Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
EMCyberSchool: an evaluation of computer-assisted instruction on the Internet.
To test the hypothesis that integration of the EMCyberSchool, a computer-assisted instruction (CAI) tool available on the Internet, into the curriculum of a senior medical student subinternship in emergency medicine (EM) would improve exam scores and course satisfaction. ⋯ Although desired, it remains unclear whether CAI on the Internet is a useful adjunct for teaching EM to medical students.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Pretreatment of lacerations with lidocaine, epinephrine, and tetracaine at triage: a randomized double-blind trial.
Pretreatment of lacerations with topical anesthetics reduces the pain of subsequent anesthetic injection yet requires time. This study was conducted to determine the ability of triage nurses to identify lacerations necessitating closure and pretreat them with a topical anesthetic and to compare the pain levels of lidocaine injection in lacerations pretreated with LET (lidocaine 2%, epinephrine 1:1,000, tetracaine 2%) vs a placebo. ⋯ Application of LET by triage nurses is more effective than placebo in adequately anesthetizing simple lacerations in normal hosts and decreases the pain of local anesthetic infiltration.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A randomized controlled trial to assess decay in acquired knowledge among paramedics completing a pediatric resuscitation course.
Critical pediatric illness or injury occurs infrequently in out-of-hospital settings, making it difficult for paramedics to maintain physical assessment, treatment, and procedure skills. ⋯ Although intensive out-of-hospital pediatric education enhances knowledge, that knowledge rapidly decays. Emergency medical services programs need to find novel ways to increase retention and ensure paramedic readiness.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
The emergency department as a potential site for smoking cessation intervention: a randomized, controlled trial.
To assess the effect of physician counseling and referral on smoking cessation rates and attendance at a smoking cessation program. ⋯ The authors found no difference in the smoking cessation rates between ED patients who received written material and those who were counseled by emergency physicians. Referral of patients who smoked to a cessation program was unsuccessful.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Bier block exsanguination: a volumetric comparison and venous pressure study.
Intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) is a useful ED anesthetic technique. However, venous pressure elevation during injection can cause anesthetic leakage and toxicity. This is minimized by preinjection limb exsanguination. Although standard, Esmarch exsanguination is intolerable with limb trauma. Thus, the authors' objective was to study alternative methods. ⋯ While Esmarch was the most effective exsanguinating method, the two alternatives provided significant and equivalent decreases in limb volume. The AE/AC technique was physiologically effective in preventing attainment of MVP. Further studies are indicated to determine the clinical effectiveness of this technique in providing anesthesia for patients with limb trauma.