36 research outputs found

    A skin abscess model for teaching incision and drainage procedures

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Skin and soft tissue infections are increasingly prevalent clinical problems, and it is important for health care practitioners to be well trained in how to treat skin abscesses. A realistic model of abscess incision and drainage will allow trainees to learn and practice this basic physician procedure.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We developed a realistic model of skin abscess formation to demonstrate the technique of incision and drainage for educational purposes. The creation of this model is described in detail in this report.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>This model has been successfully used to develop and disseminate a multimedia video production for teaching this medical procedure. Clinical faculty and resident physicians find this model to be a realistic method for demonstrating abscess incision and drainage.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This manuscript provides a detailed description of our model of abscess incision and drainage for medical education. Clinical educators can incorporate this model into skills labs or demonstrations for teaching this basic procedure.</p

    Acute wound management: revisiting the approach to assessment, irrigation, and closure considerations

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    Abstract Background As millions of emergency department (ED) visits each year include wound care, emergency care providers must remain experts in acute wound management. The variety of acute wounds presenting to the ED challenge the physician to select the most appropriate management to facilitate healing. A complete wound history along with anatomic and specific medical considerations for each patient provides the basis of decision making for wound management. It is essential to apply an evidence‐based approach and consider each wound individually in order to create the optimal conditions for wound healing. Aims A comprehensive evidence‐based approach to acute wound management is an essential skill set for any emergency physician or acute care practitioner. This review provides an overview of current evidence and addresses frequent pitfalls. Methods A systematic review of the literature for acute wound management was performed. Results A structured MEDLINE search was performed regarding acute wound management including established wound care guidelines. The data obtained provided the framework for evidence‐based recommendations and current best practices for wound care. Conclusion Acute wound management varies based on the wound location and characteristics. No single approach can be applied to all wounds; however, a systematic approach to acute wound care integrated with current best practices provides the framework for exceptional wound management

    Minimizing Attrition for Multisite Emergency Care Research.

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    Impact of a Physician-in-Triage Process on Resident Education

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    Introduction: Emergency department (ED) crowding negatively impacts patient care quality and efficiency. To reduce crowding many EDs use a physician-in-triage (PIT) process. However, few studies have evaluated the effect of a PIT processes on resident education. Our objective was to determine the impact of a PIT process implementation on resident education within the ED of an academic medical center. Methods: We performed a prospective cross-sectional study for a 10-week period from March to June 2011, during operationally historic trended peak patient volume and arrival periods. Emergency medicine residents (three-year program) and faculty, blinded to the research objectives, were asked to evaluate the educational quality of each shift using a 5-point Likert scale. Residents and faculty also completed a questionnaire at the end of the study period assessing the perceived impact of the PIT process on resident education, patient care, satisfaction, and throughput. We compared resident and attending data using Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: During the study period, 54 residents and attendings worked clinically during the PIT process with 78% completing questionnaires related to the study. Attendings and residents indicated “no impact” of the PIT process on resident education [median Likert score of 3.0, inter-quartile range (IQR): 2-4]. There was no difference in attending and resident perceptions (p-value =0.18). Both groups perceived patient satisfaction to be “positively impacted” [4.0, IQR:2-4 for attendings vs 4.0,IQR:1-5 for residents, p-value =0.75]. Residents perceived more improvement in patient throughput to than attendings [3.5, IQR:3-4 for attendings vs 4.0, IQR:3-5 for residents, p-value =0.006]. Perceived impact on differential diagnosis generation was negative in both groups [2.0, IQR:1-3 vs 2.5, IQR:1-5, p-value = 0.42]. The impact of PIT on selection of diagnostic studies and medical decision making was negative for attendings and neutral for residents: [(2.0, IQR:1-3 vs 3.0,IQR:1-4, p-value =0.10) and (2.0, IQR:1-4 vs 3.0, IQR:1-5, p-value =0.14 respectively]. Conclusion: Implementation of a PIT process at an academic medical center was not associated with a negative (or positive) perceived impact on resident education. However, attendings and residents felt that differential diagnosis development was negatively impacted. Attendings also felt diagnostic test selection and medical decision-making learning were negatively impacted by the PIT process. [West J Emerg Med. 2014;15(7):–0.

