Abdominal pain is one of the most common presenting complaints to the emergency department, and appendicitis and diverticulitis are common causes. Intra-abdominal infections have historically been managed with admission to the hospital, antibiotics, and surgical interventions, and best-practice pathways are an important part of quality programs. Advances in diagnostics and management, supported with outcome data, are impacting care pathways.
Our recent issue Abdominal Pain: Update on Emergency Department Management of Appendicitis and Diverticulitis provides an update on best practices related to the management of appendicitis and diverticulitis, with the goal of improving patient care, minimizing risk, and maximizing the patient experience.
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Here are a few key points:
- The main cause of death in severe facial injury is airway obstruction. As with any trauma, perform ABCDE’s first.
- Signs of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak include clear rhinorrhea, subcutaneous emphysema, mental status changes, new malocclusion, or limited extraocular movements. Studies have shown that a persistent CSF leak increase the risk for future meningitis.
- Midface bleeding can be difficult to control. Even relatively minor facial injuries (such as nasal fractures and displaced mandibular fractures) may cause continued slow bleeding that may lead to eventual need for aggressive resuscitation.
Read the full issue and earn 4 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
