Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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The importance of emergency medical care for the successful functioning of health systems has been increasingly recognised. This study aimed to evaluate emergency and trauma care facilities in four districts of the province of Sindh, Pakistan. ⋯ The study findings demonstrated a gap in both essential equipment and provider knowledge necessary for effective emergency and trauma care.
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A shortcut review was carried out to establish whether dousing areas of contact with vinegar could relieve the symptoms of Irukandji syndrome. Four studies were directly relevant to the question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. The clinical bottom line is there is a lack of evidence for effectiveness and the latest local guidelines should be followed.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Exploration of the impact of a voice activated decision support system (VADSS) with video on resuscitation performance by lay rescuers during simulated cardiopulmonary arrest.
To assess whether access to a voice activated decision support system (VADSS) containing video clips demonstrating resuscitation manoeuvres was associated with increased compliance with American Heart Association Basic Life Support (AHA BLS) guidelines. ⋯ The use of an audio and video assisted decision support system during a simulated out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest prompted lay rescuers to follow cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines but was also associated with an unacceptable delay to starting chest compressions. Future studies should explore: (1) if video is synergistic to audio prompts, (2) how mobile technologies may be leveraged to spread CPR decision support and (3) usability testing to avoid unintended consequences.
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A shortcut review was carried out to establish whether a normal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) on a venous blood sample could be used to rule out hypercarbia. Eleven studies were directly relevant to the question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. The clinical bottom line is that a normal venous pCO2 effectively rules out arterial hypercarbia.