Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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To assess critical incident exposure among prehospital emergency services personnel in the developing world context of South Africa; and to assess associated mental health consequences. ⋯ Service organisations should be alert to the possibility that their personnel are experiencing work -related mental health and behavioural problems, and should provide appropriate support. Attention should also be given to organisational issues that may add to the stress of incidents. Workplace programmes should support vulnerable groups, and address death notification and appropriate expression of anger.
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Case Reports
Lower limb amputation with CPR in progress: recovery following prolonged cardiac arrest.
Intravenous drug users (IVDUs) often present to the emergency services with the medical complications of drug use. We report a case in which an acutely ischaemic lower limb of one such patient was thought to be the cause of cardiac arrest occurring during treatment in the emergency department (ED). Amputation of the limb was performed with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in progress, spontaneous cardiac output was restored, and the patient made an excellent neurological recovery despite a total arrest time of 85 minutes. Possible causes of cardiac arrest, in relation to the release of potassium and metabolic toxins are discussed, as well as the decision making processes of the involved clinicians and other possible management strategies.
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Comparative Study
Does calcium cause the different effects of Gelofusine and Haemaccel on coagulation?
Gelofusine (which does not contain calcium) has a greater effect on coagulation than Haemaccel (which contains 6.25 mmol/l of calcium). This in vitro study was performed to assess whether calcium might be the cause of the different effects on coagulation. ⋯ The different effect of Gelofusine on coagulation compared with Haemaccel does not seem to be related to the different calcium contents of the solutions.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Is atropine needed with ketamine sedation? A prospective, randomised, double blind study.
To compare atropine with placebo as an adjunct to ketamine sedation in children undergoing minor painful procedures. Outcome measures included hypersalivation, side effect profile, parental/patient satisfaction, and procedural success rate. ⋯ Ketamine sedation was successful and well tolerated in all cases. The use of atropine as an adjunct for intramuscular ketamine sedation in children significantly reduces hypersalivation and may lower the incidence of post-procedural vomiting. Atropine is associated with a higher incidence of a transient rash. No serious adverse events were noted.
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To establish the aetiological influences of persistent neck pain following a motor vehicle collision and to construct a model for use in the emergency department for identifying patients at high risk of persistent symptoms. ⋯ The greatest predictors of persistent neck pain following a motor vehicle collision relate to psychological distress and aspects of pre-collision health rather than to various attributes of the collision itself. With these factors, and those relating to initial injury severity, it is possible to identify a subgroup of patients presenting with neck pain with the highest risk of persistent symptoms. Thus, it is possible to identify whiplash patients with a poor prognosis and to provide closer follow up and specific attention to management in these individuals.