European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
-
Multicenter Study
Low molecular weight heparin self-injection training: assessment of feasibility, tolerance and economic analysis in emergency departments.
The purpose of this study was to assess low molecular weight heparin auto-injection skills of self-supporting patients, taught by a nurse through a rapid demonstration in an emergency department. ⋯ It seems possible to extend the practice of self-injection to other types of injections prescribed after discharge from the emergency department, such as preventive low molecular weight heparin for surgical or medical purposes and curative ambulatory low molecular weight heparin treatment for deep vein thrombosis.
-
Review
Prehospital evaluation and treatment of a presumed acute coronary syndrome: what are the options?
The earlier infarct-limiting therapy is started the better is the outcome among patients suffering from a threatened myocardial infarction. The introduction of a prehospital electrocardiogram has improved triage of patients with acute chest pain. ⋯ Other treatments of potential value in the prehospital setting are oxygen, narcotic analgesics, nitrates, aspirin, heparin, low molecular weight heparin, glycoprotein IIB, IIIA blockers, clopidogrel and beta-blockers. We need further studies, however, for most of these treatments including cost-benefit analysis, analysis of various logistic aspects and safety in order to confirm their value.
-
A 53-year-old male drug user was brought to the emergency department by police for suspected drug smuggling by body packing. The abdominal X-ray revealed suspicion of the presence of a drug packet in the gastric antrum, but the patient strongly denied body packing. ⋯ A small plastic bag with many blue tablets was later retrieved by endoscopy. Ultrasonography is recommended in similar cases with doubtful radiological findings.
-
To evaluate whether a computer-based decision support system could be useful for the emergency medical system when identifying patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or life-threatening conditions and thereby improve the allocation of life support level. ⋯ A computer-based decision support system including a prevalence function could be a valuable tool for allocating the level of life support. The case record form, however, used for the interview can be refined and a model based on a larger sample and confirmed in a prospective study is recommended.
-
To determine the impact of accompanying medical illnesses on the cause, course, mortality and morbidity of a geriatric trauma population. ⋯ Although not an essential factor in the cause per se, the diseases often encountered in the geriatric trauma population have a significant role on the course and mortality.