Emergency Medicine - Adult and Pediatric
RSSArticles
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Substance Withdrawal
Drug withdrawal syndromes are a frequent and challenging presentation in emergency departments, with a spectrum ranging from mild discomfort to severe, life-threatening complications. Emergency physicians must recognize and appropriately manage these syndromes, often with limited information and under acute clinical urgency. Despite established guidelines, inconsistencies remain in recognizing when withdrawal syndromes require inpatient stabilization vs. outpatient management. This article reviews the four most encountered withdrawal syndromes — alcohol, opioids, sedatives, and antidepressants — focusing on practical, evidence-based strategies for evaluation, treatment, and disposition in the emergency department.
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Pediatric Facial Trauma
Pediatric facial trauma is common, and clinicians require an understanding not only of common injury patterns, but also of recommended diagnostic strategies and evidence-based management approaches.
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Acute Aortic Dissection
Acute aortic syndromes, such as dissection, ulcers, or intramural hematomas, are infrequent presentations with a high rate of mortality. While each has a described classic presentation, the absence of these findings is not reliable to adequately exclude the diagnosis and, thus, they provide a significant challenge to emergency clinicians.
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Update on Evaluation and Management of Chest Trauma
Early detection and prompt management of chest trauma is essential for the survival and optimal outcome for trauma patients. The authors provide the current status of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for the management of a patient who has sustained chest trauma.
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Obtaining Pediatric Vascular Access
Vascular access is a cornerstone of effective pediatric emergency care and essential for resuscitation of critically ill or injured children. This review provides a comprehensive overview of pediatric vascular access strategies in the emergency department, emphasizing evidence-based methods and practical techniques to improve success rates and minimize complications.
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Delivering Bad News in the Emergency Department
Clear, timely communication during critical events can significantly reduce long-term psychological distress in families, underscoring that how providers communicate in the emergency department can be as impactful as the medical care delivered.
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Opioid Use Disorder in the ED: A Case-Based Approach
The emergency department (ED) is a critical touchpoint for identifying, initiating, and linking patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) to ongoing care.
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Emerging Infectious Diseases
Emerging infectious diseases may be defined as infectious diseases that are either new to a specific population or that are rapidly increasing in both incidence and geographic range. As the front line for healthcare, emergency physicians should be aware of the potential threats developing around the globe, as well as the constant threat that emerging infectious diseases pose to public health. This article will detail seven of the most threatening emerging infectious diseases in terms of increasing spread, severity, and lethality.
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Managing Pediatric Diabetic Emergencies
Managing pediatric diabetic emergencies is challenging. Children, especially those younger than 2 years of age, may present with subtle symptoms. Diagnosis and management must be initiated intentionally and monitored carefully to optimize each child’s outcome. The authors provide an evidence-based approach to recognition, diagnosis, and management of diabetes in children.
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The Seasonal Surge: Influenza in the ED
Influenza outbreaks occur each year, with their nature and extent largely determined by the virus’s glycoprotein structure and antigenic properties. These outbreaks typically occur during the winter months and can confer high morbidity to the general patient population. Increased mortality rates are seen in children younger than 5 years of age, older adults, and those with chronic comorbid medical conditions.