Articles: emergency-services.
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We implemented a virtual observation unit in which emergency department (ED) patients receive observation-level care at home. Our primary aim was to compare this new care model to in-person observation care in terms of brick-and-mortar ED length of stay (inclusive of ED observation unit time) as well as secondarily on inpatient admission and 72-hour return visits (overall and with admission). ⋯ Virtual observation unit patients used fewer hours in ED and ED observation relative to on-site observation patients. This new care delivery model warrants further study because it has the potential to positively impact ED capacity.
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Case Reports
Ultrasound-guided erector spinae nerve block for relief of endometriosis pain in the emergency department.
Endometriosis is a debilitating chronic condition often accompanied by severe pelvic pain and infertility issues. When outpatient medical management is not adequate, controlling pain can be challenging for providers in the acute setting. We report the case of a 23-year-old female with a past medical history of endometriosis who presented to a freestanding emergency department with a chief complaint of 10/10 pelvic pain on a numeric rating scale. ⋯ Utilizing nerve blocks for endometriosis and other chronic pelvic pain in the acute care setting can serve as an effective alternative to opioids. In patients with multiple medication intolerances and for providers navigating pain control in the setting of a nationwide opioid crisis, ESPB blocks can help alleviate acute pain or exacerbations of chronic pain. This case demonstrates the first known use of an ESPB to relieve endometriosis pain in the emergency department.
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Pediatric emergency care · Sep 2024
Emergency Department Sepsis Triage Scoring Tool Elements Associated With Hypotension Within 24 Hours in Children With Fever and Tachycardia.
Pediatric sepsis screening is becoming the standard of care for children presenting to the emergency department (ED) and has been shown to improve recognition of severe sepsis, but it is unknown if these screening tools can predict progression of disease. The objective of this study was to determine if any elements of a sepsis triage trigger tool were predictive of progression to hypotensive shock in children presenting to the ED with fever and tachycardia. ⋯ Among children who present to a pediatric ED with fever and tachycardia, those with prolonged capillary refill at triage or severe cerebral palsy were more likely to progress to decompensated septic shock, despite routine ED care.
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Pediatric emergency care · Sep 2024
Adverse Events in Patients Aged 90 Days or Younger Receiving Ketamine in the Emergency Department.
The aim of this study was to identify the incidence of adverse events of ketamine administration in the pediatric emergency department in patients aged 90 days or younger in order to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of administration in this patient population. ⋯ In this study, 1 patient suffered an adverse event due to laryngospasm during intubation. In the pediatric population, the incidence of adverse events of ketamine administration has been found to be variable in the current literature, ranging from 0.71% to 7.26%. In our study, an adverse event occurred in 1 out of 14 administrations (7.1%). The incidence of adverse events associated with ketamine administration in our patients aged 90 days or less appeared to be similar to that reported in the general pediatric population.