ED Management 2003-09-01

SARS vs. flu: Can you tell serious disease from common malady?

Like half the patients youve seen today, this one is coughing, fatigued, and has a moderately high fever. Youre busy and dont have much time for what seems like just another case of the flu, so you start to rattle off the standard regimen for flu care.

Keep SARS on your radar — just like other critical issues

Rapid influenza tests could help you differentiate between the common flu and a case of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), but their usefulness is limited.

Here’s the CDC’s latest SARS case definition

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its case definition of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) so that it is different from what EDs used in the last influenza season.

Use extreme caution with local news crews

In this second part of a two-part series, we explore how the Health Insurance Portabil-ity and Accountability Act (HIPAA) may complicate the issue of cameras in the ED and why a local news crew requires the most vigilance. Last month, ED Management looked at the need for exercising tight control over camera crews in your ED.

HIPAA may require tougher rules on videotaping in ED

The same arrangements that have worked well for allowing videotaping in the ED might have to be significantly modified in light of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Camera helps triage nurse monitor available beds

For less than $500, your triage nurse can keep track of what beds are available on a real-time basis, without depending on other staff for updates. You might even be able to do it for free.

EMTALA Q & A

Editors note: This column is part of an ongoing series that addresses reader questions about the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).

Peds patients are more vulnerable in terror attack

In all your preparations for disasters and terrorist incidents, you may need to pay special attention to the youngest victims. Children are more vulnerable than adults in the event of a chemical spill or chemical weapons attack, says Lloyd Brown, MD, associate director of the Pediatrics Residency Training Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Report: Too little spent on emergency preparedness

Two years after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the United States is drastically underfunding local emergency responders and remains dangerously unprepared to handle a catastrophic attack on American soil.

ED Management – September 1, 2003

September 1, 2003