Articles: emergency-department.
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Because overall EMS system response depends on ambulance availability, we conducted a prospective study of the EMS turnaround interval. This interval represents the time elapsed from ambulance arrival at the hospital until the ambulance reports back in service. ⋯ In this system, ambulance call report documentation required the greatest subinterval of turnaround interval. The turnaround interval and its subintervals varied widely, and radio contact times correlated poorly with observed times at the ED. Attempts at improvement of overall system response through active management of the turnaround interval may be frustrated by reliance on radio-reported availability. [Cone DC, Davidson SJ, Nguyen Q: A time-motion study of the emergency medical services turnaround interval. Ann Emerg Med February 1998;31:241-246.].
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The emergency department of the future will require the effective integration of information technologies into clinical care. This article proposes strategies for improving information management in emergency medicine to facilitate patient care, public health surveillance, clinical research, medical education, and health care management. [Cordell WH, Overhage JM, Waeckerle JF, for the Information Management Work Group: Strategies for improving information management in emergency medicine to meet clinical, research, and administrative needs. Ann Emerg Med February 1998;31:172-178.].
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[Committee on Pediatric Equipment and Supplies for Emergency Departments, National Emergency Medical Services for Children Resource Alliance: Guidelines for pediatric equipment and supplies for emergency departments. Ann Emerg Med January 1998;31: 54-57.].