Scabies: Application of the Novel Identify-Isolate-Inform Tool for Detection and Management.

Scabies is a highly contagious, globally prevalent, parasitic skin infestation caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis, also known as the itch mite. There have been outbreaks not only in the developing world, but also in the developed world among refugees and asylum seekers.

Consensus-based Criterion Standard for the Identification of Pediatric Patients Who Need Emergency Medical Services Transport to a Hospital with Higher-level Pediatric Resources.

Background: Emergency medical services (EMS) providers must be able to identify the most appropriate destination facility when treating children with potentially severe medical illnesses. Currently, no validated tool exists to assist EMS providers in identifying children who need transport to a hospital with higher-level pediatric care. For such a tool to be developed, a criterion standard needs to be defined that identifies children who received higher-level pediatric medical care.

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: Public Health Implications and a Novel Model Treatment Guideline.

Introduction: Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is an entity associated with cannabinoid overuse. CHS typically presents with cyclical vomiting, diffuse abdominal pain, and relief with hot showers. Patients often present to the emergency department (ED) repeatedly and undergo extensive evaluations including laboratory examination, advanced imaging, and in some cases unnecessary procedures.

Emergency Physician Disaster Deployment: Issues to Consider and a Model Policy.

Disaster responders are frequently emergency physicians (EPs). Effective response is enhanced by the strong support of home institutions and clear policies for backfill of regular duties. A group of disaster medicine responders and researchers worked with an academic department of emergency medicine to create a policy that addresses concerns of deploying physicians, colleagues remaining at the home institution, and administrators.

Distracted Driving, A Major Preventable Cause of Motor Vehicle Collisions: "Just Hang Up and Drive".

For years, public health experts have been concerned about the effect of cell phone use on motor vehicle collisions, part of a phenomenon known as "distracted driving." The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) article "Mobile Device Use While Driving - United States and Seven European Countries 2011" highlights the international nature of these concerns. Recent (2011) estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are that 10% of fatal crashes and 17% of injury crashes were reported as distraction-affected.

A retrospective review of the prehospital use of activated charcoal.

Objective: We studied the complications and timing implications of prehospital activated charcoal (PAC). Appropriateness of PAC administration was also evaluated.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed prehospital records over 32 months for overdose cases, where PAC was administered.

Characteristics of hospitals diverting ambulances in a California EMS system.

Introduction: While several reports discuss controversies regarding ambulance diversion from acute care hospitals and the mortality, financial, and resource effects, there is scant literature related to the effect of hospital characteristics.

Hypothesis/problem: The objective of this study was to describe specific paramedic receiving center characteristics that are associated with ambulance diversion rates in an Emergency Medical Services system.

Methods: A retrospective observational study design was used.

A pilot study examining the viability of a Prehospital Assessment with UltraSound for Emergencies (PAUSE) protocol.

Background: Prehospital ultrasound has been shown to aid in the diagnosis of multiple conditions that do not generally change prehospital management. On the other hand, the diagnoses of cardiac tamponade, tension pneumothorax, or cardiac standstill may directly impact patient resuscitation in the field.

Study Objective: To determine if prehospital care providers can learn to acquire and recognize ultrasound images for several life-threatening conditions using the Prehospital Assessment with UltraSound for Emergencies (PAUSE) protocol.

Prospective correlation of arterial vs venous blood gas measurements in trauma patients.

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess if venous blood gas (VBG) results (pH and base excess [BE]) are numerically similar to arterial blood gas (ABG) in acutely ill trauma patients.

Methods: We prospectively correlated paired ABG and VBG results (pH and BE) in adult trauma patients when ABG was clinically indicated. A priori consensus threshold of clinical equivalence was set at ± less than 0.

The worsening of ED on-call coverage in California: 6-year trend.

To reassess problems with on-call physician coverage in California, we repeated our anonymous 2000 survey of the California chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians. Physicians responded from 77.4% of California emergency departments (EDs), 51.

Does START triage work? An outcomes assessment after a disaster.

Study Objective: The mass casualty triage system known as simple triage and rapid treatment (START) has been widely used in the United States since the 1980s. However, no outcomes assessment has been conducted after a disaster to determine whether assigned triage levels match patients' actual clinical status. Researchers hypothesize that START achieves at least 90% sensitivity and specificity for each triage level and ensures that the most critical patients are transported first to area hospitals.

Health care facility-based decontamination of victims exposed to chemical, biological, and radiological materials.

Since the US terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, concern regarding use of chemical, biological, or radiological weapons is heightened. Many victims of such an attack would present directly to health care facilities without first undergoing field decontamination. This article reviews basic tenets and recommendations for health care facility-based decontamination, including regulatory concerns, types of contaminants, comprehensive decontamination procedures (including crowd control, triage, removal of contaminated garments, cleaning of body contaminants, and management of contaminated materials and equipment), and a discussion of methods to achieve preparedness.