Attitude toward end-of-life care in emergency medicine residents- can a short workshop make a difference?

Background: There is a growing demand for palliative care (PC) in Emergency departments (ED) as the number of patients who need end-of-life (EOL) care is increasing. Despite significant variability amongst residency programs, there is a lack of structured core curriculum for PC/EOL care in most emergency medicine (EM) training programs, which often do not meet the needs of EM physicians. In this study, we evaluate the effect of a short EOL care workshop on changing the attitude of Iranian EM residents towards EOL care in ED.

Accuracy of Ultrasonography in Diagnosis of Shoulder Dislocation: A Systematic Review.

Context: This systematic review of clinical trials was conducted to compare the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in comparison to plain radiography in shoulder dislocation.

Evidence Acquisition: MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, clinicaltrials.gov, Google scholar, and Scopus were searched for clinical trials.

Validity of Triage Performed by Nurses Educated by Train-of-Trainer Workshop Participants; a Cross-sectional Study for Assessment of Cascade Training System.

Introduction: In 2010, a national triage train-of-trainer (TOT) workshop was held in Tehran, Iran.

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the validity of the triage performed by the nurses educated by those who participated in TOT workshop.

Method: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 6 teaching hospitals from 4 universities in Iran.

Association of optic nerve sheath diameter in ocular ultrasound with prognosis in patients presenting with acute stroke symptoms.

Background: Measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) by means of ocular ultrasound (US), can diagnose elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). Stroke accompanied by elevated ICP might have a worse prognosis.

Objective: To determine the relationship of ONSD in ocular US with prognosis in acute stroke in the emergency department (ED).

The Effect of Language Barrier and Non-professional Interpreters on the Accuracy of Patient-physician Communication in Emergency Department.

Introduction: Patients' relatives commonly play the role of interpreters in medical interviews. These non-professional interpreters are prone to potentially-dangerous translation errors.

Objective: The present study was conducted to evaluate these errors in the emergency department (ED).

Association of Lymphopenia with Short Term Outcomes of Sepsis Patients; a Brief Report.

Introduction: Studies have claimed that low lymphocyte count is independently correlated with 28-day survival of sepsis patients. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the value of lymphopenia in predicting the short-term outcome of sepsis patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on sepsis patients referred to the emergency department during an 8-month period and relationship of lymphopenia with 28-day mortality and probability of septic shock and readmission due to sepsis was assessed.

Validity of SMART-COP score in prognosis and severity of community acquired pneumonia in the emergency department.

Background: Determining prognosis in community acquired pneumonia (CAP), is very important. Many scores are introduced up to now for prediction of pneumonia prognosis like SMART-COP.

Objective: To evaluate validity of SMART-COP score in prognosis and severity of CAP in emergency department (ED).

Impact of point-of-care ultrasound on disposition time of patients presenting with lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, done by emergency physicians.

Background: Point-of-care venous compression ultrasound (VCU) is highly accurate in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) diagnosis; however, waiting to perform this exam by radiologists, may cause delay in patients' disposition.

Objective: To compare the effect of point-of-care VCU on patients' disposition time, done by emergency physician versus radiologists.

Methods: A total of 50 patients suspected of having lower extremity DVT, were randomized into 2 equal groups and they underwent a point-of-care VCU performed either by an emergency physician (emergency medicine (EM) group) or a radiologist (radiology group).

Accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound using low frequency curvilinear transducer in the diagnosis of shoulder dislocation and confirmation of appropriate reduction.

Background: Ultrasound (US) is an effective modality in the evaluation of shoulder dislocation and reduction. In most studies, high frequency US probes have been used.

Objective: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of low frequency US in the diagnosis of shoulder dislocation and its proper reduction in the emergency department (ED).

Accuracy of ultrasound exam performed by emergency medicine versus radiology residents in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

Background: Although the traditional approach to the diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) is using clinical methods, experience has shown that strict reliance on clinical data can lead to mismanagement or unnecessary surgery.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the total agreement of ultrasound (US) results in AA performed by emergency medicine (EM) versus radiology residents in emergency department.

Patients And Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 121 patients with AA suspicion underwent an US exam by both trained EM and radiology residents in emergency department.

Emergency Overcrowding Impact on the Quality of Care of Patients Presenting with Acute Stroke.

Introduction: Emergency overcrowding is defined as when the amount of care required for patients overcomes the available amount. This can cause delays in delivering critical care in situations like stroke.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the possible impact of emergency department (ED) crowding on the quality of care for acute stroke patients.

Pain Relieving Effect of Sublingual Glycerol Trinitrate in Renal Colic: a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Renal colic is caused by colicky spasms of ureters. As has been shown in previous experiments, glycerol trinitrate (TNG) can inhibit these muscular spasms.

Objective: This study was performed to assess the pain relieving effect of TNG among patients referred due to renal colic pain to the emergency department (ED).

Two Different Endotracheal Tube Securing Techniques: Fixing Bandage vs. Adhesive Tape.

Introduction: Emergency physicians should secure Endotracheal tubes (ETT) properly in order to prevent unplanned extubation (UE) and its complications. Despite various available endotracheal tube holders, using bandages or tape are still the most common methods used in this regards.

Objective: This study aimed to compare adhesive tape (AT) versus fixing bandage (FB) method in terms of properly securing ETT.

Validity of ultrasound in diagnosis of tendon injuries in penetrating extremity trauma.

Background: Tendon ruptures are common musculoskeletal injuries all around the world. Correct and timely diagnosis of tendon injuries is obviously important for improving the treatment and minimizing the community costs. Ultrasound is now being considered as one of useful modalities in this area.

Comparison of intranasal ketamine versus IV morphine in reducing pain in patients with renal colic.

Background: Various drugs have been used to relieve abdominal pain in patients with renal colic. Ketamine is a popular choice as an analgesic.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of intranasal (IN) ketamine versus intravenous (IV) morphine in reducing pain in patients with renal colic.

Comparison of endotracheal intubation, combitube, and laryngeal mask airway between inexperienced and experienced emergency medical staff: A manikin study.

Background: Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel manage the airway, but only a group of them are allowed to engage in Endotracheal Intubation (ETI). Our purpose was to evaluate if the use of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) or Combitube can be used by inexperienced care providers.

Materials And Methods: A randomized, prospective manikin study was conducted.