J Emerg Med
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Auscultation for an extended period of time using a wearable stethoscope enables objective computerized analysis and longitudinal assessment of lung sounds. However, this auscultation method differs from bedside auscultation in that clinicians are not present to optimize the quality of auscultation. No prior studies have compared these two auscultation methods. ⋯ Extending the duration of auscultation using a wearable stethoscope in a noisy clinical environment showed comparable performance to standard of care intermittent auscultation in identifying patients who have wheezes.
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Sepsis is a high mortality condition characterized by multi-organ dysfunction. Sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SIC) refers to cardiac dysfunction in sepsis. ⋯ SIC can be detected using FCU by emergency physicians in the ED and is associated with increased 90-day mortality.
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Observational Study
Using Ultrasound to Determine Optimal Location for Needle Decompression of Tension Pneumothorax: A Pilot Study.
Chest injury can result in life-threatening complications like tension pneumothorax, in which rapid deterioration can occur without decompression. Traditionally, the second intercostal space (ICS) along the mid-clavicular line is taught as the site for decompression. However, this has been questioned due to high rates of treatment failure. The fifth ICS on the mid-axillary line (MAL) is hypothesized to have a shorter distance from skin to pleura based on recent studies. ⋯ The data support that patients have a smaller chest wall distance at the fifth ICS vs. the second ICS. We support performing needle decompression at the fifth ICS and believe POCUS can be used to determine the optimal location for decompression.