This book includes chapters on such vital topics as:

• Acute Headache In The ED: Evidence-Based Evaluation And Treatment Options
• The Dizzy Patient: An Evidence-Based Diagnosis And Treatment Strategy
• Code Stroke: A State-Of-The-Art Strategy For Rapid Assessment And Treatment
• Seizures: Accurate Diagnosis And Effective Treatment

These articles include topics that are frequent complaints in any emergency department. Indeed, it is the rare ED shift where a patient with at least one of these complaints does not make an appearance! With potential etiologies ranging from minor illness to serious, lifethreatening central nervous system disorders, these neurologic emergencies not only present diagnostic dilemmas, but also lend themselves to a variety of management options.

As the pressure for cost-cutting, standardization of therapies, protocols, and clinical guidelines continues to mount, knowledge of the clinical studies on which these recommendations are based is essential. These thoughtful reviews provide just such a perspective, allowing you to make informed decisions based on your knowledge of the body of literature that supports these guidelines. If a purported “standard of care” is based only on intermediatelevel clinical evidence, these articles will reveal this information. The ultimate goal of this publication is to give you a focused, evidence-based perspective on the most challenging topics in emergency medicine.

In keeping with the evidence-based approach for which Emergency Medicine Practice is known, this volume contains over 600 references. The quantity and depth of background literature that is distilled in each of the articles makes their reading well worthwhile. Each article focuses the body of literature into useful and readily accessible information for the clinician. In all, this volume offers:

• Clinical pathways that present solid diagnostic and treatment strategies, with each recommendation for action graded according to strength of evidence.
• References which present pertinent information such as type of study and number of patients.
• Tables where key information is condensed in an easy-to-read format.
• Pitfalls to avoid that provide risk management advice highlighting problem areas that could compromise patient care.
• Cost- and time-effective stratagies that show that saving time and money in the ED doesn't have to mean cutting corners.