Articles: emergency-department.
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Int J Health Policy Manag · Aug 2013
Reasons for Discharge against Medical Advice: A Case Study of Emergency Departments in Iran.
Incomplete hospitalization is the cause of disease relapse, readmission, and increase in medical costs. Discharge Against Medical Advice (DAMA) in emergency department (ED) is critical for hospitals. This paper aims to explore the underlying reasons behind DAMA in ED of four teaching hospitals in Kerman, Iran. ⋯ In comparison to studies conducted in other countries, the rate of DAMA is markedly higher in Iran. The results revealed that patients awareness of the consequences of their decisions is evidently inadequate. The study suggests a number of recommendations. These include, increasing patient awareness of the potential side effects of DAMA and creating the necessary culture for this, improving hospital facilities, and a more careful supervision of medical staff performance.
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To explore healthcare experiences of Australian women living with intimate partner violence (IPV) and consider how these influence their understanding of IPV and sense of self. ⋯ Women require timely information and empathetic support from healthcare professionals to assist them in understanding and labelling their experiences as IPV. This enhances women's ability to feel deserving of, and ideally achieve, a life without violence.
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Hospital emergency departments (ED) are confronted with triaging and managing dental emergencies of both traumatic and non-traumatic origin. However, the literature suggests that there exists inadequate knowledge of the management of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) among medical professionals who must be knowledgeable and have the appropriate resources needed to triage or treat patients presenting with TDI. ⋯ Based on the findings from this study, educational campaigns must be undertaken to improve both the resources available to the ED, and the knowledge of physicians regarding emergency management of TDI. In addition, efforts should be made by local dental organizations to provide ED with lists of dentists who are knowledgeable and willing to be available 24 h day⁻¹ to consult with and, if necessary, treat TDI. These efforts would enhance the long-term outcomes for patients sustaining dental trauma who present to hospital ED.
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Australas Emerg Nurs J · Aug 2013
Evaluating patient presentations for care delivered by emergency nurse practitioners: a retrospective analysis of 12 months.
The delivery of quality patients care in the emergency department (ED) is emerging as one of the most important service indicators to be measured in health services today. The emergency nurse practitioner role was implemented as a service innovation in one Melbourne, ED, Australia, in July 2004. The primary aim of the role was intended to enhance healthcare services, improve the efficiency and timely delivery of high quality care to patients. ⋯ This study has provided information on patient baseline characteristics and performance on important service indicators for this patient sample that will inform further research to evaluate specific outcomes of the emergency nurse practitioner service.
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Acute abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms that emergency department physicians encounter during their practice. The difficult task of early diagnosis and management of abdominal pain becomes more complicated when it involves elderly patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of age based differences regarding the management of acute non-traumatic abdominal pain in the Emergency Department. ⋯ A thorough work-up is essential for all patients. The clinician should always be alerted, since elderly patients may require more tests and they should have a low threshold for hospital admission.