Melinda Sharon

Emergency department visits by pediatric patients sustained as a passenger on a motorcycle

ABSTRACT Objective: Currently only 5 out of the 50 states in the United States have laws restricting the age of passengers permitted to ride on a motorcycle. This study sought to characterize the visits by patients under the age of 16 to U.S. emergency departments (EDs) for injuries sustained as a passenger on a motorcycle. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, data were obtained from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) for the years 2006 to 2011. Pediatric patients who were passengers on a motorcycle that was involved in a crash were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) External Cause of Injury codes. We also examined gender, age, disposition, regional differences, common injuries, and charges. Results: Between 2006 and 2011 there were an estimated 9,689 visits to U.S. EDs by patients under the age of 16 who were passengers on a motorcycle involved in a crash. The overall average patient age was 9.4 years, and they were predominately male (54.5%). The majority (85%) of these patients were treated and released. The average charges for discharged patients were

Longitudinal Ultrasound Curriculum Incorporation at West Virginia University School of Medicine: A Description and Graduating Students' Perceptions: Longitudinal POCUS Curriculum at WVU

2,116.50 and amounted to roughly

Emergency department visits coded for swimming pool diving injuries

17,500,000 during the 6 years. The average cost for admission was

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in the Emergency Department: A FOCUS Heart Breaker

51,446 per patient and totaled over

Occult Iliac Deep Vein Thrombosis in Second Trimester Pregnancy: Clues on Bedside Ultrasound

54 million. The most common primary injuries included superficial contusions; sprains and strains; upper limb fractures; open wounds of head, neck, and trunk; and intracranial injuries. Conclusion: Although there were only about 9,700 visits to U.S. EDs for motorcycle crashes involving passengers less than 16 years old for 2006 to 2011, the total cost of visits that resulted in either ED discharge or hospital admission amounted to over

Testicular Rupture: A Tough Nut to Crack

71 million.

Immediate Emergency Department Diagnosis of Pyloric Stenosis with Point-of-care Ultrasound

Sonography is a clinical tool being incorporated in multiple medical specialties with evidence of improved patient care and cost. Some schools have begun implementing ultrasound curricula. We hope to build upon that foundation and provide another potential framework of incorporation. There are several barriers, including curricular space, equipment and physical space, adequate faculty, and performing assessment.

Emergency Department Visits for Sexual Assault by Emerging Adults: Is Alcohol a Factor?

ABSTRACT Despite legislative efforts to enhance safety in public swimming pools, diving injuries are still common. This study investigated the characteristics of emergency departments (EDs) visits for diving accidents. This study utilized 2006–2014 data from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample and examined visits for accidents due to diving or jumping into water (swimming pool). Data were stratified by age categories. Over 83,000 ED visits were found and the majority of visits were by males. Significantly more patients were in the 15–24 age category. The majority of patients were discharged and were covered by private insurance. Total charges for the six-year period approached

Implementation of a Collaborative HIV and Hepatitis C Screening Program in Appalachian Urgent Care Settings

620 million. Spinal cord injuries were more common in those over age 25, whereas intracranial injuries occurred more frequently in younger patients. This study provides a profile of patients presenting to US EDs for diving-related injuries.

Pediatric Lung Abscess: Immediate Diagnosis by Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is an important condition for the emergency physician to consider in patients with cardiovascular symptoms. A 70-year-old woman presented with chest pain and nausea following emotional trauma. She had an elevated troponin and a normal electrocardiogram with no history of previous cardiac disease. Point-of-care focused cardiac ultrasound (FOCUS) showed reduced left ventricular systolic function with mid to apical hypokinesis. Cardiac catheterization revealed clean coronary arteries and confirmed the suspected diagnosis of TCM. Few reports emphasize the importance of FOCUS in the diagnosis and management of TCM in the emergency department. We detail FOCUS findings that assisted with diagnosis of TCM and describe how this quick, noninvasive imaging modality can be used to assess and manage emergent conditions.