Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of wrist dorsiflexion on ultrasound-guided radial artery catheterisation using dynamic needle tip positioning technique in adult patients: a randomised controlled clinical trial.
It is generally recommended to keep the wrist joint mildly dorsiflexed during radial artery catheterisation. However, wrist dorsiflexion might decrease the success rate of radial artery catheterisation with dynamic needle tip positioning technique. Therefore, we assessed the success rates of two groups with or without wrist dorsiflexion by 5 cm wrist elevation in adult patients. ⋯ Wrist dorsiflexion may not be a necessity for ultrasound-guided radial artery catheterisation using dynamic needle tip positioning technique in adult patients.
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To conduct a systematic review of the clinical literature to determine whether ultrasound can be used to improve the reduction of distal radius fractures in adults in the ED. ⋯ There is a lack of evidence that using ultrasound in the closed reduction of distal radius fractures benefits patients. Properly conducted randomised controlled trials with patient-orientated outcomes are crucial to investigate this technology.
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We aimed to compare adolescent mortality rates between different types of major trauma centre (MTC or level 1; adult, children's and mixed). ⋯ Children's MTC have lower crude and adjusted 30-day mortality rates for adolescent trauma. Further research is required in this field to identify the factors that may have influenced these findings.
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Aims were (1) to assess the characteristics, associated factors and compliance of patients with acute poisoning advised by the Belgian Poison Centre (BPC) to go (conditionally) to the hospital, (2) to assess the compliance and potential health-economic impact. ⋯ Only a small proportion of patients followed the advice of the BPC to go (conditionally) to the hospital. A systematic follow-up of cases is warranted to examine the appropriateness of referrals and the compliance of patients.
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Advanced airway management is necessary in the prehospital environment and difficult airways occur more commonly in this setting. Failed intubation is closely associated with the most devastating complications of airway management. In an attempt to improve the safety and success of tracheal intubation, we implemented videolaryngoscopy (VL) as our first-line device for tracheal intubation within a UK prehospital emergency medicine (PHEM) setting. ⋯ Despite the lack of objective improvement in care, subjective improvements meant that overall PHEM clinicians wanted to retain VL within their practice.