Credentialing requirements for specific numbers of procedures performed may be suitable for most hospital units, but these may be difficult or impossible to meet in the ED.
If an ED physician refuses to examine and treat a patient suspected of "drug seeking," this is an automatic violation of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).
There is no area of Emergency Medicine that incorporates as many associated unique legal issues as that of psychiatric emergencies.
Emergency physicians deal with anticoagulation on a daily basis. We have all dealt with the bleeding patient on anticoagulants.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a treatable condition when recognized prior to devastating consequences. Early on, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning may be subtle and elusive, with vague, nonspecific symptoms that may be inappropriately contributed to other conditions.
The evaluation of the ill traveler must include a detailed travel history in addition to the traditional past medical, surgical, and family history. It is paramount to include the extent of travel preparation and review immunizations and compliance with prophylactic medications.
