{"title":"Mycoplasma Genitalium: A Lesser-Known Cause of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.","authors":"Crystle Harcar","doi":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000472","DOIUrl":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000472","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is a bacterium that can be spread through sexual contact with another person who is infected. If misdiagnosed and left untreated, this newer, emerging sexually transmitted infection (STI) can cause complications such as urethritis and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in both men and women. In males, MG can be asymptomatic and undetectable. In females, MG may present with nonspecific symptoms, such as dysuria, vaginal discharge, and/or pelvic pain. In addition to chlamydia and gonorrhea, MG may result in PID. Due to the complications of MG, health care providers in the emergency department setting need to consider this as a differential diagnosis when performing STI and vaginitis screenings on sexually active patients who may present with urinary or vaginal complaints. As patients with pelvic pain are frequently seen in the emergency department, providers need to be aware of the role that MG may play in STIs and the subsequent sequelae if not treated properly.</p>","PeriodicalId":45446,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9886129","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Atopic Dermatitis: A Common Pediatric Diagnosis That Is Not Just Another Rash.","authors":"Michael D Gooch, Kathleen S Jordan","doi":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000468","DOIUrl":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000468","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Emergency nurse practitioners are expected to assess and manage a variety of patients. These patients may present with urgent care-type complaints to severe life-threatening illnesses or injuries. For some, dermatological problems can sometimes be just as challenging as a critically ill patient. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one, if not, the most common chronic inflammatory disease. Its presentation can vary depending on the age of the patient, the patient's skin tone, and other comorbidities. Patients often seek emergency care related to the condition itself or associated complications. This article includes a review of the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and standard management of AD. Finally, the potential complications of AD are discussed. A better understanding of AD will allow emergency nurse practitioners to properly identify and treat this chronic condition, as well as its complications.</p>","PeriodicalId":45446,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9886131","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Heatstroke on the Rise: A Guide to Implementing Tarp-Assisted Cooling With Oscillation (TACO) in the Emergency Department.","authors":"","doi":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000477","DOIUrl":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000477","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":45446,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9883610","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Diagnostic Challenge of an Older Adult With Epigastric Pain in the Emergency Department: High Risk and High Volume.","authors":"Karen Sue Hoyt, Kathleen S Jordan","doi":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000475","DOIUrl":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000475","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Epigastric pain is a common complaint in patients who present to the emergency department (ED); abdominal pain is the most common chief complaint in older adult patients who request treatment by a provider (A. B. Friedman et al., 2022). These patients may experience atypical presentations, which can result in delayed or missed diagnosis altogether, increasing morbidity, and mortality. This is the case of an older adult man who presented with chest and epigastric pain. The clinical presentation, atypical signs, and symptoms of gangrenous gallbladder are presented herein along with the differential diagnoses and diagnostics for this patient. The care for and the \"what not to miss\" in the management of this patent are also examined in this article. It is imperative that ED providers diagnose gangrenous gallbladder early on, especially in the older adult population, who may present with covert signs and symptoms to prevent complications and avoid poor outcomes including death in this age group.</p>","PeriodicalId":45446,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9883613","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Spontaneous Pneumothorax: Controversies in Treatment.","authors":"Marlen Alvarez, Dian Dowling Evans, Paula Tucker","doi":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000465","DOIUrl":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000465","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Research to Practice column critiques a current research article and translates the findings, in the context of a case, to a practice change within emergency settings. This article reviews the findings of a randomized controlled trial conducted by A. Theille et al. (2017) comparing the use of needle decompression versus chest tube insertion for management of spontaneous pneumothorax. The study found that use of needle aspiration was safe and effective and was associated with fewer procedure-related complications and significantly shorter hospital stays. The investigators concluded that needle aspiration be used as a first-line, definitive treatment in management of a spontaneous pneumothorax. As emergency providers examine improved and equally effective approaches to care that are associated with less costs and potential complications, needle aspiration offers a beneficial approach and should be shared with patients when discussing treatment options to ensure shared decision making.</p>","PeriodicalId":45446,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9886126","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Intracranial Hemorrhage Presenting With ST-Segment Elevation and T-Wave Inversion Concerning for Acute Myocardial Infarction.","authors":"Evan Rusoja, Amandeep Singh","doi":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000471","DOIUrl":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000471","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Acute neurologic injury and increased intracranial pressure are associated with electrocardiographic (ECG) changes that include rhythm disturbances as well as ECG mimics of myocardial ischemia, such as focal or diffuse ST-segment or T-wave abnormalities. Both the mechanism and significance of these ECG changes are not clear. The authors report a case of a patient with a complex medical history who became hypotensive after he presented with acute intracranial hemorrhage. A subsequent ECG showing ST-segment elevation in the inferior and lateral leads was concerning for acute myocardial infarction. ST-segment elevation in the setting of acute intracranial hemorrhage can lead to diagnostic confusion and/or premature narrowing of the differential diagnosis. This case report starts with an example of this exact scenario, provides a concise overview of potential mechanisms, and concludes with several possible strategies that the emergency provider can use to identify this effect in an undifferentiated patient.</p>","PeriodicalId":45446,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9886132","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jason Cucchiara, Julie Thompson, Michael Zychowicz, Adam McHone, Robert Williamson
