Annals of emergency medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Hands-Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Education: A Comparison of On-Screen With Compression Feedback, Classroom, and Video Education.
We compare 3 methods of hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education, using performance scores. A paucity of research exists on the comparative effectiveness of different types of hands-only CPR education. This study also includes a novel kiosk approach that has not previously been studied, to our knowledge. ⋯ Participants exposed to the kiosk session and those exposed to classroom education performed hands-only CPR similarly, and both groups showed skill performance superior to that of participants watching only a video. With regular retraining to prevent skills decay, the efficient and free hands-only CPR training kiosk has the potential to increase bystander intervention and improve survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
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Randomized controlled trials govern evidence-based clinical practice, and it is therefore critical that their results be robust. We aim to investigate the fragility of randomized controlled trials in emergency medicine by determining how often significance would be nullified with small changes in outcomes using the fragility index. ⋯ The statistical significance of the results of randomized controlled trials in emergency medicine was often contingent on a small number of events. Until frequentist interpretation of clinical trials is replaced with Bayesian analysis, the fragility index may have utility as a tool to aid clinicians in assessing the robustness of randomized controlled trials in emergency medicine when considered in conjunction with the fragility quotient and other reported metrics.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and operational effectiveness of US federal government guidance (Primary Response Incident Scene Management [PRISM]) for the initial response phase to chemical incidents. ⋯ The PRISM incident response protocols are fit for purpose for ambulatory casualties. However, a more effective communication strategy is required for first responders (particularly when guiding dry decontamination). There is a clear need to develop more appropriate decontamination procedures for at-risk casualties.
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Blacks, Hispanics/Latinos, American Indians, Pacific Islanders, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians make up 33% of the US population. These same groups are underrepresented in medicine. In 2013, the physician workforce was 4.1% black, 4.4% Hispanic/Latino, 0.4% American Indian or Alaska Native, 11.7% Asian, and 48.9% white. ⋯ After the initiative, there was a 2-fold increase in the number of underrepresented minority residents (from 12% to 27%). This article is a review of the strategies used to diversify the Highland EM Residency Program. Most components can be applied across emergency medicine programs to increase the number of underrepresented minority residents and potentially improve health outcomes for diverse populations.
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Point-of-care ultrasonography provides diagnostic information in addition to visual pulse checks during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The most commonly used modality, transthoracic echocardiography, has unfortunately been repeatedly associated with prolonged pauses in chest compressions, which correlate with worsened neurologic outcomes. Unlike transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography does not require cessation of compressions for adequate imaging and provides the diagnostic benefit of point-of-care ultrasonography. To assess a benefit of transesophageal echocardiography, we compare the duration of chest compression pauses between transesophageal echocardiography, transthoracic echocardiography, and manual pulse checks on video recordings of cardiac arrest resuscitations. ⋯ Our study suggests that pulse check times with transesophageal echocardiography are shorter versus with transthoracic echocardiography for ED point-of-care ultrasonography during cardiac arrest resuscitations, and further emphasizes the need for careful attention to compression pause duration when using transthoracic echocardiography for point-of-care ultrasonography during ED cardiac arrest resuscitations.