Author: emkfoundation
A&Edepartment
Effectiveness of N95 respirators versus surgical masks in protecting health care workers from acute respiratory infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Medical masks can be used to prevent the spread of respiratory infections. Although N95 respirators appeared to have a protective advantage over surgical masks in laboratory settings, our meta-analysis showed that there were insufficient data to determine definitively whether N95 respirators are superior to surgical masks in protecting health care workers against transmissible acute respiratory infections in clinical settings.
Interfacility Transfers: Pearls & Pitfalls for the Emergency Patient
- Patients must be stabilized to the best of the facility’s ability prior to transfer. Any life-threatening process that requires immediate management must be treated prior to transfer.
- If speciality consultation is required, it is important that as the receiving physician accepting a transfer, you ensure the specialist has agreed to accept and see the patient.
- As a receiving physician, you have an obligation to report inappropriate transfers within 72 hours – not doing may result in unnecessary delays in the future.
- A common pitfall for ED physicians is to perform an extensive evaluation on a trauma patient that requires a transfer. Recognize the resource limitations of your facility early. Avoid workups that won’t change patient management.
- Frequently, patients are transferred long distances, which may make discharge difficult if there is limited social support. Engage case workers and discharge planners to address these unique situations.
Dog Bite 101: The Ultimate Guide
- Clean and evaluate the injury and remove damaged tissue
- Close severe wounds with stitches or apply a bandage to minor bite injuries
- Take radiographs if a foreign body or deep tissue injury is suspected
- Recommend treatment for tetanus or rabies if indicated
- Refer you to a specialist if there’s extensive damage or a joint is involved
- Prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection