European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
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Power lawnmowers can pose significant danger of injury to both the operator and the bystander, from direct contact with the rotary blades or missile injury. Our objective was to review our experience with paediatric lawnmower-associated trauma, and the safety recommendations available to operators of power lawnmowers. ⋯ Lawnmower injuries can be devastating, particularly in children. Many victims have lasting deformities as a result of their injuries. Awareness of and stringent adherence to safety precautions during use of power lawnmowers can prevent many of these accidents.
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Multicenter Study
Low molecular weight heparin self-injection training: assessment of feasibility, tolerance and economic analysis in emergency departments.
The purpose of this study was to assess low molecular weight heparin auto-injection skills of self-supporting patients, taught by a nurse through a rapid demonstration in an emergency department. ⋯ It seems possible to extend the practice of self-injection to other types of injections prescribed after discharge from the emergency department, such as preventive low molecular weight heparin for surgical or medical purposes and curative ambulatory low molecular weight heparin treatment for deep vein thrombosis.
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To evaluate the effectiveness and potential complications of simple thoracostomy, as first described by Deakin, as a method for prehospital treatment of traumatic pneumothorax. ⋯ Prehospital treatment of traumatic pneumothorax by simple thoracostomy without chest tube insertion is a safe and effective technique.
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A 53-year-old male drug user was brought to the emergency department by police for suspected drug smuggling by body packing. The abdominal X-ray revealed suspicion of the presence of a drug packet in the gastric antrum, but the patient strongly denied body packing. ⋯ A small plastic bag with many blue tablets was later retrieved by endoscopy. Ultrasonography is recommended in similar cases with doubtful radiological findings.
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To evaluate whether a computer-based decision support system could be useful for the emergency medical system when identifying patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or life-threatening conditions and thereby improve the allocation of life support level. ⋯ A computer-based decision support system including a prevalence function could be a valuable tool for allocating the level of life support. The case record form, however, used for the interview can be refined and a model based on a larger sample and confirmed in a prospective study is recommended.