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Whether a bite or sting results in an anaphylactic reaction, impressive
local effects, or a life-threatening systemic reaction, the emergency
physician must be able to institute appropriate and effective
treatment. Emergency physicians also must be able to recognize clinical
envenomation patterns, since some critically ill patients may not be
able to convey the details of the attack. Since all areas of the
country are represented in the envenomation statistics, all emergency
physicians should be familiar with identification and stabilization of
envenomated patients and know what resources are available locally for
further management of these often complicated patients.
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Newbornsinfants younger than 28 days of ageare particularly challenging to emergency medicine physicians. The most important tool for recognizing a newborn with a problem or potential problem is a strong foundation of knowledge about normal infant rashes, feeding patterns, and expected variations. The authors review common newborn problems with an emphasis on normal variations and deviations that require a more thorough evaluation.
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Emergency department physicians must be vigilant to accurately assess,
rapidly stabilize, and appropriately transport a severely injured
patient to the level of trauma care the patient requires. Instead of
viewing missed injuries as occurrences that result from inexperience or
incompetence, strategies to minimize the occurrence of missed injuries
and the resulting consequences are needed. All aspects of a trauma
system must work together to improve patient care.
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Emergency department physicians must be vigilant to accurately assess, rapidly stabilize, and appropriately transport a severely injured patient to the level of trauma care the patient requires. Instead of viewing missed injuries as occurrences that result from inexperience or incompetence, strategies to minimize the occurrence of missed injuries and the resulting consequences are needed. All aspects of a trauma system must work together to improve patient care.
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"EMTALA: The Essential Guide to Compliance" from Thomson American Health Consultants, publisher of Trauma Reports, explains how the changes to EMTALA will affect emergency departments and off-campus clinics.
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The recognition of non-accidental injury is critical for a pediatric
trauma patient. In the year 2000, almost 3 million reports of child
abuse were made to social service agencies. Forty-four percent of the
fatalities were children younger than 1 year of age. Not only are these
statistics alarming, but they point out the need for emergency
department and trauma physicians and nurses to recognize non-accidental
injury and aggressively protect the children who seek our medical
expertise and protection.
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