British journal of anaesthesia
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Transfusion support is an essential element of modern emergency healthcare. Blood services together with hospital transfusion teams are required to prepare for, and respond to, mass casualty events as part of wider healthcare emergency planning. Preparedness is a constant collaborative process that actively identifies and manages potential risks, to prevent such events becoming a 'disaster'. The aim of transfusion support during incidents is to provide sufficient and timely supply of blood components and diagnostic services, whilst maintaining support to other patients not involved in the event.
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Pre-hospital advanced airway management is a complex intervention composed of numerous steps, interactions, and variables that can be delivered to a high standard in the pre-hospital setting. Standard research methods have struggled to evaluate this complex intervention because of considerable heterogeneity in patients, providers, and techniques. In this study, we aimed to develop a set of quality indicators to evaluate pre-hospital advanced airway management. ⋯ We identified a set of quality indicators for pre-hospital advanced airway management that represent a practical tool to measure, report, analyse, and monitor quality and performance of this complex intervention.
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The delivery of medical care to the severely injured during major incidents and mass casualty events has been a recurring challenge for decades across the world. From events in resource-poor developing countries, through richly funded military conflicts, to the most equipped of developed nations, the provision of rapid medical care to the severely injured during major incidents and mass casualty events has been a priority for healthcare providers. This is often under the most difficult of circumstances.1,2 Whilst mass casualty events are a persistent global challenge, it is clear in developed countries that patients and their families demand and expect a high standard of care from their rescuers, that this care should be delivered rapidly, and this should be of the highest quality possible.3 Whilst there is respect afforded to those who 'run towards danger' during a high-threat situation, first responders are subjected to a high degree of scrutiny for their actions, even when the circumstances they are presented with are considered to be extraordinary.4 Likewise, even for those who are catastrophically injured beyond salvage, society expects the response to be dignified, calculated, and thorough.3.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
The effect of transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilator exchange (THRIVE) versus nasal prongs on safe apnoea time in paralysed obese patients: a randomised controlled trial.
Evidence is lacking regarding the efficacy of Optiflow transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilator exchange (THRIVE™) in obese patients. We compared the impact of this technique at 70 L min-1 with 4 L min-1 oxygen via nasal prongs on safe apnoea times of paralysed obese patients. ⋯ ANZCTR 12618000445279.
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Preparatory, written plans for mass casualty incidents are designed to help hospitals deliver an effective response. However, addressing the frequently observed mismatch between planning and delivery of effective responses to mass casualty incidents is a key challenge. We aimed to use simulation-based iterative learning to bridge this gap. ⋯ Simulation exercises are a useful tool to improve mass casualty incident plans iteratively and continuously through hospital-wide engagement of staff.