Emergency
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How to Handle Rabies
Rabies is a rare, but devastating, disease. It is crucial for acute care providers to identify exposures and institute timely and appropriate treatment.
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Toxic Alcohols: Mechanisms, Presentation, Evaluation, and Management
Exposure to toxic alcohols can lead to serious morbidity and mortality; thus, awareness of these substances, their clinical presentation, and treatment options is critical to prevent poor outcomes.
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Evaluation and Management of Burn Injuries
Although burn injuries are seen less frequently then they used to be, it is still critical for the acute care provider to stay current on best practices for the care of the burn patient. The authors provide an update on the evaluation and management of burn injuries.
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Long Waits Raise Risk of Death for Admitted Patients
Boarding of admitted patients in EDs for longer than five hours is linked to a higher risk of death in the following 30 days, a group of researchers found.
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ED Providers Are Frequent Defendants in Aortic Pathology Malpractice Claims
Making the diagnosis is everything — to avoid patient injury and, ultimately, to avoid litigation.
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Does Chart State Why Syncope Patient Was Deemed Low Risk?
Prolonged ECG monitoring in the ED, in an observation unit followed by ambulatory monitoring, can mitigate risks for intermediate- and higher-risk patients.
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Consider Risk Implications if Department Is Staffed with Travel Nurses
Nursing shortages are acute, fueled in part by surging wages for travel ED nurses. Unfortunately, travel nurses will not know the nuances of the EDs in which they are working. This hinders teamwork and communication. Thus, staffing EDs with travel nurses carries some potential risk management implications.
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Detailed Charting on Handoffs Stops Legal Finger-Pointing
The ED chart should include a concise summary of the clinical information that was conveyed, a plan for disposition and next steps in care, and a clear transition of care.
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Many ED Malpractice Claims Are Rooted in Poor Communication
Securing buy-in from hospital administrators to make investments to improve patient safety, including handoff communication in the ED, can be challenging. Compelling anecdotes about cases when things went terribly wrong can grab leaders’ attention. Showing hard numbers demonstrates the financial burden of medical malpractice.
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Cannabis-Related Visits Surge, Especially Among Children and Older Adults
When a patient presents to the ED with a cannabis-associated visit, this is a chance for providers to offer more education to prevent future problems.