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Neurologic emergencies of pregnancy range from life-threatening conditions such as eclamptic seizures to self-limiting disorders like meralgia paresthetica. This discussion will include those neurologic disorders directly resulting from pregnancy or the puerperium, those that are pre-existing conditions but now affect the pregnant patient or are affected by the gravid state of the patient, and those disorders that are not directly related to the pregnancy but may first become apparent during the gravid state.
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Infants with an apparent life-threatening event (ALTE) present for medical attention because an acute and unexpected incident has alarmed the caregivers. These frightening episodes of apnea and color change in infants have generated considerable concern in both professional and lay groups. This article reviews the presentation, recognition, diagnosis and ED management for children who present with an ALTE.
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Part I of this series focused on hypertensive syndromes and clinical evaluation. This second and final part will cover antihypertensive medications and management of hypertension in specific disease processes.
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This column addresses readers questions about the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). Does EMTALA apply to a patient who presents to the ED with a scheduled appointment?
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The national rise in obesity is significantly affecting the nations EDs. In fact, a recent nationwide survey of Irving, TX-based VHA hospitals showed 90% of the respondents said they had treated obese patients who were first seen in the EDs.
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While your facility, no doubt, has a HIPAA-compliance policy, which, among other things, covers electronic communications, it might be a good idea to craft one that is specific to your ED, experts say.
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That was quick . . . In late November 2004, Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, MN, replaced its existing emergency physician staffing group, Emergency Physicians Professional Association (EPPA), with EmCare, a Dallas-based corporation providing services to more than 300 hospitals in 37 states. On Jan. 20, 2005 a mere 61 days later Methodist announced it was re-establishing its relationship with EPPA.
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While the transmission of electronic information has become an integral part of our daily business and personal lives, for health care providers, including ED managers, it carries with it a special set of obligations and responsibilities.
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The screening/counseling initiative employed by HCA facilities in Houston and Ocala, FL, appears to be in compliance with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), says one expert. However, he notes that there are many aspects of the act that apply to these processes, and its crucial that ED managers understand what they are and how they can affect the design of such initiatives.
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When Ocala (FL) Regional Medical Center announced a new screening initiative that would involve counseling nonurgent patients to seek alternative care, a funny thing happened: Local competitors Monroe Regional and Timber Ridge became involved when they heard about our initiative, because they felt they would then be inundated by patients who were not having their treatment here, notes Susan Atkin, RN, ED director.
