Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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A short cut review was performed to assess the effect of the presence of family members on the efficiency of paediatric trauma resuscitation. Two studies with a total of 999 patients were included. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses are tabulated. The clinical bottom line is that the presence of the patient's family does not adversely affect the outcome of paediatric trauma resuscitation.
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A short cut review was performed to assess the utility of a skeletal survey in patients with suspected non-accidental injury. Three studies including a total of 983 patients were found. The authors, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses are tabulated. The clinical bottom line is that skeletal surveys are useful in children who are suspected to have non-accidental injury, particularly in those aged under 1 year.
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A short cut review was performed to assess the utility of emergency physician echocardiography in patients with cardiac arrest. Six studies with a total of 434 patients were found. The authors, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses are tabulated. The clinical bottom line is that cardiac standstill witnessed in emergency physician echocardiography is predictive of a poor outcome in cardiac arrest.
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The aim of this study was to establish the feasibility of a Kenyan emergency department (ED)-based sexual assault centre; and to improve knowledge of the characteristics of sexual assault in the region. ⋯ Development of an ED-based sexual assault centre at a referral hospital in Kenya using a standardised history, physical, and treatment protocol was feasible, and high rates of prophylaxis were provided. Based on characteristics of people who have been assaulted, community prevention efforts should concentrate on decreasing the societal acceptability of rape. In conjunction with improvement of protocols at the centre under consideration, development of similar centres in sub-Saharan African ED should be encouraged.
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The use of therapeutic hypothermia is recommended for unconscious adult patients with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest. There is evidence that the time taken to achieve target temperature impacts survival. ⋯ Among OHCA patients who met recognised inclusion criteria, therapeutic hypothermia was implemented successfully by the ED staff. The temperature should be measured continuously from the same site in both the ED and the ICU. This will provide consistent and continuous temperature monitoring between the ED and the ICU and will enable prompt intervention to prevent temperature increases.