Pandemic influenza and major disease outbreak preparedness in US emergency departments: A survey of medical directors and department chairs.

Study Objectives: To quantify the readiness of individual academic emergency departments (EDs) in the United States for an outbreak of pandemic influenza. Methods, design, and setting: Cross-sectional assessment of influenza pandemic preparedness level of EDs in the United States via survey of medical directors and department chairs from the 135 academic emergency medicine departments in the United States. Preparedness assessed using a novel score of 15 critical preparedness indicators.

Pandemic influenza and major disease outbreak preparedness in US emergency departments: a survey of medical directors and department chairs.

Study Objectives: To quantify the readiness of individual academic emergency departments (EDs) in the United States for an outbreak of pandemic influenza. METHODS, DESIGN, AND SETTING: Cross-sectional assessment of influenza pandemic preparedness level of EDs in the United States via survey of medical directors and department chairs from the 135 academic emergency medicine departments in the United States. Preparedness assessed using a novel score of 15 critical preparedness indicators.

The prevalence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in skin abscesses presenting to the pediatric emergency department.

Background: Community-acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections have been increasing. The most common of these infections present as skin abscesses. The objectives of this study were to prospectively determine the prevalence of CA-MRSA in abscesses in the population of a pediatric emergency department, to determine antibiotic sensitivity patterns of the CA-MRSA isolates, and to describe the patient population that presented with skin abscesses.