Articles: emergency-department.
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This study aimed to determine whether modified shock index (MSI) is associated with mortality that is superior to heart rate, blood pressure, or the shock index (SI) in emergency patients. ⋯ MSI is a clinically significant predictor of mortality in emergency patients. It may be better than using heart rate and blood pressure alone. SI is not significantly correlated with the mortality rate of the emergency patient.
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J Emerg Trauma Shock · Jan 2012
Feasibility and safety of ultrasound-guided nerve block for management of limb injuries by emergency care physicians.
Patients require procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) for the treatment of acute traumatic injuries. PSA has complications. Ultrasound (US) guided peripheral nerve block is a safe alternative. ⋯ Ultrasound-guided nerve blocks can be safely and effectively performed for upper and lower limb emergencies by emergency physicians with adequate training.
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It has been estimated that up to one third of all emergency department (ED) visits may be "inappropriate" or non-emergent. Factors that have been speculated to be associated with non-emergent use have been noted to include low socioeconomic status, lack of access to primary care, lack of insurance, convenience of "on demand care" and the patient's individual perception of their complaint urgency. The objective of this study is to identify the reasons contributing to self-perceived non-emergent adult emergency department visits during primary care physician office hours of operation. ⋯ Our study did not identify a statistically significant factor to the reasoning behind why patients choose the emergency department over a primary care physician during regular office hours. The only significant demographic indicating who was more likely to make this choice during the specified time frame was being single and employed with perceived non-emergent complaint. Patients without insurance and/or without a primary care physician were no more likely to visit the emergency department with a self-perceived non-emergent issue than patients with insurance and/or with an established primary care physician.
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⋯ Characteristics and capabilities of Singapore EDs varied and were largely dependent on whether they are in public or private hospitals. This initial inventory establishes a benchmark to further monitor the development of emergency care in Singapore.