Articles: emergency-department.
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Emergency radiology · Jul 2002
Reappraisal of use of X-rays in childhood ankle and midfoot injuries.
To determine whether the Ottawa ankle rules (OAR) can be applied in children and what the potential reduction in the use of X-ray studies might be. ⋯ The Ottawa ankle rules are very sensitive and can be applied in children, resulting in a reduction in the use of X-rays studies.
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Emergency radiology · Jul 2002
Utilization of CT-PA in an emergency department with readily available V/Q scintigraphy.
To describe the role of computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CT-PA) in the emergency department of an institution which utilizes ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy as its primary imaging modality for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. ⋯ V/Q scintigraphy is the primary imaging modality for suspected pulmonary embolism in our emergency department. However, when utilized, CT-PA played an important role in patient management by confirming or excluding pulmonary embolism or providing an alternative diagnosis in the majority of patients suspected of having pulmonary embolism.
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Reducing the number of unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions given for common respiratory infections has been recommended as a way to limit bacterial resistance. This study assessed the validity of a clinical sore throat score in 2 community emergency departments (EDs) and its impact on antibiotic prescribing. We also attempted to improve on this approach by using a rapid streptococcal antigen test. ⋯ An explicit clinical score approach to the management of GAS pharyngitis is valid in a community ED setting and could improve the pattern of antibiotic prescribing. While the addition of a rapid streptococcal antigen test significantly decreased the sensitivity of detecting GAS infections, a combined approach consisting of the clinical score and throat culture for patients with negative results on the rapid test would decrease antibiotic prescribing and telephone follow-up without decreasing the sensitivity of detecting GAS infection.