ED Nursing articles from March 2004

ED Nursing archives from March 2004

750,000 ED patients this year to feel impact of new pneumonia guidelines: recommendations address antibiotics, lab tests, and SARS.
March 1, 2004... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY New guidelines for adult pneumonia patients will change assessment, intervention, and discharge in the ED. * Antibiotics should be given within four hours. * Diagnostics tests and antibiotics now are customized...

Are you undertreating pain of cancer patients? You may need to step outside your comfort zone.
March 1, 2004... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Cancer patients have unique needs in the ED, and pain often is undermanaged. * Take steps to protect immunocompromised patients from infection. * Breakthrough pain may require aggressive titration of intravenous...

Handle complications with invasive lines.
March 1, 2004... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Increased numbers of patients with invasive lines are being seen in the ED, since more individuals are living with catheters for months or years. * Observe strict aseptic technique to keep lines clean, and change...

Elderly may be at risk for drug errors in your ED.
March 1, 2004... You wrongly assume an 85-year-old woman is the correct patient because she answers to the name on the chart in front of you. You mistakenly fail to dilute a concentrated medication. You forget to ask what other medications an elderly man is...

Sample list of 'don't-use' abbreviations.
March 1, 2004... Sample List of 'Don't-Use' Abbreviations Unacceptable Potential Problems w/this Acceptable Abbreviations Abbreviation Abbreviation IU Mistaken as IV or 10 Spell...

Don't miss subarachnoid hemorrhage in your ED.
March 1, 2004... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY If a patient presents with severe headache, keep a high index of suspicion for subarachnoid hemorrhage even if there are no other neurological symptoms. * Because patients need to be treated within 48 hours, there is...

Can you differentiate SAH, ischemic stroke?
March 1, 2004... Is it possible that you could miss the signs of an ischemic stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) when your waiting room is full of sick and injured patients? "I think it is easy for either type of stroke to be overlooked in a busy ED,"...

Sievers V, Murphy S, Miller JJ. Sexual assault evidence collection more accurate when completed by sexual assault nurse examiners: Colorado's experience.
March 1, 2004... J Emerg Nurs 2003; 29:511-514. Sexual assault evidence kits prepared by sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) are more accurate and complete, says this study from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, based in Denver. Researchers...

CE questions.
March 1, 2004... 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 750,000 ED patients this year to feel impact of new pneumonia guidelines and Handle...

Pneumonia community acquired.
March 1, 2004... THE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION COORDINATED CARE TRACK (CCT) EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT PNEUMONIA COMMUNITY ACQUIRED Date/time of Ed Visit: Triage/Admitting Nurse: Physician: Disposition of patient: Cross through any...