Journal of trauma nursing : the official journal of the Society of Trauma Nurses
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Trauma is responsible for 25% of all emergency department visits causing a healthcare burden of more than $400 billion a year. Timely and appropriate fluid resuscitation may mean the difference between survival and death. ⋯ This article will evaluate current research regarding the various types of fluid resuscitation in the trauma population. Colloid and crystalloid fluid will be compared describing the risks and benefits of each.
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Emergency department visits reached more than 115 million in 2005, a 30% increase over the past decade. Although much has been written regarding these numbers, little attention has been focused on the impact of overcrowding and volume increases on rural emergency departments. Rural emergency departments face challenges unlike their urban counterparts that make implementation of current overcrowding strategies difficult or impossible. This article addresses these challenges and suggests strategies specific to the needs of rural emergency departments.
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The role of a trauma nurse practitioner (TNP) is not a new one. Trauma facilities around the nation are continually finding ways to incorporate and expand upon the role of the TNP within their infrastructure to better utilize resources while simultaneously providing comprehensive care. While this is the case, there is a dearth of information on the core competencies required for a TNP to practice efficiently. Having concise information on the core competencies for a TNP will be of great benefit to graduate nurse practitioners as well as seasoned nurse practitioners looking to change specialties.