Oxygen Therapy for the Treatment of Undifferentiated Headache in the Emergency Department

Thorough description provided in brief summary.

Inclusion criteria

• All patients who describe a painful sensation in the head as one of the primary reasons for their visit to the ED.

Exclusion criteria

• patients who need immediate oxygen after triage: Recent fire or carbon monoxide exposure_______ O2 saturation 94% or less on room air on triage vitals ______ patient arrives on supplemental oxygen_______ patient reports shortness of breath_______
• patients in whom 100% oxygen is contraindicated, potentially undesirable, or controversial: history of COPD_______ possible cardiac ischemia (mouth / jaw / neck / shoulder / chest / abdomen pain or pressure)_______ possible stroke (new focal weakness or numbness, speech, hearing or vision deficit, bowel or bladder incontinence or retention)_____
• patients unable to tolerate the gas treatment: patient not able to tolerate a face mask_______ patient requests immediate treatment with another preferred therapeutic agent_______
• treating physician or nurse request to discontinue the study at any point_______
• patients who have diminished decision-making capacity history of mental retardation or pervasive developmental disorder_______ patient not awake and alert_______ patient not oriented to self, month and year, and current location_______ patient unwilling or unable to fully participate in the research associate interview and consent process_______
• patients who are at risk for intracranial hemorrhage history of intracranial aneurythm, hemorrhage, surgery, or tumor_______ current headache began after trauma_______ current headache began after using elicit drugs_______
• patients who are at high risk for intracranial infection fever > 100.4 F on triage vitals_______ complaining of recent onset neck stiffness_______
• patients who are at high risk for extracranial head pathology ear pain or drainage_______ tooth or gum pain_______ headache localized to a skin lesion on the head______
• patient is potentially critically ill active bleeding from any source_______ heart rate <60 or >130 on triage vitals_______ systolic blood pressure <90 or >180 on triage vitals_______ respiratory rate < 10 or >30 on triage vitals_______
• patient is younger than 21_______
• patients who know or suspect they are pregnant _____