European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
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Multicenter Study
The impact of a temporary ice-rink on an emergency department service.
A temporary ice-rink opened close to Cork city for 6 weeks from 30 November 2003. During this time, a number of patients presented to the local emergency departments with ice-skating-related injuries. We documented these injuries. ⋯ A temporary ice-rink had a significant impact on local emergency departments. Currently, there is no specific legislation in Ireland relating to public health and safety in ice-rinks. We recommend consultation with local public bodies before opening such facilities, and appropriate regulation.
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Multicenter Study
Prospective performance evaluation of emergency medical services for cardiac arrest in Lombardia: is something moving forward?
Limited data are available in our region on out-of-hospital treatment of cardiac arrest. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether the changes implemented in the emergency system (i.e. an increased number of basic life support and advance life support crews that were dispatched) produced the expected outcome improvements. ⋯ The strengthening of only one link of the chain-of-survival did not improve 1 month survival.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage in Emergency Departments in France: causes and management.
Little is known about the epidemiology of acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage hospitalized in Emergency Departments. Most of the studies concerning digestive bleeding have been carried out by Gastroenterology Departments. This multicentre study included consecutive patients with acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage hospitalized after an initial management at Emergency Departments in France, to describe the initial medical management and to determine the causes of acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. We also studied the relationship between the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin and the occurrence of an acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage by a case-control comparison. ⋯ Hospitalized acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage in Emergency Departments in France is more often caused by cirrhosis than in other countries. Decreasing the delay between the first signs of bleeding and arrival at the Emergency Department is the main challenge in the management of acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage.
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Multicenter Study
National multicentre study of acute intoxication in emergency departments of Spain.
No studies have been published on global acute intoxication in Spanish emergency departments. We therefore designed a multicentre study to identify the epidemiology and management of intoxicated patients in Spain. ⋯ We recorded a slightly lower incidence than other European countries with the same epidemiological profile, except for a low incidence of acetaminophen cases. If we apply the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists gastric lavage criteria, there were an important number of unnecessary gut decontamination techniques in drug poisoning. Most patients were treated in emergency departments, without hospital admission.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Equestrian injuries in the paediatric age group: a two centre study.
This study's objective was to examine the nature, cause and frequency of injury resulting from equestrian sport in paediatric patients attending two accident and emergency departments. We recorded the attendances of patients aged less than 16 years with equestrian-related trauma in 1 year. Demographic details, injury, mechanism of injury, rider experience and use of protective equipment were noted. ⋯ The majority of equestrian-related trauma was minor in this study. The possibility of severe trauma exists. Emergency physicians working in areas where equestrian sport is popular should be aware of the likely injuries and their treatment.