ED Nursing Archives – March 1, 2003
March 1, 2003
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Don’t miss strokes: Be on the lookout for atypical symptoms and patients
While working at her office job, a 27-year-old woman suddenly felt weakness in her left arm and leg, and she experienced facial droop. Alarmed, her co-workers rushed her to the ED. Upon arrival, she was alert, but her speech was slurred. -
Take these steps if you suspect stroke
When paramedics brought a 43-year-old woman to the ED at Norwalk (CT) Hospital, she was awake and able to follow commands, but presented with right-sided weakness, confusion, and slurred speech. The patient was identified as a potential stroke victim, and the hospitals stroke team was called. -
Are you using this new cardiac diagnostic test?
A 39-year-old man. Chest pain atypical for angina or myocardial infarction (MI). A completely normal electrocardiogram (ECG). When he arrived at the ED at Boston-based Tufts-New England Medical Center, this patient appeared to be at very low risk for an acute coronary syndrome diagnosis. -
Make these changes or risk violating HIPAA
If you dont comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy regulations, you may face civil penalties of up to $25,000 for each requirement violated, and criminal penalties of up to $50,000 and one year in prison for obtaining or disclosing protected health information. -
Don’t risk missing domestic violence victims
Do you want to be sure your EDs domestic violence program is effective? According to current statistics, 2%-4% of all female ED patients present with acute trauma associated with domestic violence, while 10%-12% have a recent history of domestic violence. -
Cost-saving tip: You can save up to $100,000 on supplies
Are you looking for ways to save money on supplies? Paula Hafeman, RN, MSN, director of the cancer and emergency center at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, WI, has effective strategies to share. Here are several that her ED recently adopted. -
Avoid interruptions with wireless pagers
Are you tired of constantly being interrupted while performing tasks? Jerry Keyes, RN, director of emergency services at Florida Hospital Celebration Health has a good solution for you. ED staff at his facility use a wireless pager system to schedule incoming messages and reminders. -
News Brief: Do you know about new hand hygiene guidelines?
Are you complying with new hand hygiene guidelines from the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)? The guidelines recommend using alcohol-based hand rubs along with soap and water and sterile gloves.1 Here are key recommendations. -
Journal Reviews: Diagnostic and prognostic implications in patients with acute coronary syndromes.
The new definition of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) results in a significant increase in diagnosis of this condition, says this study from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.