Southern medical journal
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Southern medical journal · May 2019
Patients on Involuntary Hold Status in the Emergency Department.
Patients requiring involuntary holds are frequently seen in the emergency department (ED). Much of what is known comes from studies of patients at urban academic centers. Our aim was to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who were evaluated while on involuntary status at a suburban ED. ⋯ Patients in this study differed from those in urban centers with respect to sex and psychiatric disorder; however, substance misuse was common in both settings. Suicidal ideation including suicide attempt was the most common reason for involuntary status. Patients who attempted suicide were similar to other patients on involuntary hold with respect to demographic and clinical variables.
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Southern medical journal · May 2019
Propofol Versus Dexmedetomidine for Procedural Sedation in a Pediatric Population.
Frequently, infants and children require sedation to facilitate noninvasive procedures and imaging studies. Propofol and dexmedetomidine are used to achieve deep procedural sedation in children. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical safety and efficacy of propofol versus dexmedetomidine in pediatric patients undergoing sedation in a pediatric sedation unit. ⋯ Propofol use led to significantly shorter recovery times, with an increased need for airway management, but rates of bag-mask ventilation (2.3%), airway obstruction (1.1%), and desaturation (1.6%) were low. No patients required intubation. Propofol is a reasonable alternative to dexmedetomidine, with a clinically acceptable safety profile.
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Southern medical journal · Apr 2019
Objectively Measured Physical Activity and All-Cause Mortality Among Cancer Survivors: National Prospective Cohort Study.
The understanding of the effects of physical activity on all-cause mortality among cancer survivors is limited. We attempted to draw a relation between physical activity and survival among those with a diagnosis of cancer. ⋯ Physical activity may have a protective effect on survival among cancer survivors.
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Southern medical journal · Mar 2019
Impact of Holidays on Pediatric Trauma Admissions to a Community Hospital in South Florida.
The data from temperate regions indicate increases in pediatric traumatic injuries during the spring and summer months with anticipated admission spikes on warm weather holidays; hospitals in southern subtropical regions should not anticipate the same trends. The objectives of this study were to identify holiday-specific spikes in pediatric traumatic injury admissions at a community hospital in South Florida and report injury patterns in age, mechanism of injury, and surgical consults. ⋯ Hospitals located in southern subtropical climates should consider increasing staffing as necessary during select autumn and winter holidays.
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Southern medical journal · Mar 2019
Awareness of Birth Cohort Hepatitis C Testing Recommendation Among Baby Boomers: An Exploratory Survey Study.
To examine population awareness of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing recommendation for the 1945 to 1965 birth cohort and explore the factors associated with awareness of the testing recommendation, its association with HCV testing, and respondents' data sources about the recommendation. ⋯ Awareness of the CDC's testing recommendation was reported in fewer than half of the respondents and was adversely affected by minority status. Although mass media may be a key venue for HCV-related data outreach, further studies are needed on interventions to enhance the role played by healthcare providers.