Articles: emergency-medicine.
-
Emergency Medical Services are an area of special interest in emergency medicine. Many emergency physicians are called upon to direct, train, or manage emergency medical services. Residents training in emergency medicine have a need for a defined curriculum in emergency medical services. ⋯ The resident must gain experience through on-scene observation, EMT/Paramedic education, medical direction, and quality assurance activities. This paper is one in a continuing series of goals and objectives to direct resident training in off-service rotations. Specific resources, learning objectives, and experiences are suggested.
-
Alcoholic ketoacidosis is characterized by a metabolic acidosis with an elevated anion gap. It generally is seen in the chronic alcoholic patient who has recently gone on a "binge" that was terminated because of complaints such as nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain. ⋯ Treatment includes volume repletion and glucose administration. Morbidity and mortality usually result from intercurrent illness.
-
Acute alcohol intoxication is a commonly encountered clinical presentation in Emergency Medicine. Its role should be considered in many Emergency Department presentations, specifically in major and minor trauma, and in gastrointestinal, metabolic, neurologic, and psychiatric disorders. ⋯ Management of intoxicated patients is generally supportive although complications of chronic alcoholism should be considered. Management should consist of correction of complications resultant from intoxication, as well as observation and the provision of a safe environment for the patient during the recovery phase of acute intoxication.