Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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Point-of-care testing allows rapid analysis of samples to facilitate prompt clinical decisions. Electrolyte and calcium abnormalities are common in acutely ill patients and can be associated with life-threatening consequences. There is uncertainty whether clinical decisions can be based on the results obtained from blood gas analysers or if laboratory results should be awaited. ⋯ Most clinicians wait for the laboratory confirmation of results generated by blood gas analysers. In a large retrospective study we have shown that there is sufficient agreement between the results obtained from the blood gas and laboratory analysers to enable prompt clinical decisions to be made.
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Most patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have grave outcomes. The efficacy of emergency medical services (EMS) may affect outcomes. However, no data exists in Thailand. ⋯ The prevalence of EMS utilisation in OHCA at Siriraj Hospital was very low. This may affect the outcomes of patients with OHCA. Improving the EMS system by publicity to increase public awareness and providing life-support education nationwide may improve outcomes of patients with OHCA in Thailand.