Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Combined nitrous oxide 70% with intranasal fentanyl for procedural analgosedation in children: a prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Nitrous oxide 70% (N2O 70%) is an excellent medication for procedural analgosedation (PAS), yet the limit of its analgesic power remains uncertain; therefore, a combination with intranasal fentanyl (INF) was suggested. However, this combination seems to result in a higher rate of vomiting and deeper sedation. This study aimed at assessing the analgesic efficacy, sedation depth and rate of adverse events of PAS with N2O 70% with and without INF. ⋯ Combining N2O 70% with INF resulted in no differences with regard to FLACC scale score, self-reported pain, MBPS score, patient and parental satisfaction rate, sedation depth, and adverse events.
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It is well-recognised that the detection of rib fractures is unreliable using chest radiograph. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate whether the use of lung ultrasound is superior in accuracy to chest radiography, in the diagnosis of rib fractures following blunt chest wall trauma. ⋯ The results demonstrate that lung ultrasound may be superior to chest radiography, but the low quality of the studies means that no definitive statement can be made.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Compliance with hand hygiene in emergency medical services: an international observational study.
Healthcare-associated infection caused by insufficient hygiene is associated with mortality, economic burden, and suffering for the patient. Emergency medical service (EMS) providers encounter many patients in different surroundings and are thus at risk of posing a source of microbial transmission. Hand hygiene (HH), a proven infection control intervention, has rarely been studied in the EMS. ⋯ HH compliance among EMS providers was remarkably low, with higher compliance after patient contacts compared with before patient contacts, and an over-reliance on gloves. We recommend further research on contextual challenges and hygiene perceptions among EMS providers to clarify future improvement strategies.
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Observational Study
Timely access to care for patients with critical burns in India: a prehospital prospective observational study.
Low/middle-income countries carry a disproportionate burden of the morbidity and mortality from thermal burns. Nearly 70% of burn deaths worldwide are from thermal burns in India. Delays to medical care are commonplace and an important predictor of outcomes. We sought to understand the role of emergency medical services (EMS) as part of the healthcare infrastructure for thermal burns in India. ⋯ Although EMS rapidly connects critically burned patients to care in India, mortality remains high, with women disproportionally suffering self-inflicted burns. To combat the burn epidemic in India, efforts must focus on rapid medical care and critical care services, and on a burn prevention strategy that includes mental health and gender-based violence support services.