{"title":"Splint Quality Assessment and Improvement Among Emergency Department Staff.","authors":"Jason Cucchiara, Julie Thompson, Michael Zychowicz, Adam McHone, Robert Williamson","doi":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000474","DOIUrl":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000474","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The purpose of this quality improvement project is to assess and improve the quality of splint application in the emergency department (ED), as well as the splint application confidence level of the ED staff. Consistent and high-quality splint application is critical in fracture stabilization and prevention of further injury. Significantly high turnover and a lack of formal training of ED staff has led to poor splint application, and in some cases, patient injuries related to the splints themselves. These injuries include pain, edema, and skin complications (A. P. Carino, 2017). A random, Likert-based analysis was performed on 20 ED-applied splints. Once analysis was complete, training courses were implemented to improve splint application techniques. Using the same Likert-based tool, applications of 20 posttraining splints were analyzed. In addition, ED staff confidence levels were scored before and after the training courses. Overall, statistically significant improvement was achieved in splint application quality and staff confidence. Correct splint applications increased from 50% to 95% after the educational sessions. Staff confidence in splint application also increased, from 35% to 77.1%. Quality splint application affects all patients. The higher risk population is more likely to suffer the consequences of poor splint application. This project had a positive impact on the region's marginalized patient population. These patients have limited resources, including lack of transportation, financial limitations, and typically are at higher risk for complications due to comorbidities.</p>","PeriodicalId":45446,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9886128","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Heatstroke on the Rise: A Guide to Implementing Tarp-Assisted Cooling With Oscillation (TACO) in the Emergency Department.","authors":"Lucy Tucker, Emily Evans","doi":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000470","DOIUrl":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000470","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Heat-related illnesses, namely, heatstroke is on the rise and is a public health concern nationally and internationally. Heatstroke is generally considered to be a core body temperature greater than 40 °C (104 °F) with dry, hot skin, and central nervous system manifestations. Heatstroke is characterized by a systemic inflammatory response that leads to multiple-organ dysfunction and ultimately death if not treated in a timely manner. Rapid recognition and cooling are imperative, as mortality is high, especially in the elderly. There are many cooling methods that have been studied that include cold-water immersion, tarp-assisted cooling with oscillation (TACO), evaporative cooling (misting/fanning), commercial ice packs, cooling vests and jackets, cold showers, and ice sheets. Although cold-water immersion is the fastest method for cooling, it is not usually feasible in an emergency department (ED). TACO is the most feasible and effective cooling method for EDs. It is vital that EDs have a specific plan in place before implementing TACO, as it requires 30-40 gallons of ice water, a tarp or waterproof sheet, core temperature monitoring, and an ample number of ED staff members to oscillate the water over the patient. Further research is needed to study TACO in the ED setting. As the incidence of heatstroke is expected to increase in the coming years, EDs must have a plan in place to rapidly recognize and treat patients with heatstroke so that patients will have improved outcomes and reduced mortality.</p>","PeriodicalId":45446,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9886130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Education Improves Emergency Department Providers' Knowledge of Human Trafficking.","authors":"Stephanie P Arceneaux","doi":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000455","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/TME.0000000000000455","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) initiative was to implement a human trafficking (HT) education module for the emergency department (ED) staff and providers along with implementation of a policy and protocol for screening, identification, and referral of HT victims in the ED to increase provider knowledge of HT and ensure provider compliance with the HT protocol via documentation of red flags and screening questions in the electronic medical record along with social services referrals. The goal of the social services referral was to connect the HT victim with community resources that facilitated placement, food, and shelter in the event the trafficking victim accepted rescue. HT is a public health concern, globally, nationally, and at the state and local levels. ED providers, which include advanced practice registered nurses such as nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists, are positioned to be able to identify and treat victims of HT. Therefore, HT victims are being seen and treated in EDs; however, health care providers are not recognizing them. Project design was a QI initiative, which utilized a convenience sample of ED providers. All ED providers and staff completed the HT Education module in Health Stream with pretest/posttest assessments via the PROTECT instrument, which evaluated ED staff/provider knowledge, perceived, actual, and confidence of HT, demographics, previous contact with HT victims, and participant preference for future HT training. HT Education resulted in improved knowledge of participants' perceived, actual, and confidence of HT as demonstrated by statistical significance from pretest to posttest scores; therefore, the HT educational training proved to be beneficial.</p>","PeriodicalId":45446,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2023-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9362253","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Use of Activated Charcoal in Toxicology and Implications for APRN Practice.","authors":"Alisha Bhimani, Tova Safier Frenkel, Dian Dowling Evans","doi":"10.1097/TME.0000000000000462","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/TME.0000000000000462","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This Research to Practice article is designed to help aid advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with up-to-date research guidelines in order to establish evidence-based changes in clinical practice within emergency medical care. The article, \"Activated Charcoal and Poisoning: Is It Really Effective?\" by Aksay et al. (2022), examines whether the usage of activated charcoal (AC) in current treatment protocols for ingested poisonings adds benefits, given recent controversies in its use. Study variables included clinical findings in relation to the drug being ingested, the frequency and usage of an antidote, the rate of being intubated, and the duration of being hospitalized comparing poisoned patients who received AC with those who did not. APRNs need to be aware of the current guidelines to help establish the appropriateness of use when administering AC and be able to evaluate patients during and after the administering of AC. Improved awareness and education regarding the different treatment modalities for toxicology patients such as AC can help with certain kinds of poisonings in the emergency department.</p>","PeriodicalId":45446,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2023-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9368561","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}