Articles: emergency-services.
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Fear of enacted stigma (fear of discrimination or being treated unfairly) is associated with decreased health care-seeking behaviors among patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). We sought to describe the prevalence of fear of enacted stigma among patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with OUD and to test whether experiencing greater compassion from ED staff is associated with lower fear of enacted stigma. ⋯ Among ED patients with OUD, fear of enacted stigma is common. Patient experience of compassion from ED staff is associated with lower fear of enacted stigma. Future research is warranted to test if interventions aimed at increasing compassion from ED staff reduce patient fear of enacted stigma among patients with OUD.
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According to the guidelines of the American Heart Association and American College of Emergency Physicians, respectively, there is no indication for immediate lowering of asymptomatic hypertension in the Emergency Department (ED), and no requirement for routine diagnostic testing in these patients. Despite this, asymptomatic hypertension represents a recurring source of referrals for ED evaluation from other healthcare settings, or from patient self-referral, with significant practice variation in the evaluation and treatment of this complaint. ⋯ Our findings redemonstrate that patients presenting to the ED with asymptomatic hypertension are at low risk for short-term complications of hypertension, and that diagnostic testing is low yield in this population. While we were able to achieve reductions in unnecessary testing, further work is needed to educate clinicians and improve adherence to evidence based principles when caring for these patients.
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Traffic accidents are significant causes of death and serious injury in children. Children's clinical findings are more subtle and there is a risk of faster deterioration. On the other hand, radiation sensitivity due to imaging is also high. These challenging factors highlight the importance of approaching pediatric trauma cases. In our study, we aimed to contribute to current approaches by examining the clinical course and profiles of children involved in traffic accidents. This study aimed to analyze the profiles and clinical courses of children involved in road traffic accidents. ⋯ In-vehicle accidents were the most frequent type of accident, and children under 4 years old had a higher incidence of in-car accidents than other age groups. Males made up 60 % of the cases, with boys having higher rates of motorcycle and extra-vehicular accidents compared to girls. While most children had no injuries from the accidents, those who did generally recovered well with outpatient monitoring. On the other hand, 89 % of patients underwent imaging at a high rate.
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2024
Ocular trauma in badminton: A 5-year review of badminton-related eye injury emergency department presentations.
To examine the nature and severity of badminton-related ocular injuries in Melbourne, Australia. ⋯ Hyphaema, commotio retinae and traumatic uveitis were the most commonly diagnosed injuries. The majority of patients with badminton-related eye injuries required medical treatment, and some necessitated surgical intervention. To mitigate these risks, there is a pressing need to develop an eye safety policy for Australian badminton players, and players should exercise caution when wearing spectacles during play to prevent potential penetrating eye injuries.
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Increasing the equitable distribution of take home naloxone (THN) may result in reduced deaths from opioid overdose (OD). ⋯ Demographic characteristics did not differ between those who accept versus refuse THN. Patients already receiving MOUD were more likely to refuse THN while those starting MOUD in the ED were less likely to refuse THN. Further studies are needed to determine the root causes of patients' declination of THN and develop targeted interventions to address these causes.