Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
-
One of the most important limitations of standard pulse oximeters is the inability to detect changes in respiratory rate until oxygenation is affected. This study sought to determine if analysis of the plethysmogram by wavelet transforms would enable the determination of changes in respiratory rate at an earlier stage. ⋯ Wavelet transforms permit the accurate determination of respiratory rate by a standard pulse oximeter.
-
Case Reports
Sustained release bupropion overdose: an important cause of prolonged symptoms after an overdose.
The case is reported of a patient who had taken a deliberate overdose of sustained release bupropion. The patient suffered from prolonged symptoms including seizures before fully recovering. ⋯ Emergency departments need to be aware that patients taking an overdose of sustained release bupropion may have a delayed onset and prolonged course of symptoms. The pharmacology, clinical features, and treatment of bupropion overdose are discussed.
-
Sternal fracture is poorly characterised in children. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the mechanism, radiological characteristics, and accompanying injuries of sternal fracture in children. ⋯ Sternal fracture is uncommon in children. Injury may result from direct or indirect violence. The child's sternum is commonly fractured by more minor blunt trauma than generally recognised in the literature. All patients with sternal fracture after indirect violence should have careful examination of the spine. Patients with undisplaced anterior cortical fracture without other injury may be safely discharged from the emergency department.
-
When a soccer stadium stampede occurred in Zimbabwe on 9 July 2000, the hospital disaster (medical emergency) plan failed. This report describes the use of the audit technique to change the hospital's disaster preparedness. ⋯ The exercise was very useful in raising awareness and the value of audit and specific issues were defined for improvement. Long term and short term goals were set. Despite the shortage of resources, change was felt to be necessary and possible.