ED Nursing articles from May 2004

ED Nursing archives from May 2004

Perform abdominal assessment, or risk missing life-threatening trauma injury: don't allow 'invisible' injuries to escape detection in your ED.(emergency department)
May 1, 2004... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY You must assess trauma patients for life-threatening abdominal injuries, which is a leading cause of preventable trauma deaths. * A good assessment will give you potentially life-saving baseline information. *...

Education is the key for switch to 5-level triage: be sure your 'go live' day isn't a disaster.
May 1, 2004... Effective education of nursing staff is key for your five-level triage system switch to be successful. * Have a small group of experienced nurses train others. * During the training period, have one nurse act as a resource person at...

What can you legally tell patients about delays? Avoid EMTALA violations: 6 tips.(Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act)
May 1, 2004... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Don't say anything that could be interpreted as encouraging a patient to leave, to avoid violations of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act. * Be empathetic, but explain why you can't predict wait...

Just-surveyed EDs report on new JCAHO process.(emergency department)(Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations)
May 1, 2004... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY As part of the new survey process of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, direct questions will be asked of ED nurses during patient tracers, with an overall emphasis on patient safety. ...

Are you putting patients at risk during transport?
May 1, 2004... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Critically ill or injured patients transported for diagnostic tests are at increased risk for adverse outcome. * Bring life-saving supplies on transports. * Monitor patients during diagnostic procedures. *...

Is your ED unsafe? Make these changes now.(emergency department)
May 1, 2004... Do you worry about unsafe staffing levels, a shortage of experienced nurses, a lack of trust between administration and staff, long work hours, and systems that don't promote safety and efficiency? If so, you have new ammunition to call for...

Shave up to 15 minutes off treatment of chest pain.
May 1, 2004... Would you like to cut door-to-treatment times for patients with acute coronary syndrome and acute myocardial infarction by up to 15 minutes? Put together a "Chest Pain Tackle Box," recommends Marilyn Swinford, RN, director of emergency and...

ED saves $150,000 by using fewer agency nurses.(emergency department)
May 1, 2004... With an ever increasing nursing shortage coupled with increased patient volumes, you may believe it's impossible to cut labor costs in your ED. "Not so," says Laura Guerrieri, RN, MBA, director of emergency services at Gottlieb Memorial...

CE questions.(continuing nursing education questions )
May 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 What can you legally tell patients about delays? in this issue.) * Describe...