The effects of ceftriaxone by intravenous push on adverse drug reactions in the emergency department.

Objective: At our hospital, a shortage of sterile saline bags led to changing ceftriaxone from intravenous infusion to intravenous push. We examined if this change led to an increase in adverse reactions.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart analysis on patients 18 and older that were administered ceftriaxone in the ED between January to March 2018.

Decreased Nursing Staffing Adversely Affects Emergency Department Throughput Metrics.

Introduction: The effect of nurse staffing on emergency department (ED) efficiency remains a significant area of interest to administrators, physicians, and nurses. We believe that decreased nursing staffing adversely affects key ED throughput metrics.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational review of our electronic medical record database from 1/1/2015 to 12/31/2015 at a high-volume, urban public hospital.

Comparison of Result Times Between Urine and Whole Blood Point-of-care Pregnancy Testing.

Introduction: Point-of-care (POC) pregnancy testing is commonly performed in the emergency department (ED). One prior study demonstrated equivalent accuracy between urine and whole blood for one common brand of POC pregnancy testing. Our study sought to determine the difference in result times when comparing whole blood versus urine for the same brand of POC pregnancy testing.

The bougie: an inexpensive lifesaving airway device.

Background: "Bougies," otherwise known as endotracheal tube introducers, remain preferred devices for the emergency physician when faced with a difficult airway. Bougies have high success rates for the prehospital provider and the first-time emergency department (ED) user, with few reported complications. Inexpensive, disposable models provide simple yet valuable tools in the challenging patient with an anterior airway or limited neck mobility.