European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
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The objectives of the Pediatric Emergency Research Network's (PERN) meeting were to (i) learn about each of the participating network's missions, goals, and infrastructure; (ii) share important contributions that each network has made to the creation of new knowledge; (iii) discuss 'best practices' to improve each network's effectiveness and (iv) explore the potential for a collaborative research project as proof-of-concept that would help promote quality of care of the acutely ill and injured child/youth globally. ⋯ Several members of PERN will be gathering at the International Conference on Emergency Medicine in Singapore, where the group will be presenting information about the H1N1 initiative. The PERN group is planning to bring together all five networks later in 2010 to discuss future global collaborations.
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The aims of our study are to evaluate the use of computed tomographic scan of the head (CT-head) in patients with altered mental status (AMS) presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) and to identify clinical features associated with an abnormal CT-head result. ⋯ Our study identified important risk factors for an abnormal CT-head result which can be used in future research to establish a guideline for rational ordering of the test in AMS patients.
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Patients with acute heart failure (AHF) are frequently evaluated in the Emergency Departments (ED) and discharged from their observation units (OU) without hospital admission. We examined direct discharge rates from the ED OU, risk factors for returning to the ED, and returning and mortality rates. ⋯ One-third of the patients consulting at the ED for an episode of AHF can be directly discharged from the OU of ED, with relatively low rates of reattendance (26.7%) and mortality (4.7%). Emergency physicians should be especially cautious discharging patients with functional dependence because they are at increased risk of returning.
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Maxillofacial trauma is common and may lead to haemorrhage that is associated with actual or impending airway compromise. This study briefly discusses the aetiology of midfacial haemorrhage and describes a simple effective technique of midface splintage for haemorrhage control, which may be applied in the prehospital and emergency environments. This technique has been used successfully by the London Helicopter Emergency Medical Service.
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Patients triaged in category 5 of the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) do not need any resources before discharge from the emergency department (ED). We studied the characteristics of these patients and focused on those who were admitted or sent to the outpatient department after their ED visit. ⋯ Although younger patients and women were more likely triaged in ESI 5, patients within this category who were admitted or sent to the outpatient department were more likely elderly and referred patients. Being admitted or sent to the outpatient department and triaged in ESI 5 indicates undertriage. Revision of the system is required to properly account for these patient groups.