ED Nursing articles from March 2003

ED Nursing archives from March 2003

Don't miss strokes: be on the lookout for atypical symptoms and patients: you may be surprised by the next stroke patient you see in your ED.
March 1, 2003... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY New research shows that women are more likely to present with nontraditional stroke symptoms. * Symptoms may include pain, change in level of consciousness, and disorientation. * Women have a higher incidence of...

Take these steps if you suspect stroke.
March 1, 2003... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Research shows that stroke protocols are not always followed in EDs, with patients being given tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) inappropriately. * There is a three-hour window for treatment from the onset of...

Are you using this new cardiac diagnostic test? Find out if low-risk patients can go home safely.
March 1, 2003... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Acute myocardial perfusion imaging can determine whether low-risk chest pain patients can be sent safely home. * There is a trend toward use of this test in the ED along with electrocardiogram and cardiac enzymes. ...

Make these changes or risk violating HIPAA. (Guest Column).(Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
March 1, 2003... If you don't comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy regulations, you may face civil penalties of up to $25,000 for each requirement violated, and criminal penalties of up to $50,000 and one year in...

Don't risk missing domestic violence victims. (Web Alert).
March 1, 2003... Do you want to be sure your ED's domestic violence program is effective? According to current statistics, 2%-4% of all female ED patients present with acute trauma associated with domestic violence, while 10%-12% have a recent history of...

You can save up to $100,000 on supplies. (Cost-Saving Tip).(cost-saving methods for hospitals)
March 1, 2003... Are you looking for ways to save money on supplies? Paula Hafeman, RN, MSN, director of the cancer and emergency center at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, WI, has effective strategies to share. Here are several that her ED recently adopted:...

Meier MA, Al-Badr WH, Cooper JV, et al. Diagnostic and prognostic implications in patients with acute coronary syndromes.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Arch Intern Med 2002; 162:1,585-1,589. The new definition of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) results in a significant increase in diagnosis of this condition, says this study from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The new...

Coyle YM, Hynan LS, Gruchalla RS, et al. Predictors of short-term clinical response to acute asthma care in adults.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... International Journal for Quality in Health Care 2002; 14:69-75. Interventions are needed in the ED to improve patients' asthma knowledge, according to this study from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. The...

Avoid interruptions with wireless pagers. (Tip Of The Month).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Are you tired of constantly being interrupted while performing tasks? Jerry Keyes, RN, director of emergency services at Florida Hospital Celebration Health has a good solution for you. ED staff at his facility use a wireless pager system to...

Do you know about new hand hygiene guidelines?
March 1, 2003... Are you complying with new hand hygiene guidelines from the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)? The guidelines recommend using alcohol-based hand rubs along with soap and water and sterile gloves. (1) Here are key...

CE questions.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... For more information about the CE program, contact customer service at (800) 688-2421, e-mail: customer-service@ahcpub.com. 9. Which of the following is true about women and stroke, according to Dawn K. Beland, RN, MSN, CCRN, CS, stroke...

Heart attack, stroke, and cardiac arrest warning signs.(Illustration)
March 1, 2003... Act in Time The American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute have launched a new "Act in Time" campaign to increase people's awareness of heart attack and the importance of calling 911 immediately at the...