Emergency Medicine - Adult and Pediatric
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Expanded tPA Criteria Means Many More Potential Plaintiffs
Did a stroke patient experience a bad outcome in the ED? If tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) wasn’t administered in the ED, without a good reason documented in the chart, a malpractice lawsuit is likely.
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Informed Consent: Beyond Signing a Form
The informed discussion is critical to the informed consent process and meeting the applicable standard of care for obtaining informed consent. Thus, the content of that discussion is more important than a signature on a form, which frequently doesn’t include enough details about the information shared with the patient. The concept of shared decision-making adds complexity to the idea of informed consent.
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Evaluation of Bradycardia in the Emergency Department
In this article, the normal anatomy and pathophysiology of bradydysrhythmias in adults will be reviewed, followed by the latest recommendations in evaluation and management.
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The Great Mimicker: Thyroid Emergencies
Thyroid disease is relatively common, but most often is a benign disease with little clinical significance in the emergency setting. However, even a small insult can disrupt this system and throw the regulation out of control, resulting in the secretion of too much or too little thyroid hormone. Both of these situations can result in the thyroid emergencies thyroid storm and myxedema coma.
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Emergency Management of Rabies Exposure
Rabies is an uncommon disease with a very high fatality rate. Recognition of a potential exposure and effective prophylaxis are critical in prevention of this devastating disease. The authors review recognition of suspicious bites/exposures, clinical presentation of rabies, and utilization of effective prevention strategies.
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Hospital-run Urgent Care Center Is Subject to EMTALA
ED staff need training to ensure compliance.
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ED Care Difficult to Defend if Patient Died Shortly After Discharge
Such cases are ‘every emergency physician’s greatest fear.’
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Don’t Blindside Consultants Legally: Be Up-front About Charting Practices
Prevent adversarial relationship during litigation.
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Med/Mal Suit Possible if EP’s Name Appears in Adverse Event Report
Federal investigators demand ‘anything and everything.’
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Hospitals Increasingly Held Liable for EPs’ Negligence
Plaintiffs might view an EP as another ‘deep pocket.’