Emergency Medicine - Adult and Pediatric
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Common Foot Problems
Foot problems are a common chief complaint. Patients may present to the ED when they do not have access to other sources of care or when an exacerbation becomes painful enough. Although these foot problems rarely are considered emergencies, it is useful for the emergency physician to be knowledgeable about these conditions to provide sound advice to patients and appropriate referral.
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Approach to Pediatric Abdominal Pain in the ED: Part I
Abdominal pain is a common pediatric chief complaint with a diversity of etiologies. Many are benign, but some have the potential for devastating consequences if a timely diagnosis is not made. Understanding and practicing a comprehensive approach facilitates consideration of more serious pathology while allowing for a focused diagnostic plan. This two-part series guides the clinician to a practical clinical approach to pediatric abdominal pain.
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Just Apologizing Not Enough for EDs to Reduce Malpractice Risk
Apology laws enacted by 39 states and the District of Columbia make apologies inadmissible as evidence in subsequent malpractice trials. The laws are based on the assumption that patients who receive apologies will not be as likely to take legal action. Researchers analyzed claims from a national malpractice insurer over an eight-year period and concluded that apology laws are not doing what they purport.
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Hospital Advertisements About ED Care Can Cause Problems for Defense
Hospitals try to set themselves apart from the competition with advertisements about the excellent care people can expect in their EDs. But beware: The ads can be used against hospitals by creative plaintiff attorneys in many ways.
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Fall Injuries in the ED: A ‘Hot Topic in the Medical-Legal Arena’
Multiple organizations have released guidelines and recommendations on fall prevention.
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Did Patient Contract MRSA in ED? Maybe, But It Is Almost Impossible to Prove
What if an ED patient acquired a MRSA infection from a contaminated surface? It might seem like a successful lawsuit against the hospital would be imminent. However, making a malpractice lawsuit is surprisingly difficult.
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Factors That Could Make Quality Assurance Process Discoverable in Malpractice Litigation
Creating a robust quality assurance process can reduce malpractice risk for ED groups because it can identify practices that put EPs at risk for lawsuits.