J Emerg Med
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Emergency departments (EDs) face increasing patient volumes and economic pressures. These problems have been attributed to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). ⋯ Many patients know that the law requires hospitals to provide care. This knowledge is associated with more frequent ED use. EMTALA changes might reduce ED use, but broader policy implications should be considered.
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Review Case Reports
Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm rupture: a case report and review of the literature.
Ruptured hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm, a type of visceral artery aneurysm, is a rare condition that is life threatening if not diagnosed and treated rapidly in the emergency department (ED). Patients presenting with this condition require aggressive resuscitation. Endovascular embolization is the first-line treatment option. ⋯ Ruptured hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm is a life-threatening condition that must be rapidly diagnosed and managed in the ED. Visceral artery aneurysm rupture is a diagnosis that should be considered in any patient presenting to the ED with hemodynamic instability and abdominal pain. Definitive management is with endovascular embolization.
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Injuries caused by the TASER(®) (TASER International, Inc., Scottsdale, AZ) have been well documented, and both direct and indirect ocular injuries have been reported. We present a case of severe perforating injury to the globe from a TASER dart with central cornea penetration. ⋯ This is a case of a severe TASER-related ocular injury resulting in significant vision loss. Although mechanical trauma seemed to be the main etiology for vision loss, electrical shock injury may also be contributory. Direct injury to the eye from a TASER dart is similar to other perforating projectile injuries and can have a devastating visual outcome.
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Treatment for pain and pain-related conditions has been identified as the most common reason for Emergency Department (ED) visits. ⋯ ED patients report a wide variety of pain scores. Factors associated with higher pain scores included younger age, female gender, African American race, Medicaid insurance status, multiple ED visits in the past year, and ED diagnoses of sickle cell crisis, back/neck/shoulder pain, and headache.