ED Nursing Archives – January 1, 2007
January 1, 2007
View Issues
Many children at high risk for septic shock: Follow these steps
If an infant or toddler presented with symptoms of an ear infection or the flu, would you ask about chronic medical conditions? This information is important, since immunocompromised children are at high risk for sepsis, says Rebecca Steinmann, RN, MS, CEN, CCRN, CCNS, clinical educator for the ED at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago.Study says order sets benefit septic patients
Using a standardized order set for ED patients in septic shock is linked with more rigorous fluid resuscitation, more appropriate initial antibiotic treatment, and a lower 28-day mortality, says a new study.Patients in severe pain may have normal vital signs
Patients in severe pain often have normal heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate, according to a new study. Researchers compared self-reported triage pain scores and vital signs for 1,063 adult ED patients with painful conditions such as dislocations, corneal abrasions, fractures, burns, stab wounds, and small bowel obstructions.Study: Older ED patients at risk with certain drugs
Many medications are inappropriate for elderly patients because of the risk of adverse drug events (ADEs), but these drugs are given commonly in the ED, says a new study.Don't confuse look-alike, sound-alike drugs in ED
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has updated its list of look-alike/sound-alike drugs for the first time in several years. This action is significant because to comply with National Patient Safety Goal 3C, you must identify and annually review a list of look-alike/sound-alike drugs used and take action to prevent errors involving the interchange of these drugs.Over half of skin infections in EDs are drug-resistant
If you are seeing increased numbers of patients with skin infections resistant to antibiotics in your ED, know that this jump reflects a nationwide trend.New recommendations for tobacco control in the ED
A joint task force of emergency medicine organizations, including the Emergency Nurses Association, has issued new recommendations for tobacco control interventions in the ED, with nurses playing a key role.