ED Nursing articles from January 2003

ED Nursing archives from January 2003

Are you ready for a 5-level triage scale? Be prepared: most EDs will switch soon; you'll need to start planning for this dramatic change now.
January 1, 2003... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Emergency Nurses Association plans to support the use of a standardized five-level triage system and will recommend one for use nationally this year. * There will be a dramatic increase in the use of five-level...

New seizure meds will dramatically change care. (Pediatric Corner).
January 1, 2003... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY If you aren't using several new medications for pediatric seizures, you may be giving patients inadequate assessment and education. * Parents are using rectal valium gel at home to control seizures. * A serious...

Use these hot tips to assess abdominal pain.
January 1, 2003... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Assessment strategies for abdominal pain patients include treatment for pain before a diagnosis is made, asking the patient to point to the pain with one finger, and doing a heel strike test. * Short-acting opioids...

Use these tips to collect evidence of sexual assault: your evidence can make or break a conviction.
January 1, 2003... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Since you may have first contact with a sexual assault victim, the evidence you collect is crucial. * Document the patient's words and appearance. * Attend classes programs given by sexual assault nurse examiner...

Kontos MC, Anderson P, Ornato JP. Utility of troponin I in patients with cocaine-associated chest pain.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Acad Emerg Med 2002; 9:1,007-1,013. Troponin is equally useful as creatine kinase (CK)-MB in diagnosing necrosis in patients with cocaine-associated chest pain and possible myocardial infarction (MI), says this study from Medical College of...

Irons MJ, Farace E, Brady WJ, et al. Mental status screening of emergency department patients: Normative study of the Quick Confusion Scale.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Acad Emerg Med 2002; 9:989-994. A six-item scale is an effective way to screen emergency department (ED) patients for impaired mental status, says this study from the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville. During a...

Cole FL, Kuensting LL, MacLean S, et al. Advanced practice nurses in emergency care settings: a demographic profile.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... J Emerg Nurs 2002; 28:414-419. The majority of advanced practice nurses (APNs) hold a master's degree, are certified, and provide services to both the ED and the fast track, says this study sponsored by the Des Plaines, IL-based Emergency...

Don't risk violation of needlestick regs. (Web Alert).
January 1, 2003... Protecting yourself from a needlestick injury, evaluating safety devices, and complying with state and federal regulations. You'll find resources to help you achieve these three important goals at the Exposure Prevention Information Network...

Use clothespins to signal other nurses. (Tip Of The Month).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... At the busy emergency department at Trinity Medical Center in Rock Island, IL, a rack system and clothespins help nurses to communicate, says Cindy Wage, RN, BSN, nurse educator. A box of clothespins is kept at the nurse's station, and the...

CE questions.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... 1. Which is true regarding use of a five-level triage system, according to Jean A. Proehl, RN, MN, CEN, CCRN, emergency clinical nurse specialist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center? A. Five-level systems have demonstrated validity and...