Articles: emergency-medicine.
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Pediatric emergency care · Aug 1999
Comparative StudyVariations in sedating uncooperative, stable children for post-traumatic head CT.
To characterize variations among pediatric emergency physicians and their hospital facilities regarding sedation of the uncooperative, stable child for head CT following closed head injury. ⋯ Sedation practices for post-traumatic pediatric head CT vary widely, among both physicians and individual practitioners. Institutional and individual sedation-relation policies vary widely as well. Variation and dissatisfaction with sedation practices may reflect uncertainty regarding optimal sedation strategies. Further cost-effectiveness research is necessary.
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Because of stress and illness, conscious emergency medicine (EM) patients may be temporarily cognitively impaired and thus incapable of participating in the informed consent process for acute care research. This pilot study sought to assess the mental capacity of ED patients during their evaluation and treatment for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). ⋯ This pilot study suggests that some patients with AMI may have difficulty processing information necessary to give informed consent for acute care research. Routine clinical evaluation may not detect this cognitive defect.
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Editorial Comment Review
Can acutely ill patients consent to research? Resolving an ethical dilemma with facts.
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Despite the evolution, expansion and popularity of emergency medicine as a medical specialty in the United Kingdom (UK), emergency departments are still primarily staffed by senior house officers (second and third year graduates), particularly at weekends and at night. ⋯ The present study discusses possible reasons for this and offers constructive solutions to the problem. Although the matters discussed in this study refer to UK medical practice, they may be of relevance and interest to Australasian practitioners. Is EMST in Australasia training the appropriate group of doctors?