Emergency
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Bloodborne Pathogens
In the acute care setting, clinicians may be confronted with a child who has had a nonoccupational blood and/or body fluid exposure. Being prepared with a focused approach and the ability to identify the multiple factors that may adjust the risk of contracting bloodborne pathogens is valuable in such exposures. The authors provide a focused approach to nonoccupational blood and/or body fluid exposure, as well as a discussion of each of the bloodborne pathogens.
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Nonpenetrating Ocular Trauma Part I: Severe Vision Threats
This article will focus on nonpenetrating eye injuries that are severe threats to vision.
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Blunt Abdominal Trauma
Blunt abdominal trauma is commonly encountered in any acute care center. Prompt recognition, assessment, diagnostic evaluation, and disposition are critical aspects that must be a part of every clinician’s expertise.
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Confusing Presentation Could Result in Successful Missed Sepsis Claims
Despite recent emphasis on early sepsis intervention, little is known on exactly what symptoms these patients experience when presenting to EDs — and how frequently. This knowledge is important for educating the public about what symptoms may portend a diagnosis of sepsis, as well as educating clinicians about what symptom profiles they should be aware of when it comes to diagnosing sepsis.
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Safety Protocols Reduce Risk of Self-Harm for At-Risk Patients
All EDs are at risk for unwanted outcomes, including patient self-harm. Developing and implementing comprehensive safety precautions is an important clinical and risk management strategy. Protocols should be tailored to the specific ED to address their different physical environments.
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State Malpractice Claim Rate Tied to Low-Risk Syncope Admissions
The frequency of malpractice claims is associated with higher rates of hospital admission for ED patients with lower-risk syncope, according to the results of a recent study.
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Template Charting on Nursing Notes Complicates Med/Mal Defense
Instead of making blanket statements about review of nursing notes, the emergency physician should document accurately. If the physician did not actually review the nursing notes, stay silent on it.
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Communication and Resolution Programs Are Alternative to Malpractice Claims
Considering signs of financial uncertainty in liability insurance markets, it is an excellent time for EDs to study communication and resolution programs as an alternative to malpractice litigation, the authors of a recent paper argued.
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When Urgent Care Center Refers Patient to ED, Reasons Might Be Unclear
Ensure all ED patients experience the best attainable outcomes, and devote extra thought to scenarios in which mistakes are less likely to be forgiven. For patients sent by urgent care centers, be sure to fully understand why the patient is there.
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‘Total Breakdown in Communication’ Led to Settlement of Advance Directive Case
EDs can learn a lot from this particular case about how to avoid litigation for disregarding advance directives.