Emergency
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Evaluation of Syncope in the Pediatric Emergency Department
Syncope is a frightening event for a child’s family. Fortunately, the majority of etiologies are benign. However, there are rare, potentially life-threatening causes of cardiac diseases that cannot be missed. The authors review and present a balanced approach to a child with syncope.
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Recognizing, Managing, and Reporting Pediatric Sexual Abuse and Assault
Child sexual abuse is a common concern for patients presenting to the emergency department. The approach depends not only on the age and development of the child, but also the allegations, time since the contact occurred, and the child's symptoms. It is imperative that all clinicians are familiar with the optimal approach and evaluation of a child with alleged sexual abuse.
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Hypothermia and Frostbite
Hypothermia is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention and correction. For patients with environmental exposures, especially freezing ambient temperatures, cold water, snow, and ice, frostbite injuries are of significant concern.
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Managing Pott’s Puffy Tumor and Sinogenic or Otogenic Intracranial Empyema
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of sinogenic and otogenic intracranial empyemas increased. The author reviews the presentation, imaging, and treatment for this potentially life-threatening infection, with a reminder to keep this on your differential when evaluating your youngest patients.
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Identifying and Managing Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is an infectious disease that may be rapidly fatal if not rapidly recognized based on clinical findings and early institution of appropriate antibiotic therapy. The epidemiologic shift of this disease makes it important for all healthcare providers to be familiar with the current status, clinical presentation, and therapy for Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
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Take on CLABSI Infections with Individualized Education, Leadership Support
Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are a big problem for patients because they often lead to serious complications such as sepsis. Further, managing such cases can significantly run up the tab for hospitals.
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New ED Clinicians Pose Safety Concerns
Newly trained clinicians entering clinical practice are the top patient safety concern in healthcare, according to ECRI’s Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns for 2024 Special Report.
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Simple Interventions Prove Powerful in Boosting the Acceptance of Preventive Vaccines in the ED
While emergency staff are busier than ever these days, there is no denying that EDs are particularly well-positioned to recognize and address the healthcare needs of underserved patients, many of whom rarely receive preventive care services such as flu vaccinations. Furthermore, new research has shown that, with not much effort or time on the part of clinicians, EDs can double or even triple the percentage of unvaccinated patients who receive their flu vaccinations — a move that likely prevents more expensive, future healthcare use for some of these patients.
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Some ED Patients Are Suicidal but Present with Unrelated Complaints
Many youths who die by suicide interacted with the healthcare system in the year before death. This raises the question: Should ED providers be screening all youth for suicide risk, regardless of their chief complaint?
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Race, Ethnicity Data Are Important for QI but Sometimes May Be Incorrect
Many EDs have been collecting race and ethnicity data for quality improvement purposes for decades. Rama A. Salhi, MD, MHS, MSc, an assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, and colleagues set out to learn more about the accuracy of the data being documented by EDs.