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Emergency department (ED) physicians frequently are required to assess and stabilize multiple trauma patients. Following the initial stabilization of the patient's airway and circulatory status, secondary potential life-threatening injuries should be identified and addressed.
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Multiple influenza pandemics throughout the years have prompted intense research into the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of influenza virus infection. The first documented pandemic occurred in 1580 in Asia and caused widespread disease. There were several remarkable pandemics during the 20th century.
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Elder abuse and neglect has been recognized as a growing problem in the United States. All 50 states have reporting requirements for elder abuse and neglect.
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Despite modern diagnostic aids, traumatic injuries continue to be missed in the ED.
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Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are commonly encountered in the emergency department (ED), and are an important consideration in the evaluation and management of every patient.
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Offering routine HIV testing to ED patients is something that probably sounds good to an ED manager with a strong sense of his or her public health mission. It also is, however, something more easily thought than done.
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In recognition of some of the challenges noted by ED managers regarding HIV testing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is modifying its guidelines for HIV screening and testing in medical facilities. The new guidelines, which are out for comment, would make HIV testing a standard part of medical care in all health care settings, including the ED. They include the following:
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St. John's Mercy Medical Center in Chesterfield, MO, has found a high-tech solution to the challenge of balancing the need for security of patient records with easy access for physicians and staff.
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A new policy in King County, WA, means that hospitals in the area, which includes Seattle, will no longer go on diversion.
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How far is your ED from the intensive care unit (ICU)? How far is it from radiology? What about surgery? At the new St. Joseph's Hospital in West Bend, WI, they are all a few steps away, and this was literally by design.
