J Emerg Med
-
Infantile botulism is the result of ingestion of Clostridium botulinum spores, and is the most common form of infection with botulism in the United States. Ninety percent of cases occur in infants <6 months old. The infants typically present with vague symptoms such as hypotonia and poor feeding. This article reports an infant with confirmed infantile botulism that presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with complaints of decreased feeding and absence of bowel movements for >1 week. ⋯ Awareness of the symptoms of botulism and a high degree of clinical suspicion is needed to make a prompt diagnosis.
-
Multicenter Study
Intramuscular Ziprasidone: Influence of Alcohol and Benzodiazepines on Vital Signs in the Emergency Setting.
Ziprasidone is a second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) approved for agitation. Few previous studies have examined ziprasidone in the emergency department (ED). For instance, it is unknown how often emergency physicians prescribe ziprasidone, whether it is typically prescribed in combination with a benzodiazepine, or whether use of intramuscular (i.m.) ziprasidone and benzodiazepines affects vital signs compared to i.m. ziprasidone alone. ⋯ This study suggests that many ED physicians, who commonly prescribe a benzodiazepine with a first-generation antipsychotic like haloperidol, have transferred this practice to SGAs like ziprasidone. In this sample, this pairing did not adversely affect vital signs but was associated with marginally longer ED stays. Caution should be exercised when treating alcohol-intoxicated patients with ziprasidone, as this can decrease oxygen saturations.
-
Tongue lacerations provide a challenge for emergency physicians, especially in the case of pediatric patients. Traditional wound closure typically involves local anesthesia or procedural sedation in children, which is time consuming and often anxiety provoking for providers, patients, and parents. 2-Octyl cyanoacrylate (Dermabond(®); Ethicon, Inc., Sommerville, NJ) has been used in the context of the emergency department for successful repair of lacerations, however, is not marketed for use on mucosal or intraoral surfaces. This case report describes an alternative manner of tongue laceration repair by the use of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate. ⋯ Tongue lacerations and other intraoral lacerations are challenging to repair, especially in pediatric patients. The use of tissue adhesives such as 2-octyl cyanoacrylate is very likely safe and may provide an expedient manner in which to repair such lesions with good cosmetic results.
-
The Lifelong Learning and Self-assessment (LLSA) component of the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program is a self-assessment exercise for physicians. Beginning in 2011, an optional continuing medical education (CME) activity was added. ⋯ The LLSA component of the ABEM MOC program is relevant to the clinical practice of Emergency Medicine. Through this program, physicians gain new knowledge about the practice of Emergency Medicine, some of which is reported to change physicians' clinical practices.