CJEM
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Massive hemorrhage protocols are widely used to facilitate the administration of blood components to bleeding trauma patients. Delays in this process are associated with worse patient outcomes. We used in situ simulation as a novel and iterative quality improvement technique to reduce the mean time between massive hemorrhage protocol activation and blood administration during actual trauma resuscitations. ⋯ A comprehensive, in situ simulation-based quality improvement project was associated with a significant reduction in the mean time between massive hemorrhage protocol activation and blood administration among injured patients. In situ simulation represents a novel approach to the identification and mitigation of latent safety threats during massive hemorrhage protocol activation.
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One in nine (11.7%) people in Saskatchewan identify as First Nations. It is known that First Nations people have a higher burden of cardiovascular disease, but not whether outcomes of out of hospital cardiac arrest are different. ⋯ In Saskatoon, First Nations patients with out of hospital cardiac arrest appear to have similar survival rates when compared with non-First Nations patients. However, First Nations patients sustaining out of hospital cardiac arrest were significantly younger than their non-First Nations counterparts. This highlights a significant public health issue.
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In Alberta, First Nations members visit Emergency Departments (EDs) at almost double the rate of non-First Nations persons. Previous publications demonstrate differences in ED experience for First Nations members, compared to the general population. The Alberta First Nations Information Governance Centre (AFNIGC), First Nations organizations, Universities, and Alberta Health Services conducted this research to better understand First Nations members' ED experiences and expectations. ⋯ Bringing First Nations perspectives to Western understandings of ED care is an important step toward identifying required improvements in the health system for better patient experiences and outcomes.