Articles: emergency-medicine.
-
Entrapped rings can be dangerous, leading to increased pressure and damage to soft tissue, nerves, and vasculature. In order to properly care for these injuries, it is important for emergency medicine clinicians to be aware of the different approaches to remove entrapped rings. ⋯ Emergency medicine clinicians need to be familiar with several different approaches to ring removal. This article summarizes the key techniques, variations on these techniques, advantages, and disadvantages for each approach.
-
Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) is expanding as a diagnostic tool in pediatric emergency medicine. Pediatricians are apprehensive to take on the risk of malpractice from incorrect interpretation of PoCUS imaging, therefore limiting its use. Although current studies provide reassurance to this concern, none look directly at the risk for pediatric emergency medicine physicians. Our study aims to evaluate the current medicolegal risk landscape posed by PoCUS in pediatric emergency medicine. ⋯ PoCUS does not appear to pose a significant risk of malpractice litigation in pediatric emergency medicine.
-
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a substantial number of emergency health care workers (HCWs) have screened positive for anxiety, depression, risk of posttraumatic stress disorder, and burnout. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the impact of COVID-19 on emergency care providers' health and well-being using personal perspectives. We conducted in-depth interviews with emergency physicians, emergency medicine nurses, and emergency medical services providers at 10 collaborating sites across the United States between September 21, 2020, and October 26, 2020. ⋯ Future preparedness efforts should include mechanisms to support frontline HCWs when faced with ethical challenges in addition to an adverse working environment caused by a pandemic such as COVID-19.
-
Observational Study
Prevalence and Categorization of Drug-Related Problems in the Emergency Department.
Drug-related problems (DRPs) are common among patients seen in the emergency department (ED), but the true incidence is not clear. ⋯ A substantial proportion of ED visits are associated in part or in total with DRPs. Adverse drug reactions and cardiovascular medications are the most common category and medication class implicated, respectively.
-
The intersection of emergency medicine (EM) and palliative care (PC) has been recognized as an essential area of focus, with evidence suggesting that increased integration improves outcomes. This has resulted in increased research in EM PC. No current framework exists to help guide investigation and innovation. ⋯ There are several key domains and associated questions that can help guide future research in ED PC. Focus on these areas, and answering these questions, offers the potential to improve the emergency care of patients with PC needs.