ED Nursing Archives – August 1, 2009
August 1, 2009
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Don't let these terrible outcomes with IV pain meds happen on your watch
A patient involved in a motor vehicle accident suffers irreversible brain damage not from his injuries, but from an overdose of pain medication. -
Were ED antibiotics delayed? You're liable
A nursing home patient comes to an ED at 1 p.m. with clear signs and symptoms of sepsis. Antibiotics are ordered immediately, but they aren't given for eight hours. Here's what went wrong: -
Many eligible young women aren't offered EC in the ED
Many eligible adolescents are not offered emergency contraception in the ED, in part because of misinformation about how the medication works, according to a new study. -
Suspect stroke if patient has altered mental status
While being assessed for a possible stroke by the ED physician, a woman clearly and promptly told him the month, year, and where she was. However, her daughter confided to ED nurses that her mother couldn't remember having lunch together the day before. -
Simple follow-up calls prevent poor outcomes
As patient volume in the ED at Stanford (CA) Hospital & Clinics increased, charge nurses had less time to follow up with discharged patients. -
Kidney stones are possible even in very young children
You might not expect to see kidney stones in an 8-year-old, but Stephanie Sallee, RN, CPEN, an ED nurse at St. Louis Children's Hospital says to "never say never." -
ACEP has resource to prepare for H1N1
Are you taking steps to prepare for a surge in H1N1 flu cases that might arrive as early as September? Use a free new resource, a National Strategic Plan for Emergency Department Management of Outbreaks of Novel H1N1 Influenza, developed by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, and the Emergency Care Coordination Center.