Articles: emergency-medicine.
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Emerg Med Australas · Apr 2023
Prolonged length of stay is associated with reduced hand hygiene compliance in the emergency department: A single centre retrospective study.
To examine whether patient flow factors in the ED such as prolonged length of stay are associated with hand hygiene (HH) compliance. ⋯ The findings show that prolonged ED length of stay may explain, at least partly, lower rates of HH compliance. Improvements in ED HH compliance should also include strategies that enhance patient flow.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Apr 2023
ReviewEARLY TEACHING AND ADOPTION OF VIDEOLARYNGOSCOPY IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE TRAINING.
The aim of this paper is to gather and evaluate available literature about using videolaryngoscopy as a training tool for novice learners and compare it to direct laryngoscopy. Search of the available literature was performed using the MEDLINE database, through the PubMed searching tool. The inclusion criteria were that papers had to be original research and participants had to be novices in the field of airway management. ⋯ Five studies were identified that fitted the inclusion criteria, all of which showed a statistically significant difference in first attempt success at endotracheal intubation in favor of videolaryngoscopy when compared to direct laryngoscopy. One of the studies also demonstrated a faster skill acquisition rate when using videolaryngoscopy. The use of videolaryngoscopy in teaching airway management to trainees (emergency medicine residents included) is a viable option and should be encouraged and researched further.
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While narrow complex tachycardia (NCT) is a common presentation to the emergency department (ED), little is known about its incidence in the ED or about emergency physician expertise in its diagnosis and management. We sought to compare cases of NCT due to primary arrhythmias to those with a rapid heart rate secondary to a medical issue, as well as to determine the accuracy of ED physician diagnosis and appropriateness of treatment. ⋯ NCT was found in 0.8% of all ED visits, with more being primary NCT. ED physicians correctly interpreted 86.6% of ECGs but had difficulty differentiating atrial flutter and SVT. They implemented appropriate care in most cases but sometimes failed to adequately control heart rate or to treat the underlying condition, suggesting opportunities to improve care of NCT in the ED.
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Appropriate triage is an important component of patient management in emergency departments. The risk scoring system used for triage purposes in emergency departments should be obtained quickly and based on parameters directly related to prognosis. ⋯ In this study, it was concluded that the REMS score was superior to the MPM II0 and RAPS scores in predicting the short-term and long-term mortality status of patients and determining the discharge and hospitalization status of the patients.
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Substance use-related morbidity and mortality rates are at an all-time high in the United States, yet there remains significant stigma and discrimination in emergency medicine about patients with this condition. ⋯ The findings showed that Black patients with substance use disorder are waiting 35% longer, on average, than White patients with the same condition. This is concerning, given that emergency medicine is a critical frontline of care, and often the only source of care, for these patients. Furthermore, longer wait times can increase the likelihood of leaving the ED without being seen. Programs and policies should address potential stigma and discrimination among providers, and EDs should consider adding people with lived experiences to the staff to serve as peer recovery specialists and bridge the gap for care.