A telemedicine model for emergency care in a short-term correctional facility.

The primary objectives of this research were to determine the effectiveness of a personal computer-based telemedicine system for semi- and nonurgent complaints at a short-term correctional facility and to evaluate the system as a potential model for providing emergency care to remote locations. We performed a retrospective review of medical records of patients referred to the emergency department in person or via telemedicine during a 12-month period. The data included system utilization, chief complaints, physical examination, diagnostic testing, disposition, and outcomes in patients evaluated via telemedicine.

Influence of topical anesthesia on the sedation of pediatric emergency department patients with lacerations.

Local anesthetic infiltration of wounds causes pain which distresses children. A painless topical anesthetic solution containing tetracaine, adrenaline, and cocaine (TAC) may reduce this distress. We hypothesized that the use of TAC for anesthesia may reduce the utilization of sedation for laceration repair.