ED Management – April 1, 2020
April 1, 2020
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Frontline Providers Use Lessons Learned During 2014 Ebola Crisis to Manage COVID-19
Experts from the National Ebola Training and Education Center urge healthcare systems to adopt processes in line with “Identify, Isolate, and Inform,” a process for quickly identifying and managing cases of infectious disease in a way that minimizes the risk for subsequent transmissions.
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Work With Public Health Partners on Treatment, Care of Patients Diagnosed With COVID-19
The recommended care of a patient with COVID-19 is similar to what is required for other viral pneumonias, such as those associated with influenza or respiratory syncytial virus. Further, mild disease does not necessarily require hospitalization.
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Flu Season Charts an Unusual Course, Beginning With a Predominant B Victoria Strain
Frontline providers confronted an unusual influenza season, with flu activity spiking as early as December. B virus strains, which usually lead to worse outcomes in children, was predominant in the early part of the season. By mid-February, flu activity remained widespread throughout the United States.
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Be Vigilant Distinguishing Between EVALI and Flu-Associated Pneumonia
If dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak and peak flu season are not enough, frontline providers in the ED also need to remain on the lookout for cases of e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI). One big problem is that the symptoms of these illnesses can overlap, making it difficult to distinguish between flu-associated pneumonia and EVALI.
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Emergency Medicine Leaders Push for Pediatric Readiness Improvements in Prehospital Setting
Multiple professional organizations have released a policy statement that heralds the initial step in an ambitious effort aimed at promoting pediatric readiness in the prehospital environment. The move follows in the footsteps of the successful National Pediatric Readiness Project, which continues to push for improvements in the preparedness level of EDs across the country to care for children.