Resuscitation
-
To determine whether team performance in a simulated emergency is related to generic teamwork skills and behaviours. ⋯ The clinical conduct of a simulated emergency was strongly linked to generic measures of teamwork. Further studies are needed to elucidate which aspects of team working are critical for team performance, to better inform training programs for multi-professional team working.
-
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of ATLS(®) on trauma mortality in a non-trauma system setting. ATLS represents a fundamental element of trauma training in every trauma curriculum. Nevertheless, there are limited studies in the literature as for the impact of ATLS training in trauma mortality, especially outside the US. ⋯ In Greece, with no formal trauma system implementation, ATLS(®) certified physicians achieve worse outcomes than their non-certified colleagues when managing trauma patients. We believe that these findings must be interpreted in the context of the National health care system. There is considerable room for improvement in our country, and further analysis is required.
-
Comparative Study
Does prearrest adrenergic integrity affect pressor response? A comparison of epinephrine and vasopressin in a spontaneous ventricular fibrillation swine model.
Coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) during resuscitation from cardiac arrest has been shown to correlate with return of spontaneous circulation. Adrenergic blockade of beta-1 and alpha-1 receptors is common in the long-term management of ischemic heart disease and congestive heart failure. We sought to compare the CPP response to vasopressin vs. epinephrine in a swine model of cardiac arrest following pre-arrest adrenergic blockade. ⋯ Pre-arrest adrenergic blockade blunts the CPP response to epinephrine. Superior augmentation of CPP is attained with vasopressin under these conditions.
-
To determine whether cardiac arrest calls, the proportion of adult patients admitted to intensive care after CPR and their associated mortalities were reduced, in a four year period after the introduction of a 24/7 Critical Care Outreach Service and MEWS (Modified Early Warning System) Charts. ⋯ The four years following the introduction of a 24/7 Critical Care Outreach Service and MEWS Charts were associated with significant reductions in the incidence of cardiac arrest calls, the proportion of patients admitted to intensive care having undergone in-hospital CPR and their in-hospital mortality.