Initiation of the ABCD3-I algorithm for expediated evaluation of transient ischemic attack patients in an emergency department.

Background: The use of ABCD3-I score for Transient ischemic attack (TIA) evaluation has not been widely investigated in the ED. We aim to determine the performance and cost-effectiveness of an ABCD3-I based pathway for expedited evaluation of TIA patients in the ED.

Methods: We conducted a single-center, pre- and post-intervention study among ED patients with possible TIA.

Standardized Reporting System Use During Handoffs Reduces Patient Length of Stay in the Emergency Department.

Background: Emergency department (ED) shift handoffs are potential sources of delay in care. We aimed to determine the impact that using standardized reporting tool and process may have on throughput metrics for patients undergoing a transition of care at shift change.

Methods: We performed a prospective, pre- and post-intervention quality improvement study from September 1 to November 30, 2015.

Femur fractures should not be considered distracting injuries for cervical spine assessment.

Introduction: The National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study (NEXUS) clinical decision rule is extremely sensitive for clearance of cervical spine (C-spine) injury in blunt trauma patients with distracting injuries.

Objectives: We sought to determine whether the NEXUS criteria would maintain sensitivity for blunt trauma patients when femur fractures were not considered a distracting injury and an absolute indication for diagnostic imaging.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed blunt trauma patients with at least 1 femur fracture who presented to our emergency department as trauma activations from 2009 to 2011 and underwent C-spine injury evaluation.