessment.