ED Nursing articles from September 2003

ED Nursing archives from September 2003

Deep venous thrombosis in the ED: you must update your practice now.
September 1, 2003... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY According to just-released guidelines for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) from the American College of Emergency Physicians, D-dimer tests will increase in use, an isolated single lower-extremity ultrasound should not be...

Follow these steps for patients with DVT.(deep venous thrombosis )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Here are the steps taken when a patient with suspected deep venous thrombosis (DVT) presents at Seattle-based Harborview Medical Center's ED, according to Cynthia Natiello, RNC BSN, CCRC, the facility's vascular research nurse: 1. ED...

Take critical steps when a trauma patient arrives.
September 1, 2003... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY When caring for trauma patients with life-threatening injuries, know which interventions must be done before patients are taken to surgery. * Although tachycardia is the key clinical sign of early shock, it will not...

Use color-coded tapes correctly or risk errors.(Pediatric Corner)
September 1, 2003... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Although the color-coded Broselow Pediatric Emergency Tape is widely available in EDs, you may be using it incorrectly by measuring from the wrong end or failing to place the child's heels on the tape, resulting in...

JCAHO wants to know your solutions for ED crowding.
September 1, 2003... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Newly proposed standards from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations require you to develop strategies to reduce ED overcrowding. Solutions include changing your staff mix, adding triage staff,...

Is your patient care in conflict with HIPAA?
September 1, 2003... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY To comply with patient privacy regulations, protect access to computer screens, omit identifying information from tracking boards, and give patients the option to make their ED visit confidential. * Use screensavers...

New safety goals listed for 2004 JCAHO surveys.
September 1, 2003... If you're not in full compliance with the National Safety Patient Goals for 2004 from the Oakbrook Terrace, IL-based Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, you have a lot to worry about. Surveyors will be looking for...

Save $300 with a 'pen roundup'.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... To cut supply costs by $300 a year, Colleen Samp, office manager of the ED at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI, does a "pen roundup" twice a year. "I have everyone go through their desk drawers and give me all of the pens that...

CE objectives/questions.
September 1, 2003... 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 Deep venous thrombosis in the ED: You must update your practice now, and Use...