European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
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Blood gas analysers provide electrolyte and metabolic data. In the author's institution, these values were not used clinically because of the risk of inaccuracy. To discover whether this approach was warranted, we compared values from our Radiometer point-of-care (POC) analyser and the laboratory. ⋯ Thus, sodium and potassium showed negative bias on the Radiometer compared with the laboratory. Creatinine and haemoglobin agreed well. We advocate the clinical use of POC values when taken in clinical context.
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As one of Europe's most densely populated countries with multiple nuclear installations and a prominent petrochemical industry, Belgium is at some reasonable risk for terrorist attacks or accidental chemical, biological, radiation, and nuclear (CBRN) incidents. We hypothesize that local hospitals are not sufficiently prepared to deal with these incidents. ⋯ There are serious gaps in hospital preparedness for CBRN incidents in Belgium. Lack of financial resources is a major obstacle in achieving sufficient preparedness.
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Bilateral chemical eye injuries are a common and important problem in the Emergency Department. Irrigation of both eyes can be time-consuming, so we present a novel, simple and cost-effective technique for hands-free bilateral eye irrigation. Modifications of a generic dual-lumen cannula adapter and fixation about the glabella allow sterile irrigation fluid to be delivered directly to the medial canthi of the contaminated eyes in a hands-free fashion. ⋯ Patients regain autonomy of movement to reposition themselves for comfort or to manipulate the eyelids for more effective irrigation. Clinicians are freed to tend to other tasks. By sharing this technique we hope to stimulate discussion on the safest and most effective method of irrigating chemically injured eyes and prompt the generation of comparable outcome data for the benefit of patients.
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Zipper injuries are highly distressing to patients and often difficult to manage. Several management techniques are described in the literature. ⋯ This novel technique is quick, nontraumatic and requires readily available equipment. It has been used successfully in two patients who were ineligible for a circumcision.