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In 2001, in the wake of a tragic incident in West Anaheim (CA) Medical Center where three employees were shot to death, state investigators questioned how the gunman was able to advance to a stairwell and a hospital lobby of the medical center after the first distress call was signaled. To ease staff confusion in such situations, the Healthcare Association of Southern California adopted the nations first standardized hospital emergency codes.
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For the emergency physician, sexual assault represents the most common presenting complaint associated with the potential for an unintended pregnancy. Annually, approximately 40,000 people in the United States visit EDs after sexual assault. Pregnancy is estimated to occur in approximately 5% of sexual assaults. Thus, pregnancy prevention is an important part of the care for these patients. For the emergency physician, EC represents the most viable treatment option. However, while highly effective when used properly, it is associated with a number of issues that make it much less commonly used.
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The outcome of a medical malpractice case often depends on an experts opinion and how well that expert conveys that opinion to a jury. Despite the important role that experts play within the medical malpractice system, until recently, there has been little oversight of expert witness actions. With the increasing number of professional and legal actions against expert witnesses, it appears that the same experts hired to review the actions of their peers are starting to be scrutinized themselves. This months issue of the ED Legal Letter will address some of these issues that relate to the role of the expert witness.
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This article begins by reviewing the existing literature describing the epidemiology of rapid sequence intubation (RSI) in children as well as its affect on survival. The pertinent aspects of pediatric anatomy and physiology are reviewed. Finally, the various components of RSI in children including equipment, techniques, medications, and rescue devices are discussed.
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This two-part series discusses bacterial skin and soft-tissue infections. Part 1 will discuss bacterial skin infections that quite frequently are encountered in the general practice of medicine and that predominantly are benign in nature. With proper diagnosis and treatment of these entities, no major complication or long-term sequellae should be expected.
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During a 5-year period, 45 patients were admitted to an inner-city teaching hospital with angioedema caused by angiotensin-converting inhibitor medications, and 18 (40%) of them required ICU admission for potential upper-airway compromise.
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In this study of anonymously reported adverse occurrences related to intra-hospital transportation of critically ill patients, problems were related to equipment in 39% and to patient/staff management issues in 61%; 31% of the incidents had serious adverse outcomes.
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Erythromycin and the Risk of Sudden Death; Vaccine Shortage Putting Americans At Risk; FDA Actions.
