Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Can an observational pain assessment tool improve time to analgesia for cognitively impaired older persons? A cluster randomised controlled trial.
The primary objective of the study was to measure the impact of an observational pain assessment dementia tool on time from ED arrival to first dose of analgesic medicine. ⋯ Use of the PAINAD was not associated with a shorter time to analgesia, although there was a clinically important but non-significant improvement in the cognitively impaired patient group. Further research is needed to address this clinically important and complex issue.
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The aim of this study was to develop models that predict hospital admission to ED of patients younger and older than 70 and compare their performance. ⋯ Demographic and clinical factors readily available early in the ED visit can be useful in identifying patients who are likely to be admitted to the hospital. While the model for the younger patients had a higher AUC, the model for older patients had a higher PPV in identifying the patients at highest risk for admission. Of note, heart rate was not a useful predictor in the older patients.
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A short cut review was carried out to establish whether continuous flow insufflation of oxygen (CFIO) is better than standard ventilation strategies at improving outcome in adults who have suffered an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Papers were found in Medline and Embase using the reported searches of which four presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated. It is concluded that CFIO does not improve survival or return of spontaneous circulation compared with standard ventilation strategies in OHCA.
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A shortcut review was carried out to establish whether non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is safe to prescribe in patients with chicken pox. 66 unique papers were found in CINAHL, Medline, Embase and Cochrane using the reported searches of which 6 presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication; patient group studied; study type; relevant outcomes; results and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated. It is concluded that, pending further research, it is advisable to avoid NSAID use in cases of primary varicella due to the potential increased risk of severe bacterial skin infections. Paracetamol should be given instead.
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A 63-year-old, right-handed woman with a history of hypertension presented to the ED with left arm paresis of 2 days duration. Three weeks before admission, she had flu-like symptoms with intermittent left arm weakness that had recovered briefly but recurred 2 days prior to her presentation. On neurological examination, GCS was 15 and cranial nerves' function was normal. Left upper limb strength was 4/5. There was left arm drift and pronation but the patient denied noticing any difference between the positions of her arms. Hyper-reflexion was presented in the left arm. The rest of her motor, cerebellar, sensation and gait functions were normal. She was asked to draw a clock and set it to 15:30 (figure 1).emermed;35/1/38/F1F1F1Figure 1Clock drawing test results. ⋯ What is the most probable aetiology?Right cerebral bleeding involving the occipital lobeRight middle cerebral artery occlusionRight parietal lesion, likely neoplasmLeft cortical stroke.