Implementation and Preliminary Results of an Emergency Department Nontargeted, Opt-out Hepatitis C Virus Screening Program.

Background: Emergency department (ED) visits provide an opportunity for hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening for patients who otherwise might not be tested. We report on a novel nontargeted, opt-out HCV screening and linkage-to-care (LTC) program implemented in an urban ED.

Methods: This is a descriptive analysis from 3 months (November 2016-January 2017) of a nontargeted, opt-out ED HCV screening and LTC program among patients at least 13 years old undergoing phlebotomy for clinical purposes.

Long-acting reversible contraception in the pediatric emergency department: clinical implications and common challenges.

Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is recommended as first-line contraception for adolescents and young adults. As the use of LARC increases, pediatric emergency medicine clinicians should be able to recognize different types of LARC and address their common adverse effects, adverse reactions, and complications. This continuing medical education activity provides an overview of LARC and will assist clinicians in the evaluation and management of patients with LARC-associated complaints.

Pediatric stroke.

Stroke is rare in children but leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Emergency department physicians are likely to be the first to evaluate children suffering strokes and it is, therefore, important for them to recognize common presenting features and risk factors for pediatric stroke. This review describes the epidemiology, clinical presentations, stroke types, associated risk factors, evaluation, treatment, and prognosis of pediatric stroke.

Increased prevalence of behavioral risks among adolescent and young adult women with psychological distress in the emergency department.

Background: Mental health problems in adolescents have been recognized as a significant medical concern. They have been associated with risk-taking behaviors during adolescence.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of elevated scores for psychological distress among adolescent girls aged 15 to 21 years who present to a pediatric emergency department (PED) for general medical care and to correlate psychological distress scores with sexual and substance use behaviors.

Bedside ultrasound in pediatric emergency medicine fellowship programs in the United States: little formal training.

Background: Bedside ultrasound (BUS) can provide critical information in a rapid and noninvasive manner to the emergency physician. It is widely used in emergency departments (ED) throughout the nation. Literature shows that BUS shortens patient stay and increases patient satisfaction.

Ultrasound soft-tissue applications in the pediatric emergency department: to drain or not to drain?

Soft tissue infections frequently prompt visits to the pediatric emergency department. The incidence of these infections has increased markedly in recent years. The emergence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is associated with an increasing morbidity, mortality, and frequency of abscess formation.

Pediatric ophthalmology in the emergency department.

Examining the young child who presents to the emergency department with a visual or ocular complaint can be a challenge. This article discusses basic concepts of visual and behavioral development and methods for an accurate ocular examination in young children. Topics reviewed include conjunctivitis, orbital and periorbital cellulitis, lacrimal system infections, congenital issues, misalignment, and oncology.

Restraint use for psychiatric patients in the pediatric emergency department.

Background: Restraint of children and adolescents with psychiatric problems has generated controversy. Restraint may be defined as methods used to restrict movement or normal access to one's body. Published data to guide restraint practice are limited.

The use of restraint for pediatric psychiatric patients in emergency departments.

Objective: To identify current practice and staff education regarding the use of restraint in emergency departments for children undergoing psychiatric evaluations and to compare restraint practice and education in emergency medicine residencies (EMRs) and pediatric emergency medicine fellowships (PEMFs).

Methods: A self-administered survey regarding staff and resident education and the use of restraint for emergency pediatric patients undergoing psychiatric evaluation was mailed to the directors of EMRs and PEMFs. Main outcome measures included frequency of restraint use, staff trained in restraint use, favored positions for physical restraint, and agents regularly used for chemical restraint.