ED Nursing articles from July 2003

ED Nursing archives from July 2003

Study says EDs don't meet time targets for stroke: how do you measure up? Patients not given diagnostic tests in recommended time frames.
July 1, 2003... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Current guidelines for acute stroke care are not being followed in community EDs, with time targets for diagnostic tests significantly longer than recommended, according to a just-published study. Have nurses initiate...

Cut delays by an hour with triage protocols.
July 1, 2003... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Use triage protocols to reduce length of stay for patients with complaints such as minor orthopedic injuries, abdominal pain, and upper respiratory illnesses. * Encourage nurses to consistently use protocols by...

Are you mistreating sickle cell patients?
July 1, 2003... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Patients with sickle cell disease often are viewed as drug seekers, so you must advocate for appropriate pain management. * Ask patients if pain is typical for when they are having a sickle cell crisis. * Believe...

Follow the ABCs for sickle cell pain.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Always use the "A, B, C, D, E, F" principles when caring for patients with sickle cell pain, urges Allan Platt, PA-C, program coordinator for the Atlanta-based Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center at Grady Health System. * A = Assess...

Are you meeting the needs of dying patients?
July 1, 2003... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EDs are treating more terminally ill patients, and you can have a dramatic impact on the care they receive. * Become familiar with higher dosages of pain medications used for terminally ill patients. * Explain...

Valente JH, Forti RJ, Freundlich LF, et al. Wound irrigation in children: Saline solution or tap water?(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Ann Emerg Med 2003; 41:609-616. There is no apparent difference in infection rates between wounds irrigated with tap water or normal saline solution, says this study from Jacobi Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in...

Magaret ND, Clark TA, Warden CR. Patient satisfaction in the emergency department--A survey of pediatric patients and their parents.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Acad Emerg Med 2002; 9:1,379-1,388. The management of pain in pediatric patients was a key factor for satisfaction of pediatric ED patients, says this study from the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. Researchers surveyed...

Scheetz LJ. Effectiveness of prehospital trauma triage guidelines for the identification of major trauma in elderly motor vehicle crash victims.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... J Emerg Nurs 2003; 29:109-115. Older trauma victims are at risk of being undertriaged, according to this study from the State University of New Jersey College of Nursing in Newark. The researcher retrospectively studied patient...

Study: your ED needs policy for family presence.
July 1, 2003... Does your ED allow family members to be present during emergency procedures? Chances are you have no written policy for this practice, even if it's a common occurrence. A just-published study found that only 5% of ED and critical care...

CE questions.
July 1, 2003... 1. Which of the following is recommended for stroke care, according to Debra Graf, RN, BSN, CEN, ED educator at Community Medical Center? A. Requiring nurses to have a physician's order to initiate stroke protocols B. Waiting to give...

Protocol for abdominal pain.
July 1, 2003... Purpose: 1. To rapidly identify potentially seriously ill patients with complaints of abdominal pain. 2. To expedite Emergency Services Physicians evaluation and initiation of treatment. Assessment: (If bed available triage...

Protocol for adult respiratory distress.
July 1, 2003... Purpose: 1. To rapidly identify and assess any adult presenting to the emergency department in respiratory distress. 2. To expedite physician evaluation and initiation of respiratory treatment. Assessment/Inclusion Criteria: ...