Hypertension in the Emergency Department.

Hypertension is the leading risk factor for the global burden of disease, yet more than 20% of adults with hypertension are unaware of their condition. Underlying hypertension affects over 25% emergency department attendees, and the condition is more commonly encountered in emergency departments than in primary care settings. Emergency departments are strategically well placed to fulfill the important public health goal of screening for hypertension, yet less than 30% of patients with mild to severe hypertension are referred for follow up.

Hemodynamic measurements for evaluating vasovagal syncope in the emergency department.

Syncope is a sudden and transient loss of consciousness and postural tone, with spontaneous recovery without medical intervention. It accounts for 1.0% to 1.

Influence of different positions on hemodynamics derived from noninvasive transcutaneous Doppler ultrasound.

A proper alignment of the ultrasound beam to the aortic or pulmonary outflow tracts is essential to acquire accurate signals. This study aimed to investigate the influence of different positions on the acquisition of Doppler signals using a noninvasive transcutaneous Doppler ultrasound. This was a prospective observational crossover study.

Emergency bedside ultrasound for the diagnosis of rib fractures.

The scope of clinical applications of emergency ultrasonography continues to expand. Bedside ultrasound has been typically described as an "extension of the palpating hand" and a "visual stethoscope" during physical examination. One of the relatively newer applications is its use in the detection of rib fractures.

Tension pneumothorax managed without immediate needle decompression.

Standard medical reference texts state that the immediate life-saving treatment for tension pneumothorax is needle decompression. This article reports a case of an 85-year-old man with tension pneumothorax who was managed without performing immediate needle decompression. Emergency physicians should be aware of the proper management of such cases.

The role of simple aspiration in the management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

According to an American College of Chest Physicians consensus statement published in 2001, it is recommended that chest tubes should be used for the drainage of primary spontaneous pneumothoraces. However, more recent expert opinions and guidelines suggest that simple aspiration is increasingly recognized as an acceptable alternative treatment. Studies have shown that the success rates and recurrence rates of simple aspiration are comparable to, if not more favorable than, those of chest tube drainage and small-bore catheter aspiration.

Does vaccinating ED health care workers against influenza reduce sickness absenteeism?

Unlabelled: This study aims to investigate the association between influenza vaccination of health care workers (HCWs) and sickness absenteeism. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in an emergency department (ED) of an acute care hospital. All full-time HCWs except physicians (73 nurses and health care attendants) were included.

Chest radiograph screening for severe acute respiratory syndrome in the ED.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the use of chest radiography for the screening of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). We retrospectively analyzed all patients who attended an Emergency Department SARS screening clinic during the outbreak in Hong Kong, from March 10 to June 5, 2003. Patients with clinical and epidemiologic suspicion of SARS were evaluated by serial chest radiography.

Preventive treatment for re-expansion pulmonary oedema.

Re-expansion pulmonary oedema is a rare but life-threatening condition that may complicate the treatment of pneumothorax. Current opinions vary regarding how this condition can be prevented. The concepts behind these various theories are discussed with an emphasis on applying available evidence and expert guidelines to practice.

Emergency bedside ultrasound to detect pneumothorax.

A relatively new application of emergency ultrasound is its use in the diagnosis of pneumothorax. In patients with major trauma, early detection and treatment of pneumothorax are vital. Chest radiography in these patients is limited to anteroposterior (AP) supine films, in which radiographic features of pneumothorax may be quite subtle.

Predictors of positive stool culture in adult patients with acute infectious diarrhea.

Stool cultures for bacterial pathogens are often requested for investigation of patients with infectious diarrhea, but the literature reports low yield for this diagnostic test. The identification of clinical predictors of positive stool culture will help the physician in determining the necessity for stool requests. A retrospective study was performed in the setting of an Emergency Department (ED) in Hong Kong, to compare presenting features of adult patients with positive stool culture against those with negative culture.