Emergency Medicine Topics
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Early Trial Results Suggest Many Acute Appendicitis Patients Could Safely Delay or Avoid Surgery
In a study, 70% of patients with appendicitis who were treated with antibiotics avoided surgery at 90 days. This creates possibilities for patients and providers for a common diagnosis in the ED.
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Ketamine Use in Emergency Medicine
Ketamine is a medication traditionally used by emergency physicians for intubation and procedural sedation. This article will discuss many common and accepted uses of ketamine, primarily for agitation, rapid sequence intubation (RSI), sedation, and pain management.
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Family Members Encouraged to Offer More Care for Loved Ones in ICU
Researchers provide guidance to worried family members who may not know how to act in the intimidating ICU setting.
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When Hospitals Refuse to See Medicaid Patients
Serving the best interests of patients while remaining financially solvent is a high-wire act. Ethicists can help clarify a hospital’s obligations to Medicaid patients, including policies relating to admission criteria, such as for patients with inadequate funding. These policies also can clear up confusion over ethical and legal obligations to Medicaid patients who present with emergencies.
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Too Many EP Malpractice Claims Could Mean Liability for Hospital
In most states, hospitals already are vicariously liable for the actions of their hospital-based physicians. It is more difficult to defend the care of a clinician who is sued constantly.
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Specific Items, if Well-Documented, Prove ED Met EMTALA Obligations
When CMS surveyors come on site to investigate an EMTALA complaint, the outcome often comes down to documentation.
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Added Statement to NPDB Report About ED Lawsuit Is Not Always Warranted
A short statement to explain what led to a National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) report might be acceptable. A lengthy diatribe railing against the injustice of the lawsuit is not. Before submitting a response to a NPDB report, seek counsel.
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Suspicious Changes to ED Chart Become Central Focus of Malpractice Lawsuit
Once someone concludes an emergency physician changed the medical record after a bad outcome, credibility (and likely the case) is lost. If there really is a valid reason to correct the electronic health record, clinicians should consult their facility’s policies and procedures regarding such corrections.
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Missed Appendicitis ED Claims Follow Similar Fact Patterns
The authors of a recent study learned missing appendicitis was more likely to occur among patients with comorbidities, women, and patients who experienced abdominal pain accompanied by constipation.
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Jury Might Scrutinize Hospital Response to Safety Concerns
Most jurors believe employees are entitled to due process, whereby the appropriate parties address concerns and performance issues properly.