J Emerg Med
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Emergency departments (ED) have proposed utilizing a Web-based format to distribute patient satisfaction surveys, but the potential for bias in this distribution method has not been assessed. ⋯ A Web-based distribution of ED patient satisfaction surveys may underrepresent minorities, patients without college education, those with lower income, and patients older than 40 years. This information may provide guidance in interpreting results of Web-based patient satisfaction surveys and may suggest the need for multiple sampling methods.
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Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are less prevalent than abdominal aortic aneurysms. Symptomatic TAAs need to be identified quickly by the emergency physician (EP) since mortality rates increase dramatically once complications such as rupture or dissection occur. Compared with validated EP-performed ultrasound of the abdominal aorta, EP-performed focused cardiac ultrasound that includes evaluation of the thoracic aorta is relatively unreported. ⋯ EPs performing focused cardiac ultrasound can visualize regions of the thoracic aorta that may reveal an aneurysm, particularly in the parasternal long axis view.