ED Nursing articles from January 2005

ED Nursing archives from January 2005

ED nurses are responsible for 20% of EMTALA violations: don't be next: nurses may be blamed for half of all EMTALA violations, rightfully or not.
January 1, 2005... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Approximately 20% of violations of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act result from mistakes made by ED nurses, with most involving documentation issues, according to health care risk management experts. *...

Good contingency plans address severe flu outbreak: prepare for the perfect storm this flu season.
January 1, 2005... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY If your ED has high volumes of flu patients, you'll need to implement alternatives to prevent overcrowding. * Add space near triage to perform rapid influenza testing. * Use areas outside the ED to care for...

Checklist gives protection from exposure to flu: hand washing and masks are key for patients, staff.
January 1, 2005... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY To prevent exposure to flu, always have patients use respiratory hygiene and use droplet precautions. * Ask all patients with respiratory symptoms to put on masks. * Wear a surgical mask, eye protection, and...

Schull MJ, Mamdani MM, Fang J. Community influenza outbreaks and emergency department ambulance diversion.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Schull MJ, Mamdani MM, Fang J. Community influenza outbreaks and emergency department ambulance diversion. Ann Emerg Med 2004; 44:61-67. Influenza outbreaks are linked with increased ED ambulance diversion, says this study from University...

Kline JA, Webb WB, Jones AE, et al. Impact of a rapid rule-out protocol for pulmonary embolism on rate of screening, missed cases, and pulmonary vascular imaging in an urban U.S. emergency department.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Kline JA, Webb WB, Jones AE, et al. Impact of a rapid rule-out protocol for pulmonary embolism on rate of screening, missed cases, and pulmonary vascular imaging in an urban U.S. emergency department. Ann Emerg Med 2004; 44:490-502. A...

JCAHO will look for evidence of falls prevention.
January 1, 2005... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY You are required to take steps to reduce the risk of patient falls in your ED, according to a new National Patient Safety Goal from the Joint Commission, effective Jan. 1, 2005. * Place colored bracelets on patients...

Quicken treatment for heart failure with BNP test.
January 1, 2005... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY New research gives additional support to the benefits of using B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) testing for ED patients presenting with possible congestive heart failure (CHF). * BNP testing can determine the cause of...

Mobile monitoring system improves ED's efficiency.(Tip Of The Month)
January 1, 2005... Would you rather move a seriously ill patient with chest pain and shortness of breath from one room to the next so he or she can be monitored--or bring the monitor to that patient? At Mecosta General Hospital, a 74-bed hospital in Big...

If you suspect an alcohol problem, use these tools.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... While assessing a patient, your gut feeling may be that he or she has an alcohol problem. But do you lack the resources to appropriately screen these patients and intervene as needed? The Emergency Department Alcohol Education Project:...

CE questions.
January 1, 2005... After reading this issue of ED Nursing, the CE participant should be able to: * Identify clinical, regulatory, or social issues relating to ED nursing. (See ED nurses are responsible for 20% of EMTALA violations: Don't be next and Quicken...