European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
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Utilization of hospital emergency departments (EDs) is continuously increasing. Though nurses and physicians are ultimately responsible for the definite triage decisions, initial ED patient triage is frequently performed by hospital admission staff. This study analyzes the quality of assessment of the severity of emergencies and the choice of treatment unit made by hospital admission staff. ⋯ Triage quality regarding the choice of treatment unit was found to be excellent, whereas the quality of the assessment of the severity of the emergency by nonmedical ED admission staff was acceptable. ED patients have to be assessed by medical staff early after admission to ensure adequate and timely interventions.
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Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of central venous catheter (CVC) use during prehospital emergency care. ⋯ Insertion of CVCs during prehospital emergency care is effective in providing intravenous access, thus facilitating the delivery of fluids and medications in unstable patients. It is safe, as associated with a low incidence of complications in experienced hands.
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To question the existing practice to observe the victims of scorpion sting in the emergency department at least for 6 h. ⋯ Serious toxicity after scorpion sting in Israel and some of neighboring countries is rare, and always presents within 1 h from the sting. Thus, prolonged observation can be reserved for a high-risk population and patients with serious toxicity on admission.
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To assess patient satisfaction in a French Emergency Department (ED) and to determine factors associated with dissatisfaction. ⋯ Elevated waiting times appeared as the unique independent risk factor of patient dissatisfaction. Information on delays and reasons for this delay could be systematically communicated to patients attending EDs; it could be an effective strategy to reduce perceived waiting times and improve patient satisfaction.
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Case Reports
Renal colic as the first symptom of acute renal vein thrombosis, resulting in the diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome.
Renal vein thrombosis is a well-known complication of nephrotic syndrome, but rarely its first or only symptom. We describe a 26-year-old patient presenting with flank pain suggestive of renal colic. A computed tomography scan showed acute renal vein thrombosis, the only sign of a later diagnosed nephrotic syndrome. This is a rare presentation of a renal vein thrombosis caused by nephrotic syndrome, and easily misdiagnosed as renal calculi especially in young and otherwise asymptomatic patients.