Emergency Department Operations

Use of Physician-in-Triage Model in the Management of Abdominal Pain in an Emergency Department Observation Unit

John R. Marshall, MD, et al.

Given the nationwide increase in emergency department (ED) visits it is of paramount importance for hospitals to find efficient ways to manage patient flow.

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Emergency Department Operations

Cross-Continuum Tool Is Associated with Reduced Utilization and Cost for Frequent High-Need Users

Author Affiliation Lauran Hardin, MSN, RN-BC, CNL Trinity Health-Michigan dba Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, Grand Rapids, Michigan; National Center for Complex Health and Social Needs, Camden, New Jersey Adam Kilian, MD Trinity Health-Michigan dba Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, Grand Rapids, Michigan; University of Utah Health Care, Department of Internal Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah Leslie […]

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Endemic Infections

Risk of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections among Children Found to be Staphylococcus aureus MRSA USA300 Carriers

Lilly Cheng Immergluck, MD, MS, et al.

The purpose of this study was to examine community-associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) carriage and infections and determine risk factors associated specifically with MRSA USA300.

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Prevalence of Horizontal Violence Among Emergency Attending Physicians, Residents, and Physician Assistants

Nico B. Volz, BS et al.

Horizontal violence (HV) is malicious behavior perpetrated by healthcare workers against each other. These include bullying, verbal or physical threats, purposeful disruptive behavior, and other malicious behaviors. This pilot study investigates the prevalence of HV among emergency department (ED) attending physicians, residents, and mid-level providers (MLPs).

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Community Paramedicine: 911 Alternative Destinations Are a Patient Safety Issue

Author Affiliation Nick T. Sawyer, MD, MBA University of California, Davis, Department of Emergency Medicine, Sacramento, California; California American College of Emergency Physicians Board of Directors John D. Coburn, MD The Permanente Medical Group, South Sacramento Kaiser, Department of Emergency Medicine, Sacramento, California; California American College of Emergency Physicians Board of Directors Under-triage is a […]

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Comments on “Emergency Medicine Resident Rotations Abroad: Current Status and Next Steps”

Gabrielle A. Jacquet, MD, MPH, et al.

Morris and Schroeder have highlighted the need for a uniform and comprehensive national education program for emergency medicine residents doing international rotations. As faculty for a newly released course, The Practitioner’s Guide to Global Health, we wanted to call your attention to this innovative resource for preparing resident physicians, medical students, and other trainees to participate in safe and sustainable global health rotations.

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Twelve Years Since Importance of Cross-Cultural Competency Recognized: Where Are We Now?

Remi A. Kessler, MD

The objective of this study was to analyze the content and volume of literature that has been written on cultural competency in emergency medicine (EM) since its educational imperative was first described by the Institute of Medicine in 2002.

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American Association for Emergency Psychiatry Task Force on Medical Clearance of Adults Part I: Introduction, Review and Evidence-Based Guidelines

Author Affiliation Eric L. Anderson, MD University of Maryland, Department of Psychiatry, College Park, Maryland Kimberly Nordstrom, MD, JD University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Aurora, Colorado; Denver Health Medical Center, Emergency Psychiatry, Denver, Colorado Michael P. Wilson, MD, PhD Department of Emergency Medicine Behavioral Emergencies Research lab, University of Arkansas for […]

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Intentional Recreational Abuse of Quetiapine Compared to Other Second-generation Antipsychotics

Lauren Klein, MD

Case reports and poison center data have demonstrated that the second-generation antipsychotic quetiapine is being obtained and used for recreational abuse. The purpose of this study was to describe the relative rates of single-substance abuse for different atypical antipsychotics and compare their demographic and clinical features.

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Management of Sickle Cell Disease Super Utilizers

Author Affiliation Gary A. Johnson, MD SUNY Upstate Medical University, Department of Emergency Medicine, Syracuse, New York   Much attention has been directed toward super utilizers of emergency department (ED) and hospital services. Often these patients have a chronic illness with significant potential for acute morbidity. In many settings, adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) […]

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Estimating the Cost of Care for Emergency Department Syncope Patients: Comparison of Three Models

Marc A. Probst, MD, MS

We sought to compare three hospital cost-estimation models for patients undergoing evaluation for unexplained syncope using hospital cost data. Developing such a model would allow researchers to assess the value of novel clinical algorithms for syncope management.

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Using the Electronic Medical Record to Reduce Unnecessary Ordering of Coagulation Studies for Patients with Chest Pain

Jeremiah S. Hinson, MD, PhD

Our goal was to reduce ordering of coagulation studies in the emergency department (ED) that have no added value for patients presenting with chest pain. We hypothesized this could be achieved via implementation of a stopgap measure in the electronic medical record (EMR).

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Caudal Edge of the Liver in the Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ) View Is the Most Sensitive Area for Free Fluid on the FAST Exam

Viveta Lobo, MD

The focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) exam is a critical diagnostic test for intraperitoneal free fluid (FF). Current teaching is that fluid accumulates first in Morison’s pouch. The goal of this study was to evaluate the “sub-quadrants” of traditional FAST views to determine the most sensitive areas for FF accumulation.

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Who Are the Most Influential Emergency Physicians on Twitter?

Jeff Riddell, MD

Twitter has recently gained popularity in emergency medicine (EM). Opinion leaders on Twitter have significant influence on the conversation and content, yet little is known about these opinion leaders.

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Academic Primer Series: Eight Key Papers about Education Theory

Michael Gottlieb, MD, RDMS

Many teachers adopt instructional methods based on assumptions of best practices without attention to or knowledge of supporting education theory. Familiarity with a variety of theories informs education that is efficient, strategic, and evidence-based. As part of the Academic Life in Emergency Medicine Faculty Incubator Program, a list of key education theories for junior faculty was developed.

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American Association for Emergency Psychiatry Task Force on Medical Clearance of Adults Part I: Introduction, Review and Evidence-Based Guidelines

Eric L. Anderson, MD

In the United States, the number of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) for a mental health concern is significant and expected to grow. The breadth of the medical evaluation of these patients is controversial.

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Intentional Recreational Abuse of Quetiapine Compared to Other Second-generation Antipsychotics

Lauren Klein, MD, et al.

Case reports and poison center data have demonstrated that the second-generation antipsychotic quetiapine is being obtained and used for recreational abuse. The purpose of this study was to describe the relative rates of single-substance abuse for different atypical antipsychotics and compare their demographic and clinical features.

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Blog and Podcast Watch: Cutaneous Emergencies

Andrew Grock, MD, et al.

The WestJEM Blog and Podcast Watch presents high quality open-access educational blogs and podcasts in emergency medicine (EM) based on the ongoing Academic Life in Emergency Medicine (ALiEM) Approved Instructional Resources (AIR) and AIR-Professional series.

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Immigrants, the Emergency Physician and the Election Day

Bradley D. Shy, MD et al.

The most recent Election Day — extraordinary in so many ways — seemed a typical Tuesday inside the emergency department (ED) at Elmhurst Hospital Center in Queens, NY.

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