Jacob W. Ufberg

Guidelines reduce X-ray and blood gas utilization in acute asthma

Using a retrospective chart review, we compared the use of chest radiography (CXR) and arterial blood gas testing (ABG) before (pre-P) and after (post-P) initiation of specific ordering guidelines for the use of these studies for patients presenting to the ED with acute asthma exacerbation. We noted the number of tests performed, the indication for the test, and the results when performed. There was a 55% reduction in the number of chest radiographs (85 of 213 patients pre-P had CXR as compared with 40 of 222 patients post-P, P <.001). Of the patients who did not have a chest x-ray in the ED, none had an abnormal chest x-ray obtained after admission or if they returned to the ED within 72 hours. There was a 57% reduction in the number of arterial blood gases post-P (9 of 222 patients) as compared with pre-P (20 of 213 patients, P <.001). Although patients with abnormal ABGs had a discernible indication for testing, all of the ABGs for which no indication could be found were normal. A protocol containing criteria for obtaining chest x-rays and arterial blood gas testing can reduce the use of diagnostic testing, thereby improving ED efficiency without adversely impacting patient care.

Two Days of Dexamethasone Versus 5 Days of Prednisone in the Treatment of Acute Asthma: A Randomized Controlled Trial

STUDY OBJECTIVE Dexamethasone has a longer half-life than prednisone and is well tolerated orally. We compare the time needed to return to normal activity and the frequency of relapse after acute exacerbation in adults receiving either 5 days of prednisone or 2 days of dexamethasone. METHODS We randomized adult emergency department patients (aged 18 to 45 years) with acute exacerbations of asthma (peak expiratory flow rate less than 80% of ideal) to receive either 50 mg of daily oral prednisone for 5 days or 16 mg of daily oral dexamethasone for 2 days. Outcomes were assessed by telephone follow-up. RESULTS Ninety-six prednisone and 104 dexamethasone subjects completed the study regimen and follow-up. More patients in the dexamethasone group reported a return to normal activities within 3 days compared with the prednisone group (90% versus 80%; difference 10%; 95% confidence interval 0% to 20%; P=.049). Relapse was similar between groups (13% versus 11%; difference 2%; 95% confidence interval -7% to 11%, P=.67). CONCLUSION In acute exacerbations of asthma in adults, 2 days of oral dexamethasone is at least as effective as 5 days of oral prednisone in returning patients to their normal level of activity and preventing relapse.

The Effect of Emergency Department Crowding on Education: Blessing or Curse?

Emergency department (ED) crowding is a national crisis that contributes to medical error and system inefficiencies. There is a natural concern that crowding may also adversely affect undergraduate and graduate emergency medicine (EM) education. ED crowding stems from a myriad of factors, and individually these factors can present both challenges and opportunities for education. Review of the medical literature demonstrates a small body of evidence that education can flourish in difficult clinical environments where faculty have a high clinical load and to date does not support a direct deleterious effect of crowding on education. To provide a theoretical framework for discussing the impact of crowding on education, the authors present a conceptual model of the effect of ED crowding on education and review possible positive and negative effects on each of the six recognized Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) core competencies.

Ruptured renal artery aneurysm: an uncommon cause of acute abdominal pain

Previously thought to be extremely rare, renal artery aneurysms are now being found more commonly as incidental findings during the evaluation of refractory hypertension. Symptoms related to the aneurysm are uncommon and rupture occurs infrequently, but with devastating consequences. Factors predisposing to rupture include pregnancy, polyarteritis nodosa, and lack of aneurysmal calcification. Angiography is the study of choice for diagnosing the presence of visceral aneurysm and rupture. We report a case of ruptured renal artery aneurysm that presented with sudden onset of abdominal pain but no significant findings on physical examination. The patients size precluded the detection of a pulsatile abdominal mass or the ability to obtain an abdominal angiogram. Computed tomography scan with contrast revealed the correct diagnosis, and successful treatment was initiated.

Primary injury prevention in an urban EMS system

Injury prevention is increasingly recognized as an important part of health care delivery. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel may be called upon to deliver primary injury prevention (PIP) by educating both patients and peers about how to avoid future similar injury. The purpose of this study was to determine EMS provider attitudes toward PIP and knowledge and practice of PIP during day-to-day clinical work. A brief survey was administered to a sample of paramedics assessing their attitudes toward primary injury prevention, how often they practice it, and whether or not they have received any PIP education during their training. One hundred sixty-two paramedics completed surveys. Of those surveyed, 70% believe that PIP should be a core mission of EMS systems, and 82% believe PIP should be implemented at the local or regional level. However, only 33% routinely educate their patients how to modify injury risk behaviors, and only 19% routinely provide instruction about proper use of protective devices. Approximately 63% of our paramedics received any PIP education during their training. A majority of paramedics in our survey believe that PIP should be a routine part of EMS. However, many paramedics have not received any PIP education, and few paramedics practice PIP during their clinical practice.

