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In your ED, the color-coded Broselow Pediatric Emergency Tape, a length-based measuring tape that accurately estimates a childs weight, is probably a familiar sight. But are you using the tape correctly?
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Are you worried that your patient care is in conflict with requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)? If so, youre not alone.
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A 90-year-old woman complains of leg pain and swelling, with a history of hormone replacement therapy use, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and recent eye surgery.
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Here are the steps taken when a patient with suspected deep venous thrombosis (DVT) presents at Seattle-based Harborview Medical Centers ED, according to Cynthia Natiello, RNC BSN, CCRC, the facilitys vascular research nurse:
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If your facility isnt a Level 1 Trauma Center, you probably dont care for trauma patients with multiple injuries on a daily basis.
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If youre not in full compliance with the National Safety Patient Goals for 2004 from the Oakbrook Terrace, IL-based Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, you have a lot to worry about.
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(Editor's note: This is a two-part series on prevention of hospital-acquired infections in the ED. This month's issue provides information on avoiding infections when invasive procedures are performed, reducing the risk of infection with peripheral IV insertion, using alternatives to invasive procedures, giving central line education to ED nurses, and decreasing the use of central lines and urinary catheters. Next month, we'll cover how to determine if your patient has arrived at the ED with an infection, tips for cleaning the equipment you use, and strategies to improve compliance with hand hygiene.)
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ED nurses gave 2 mg of intravenous (IV) hydromorphone to a 40-year-old man with severe throat pain. After two additional doses were given in an inpatient unit, the man suffered respiratory arrest. He was resuscitated, but sustained permanent central nervous system impairment and died.
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Congestive heart failure (CHF) patients often wait too long to seek medical treatment and arrive in the ED in an acutely exacerbated state, says Eileen Swailes, RN, nurse manager of the ED overflow unit at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, NY.
