ED Management – July 1, 2018
July 1, 2018
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The Case for Educating At-risk Patients About Firearms Violence
Investigators from the Violence Prevention Research Program at the University of California, Davis have unveiled a new resource for clinicians to guide them in their discussions with patients about firearms violence. Called the “What You Can Do” initiative, developers are encouraging frontline clinicians to familiarize themselves with the risk factors for gun violence, provide counseling to appropriate patients on safe firearms practices, and to intervene when there is an imminent threat of harm.
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Emergency Clinicians Steer Patients With Substance Use Problems Into Effective Treatment
To address an increasing volume of ED patients with substance use issues, leaders at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore decided to integrate peer recovery coaches into the emergency medicine team. The peer recovery coaches are people in long-term recovery from their own addictions who have received training on how to counsel other addicts toward positive change and facilitate their transition into appropriate treatment programs. The approach has been in effect for two years, and administrators say it is affecting patients and emergency staff positively.
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Center Addresses Needs of Acutely Intoxicated Patients, Links Them to Treatment
Soon, EDs in Baltimore may feel some relief from the crushing volume of patients with substance use problems, thanks to the creation of a new type of facility designed for patients who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol and need a place where they can safely recover while receiving short-term medical care.