This chapter covers both quality assessment and improvement systems and patient safety issues. These are in some cases distinct and in others inextricably interrelated. They are each debated on national…
The Evolution of Pain Medicine as a Subspecialty As knowledge expands and the need for detailed skills arises, specialization ensues. This is a natural progression, and it has become impossible…
Introduction Chronic pain is a major cause of suffering, disability, lost productivity, and diminished quality of life across the entire life course. Cross-sectional studies have revealed that upward of 55%…
Introduction Chronic pain is an urgent public health concern that significantly impairs the physical, psychological, and social functioning of those experiencing it and their significant others. The Institute of Medicine…
The Rationale An estimated 48 million inpatient surgical procedures are performed annually in the United States (National Center for Health Statistics, National Hospital Discharge Survey: 2009, cdcinfo@cdc.gov ). Although it…
Defining Pain The first task of the authors of any taxonomy is to know what they are talking about. Sometimes knowledge is taken for granted. A taxonomy of pain needs…
History is a distillation of rumor. THOMAS CARLYLE (1795-1881) Management of pain, like management of disease, is as old as the human race. In the view of Christians, the fall…
Key points • Pulmonary ultrasound allows for rapid diagnosis of pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, pneumonia, and intrathoracic free fluid. • Pulmonary ultrasound is more sensitive and specific than chest radiograph for…
Undifferentiated patients in respiratory distress require immediate attention in the emergency department. Using a thorough history and clinical examination, clinicians can determine the most likely causes of dyspnea. Understanding the…
Patients in respiratory distress often require airway management, including endotracheal intubation. It takes a methodical approach to transition from an unstable patient in distress with an unsecured airway, to a…