    Impact of a Physician-in-Triage Process on Resident Education

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    Introduction: Emergency department (ED) crowding negatively impacts patient care quality and efficiency. To reduce crowding many EDs use a physician-in-triage (PIT) process. However, few studies have evaluated the effect of a PIT processes on resident education. Our objective was to determine the impact of a PIT process implementation on resident education within the ED of an academic medical center.Methods: We performed a prospective cross-sectional study for a 10-week period from March to June 2011, during operationally historic trended peak patient volume and arrival periods. Emergency medicine residents (three-year program) and faculty, blinded to the research objectives, were asked to evaluate the educational quality of each shift using a 5-point Likert scale. Residents and faculty also completed a questionnaire at the end of the study period assessing the perceived impact of the PIT process on resident education, patient care, satisfaction, and throughput. We compared resident and attending data using Mann-Whitney U tests.Results: During the study period, 54 residents and attendings worked clinically during the PIT process with 78% completing questionnaires related to the study. Attendings and residents indicated “no impact” of the PIT process on resident education [median Likert score of 3.0, inter-quartile range (IQR): 2-4]. There was no difference in attending and resident perceptions (p-value =0.18). Both groups perceived patient satisfaction to be “positively impacted” [4.0, IQR:2-4  for attendings vs 4.0,IQR:1-5 for residents, p-value =0.75]. Residents perceived more improvement in patient throughput to than attendings [3.5, IQR:3-4 for attendings vs 4.0, IQR:3-5 for residents, p-value =0.006]. Perceived impact on differential diagnosis generation was negative in both groups [2.0, IQR:1-3 vs 2.5, IQR:1-5, p-value = 0.42]. The impact of PIT on selection of diagnostic studies and medical decision making was negative for attendings and neutral for residents: [(2.0, IQR:1-3 vs 3.0,IQR:1-4, p-value =0.10) and (2.0, IQR:1-4 vs 3.0, IQR:1-5, p-value =0.14 respectively].Conclusion: Implementation of a PIT process at an academic medical center was not associated with a negative (or positive) perceived impact on resident education. However, attendings and residents felt that differential diagnosis development was negatively impacted. Attendings also felt diagnostic test selection and medical decision-making learning were negatively impacted by the PIT process. [West J Emerg Med. 2014;15(7):–0.

    First aid knowledge and application among commercial inter-city drivers in Nigeria

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    Introduction: Road traffic accidents have been responsible for an increasing number of deaths and disabilities worldwide, with a disproportionate growth in developing countries. While preventative measures are essential, integration of basic medical care in the pre-hospital setting is crucial given the limitations of pre-hospital emergency medical services within most low to middle income countries. Additional opportunities to provide immediate care at the point of injury have been explored but are not uniformly available. The objective of this study was to ascertain the current level of basic first aid knowledge and application of commercial inter-city drivers in Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional cohort study was carried out among commercial inter-city drivers in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria from March - April 2009. Using a simple random sampling technique, 229 participants were uniformly interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire. Results: All participants were males with 102 (44.5%) having a secondary school education. The mean driving experience of participants was 26.1 years. A minority of participants (86; 37.6%) identified basic resuscitation priorities correctly. Most participants (183; 79.9%) believed that they could be trained and would be willing to apply first aid. Discussion: Basic first aid knowledge and application are limited in the studied inter-city driver cohort. However, a majority believe they could be trained and would be willing to participate in patient care. Further efforts should be made to educate commercial drivers on the components of first aid, establish appropriate on-board resources, and measure outcomes

    Bedside ultrasound training at Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Hospital San Carlos in Chiapas, Mexico

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    In resource-rich settings, bedside ultrasound has rapidly evolved to be a crucial part of emergency centre practice and a growing part of critical care practice. This portable and affordable technology may be even more valuable in resource-limited environments where other imaging modalities are inaccessible, but the optimal amount of training required to achieve competency in bedside ultrasound is largely unknown. We sought to evaluate the feasibility of implementation of a mixed-modality bedside ultrasound training course for emergency and generalist acute care physicians in limited resource settings, and to provide a description of our core course components, including specific performance goals, to facilitate implementation of similar initiatives. Methods: We conducted a standardised training course at two distinct sites—one large, urban tertiary hospital in Tanzania with a dedicated Emergency Centre, and one small, rural, hospital in southern Mexico with a general, acute intake area. We report on pre-training ultrasound use at both sites, as well as pre- and post-training views on most useful indications. Results: Overall, participants were very satisfied with the course, although approximately one-third of the providers at both sites would have preferred more hands-on training. All participants passed a standardised exam requiring image acquisition and interpretation. Discussion: Introducing bedside ultrasound training in two distinct resource-limited settings was feasible and well-received. After a brief intensive period of training, participants successfully passed a comprehensive examination, including demonstration of standardised image acquisition and accurate interpretation of normal and abnormal studies
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