Annals of emergency medicine
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A tracheal-esophageal airway for field or hospital use is described. The airway consists of a clear plastic mask and endotracheal low pressure cuffed tube with a Murphy tip. ⋯ The endotracheal tube is attached to the mask by a tubular coupler and easily disconnected by removing a metal clip in the event of tracheal insertion of the tube. Our four-year experience with the tracheal-esophageal airway in 400 cardiac arrests has shown it to be safe, simple, and useful.
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The development of modern cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an exciting and surprising history to modern health professionals who rarely are aware of how new CPR really is. Artificial respiration began in the 16th century with Vesalius's work on living animals; progressed with the rise and fall of mouth-to-mouth, manual, and positive pressure ventilation methods of the 18th and 19th centuries; and culminated in 1958 with demonstration of the superiority of the mouth-to-mouth technique. ⋯ The technique was applied to man internally in 1947 and externally in 1956. The simultaneous use of all these modern CPR methods dates back only 20 years.
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The increasing emphasis on the emergency physician's role in the community led us to investigate the role of residency training programs in providing more than clinical competence to their graduates. Using guidelines provided by the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and program alumni, we set about to determine methods of enhancing the EMS and administrative aspects of the residency program at Charity Hospital. We describe the curriculum that was developed.
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Photography is a rapid, relatively simple, and inexpensive means of documenting patient care and enhancing medical education. Because of its use in medical records, photography affords the physician added defense against claims of medical malpractice. The emergency physician should have ready access to a photographic system as well as a basic knowledge of camera operation, filming procedures, picture composition, and medico-legal implications. These topics are discussed and specific recommendations are offered concerning the purchase of essential photographic equipment.