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Irritable Patient Behavior Affects Emergency Nursing Assessments
For encounters during which the patient exhibited irritable behavior, nurses reported more anger and unease. They also judged the patients as likely to exaggerate pain, as poorer historians, and less likely to cooperate and return to work and recover. In their documentation, nurses were more likely to use negative descriptions of patients and more likely to omit information, such as whether tests were ordered.
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Onsite Pharmacies Can Boost Medication Access to Patients, Surrounding Communities
There are some other possible workarounds, such as leveraging electronic prescribing from the ED so providers will know quickly whether medications are available in a specific outpatient pharmacy, administering first antibiotic doses in the ED, and providing a few days’ worth of medication to patients about to be discharged.
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Was Child Brought to ED by EMS? Medication Dosages May Be Incorrect
ED personnel should ensure a good handoff report is received from EMS providers, and that the dose of any medications administered by EMS is recorded. ED personnel should be mindful in carrying out weight-based dosing calculations, and should follow recommendations of national guidelines.
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EDs Can Make Discharges Against Medical Advice Safer
Recognizing a discharge as higher risk could encourage physicians and care providers to engage in risk assessment and risk reduction.
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Housing Instability Increases Likelihood of Discharge Against Medical Advice
It is important for emergency medicine providers to recognize that patients facing housing instability might be more inclined to self-discharge, even when dealing with severe medical conditions.
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Paramedicine Program Chips Away at High ED Use, Links Patients to Appropriate Care
Chicago-based Medical Home Network is partnering with community paramedics at the Chicago Fire Department on a program aimed at helping patients manage their chronic conditions and appropriately navigate the health system. The program is focused on steering patients away from calling 911 or presenting to EDs with nonurgent care needs.
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CDC Unveils Sepsis Core Elements Initiative to Address Gaps in Care
Agency leaders believe sepsis programs in every hospital — regardless of size, location, and resources — can strengthen the quality of care delivered to patients and ensure their survival.
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Managing Anaphylaxis in the Emergency Department
The incidence of anaphylaxis, a rapidly progressive and potentially fatal disease, is increasing and unfortunately common in children. It is imperative that all acute care providers are prepared to recognize, quickly treat, and ensure appropriate follow-up for these patients. The authors focus on anaphylaxis, its presentation, management, and disposition from the ED.
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Lawsuits Allege Delays, Failure to Treat with Mechanical Thrombectomy
Malpractice claims involving intravenous thrombolytic therapy to treat acute ischemic stroke patients are more likely to allege failure to treat than to allege complications related to therapy. A group of researchers wanted to know if the same was true regarding mechanical thrombectomy.
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Plaintiff Attorney May Decline to Pursue Claim if Patient Was Noncompliant
If a patient does not follow discharge instructions, and a bad outcome happens, the patient or family may decide to sue the emergency care provider. However, it may be difficult finding a lawyer to take the case.