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Health Disparities in the Emergency Department

Overall health is a result of the interactions between a complex set of social, economic, cultural, educational, and healthcare-related variables. To properly care for a wide range of patients, emergency department clinicians must understand how these variables affect our individual patients, our practices, and the communities we serve.

Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections

Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) produce an intensive inflammatory state that can injure and necrose the skin and subcutaneous tissues.

Spinal Cord Compression: Evaluation and Management

Acute compression of the spinal cord can occur through several different mechanisms. Regardless of the cause of spinal cord compression, rapid diagnosis and treatment are crucial.

Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Emergency Department

Autism spectrum disorder is a very individual diagnosis with individual needs, which generally can be best described by the patients themselves or an advocate who has presented with the patient. Patience, accommodation, and flexibility are key skills to the clinical care of patients with autism spectrum disorder.

Measles and Mumps: A Possible Post-Pandemic Surge?

Measles and mumps virus outbreaks have become increasingly common in the United States between 2000 and 2019. While reported cases declined in 2020 and have remained low so far in 2021, reduced vaccination rates provide concern for post-COVID-19 pandemic outbreaks of both infections.

Issues Relevant to Treating Patients with Anxiety Disorders in the Emergency Department

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health problem worldwide. As practicing emergency physicians know, anxiety is common in emergency department patients.

Stimulant-Based Drugs of Abuse in the Trauma Patient

Substance abuse is a major healthcare issue with effects on all aspects of patient care, including trauma. A large percentage of trauma patients have a positive drug screen, and acute and chronic abuse have impacts both on the acute and long-term management of these patients. This report is the first of a two-part series and focuses on stimulants and substances with sympathomimetic properties, with particular attention to the impact on the trauma patient.

Update on Adult Vaccinations in the ED with a Focus on SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19

Emergency departments have a unique role in public health. They care for a disproportionate number of patients who lack access to care in other venues. Emergency departments also can play a role in decreasing vaccine hesitancy, providing information to patients on the vaccine, answering their questions, and correcting misinformation when it is present.

Management of Pediatric Shock

Pediatric shock carries a high morbidity and mortality, making early recognition key. Recently, pediatric critical care and resuscitation has been the focus of emergency department care improvement.

Nonpenetrating Ocular Trauma Part I: Severe Vision Threats

This article will focus on nonpenetrating eye injuries that are severe threats to vision.