J Emerg Med
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Amidst the opioid epidemic, there has been an increasing focus on opioid utilization in U.S. emergency departments (EDs). Compared with other opioids, little is known about the use of tramadol over the past decade. Tramadol has uncertain efficacy and a concerning adverse effect profile compared with traditional opioids. ⋯ Although the use of traditional opioids decreased from 2007 to 2018, the use of tramadol increased. Increases were largest among older patients, who may be more susceptible to the adverse effects associated with this medication. Further research in the appropriate use of tramadol in the ED setting is warranted.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
A Multicenter, Prospective Study Comparing Subxiphoid and Parasternal Views During Brief Echocardiography: Effect on Image Quality, Acquisition Time, and Visualized Anatomy.
Recent literature has suggested echocardiography (echo) may prolong pauses in chest compressions during cardiac arrest. ⋯ Echo was performed in < 10 s in > 50% of patients using either imaging technique. Imaging using PSL demonstrated improved image quality and improved identification of cardiac landmarks.
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The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted emergency medicine residents' education. Early in the pandemic, many facilities lacked adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), and intubation was considered particularly high risk for transmission to physicians, leading hospitals to limit the number of individuals present during the procedure. This posed difficulties for residents and academic faculty, as opportunities to perform endotracheal intubation during residency are limited, but patients with COVID-19 requiring intubation are unstable and have difficult airways. Case Scenario: When PPE is being rationed, who should be the one to perform an intubation on a patient with respiratory failure from severe COVID-19? ⋯ There exist compelling motivations for involving senior residents and attendings in high-risk intubations during the COVID-19 pandemic. A just strategy will preserve residents' role whenever possible, while maximizing supervision and providing alternative routes for intubation practice.
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Corporate control in emergency departments (EDs) has increased during the past 20 years through hospital consolidation and the growth of ED contract management groups. ⋯ Given the potential harm to patients due to corporate influence, there must be serious consideration for legislative or regulatory solutions regarding the increasing corporate control of emergency medicine in the United States.
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Professionals working in the emergency department (ED) are regularly exposed to traumatic events. Rates of posttraumatic mental health conditions vary widely in the literature and there is no agreement that rates in ED staff are elevated relative to other populations. ⋯ ED professionals have an elevated risk of experiencing PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Identification of organizational and workplace predictors are needed to inform interventions that will reduce risk and provide optimal treatment and management of PTSD, depression, and anxiety in ED settings.