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Influenza takes an enormous toll on humanity with respect to mortality, hospitalization, and medically attended illness. Despite the licensure of antiviral medications, immunization is the best control measure of influenza. Because patients eligible for influenza vaccine frequent EDs, health care providers working in this arena should offer the vaccine or appropriately recommend and refer patients following current guidelines to sites where the vaccine is obtainable.
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Its a frightening combination: A severe vaccine shortage, more than 80 million Americans at high risk for flu complications, and a nationwide ED overcrowding crisis. These three factors mean that emergency nurses could be faced with the prospect of the perfect storm a surge of critically ill flu patients and no resources to care for them, warns Arthur Kellermann, MD, chairman of the department of emergency medicine at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta.
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When caring for patients with respiratory symptoms, do you always require them to put on surgical masks and perform hand hygiene? It is vital to require patients to practice respiratory etiquette and for staff to use droplet precautions, urges Maryann Gierloff, RN, MSN, CIC, infection control facilitator at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, IL.
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After suddenly becoming short of breath, a 28-year-old woman in Tuscon, AZ, called 911 and was taken to Carondelet St. Marys Hospitals ED in severe respiratory distress with blood pressure of 250/140. After B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) testing was done, it was determined the patient was in congestive heart failure (CHF) and nesiritide was given.
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While assessing a patient, your gut feeling may be that he or she has an alcohol problem. But do you lack the resources to appropriately screen these patients and intervene as needed?
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O'Mathuna DP. Low-carbohydrate diets and weight loss. Altern Med Alert 2004;7(12):133-136.
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Marcolina S. Cholesterol- and glucose-lowering effects of fenugreek. Altern Med Alert 2004;7(12):136-139.
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Kiefer D. Got calcium? Practical clinical pearls. Altern Med Alert 2004;7(12):140-143.
