Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
-
Traumatic brain injury is one of the most common reasons for admission to hospital emergency departments. However, optimal diagnosis and treatment protocols remain controversial. The aim of this study is to assess whether a specific group of patients can be discharged from the hospital without 24-h neurological observation. ⋯ Standard 24-h observation may not be required for adult patients with single intracranial bleeds with maximum diameter less than 5 mm, without a history of inherited coagulopathy or anticoagulant therapy, platelet aggregation inhibitor therapy, intoxication or multiple associated injuries. The decision for discharging patients may be made from the clinical picture. This might help to spare hospital resources and reduce unnecessary hospitalisations.
-
Domestic violence (DV), also known as intimate partner violence (IPV), is one of the leading causes of serious injury among women of childbearing age. As first responders on the scene during DV calls where personal injuries have occurred, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) could routinely identify, report and assist victims of violence. Yet, little is known of the prevalence of DV calls in EMS practice, Emergency Medical Technicians' (EMT) knowledge and comfort in responding to such calls, or how they care for victims. ⋯ EMTs have frequent contact with victims of DV yet have received little education about the issue. The majority of those surveyed would like specific education and training on DV.
-
Many guidelines exist on how to treat patients with multiple injuries correctly in an accident and emergency setting. The aim of the present work was to find out how well patients are treated focusing on trauma induced coagulopathy (TIC), and what anaesthetists involved in trauma care think about their own experiences with TIC. ⋯ There is an obvious discrepancy between the content of guidelines and the everyday practice. Future academic efforts in the area of trauma care should therefore focus more on the translational approach and the implementation of existing knowledge rather than on simply formulating guidelines.