Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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Head injury is an important cause of death among young adults in the UK, and a significant burden on NHS resources. However, management is inconsistent, governed largely by local resources. The latest version of the NICE head injury guidelines suggests that more patients with traumatic brain injury should be transferred to receive specialist care. However, this raises issues about the capacity of regional neurosurgical units, particularly to accommodate patients who do not require surgical intervention. ⋯ The evidence NICE cited is of variable quality. Much of the research was conducted outside the UK, which raises questions about its relevance to the NHS. Care of traumatic brain injuries in the UK is already hampered by the inadequate capacity of regional neurosurgical units to meet demand, and transferring more patients would be likely to exacerbate this. Increasing the number of transfers could also worsen inequalities of access for other groups, such as elective patients, particularly in areas where facilities are most stretched.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Point of care troponin decreases time in the emergency department for patients with possible acute coronary syndrome: a randomised controlled trial.
To determine the effect of cardiac troponin I testing with a point-of-care (POC) device versus central laboratory on length of stay (LOS) in emergency department (ED) patients presenting with possible acute coronary syndromes (ACS). ⋯ POC testing for troponin in the ED tended to reduce the LOS for possible ACS patients. The degree of this benefit is likely to be markedly dependent on its acceptance and uptake by attending personnel, and on the ED setting in which it is used.
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S100B is a biomarker that reflects injury to the central nervous system. As the spine is an integral part of the spinal cord, a study was undertaken to investigate whether serum S100B levels are associated with acute spinal fracture without head injury. ⋯ Serum S100B levels are raised in all patients with acute spinal fracture without head injury. Spinal fracture may therefore be one of the extracerebral sources of S100B. Serum S100B levels may be an effective tool for excluding subtle spinal fractures with no clear radiographic findings.