Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
First "Glass" Education: Telementored Cardiac Ultrasonography Using Google Glass- A Pilot Study.
The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of telementored instruction in bedside ultrasonography (US) using Google Glass. The authors sought to examine whether first-time US users could obtain adequate parasternal long axis (PSLA) views to approximate ejection fraction (EF) using Google Glass telementoring. ⋯ In this pilot/feasibility study, novice US users were able to obtain adequate imaging to determine a healthy patient's EF through telementored education using Google Glass. These preliminary data suggest telementoring as an adequate means of medical education in bedside US. This conclusion will need to be validated with larger, more powerful studies including evaluation of pathologic findings and varying body habitus among models.
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The objective was to critically appraise and highlight methodologically superior medical education research articles published in 2013 whose outcomes are pertinent to teaching and education in emergency medicine (EM). ⋯ This annual critical appraisal article aims to promote superior research in EM-related education, by reviewing and highlighting seven of 43 major education research studies, meeting a priori criteria, and published in 2013. Common methodologic pitfalls in the 2013 papers are noted, and current trends in medical education research in EM are discussed.
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There is little information available from the Middle Eastern region on adult patients presenting with first seizure. The objectives of this study were to describe epidemiological characteristics of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) in Doha, Qatar, with first seizure and to determine the incidence of computed tomographic (CT) scan abnormalities. ⋯ Adults who presented with first seizure to the ED in Qatar had a young male predominance, and a high proportion of brain CT scans were reported as abnormal. It is recommended that all such patients in this population should undergo prompt CT scanning in the ED, but the utility of routine electrolyte tests requires further investigation.
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The objective was to examine the effect of endotracheal intubation on emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS) and admission rates for patients with gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) overdose. ⋯ Conservative airway management (no intubation) is associated with shorter ED LOS in cases of uncomplicated GHB-related coma in the ED and may also be associated with lower admission rates for these patients.
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Easily administrated cyanide antidotes are needed for first responders, military troops, and emergency department staff after cyanide exposure in mass casualty incidents or due to smoke inhalation during fires involving many victims. Hydroxocobalamin has proven to be an effective antidote, but cannot be given intramuscularly because the volume of diluent needed is too large. Thus, intraosseous (IO) infusion may be an alternative, as it is simple and has been recommended for the administration of other resuscitation drugs. The primary objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of IO delivery of hydroxocobalamin to intravenous (IV) injection for the management of acute cyanide toxicity in a well-described porcine model. ⋯ The authors found no difference in the efficacy of IV versus IO hydroxocobalamin in the treatment of severe cyanide toxicity in a validated porcine model.