Anion Gap as a Screening Tool for Elevated Lactate in Patients with an Increased Risk of Developing Sepsis in the Emergency Department

OBJECTIVES Serum lactate levels are a useful tool in monitoring critically ill patients, especially those who are septic. However, lactate levels are often not routinely drawn or rapidly available in some institutions. The objective of this study was to determine if a readily available anion gap (AG) could be used as a surrogate marker for abnormal lactate level in Emergency Department (ED) patients at risk for sepsis. METHODS Prospective, observational cohort study of consecutive ED patients seen at an urban university tertiary care referral center with 46,000 annual ED visits. ED patients aged 18 years or older presenting with clinically suspected infection were eligible for enrollment if a serum chemistry and lactate levels were drawn during the ED visit. During the 9-month study period, 1419 patients were enrolled. The initial basic chemistry panels, calculated AG, and lactate levels drawn in the ED were collected. We defined, a priori, an AG > 12 and a lactate > 4 mmol/L to be abnormal. Analysis was performed with Students t-test, operating characteristics with 95% confidence intervals, and logistic regression. RESULTS The mean AG was 11.8 (SD 3.6) and the mean lactate was 2.1 (SD 1.3). For an AG > 12, the mean lactate was 2.9 (SD 1.7), compared with 1.8 (SD 0.8) for an AG < 12. The sensitivity of an elevated AG (> 12) in predicting elevated lactate levels (> 4 mmol/L) was 80% (72-87%) and the specificity was 69% (66-71%). Patients with a gap > 12 had a 7.3-fold (4.6-11.4) increased risk of having a lactate > 4 mmol/L. The area under the curve was 0.84. CONCLUSION This study suggests that an elevated AG obtained in the ED is a moderately sensitive and specific means to detect elevated lactate levels in ED patients at risk for sepsis. This information may be somewhat helpful to Emergency Physicians to risk-stratify their patients to provide more aggressive early resuscitation.

EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF ACUTE URINARY RETENTION

Acute urinary retention is a common presentation to the Emergency Department and is often simply treated with placement of a Foley catheter. However, various cases will arise when this will not remedy the retention and more aggressive measures will be needed, particularly if emergent urological consultation is not available. This article will review the causes of urinary obstruction and systematically review emergent techniques and procedures used to treat this condition.

Appendicitis, Diverticulitis, and Colitis

Appendicitis, diverticulitis, and colitis are common gastrointestinal conditions presenting to the emergency department (ED). Although it is a common condition, the diagnosis of appendicitis remains challenging, and the approach to this disease continues to evolve. The diagnostic approach to diverticulitis is more straightforward, and treatment and the decision whether to hospitalize varies with disease severity. Colitis may be caused by inflammatory bowel disease, ischemia, or infection. This article details an ED-based approach to each of these disease entities.

Ethics curriculum for emergency medicine graduate medical education.

BACKGROUND Ethics education is an essential component of graduate medical education in emergency medicine. A sound understanding of principles of bioethics and a rational approach to ethical decision-making are imperative. OBJECTIVE This article addresses ethics curriculum content, educational approaches, educational resources, and resident feedback and evaluation. DISCUSSION Ethics curriculum content should include elements suggested by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, and the Model of the Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine. Essential ethics content includes ethical principles, the physician-patient relationship, patient autonomy, clinical issues, end-of-life decisions, justice, education in emergency medicine, research ethics, and professionalism. CONCLUSION The appropriate curriculum in ethics education in emergency medicine should include some of the content and educational approaches outlined in this article, although the optimal methods for meeting these educational goals may vary by institution.

Lateral canthotomy and cantholysis: Emergency management of orbital compartment syndrome

BACKGROUND Orbital compartment syndrome is a sight-threatening emergency. Vision may be preserved when timely intervention is performed. OBJECTIVE To present a case of orbital compartment syndrome caused by traumatic retrobulbar hemorrhage and the procedure of lateral canthotomy and cantholysis, reviewed with photographic illustration. DISCUSSION Lateral canthotomy and cantholysis are readily performed at the bedside with simple instruments. The procedure may prevent irreversible blindness in cases of acute orbital compartment syndrome. CONCLUSIONS Emergency physicians should be familiar with lateral canthotomy and cantholysis in the management of orbital compartment syndrome to minimize the chance of irreversible visual loss.