Emergency Medicine - Adult and Pediatric
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Legal Risks for EPs Responding to In-House Codes
EPs face unique legal risks when responding to codes in the ICU, labor and delivery, or elsewhere in the hospital.
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Patients Leaving AMA: Signed Forms Alone Are Not Sufficient Malpractice Defense
The number of patients leaving EDs against medical advice is rising dramatically, according to a recent report. About 352,000 California ED visits ended before their medical care was complete in 2017, an increase of 57% since 2012.
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Evaluation and Management of Ectopic Pregnancy in the Emergency Department
Ectopic pregnancy has significant health consequences and represents an important cause of morbidity and mortality for women of reproductive age. Making the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy expeditiously is critical to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with the condition.
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End-Stage Renal Disease, Hyperkalemia, and Dialysis
Evaluation and management of patients with end-stage renal disease and patients on hemodialysis can be challenging because they are at risk for a multitude of complications.
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An Update on Physical Abuse of Children
Approximately one in five children evaluated in the emergency department is physically abused. Emergency physicians have a responsibility to consider abuse in the differential of every injured child. Although there is increasing awareness of the emergency physician’s role in diagnosing abuse, emergency physicians frequently fail to recognize the more subtle presentations of abuse. This article reviews the identification, evaluation, and management of a child with possible physical abuse.
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Attorneys Use EMTALA in False Claims Act Lawsuits — So Far, Unsuccessfully
The Department of Justice moved to dismiss several recent False Claims Act lawsuits based on alleged EMTALA violations. Future similar lawsuits are possible, but unlikely. Still, ED providers should watch the lawsuits closely, since FCA actions linked to EMTALA violations are theoretically possible.
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Physician Health and Malpractice Risk: A Look at Holmes v. Lyons
If a state board licensing investigation is initiated, it is wise to immediately consult an attorney who is familiar with applicable law. Cases like these are a challenging factor in the tension between physician wellness and the shift to a culture of openness about physician wellness and medicolegal risk. Physician involvement in shaping how the states manage these issues has the potential to positively affect the health of both physicians and their patients.
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Shocking Injuries: Knowing the Risks and Management for Electrical Injuries
Approximately 5,000 patients present to the emergency department each year for evaluation and treatment of electrical injuries. This article will discuss the different classifications of electrical exposures and describe the recommended initial evaluation, diagnostic workup, and treatment. In addition, the authors also discuss special situations, such as lightning exposures, pediatric exposures, and electrical exposures during pregnancy.