Resuscitation
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
A comparison of major trauma patients transported to trauma centres vs. non-trauma centres in metropolitan Perth.
Some major trauma patients in metropolitan Perth (area 5000 km(2)) are initially transported to a secondary hospital (non-trauma centre), rather than directly to a tertiary hospital (trauma centre). They are subsequently transferred to a tertiary hospital. We compared outcomes from these different systems of care. ⋯ There is an equivalent risk of major trauma death in these two systems of care. In our metropolitan area, we were unable to demonstrate a mortality benefit associated with time.
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Comparative Study
Performance and skill retention of intubation by paramedics using seven different airway devices--a manikin study.
Endotracheal intubation (ETI) is the most widespread method for emergency airway management. Several studies reported that ETI requires considerable skill and experience and if performed incorrectly, may result in serious adverse events. Unrecognized tube misplacement or oesophageal intubation is associated with high prehospital morbidity. This study investigates the usability of supraglottic airway devices compared to ETI and the skill retention of 41 previously inexperienced paramedics following training using a manikin model. ⋯ ETI performed by inexperienced paramedics is associated with a low success rate. In contrast, supraglottic airway devices like LMA, LT-D(®), I-Gel(®), Combitube(®) and EasyTube(®) are fast, safe and easy-to-use. Within the limitations of a manikin-study, this study suggests that inexperienced medical staff might benefit from using supraglottic airway devices for emergency airway management.
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Comparative Study
Distribution of potassium levels on admission for CPR--severe hypokalaemia with dysmorphophobic eating disorders.
To evaluate the prevalence and cause of severe hypokalaemia in patients administered for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for non-traumatic cardiac arrest. ⋯ In contrast to moderately reduced potassium which is a frequent finding in adult patients at the time of admission for non-traumatic cardiac arrest, severe hypokalaemia is uncommon. The high prevalence of patients with body dysmorphophobic eating disorders in this group underscores accidental self-induced hypokalaemia may evolve as an important differential diagnosis in cardiac arrest in young female patients.
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Comparative Study
Benefits and shortcomings of mandatory first aid and basic life support courses for learner drivers.
Annually, more than 127,000 people are killed and at least 2.4 million people injured in road accidents in Europe. Consequently, in half of all countries in the European Union a first aid and basic life support course has become mandatory for learner drivers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of this course on participants' knowledge and self-assessed first aid and basic life support skills. ⋯ A mandatory course for learner drivers significantly improves participants' knowledge and their self-assessed skills in first aid and basic life support. However, improvements of the course should be considered on a number of key topics.